FOIA Advisor

FOIA News: OSHA to pay $120k to settle cases involving injury & illness reports

FOIA News (2015-2023)Allan BlutsteinComment

OSHA Agrees to Pay $120,000 to Settle Employer Data FOIA Cases

By Bruce Rolfsen, Bloomberg Law, Oct. 2, 2020

  • Agency forced to release records in two cases

  • Agreement with plaintiff still needs court approval

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s failed court battle to prevent the public release of employers’ annual injury and illness reports could cost taxpayers $120,000, with another litigation bill expected in a similar case.

An Oct. 1 stipulation filed at an Oakland, California, U.S. court by Department of Labor and the Center for Investigative Reporting says the government has agreed to pay the nonprofit news organization $120,000 to cover litigation costs for two lawsuits against OSHA. Neither settlement has received court approval.

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