Custodian Gets $14K for Toilet Paper Injury

Call this a one-two ply punch.

Cook County is paying a custodian $14,022 over her claims that she injured her back twice while "reaching around to pick up a piece of toilet paper," the Sun-Times reports.

Mary Lait, a custodian in the sheriff's office, injured herself in October 1997 and March 1998. She remains on the job.

"Do I think it's excessive?" said County Commissioner Bridget Gainer, after a meeting Wednesday in which the settlement was approved. "I think we end up compensating employees for illnesses and injuries they bring with them to work."

Gainer told the Sun-Times she had no involvement with Lait's case specifically.

The state's attorney's staff defends the county in these claims. Deputy State's Attorney Pat Driscoll said he had no details about the Lait case, and that anyone filing a claim must prove the injury happened in the line of duty.

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