Section Newsletters

Articles From Christine M. Ory

Lessons Learned By Christine M. Ory Workers’ Compensation Law, May 2020 Reflections of a practicing workers’ compensation attorney turned arbitrator.
If the arbitrator awards permanent total disability, does petitioner’s failure on review to argue for a wage differential award in the alternative defeat the wage-differential claim under 8(d)1? By Christine M. Ory Workers’ Compensation Law, September 2015 A summary of Lenhart v. IWCC.
Enough of the “gotcha”—It is time for limited discovery/disclosure under the WC Act By Christine M. Ory Workers’ Compensation Law, October 2014 The rationale for not allowing discovery in workers’ compensation cases was to expedite the arbitration process. However, the lack of discovery seems to have had the opposite effect
There is little interest in interest under the present WC Act By Christine M. Ory Workers’ Compensation Law, August 2013 If P.A. 83-1051 went into effect in July 1984, interest payments on an arbitrator’s award would have accrued at the rate of 9% per annum under §19(n). As of December 2008, the prime rate dropped to 3.25% where it remains. Therefore, if P.A. 83-1051 had gone into effect, the present interest rate on the arbitrator’s award would be at 4.25% per annum. This is nowhere near as good as it was in July 1984 and not as good as the 6% flat rate, but it certainly is better than what we have today.
How to avoid the “penalty box” By Christine M. Ory Workers’ Compensation Law, June 2011 Respondents can be tagged for penalties under Sections 19k, 19l and attorneys’ fees under 16 if they do not have justification for delaying or denying benefits. To defeat penalties, respondents must put forth a legitimate dispute.
Hot topics­recent decisions By Christine M. Ory Workers’ Compensation Law, April 2000 Two recent appellate court decisions have placed the onus on the parties filing reviews or appeals to follow due diligence to ensure the circuit court clerk's office and the Industrial Commission's employees do their jobs in a proper and timely manner.

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