News

Marijuana Intoxication Does Not Bar Recovery for Workers’ Compensation Benefits

Szarek v. The Workers’ Compensation Commission No. 03-08-0530WC Lennie Szarek, a 21 year old apprentice carpenter, was framing the exterior walls on the second floor of a new house when he fell through a nine foot by nine foot stairwell opening in the center of the floor.  The claimant suffered paraplegia when, while constructing a

Supreme Court Ruling Emphasizes Obligation to Pay TTD Until MMI

Interstate Scaffolding, Inc. v. The Workers Compensation Commission, et al. No. 107852 Jeff Urban was terminated while working under restrictions following an accident at work.  According to his employer, the reasons for the termination were unrelated to his injuries and his restrictions, namely that Urban had written religious “graffiti” on the storeroom wall on the

Petitioner Receives Specific Loss Award for Both Arms in Addition to Two-Member Permanent Disability Benefits Based on Loss of Both Legs

Beelman Trucking v. Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission No. 106680 On April 19, 1995, Jack Carson, a truck driver employed by Beelman Trucking, was involved in a serious motor vehicle accident resulting in severe and permanent injuries.  He suffered a burst fracture at C5-6 resulting in a complete loss of use of both legs and the

A Nursing Home Patient Barred from Pursuing Injury Claim Because of Federal Preemption Based on the

Fosler vs. Midwest Care Center II, Inc. No. 2-08-1005 Marie Fosler alleged wrongful injuries suffered during her stay at Fair Oaks Long-Term Care Facility. As part of the admission to Fair Oaks, Fosler, through her daughter Janice Saxton, entered into a written agreement which contained a provision stating that any dispute arising from Fosler’s stay,

Employer Could Not Include Allegations in Workers’ Compensation Subrogation Claim Except for Those Alleged By the Employee

Pederson v. Mi-Jack Products, Inc., et al No. 1-07-2327 and 01-07-3228 John Pederson, an employee of Henkels and McCoy, Inc. (Henkels), was injured on March 23, 1999 when a boom jib from a truck-mounted crane fell on him.  Two days prior to the expiration of the two-year statute of limitations, Pederson filed a complaint sounding

Appellate Court Limits Medical Waiver in Lump Sum Settlement Contract

Hagene v. Derek Polling Construction No. No. 5 07 0225 Mark Matranga of our office has called our attention to exposure for medical expenses when the settlement contract is not sufficiently explicit. The Appellate Court, Fifth District, recently decided a case which will affect the practice of how medical bill issues are addressed in lump

Retaliatory Discharge Evidence Presented a Genuine Issue for the Jury to Decide

Herman v. Power Maintenance & Constructors No. 04-08-0509 Plaintiff, William T. Herman, brought a tort action against Power Maintenance & Constructors for discharging him, or refusing to call him, in retaliation for his filing a workers’ compensation claim.  The trial court entered a summary judgment in defendant’s favor but the appellate court reversed. Defendant laid

Signed, Sealed Settled Guidelines for Perfecting Settlement Agreements

Whenever settlement discussions result in a final settlement, make sure that the agreement is documented or recorded with proof of consent by all parties to the agreement.  Failing to do so could spur additional litigation and end up costing clients more than they bargained for.  The recent case of K4 Enters. v. Grater, Inc., No.

Defending Fire Claims 101: Investigation

“The temptation to form premature theories upon insufficient data is the bane of our profession.” – Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes A thorough scene investigation of your next fire case may be the difference between a claim being dropped and a claim being litigated. The timeliness of the investigation and methods employed will ensure

Cases of the Quarter

Garcia v. Wooton Construction Ltd. (1st Dist. December 22, 2008) The First District Appellate Court reversed the Circuit Court’s finding of summary judgment when it decided that a general contractor owed a duty of care to an ironworker who was injured unloading bolts at a Chicago condominium development.  The Plaintiff, an ironworker employed by a