Car hauler sues workers' comp administrator over discovery of private med info

A car hauler says he has been damaged by more than $100,000 after his workers' compensation administrator discovered some of his confidential medical information.

Chester Belleville says he began receiving workers' compensation from Zurich Services Corporation on March 18, 2008, after he was injured while working as a car hauler.

While Belleville was receiving his workers' compensation, Zurich invaded his private medical information, according to the complaint filed June 9 in Madison County Circuit Court.

Before Belleville was allowed to receive workers' compensation benefits, he claims Rodger Owen forced him to sign medical information releases he should not have been required to sign, the suit states.

"The purpose of this medical information releases were not to legitimately administer or evaluate claims, but rather, to allow Zurich to speak with Plaintiff's treating physicians, in violation of the Illinois Constitution," the complaint says.

Zurich conspired with Owen to obtain Belleville's confidential information, he claims.

As a result, Belleville says he has incurred more than $100,000 in damages, although he doesn't specify how. He also does not specify who Owen is.

In the two-count suit, Belleville is seeking a judgment of more than $50,000, plus costs.

He is represented by Thomas G. Maag of Wendler Law in Edwardsville.

Madison County Circuit Court case number: 09-L-600.