Any party involved in committing fraud relating to a workers’ compensation dispute is guilty of a Class 4 felony and must pay complete restitution in addition to a fine. In addition, those who knowingly receive benefits by making false workers’ compensation claims can be liable for either three times the value of benefits wrongfully obtained or twice the value of coverage attempted, plus attorney fees required to bring the claim.

Penalties Increased for Uninsured Employers

Employers who fail to purchase workers’ compensation insurance are guilty of creating an immediate and serious danger to public health. As a consequence, a work stop order can be imposed, requiring the cessation of all business operations until the employer obtains proof of workers’ compensation insurance.

Furthermore, a knowing failure of an employer to provide workers’ compensation insurance coverage is considered a Class 4 felony, and each day’s violation constitutes a separate offense.

Medical Fee Schedule Established

The Commission has established a medical fee schedule, setting maximum medical fees that employers are liable for. The maximum fees are 90% of the 80th percentile of charges in a certain geographic area. If a worker’s medical bills are less than what is established by the fee schedule, then the employee will receive full workers’ compensation coverage for those bills.

Benefits Increased and Changed

The Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission sets maximum compensation for specific work injuries. As of February of 2006, the maximum compensation that a worker can receive as the result of a death injury is the greater of $500,000 or 25 years worth of salary. This is higher than the previous maximum (the greater of $250,000 or 20 years).

Expedited Hearings

When an injured worker is not receiving any compensation for an injury from his or her employer, that worker can request an expedited hearing. An employer can also request an expedited hearing if a worker continues receiving compensation until a judgment is rendered and the employee has been released back to work.