CRAIN'S CHICAGO BUSINESS

An Illinois trucking firm will have to pay additional workers compensation premiums after the state's high court declined to review an appellate ruling.

The Illinois Supreme Court's decision earlier this month not to review Wausau General Insurance Co. v. Kim's Trucking Inc. lets stand an Illinois Appeals Court ruling earlier this year that the Palos Heights, Illinois-based hauling firm was required to provide workers compensation coverage for outside haulers with which it contracted, unless those contractors could demonstrate proof of their own insurance.

The Lisle, Illinois-based insurer had claimed that the trucking company owed it more than $33,000 in additional premiums for policies written for the 1991-1992 and 1992-1993 policy years. The case involved about 15 contracted employee.

The appeals court held that because Kim's Trucking, which hauls asphalt, sand, and stone and excavated materials, is engaged in "carriage by land," it is involved in an extra hazardous pursuit requiring workers compensation insurance for its employees and contractors unless they can show they have the coverage. Earlier, a trial court had ruled for Wausau in a summary judgment.