Local judge will be doing justice duties

COLUMBUS — Judge Joseph J. Vukovich of the Youngstown-based 7th District Court of Appeals will serve Tuesday as a visiting Ohio Supreme Court justice. Judge Vukovich will take the place of Justice Maureen O’Connor, who has removed herself from Talik vs. Federal Marine Terminals Inc.

The case, which originated in Cuyahoga County, examines whether a federal workers’ compensation act pre-empts Ohio case law that allows an injured worker to file an “intentional tort” claim against his employer in cases where a workplace condition was so unsafe that it presented a “substantial certainty” of worker injury.

Ohio Supreme Court justices don’t give reasons when they remove themselves from cases, a high court spokeswoman said.