News

ILLINOIS GENERAL ASSEMBLY PASSES HOUSE BILL 5228, AMENDING ILLINOIS WORKERS’ COMPENSATION ACT

On May 31, 2026, the Illinois General Assembly passed House Bill 5228, which amends portions of the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act.  The bill now proceeds to Governor Pritzker for consideration and signature. The bill amends the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act in the following ways: (1)     Burial Expenses: Increases burial expenses for death claims from $8,000.00

WIEDNER & MCAULIFFE NAMES NEW BOARD MEMBER

Wiedner & McAuliffe is pleased to announce that Rafal G. Dobek has been appointed to the Board of Directors. Rafal joined the firm in 2012 and is an equity partner in the Workers’ Compensation Defense practice. He brings a depth of knowledge and experience that will help guide the firm’s continued growth and success. We

ARBITRATOR REAPPOINTMENT AND APPOINTMENTS AT THE ILLINOIS WORKERS’ COMPENSATION COMMISSION

In Illinois, Arbitrators are appointed by the Governor and then must be confirmed by the Illinois Senate.  Recently, Governor JB Pritzker announced the reappointment of the following Arbitrators: Joseph Amarilio Crystal Caison Paul Cellini Ana Vazquez Diaz Gerald Granada Jessica Hegarty Adam Hinrichs Jeffrey Huebsch Nina Mariano Maureen Pulia The Arbitrators 3-year terms will expire

CHANGES COMING TO KANSAS WORKERS’ COMPENSATION

On May 29, 2024, Governor Laura Kelly signed SB 430 into law.  This law is the first major workers’ compensation reform in Kansas for almost a decade and will take effect on July 1, 2024.  The law will impact Kansas workers’ compensation claims in several notable aspects, including, but not limited to: Cap Increases: The

MARCH MADNESS IN THE ILLINOIS LEGISLATURE: PROPOSED LEGISLATION SEEKS TO MAKE ILLINOIS STUDENT ATHLETES ELIGIBLE FOR WORKERS’ COMPENSATION BENEFITS

Currently, the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act protects employees. House Bill 5625, introduced in the Illinois House of Representatives, would amend the Act to expand the definition of “employee” to include every student participant in an athletic program at an institution of higher education, but only when the student is participating in an athletic event, traveling

PROPOSED LEGISLATION IN MISSOURI REGARDING LEGAL MARIJUANA AND WORKERS’ COMPENSATION

On November 8, 2022, voters in Missouri approved Amendment 3, an amendment to the Missouri Constitution legalizing purchase, possession, and consumption of marijuana for adults aged 21 and over.  This development created some uncertainty for Missouri employers regarding how legal marijuana may impact their policies surrounding employment decisions and workers’ compensation.  Several bills currently being

WIEDNER & MCAULIFFE SECURES FAVORABLE DECISION BEFORE THE MISSOURI COURT OF APPEALS, PREVENTING WINDFALL AWARD FOR DISPUTED MEDICAL BILLS

Congratulations to Wiedner & McAuliffe Partner Paul Larimore in securing a favorable decision before the Missouri Court of Appeals on behalf of our client, Darden Restaurants, Inc. and third-party administrator Gallagher Bassett. Claimant suffered a minor injury which was initially denied as being non-compensable under the Statue.  The employer/insurer later accepted the claim based upon

WIEDNER & MCAULIFFE KANSAS CITY ATTORNEYS PREVAIL IN POST-AWARD DECISION BEFORE KANSAS APPELLATE BOARD

In a recent Kansas post-award case tried and subsequently appealed by the claimant to the Kansas Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board, Wiedner & McAuliffe attorneys Brenden Webb and Andrew Jones secured a favorable decision on behalf of our client, Direct TV, Inc.  The Appellate Board upheld a favorable trial decision obtained relieving Direct TV, Inc. of

DEFENSE VERDICT FOR COMMERCIAL PROPERTY OWNER IN MOLD CASE

Congratulations to Wiedner & McAuliffe partners Zach Vaughn, Brent Salsbury, and their team for an extraordinary defense verdict for our commercial landlord client after a one-week jury trial in St. Charles County, Missouri! Our client owned a 75,000-square-foot property with Plaintiff being a tenant for six years. Plaintiff, 47, alleged her unit contained toxic mold

WIEDNER & MCAULIFFE SUCCESSFULLY REBUTS COVID-19 PRESUMPTION AND OBTAINS CLAIM DENIAL

In a recent case tried before an arbitrator at the IWCC, Wiedner & McAuliffe partners Brian Hindman and Matt Rokusek won a favorable decision by working with our client, Tyson Foods, Inc., in developing a successful defense to a COVID-19 case brought under the Illinois Occupational Diseases Act in Eufrocina Martinez de Cruz v. Tyson Fresh