**Eighth Circuit Kills $124K OSHA Fine Collection Bid**
The Eighth Circuit ruled that OSHA waited too long to collect a $124,000 safety fine from I-44 Truck Center & Wrecker Service. The court threw out the government’s debt-collection lawsuit as time-barred under the Debt Collection Improvement Act.
The case began when OSHA tried to force payment through federal court after the company refused the fine. I-44 fought back, arguing the government missed its legal window. The appeals court agreed, finding the Debt Collection Improvement Act sets a strict deadline that does not pause for the usual 180-day delinquency period. Because OSHA filed too late, the lawsuit had to be dismissed.
This decision matters because it limits how long federal agencies can chase old fines. Trucking and wrecker companies now have stronger protection against surprise collection actions years after penalties are issued. The ruling forces OSHA and similar agencies to act faster or lose their claims.
**Bottom Line:** Miss the deadline, lose the debt.
https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/10883416/united-states-v-i-44-truck-cntr-wrecker-svc/
What does this mean for how your shop handles old OSHA citations?