Plaintiff alleges U.S. Government Agencies violated Constitutional Rights

R&L Carriers Shared Services, LLC has filed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission’s (OSHRC) administrative review process. The complaint was lodged in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio on February 25, 2026, against the OSHRC, United States Department of Labor (DOL), Jonathan Snare in his official capacity as Commissioner and Chairman of OSHRC, and Lori Chavez-DeRemer in her official capacity as Secretary of Labor.

The case arises from an October 15, 2025 citation issued by OSHA to R&L Carriers alleging three serious violations under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970. The violations pertain to employee safety protocols involving forklift operations. R&L contested these allegations on October 27, 2025, which led to formal proceedings by OSHRC. However, R&L claims that the administrative review scheme violates their constitutional rights by denying them substantive and procedural protections guaranteed under due process.

R&L’s complaint argues that OSHRC’s structure is unconstitutional on several grounds: it challenges the appointment process of administrative law judges under Article II’s Appointments Clause; it disputes the for-cause removal protections for OSHRC Commissioners and judges as a violation of separation of powers; it highlights OSHRC’s lack of quorum as undermining meaningful judicial review; and it asserts that their right to a jury trial under the Seventh Amendment is being denied since civil penalties are akin to common law claims. They cite recent Supreme Court rulings emphasizing these constitutional doctrines.

The plaintiff seeks declaratory relief affirming their right to a jury trial and declaring various aspects of OSHRC’s structure unconstitutional. They also request injunctive relief to halt ongoing administrative enforcement actions related to the cited violations. R&L contends that without such relief, they will suffer irreparable harm through participation in what they deem an unconstitutional proceeding.

Representing R&L Carriers Shared Services is attorney Steven A. Boggins from Ogletree Deakins Nash Smoak & Stewart P.C., while defendants include federal agencies and officials such as Jonathan Snare and Lori Chavez-DeRemer. The case is identified with Civil Action No. 1:26-cv-00199-DRC.