Temporary Transitional Employment in Illinois

Transitional Temporary Employment plans or programs (TTE) are a tool used to address return to work issues. In these programs a third party vendor is typically used to locate temporary employment for the petitioner when their work restrictions cannot be accommodated by their employers. These programs come into play during two pivotal points in the …

I&F Presents to Hotel Human Resources Association of Chicago

Inman & Fitzgibbons, Ltd. attorneys Steve Murdock and Allison Mecher recently presented to the Hotel Human Resources Association of Chicago on two topics related to Illinois Workers' Compensation Law. They first presented on the topic of "Accident Investigation," covering the basics of Illinois Workers' Compensation Law, discussing best practices for accident investigation, and providing useful tips …

I&F Presents 2016 Illinois Workers’ Compensation Case Law Year in Review Webinar

On February 16, 2017, Jynnifer Bates and Mark Carter hosted a webinar entitled “2016 Illinois Workers’ Compensation Case Law Year in Review” through the Illinois Chamber of Commerce. From case law to legislation, as well as the overall direction of the practice, they reviewed the landscape of Illinois WC law.  The webinar included a discussion …

Elimination of WC Review Board Sought by Governor Walker of Wisconsin

On February 8, 2017 Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker  submitted his 2017-2019 budget recommendations under Assembly Bill 64 and Senate Bill 30.  Therein, Governor Walker has proposed the elimination of the State’s Labor and Industry Review Commission (LIRC). Under current law, administrative law judge workers’ compensation decisions can be appealed to the LIRC, which is a …

Governor Rauner Announces New Arbitrator Appointment

Governor Bruce Rauner has appointed Ms. Ketki Steffen as an arbitrator for the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission.  Ms. Steffen had formerly been an arbitrator with the Commission and will call upon her extensive workers' compensation experience in her newly appointed role.

New Appointments to the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission

Governor Rauner has appointed Ms. Deborah Simpson and Ms. L. Elizabeth Coppoletti to the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission. Commissioner Simpson will be assuming the vacancy on Panel C but handling the case load formerly assigned to Commissioner White.  Commissioner Coppoletti will be assuming the vacancy on Panel B but handling the case load formerly assigned to Commissioner Basurto.

A CMS Policy for LMSA Reviews is Imminent

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently issued documentation signaling that Liability Medicare Set-Asides (LMSAs) and No-Fault Medicare Set-Asides (NFMSAs) will be notated fields in CMS’ Common Working File. Effective October 1, 2017, Medicare Administrative Contractors will begin denying payment for services associated with an open LMSA or NFMSA record. The CMS Manual Update …