Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission provides additional instructions for Pro Se settlement approval

A message from Chairman Michael J. Brennan of the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission: "No authorization has been given to anyone to process pro se lump sum settlement contracts based upon an affidavit [in lieu of petitioner's personal appearance]. Pro se litigants and attorneys may appear before emergency arbitrators for contract approval on the second day …

Slowed Down … not Shut Down: Resolving Cases During the COVID-19 Pandemic

We have all been impacted by COVID-19 and this impact is being felt in both our personal and professional lives.  With “shelter in place” and “stay-at-home” orders issued by government entities across the Midwest—and throughout the country—we are experiencing closures of our favorite restaurants, businesses, and even our children’s schools. If you have been following …

IL Work Comp: IWCC Issues Updated Guidance on Operations

Based upon the continuing National Emergency and Worldwide Pandemic created by the COVID-19 virus, as well as the lack of technological resources, the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission must suspend regular operations during the month of April 2020. The Commission will continue all cases to their next regularly scheduled 90-day continuance date. Matters pending on the …

Indiana WCB Advises Claim Administrators and EDI Vendors of New Nature & Cause of Injury Codes for COVID-19 Pandemic

The Worker’s Compensation Board of Indiana (INWCB) has issued the following announcement to Claim Administrators and EDI Vendors: The Workers Compensation Insurance Organizations (WCIO) has updated the Injury Description Tables that are used by the International Association of Industrial Accident Boards and Commissions (IAIABC) to reflect specific coding in response to COVID-19. A new Cause …

Updated COVID-19 Court Information: Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin

Inman and Fitzgibbons will continue to bring updated information regarding the operation and access to courts and workers' compensation administrative venues in the jurisdictions handled by the firm. The updates below detail the latest guidance from the WC agencies in Indiana and Michigan and a general announcement about court operations in Wisconsin. INDIANA: By order …

I&F COVID-19 Update: A Message from I&F President G. Steven Murdock

https://videopress.com/v/E6g1WjP8?preloadContent=metadata

IL Magistrate Judge Limits Depositions For Medical Providers

Celeste Bott of Law360 reports that an Illinois magistrate judge on Friday imposed a protocol limiting the depositions of medical professionals and treatment providers amid the coronavirus outbreak. She wrote, "U.S. Magistrate Judge Gabriel Fuentes said in an order that in cases before him, before any deposition discovery of medical treaters is scheduled and before any …

Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission issues Update

The IL IWCC just issued the following update: Beginning Monday March 23, 2020, the Commission will move forward with the below Emergency Motion Call for EMERGENCY motions, ONLY. An “Emergency Arbitrator” will be available at the locations and on the dates and times set in the below schedule (this will be updated on a weekly …

Federal Legislative Response to Coronavirus Pandemic

In what is likely to be the first of several actions, President Trump signed into law HR 6201 “Families First Coronavirus Response Act” on Wednesday, March 18, 2020. The first thing to note is that this bill only applies to employers with fewer than 500 employees. The bill impacts a number of employer related programs: …

Michigan COVID-19 Update: State Provides Guidance to Employers Contemplating Potential Layoffs

News from Michigan's Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity: LANSING, MICH. The Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity today provided guidance to Michigan employers on how to avoid potential layoffs related to COVID-19. “We know that many families and businesses are and will experience economic pain as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said LEO …

Updated Michigan Workers’ Compensation Hearing Procedures

Updated guidance from Mark C. Long, Deputy Director of the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, Workers’ Disability Compensation Agency regarding BOM hearing procedures: As previously advised, effective March 16, 2020 at 5:00 pm, the Workers’ Disability Compensation Agency and the Workers’ Compensation Board of Magistrates have suspended in-person hearings until April 20, 2020.To mitigate …

Illinois Courts COVID-19 Update: US District Ct., Northern District of IL

The United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois has issued Amended General Order 20-0012 IN RE: CORONAVIRUS COVID-19 Public Emergency Signed by Chief Judge Rebecca R. Pallmeyer on March 16, 2020 providing important guidance on Court operations. All open cases are impacted by this Amended General Order.  It should be noted that this Order …

COVID-19 Update: Ohio Industrial Commission

The Ohio Industrial Commission announced yesterday that all workers’ compensation hearings will be continued on Monday, March 16 and Tuesday, March 17, 2020. Until further notice, beginning Wednesday, March 18, the Commission will begin conducting hearings by telephone for the following issues: permanent total disability, temporary total disability or the termination of temporary total disability, …

COVID-19 Update: Missouri Division of Workers’ Compensation

A message from the Missouri Division of Workers' Compensation: In the interest of your health and safety, and that of employees at the Division of Workers’ Compensation, please note: Routine matters can be handled by email and tele-conference:See the local office docketing email chart on the DWC website and below to submit requests for continuance, …

Iowa Worker’s Compensation Commissioner Orders Video Hearings

A message from the Iowa Worker's Compensation Commission: The Iowa Worker's Compensation Commissioner, in an effort to help mitigate the spread of the novel coronavirus,  issued an Order on March 13, 2020 providing that all hearing scheduled through June 16, 2020 will no longer proceed as in-person hearings.  Instead all regular proceeding hearings shall be …

Michigan Workers’ Compensation Hearings Update Related to COVID-19

A message from the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity: In accordance with Governor Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services’ recommendations designed to help prevent the spread of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), effective March 16, 2020 at 5:00 pm, the Workers’ Disability Compensation Agency and the Workers’ Compensation Board …

Illinois Courts COVID-19 Update: Cook County & US District Ct., Northern District of IL

The United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois has issued the following Order regarding the scheduling of pending matters due to the COVID-19 situation. Similarly, the Chief Judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County issued a General Administrative Order last week. Obviously, disruptions to normal work schedules can be expected to …

COVID-19 Update from the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission

A message from the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission: In light of the unprecedented severity of the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic, in the interests of health and safety, at the Monday March 16, 2020, meeting of the Workers’ Compensation Commission, Chairman Michael J. Brennan will be calling for a vote to suspend all normal in-person arbitration and …

Indiana Worker’s Compensation Scheduling Update

The following information has been posted to the Indiana Worker’s Compensation Board Website: Pretrial conferences are cancelled through April 3rd, 2020.  Joint pretrial order forms may be submitted electronically (where applicable) if the parties so desire, using the District email.  Hearings will continue so long as directives from the Governor do not change or the …

A Message from I&F Regarding COVID-19 / Coronavirus

The spread of COVID-19 has obviously raised significant issues for employers throughout the world. Employers face uncertainty around what they can and should do to promote the health and well-being of their workforce while navigating federal, state, and local regulations and while considering rapidly changing government warnings and restrictions. Although the current circumstances will likely …