Partner and Vice President Steve Murdock recently received two affirmations from the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission in companion cases he tried in March 2013 that then resulted in victories in both cases.  At the Arbitration level, the Arbitrator made clear in the Decisions that she found the claimant to be not credible, in one case resulting in a significant limitation on the extent of the benefits claimed and in the other case resulting in a finding of no accident.  Although the claimant had medical opinions to support both claims, because the Arbitrator found those opinions were based on discredited statements from the claimant, the Arbitrator gave those medical opinions less weight than those of respondent’s IME.

On Review, Steve continued to argue that the Arbitrator was in the best position to assess the credibility of the claimant’s testimony at trial, and in these two cases the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission agreed by affirming the Arbitration Decisions without any modification.  Congratulations to Steve and our client, who avoided significant medical and temporary disability exposure as well as a wage differential or permanent total disability liability exposure well above $300,000.