MADISON COUNTY -- The Fifth District Appellate Court backed the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission (IWCC) in a Madison County workplace injury case, according to a May 4 ruling.
James Burns appealed a Madison County circuit court ruling that backed the IWCC, which overturned an arbitrator’s judgement that rewarded Burns with benefits.
The courts’ decision comes after Burns stated that he worked under harsh working conditions as a crew chief during his roughly eight years with the company, Speedco. Burns said the environment led to him having problems with his feet.
He filed three claims against Speedco and St. Louis Auto Auction that were ultimately consolidated for arbitration. For the three claims, the arbitrator decided that St. Louis Auto Auction was not responsible for Burns’ injuries during his time of employment at Speedco.
In other claims, the arbitrator granted Burns' request for benefits against Speedco.
The IWCC affirmed the arbitrator’s decision to deny St. Louis Auto Auction’s liability and reversed the second two in which Burns was awarded benefits.
In explaining its ruling, the appellate court panel first pointed out that the IWCC found Burns was unable to prove “accident and causation” in his case. It said Burns could not show that the IWCC decision regarding causation was incorrect.