The Indiana Department of Labor said statistics show that workplace injuries and illnesses in Indiana dropped more than five percent from 2005 to 2006. State officials said the dip comes despite an increase in the number of Hoosier workers. Indiana Department of Labor Commissioner Lori Torres says Indiana's manufacturing industry showed the most improvement in the report.

Judge: Suits can be consolidated

U.S. District Court for Northern Indiana Judge Robert Miller has granted class certification for about 14,000 current and 10,000 former FedEx Ground/Home Delivery drivers. The move means that the case challenging FedEx's independent contractor model can proceed and separate class-action lawsuits in 36 states will be consolidated. FedEx Ground plans to appeal the decision.

Biomet posts loss in first quarter

Warsaw-based Biomet Inc. is reporting a loss of $42.9 million for the first fiscal quarter of 2008. The company says the loss was due to charges it incurred because of its merger agreement with a subsidiary of LVB Acquisition Inc.

Zimmer to close acquisition soon

Warsaw-based Zimmer Holdings Inc. said its bid to acquire ORTHOsoft Inc. has been successful. Zimmer expects to close the transaction by early November. Zimmer said it intends to maintain ORTHOsoft's current operations in Montreal.

Donations help victims of domestic violence

Verizon Wireless and the Verizon Foundation say they have donated more than $300,000 in cash grants, phones and airtime to Indiana organizations working to support victims of domestic violence and their families. Many of the donations were part of the HopeLine program. HopeLine takes old wireless phones and gives them to domestic violence victims to use as a lifeline if needed.

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