ACTION REQUESTED:
Title
Communication from the City Manager and Director of Human Resources with a Request to AUTHORIZE the Payment of a WORKERS COMPENSATION SETTLEMENT, in the Amount of $135,675.27, to a Fire Captain Injured on July 18, 2015.
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BACKGROUND: Illinois Workers Compensation Commission case number 15 WC 26417 involves a now disabled Fire Captain who was injured in a fall at a fire scene resulting in multiple injuries to include a head injury. Opposing counsel made an initial demand of $250,000 for all injuries which the City rejected. This case was arbitrated on October 27, 2021, in front of Arbitrator Gillespie. Arbitrator Gillespie issued an award totaling $135,675.27. Opposing counsel filed an appeal of the decision but has since agreed to drop the appeal and accept the arbitrator’s award.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: If approved, the $135,675.27 will be paid by our 3rd party administrator from the City’s escrow account. The escrow is funded by the current workers’ compensation claims line item located in the City’s employee benefits budget.
NEIGHBORHOOD CONCERNS: N/A
IMPACT IF APPROVED: The current workers compensation case would be resolved and would eliminate any future litigation.
IMPACT IF DENIED: The judgement would go unpaid resulting in additional penalties and further legal cost.
ALTERNATIVES: N/A
EEO CERTIFICATION NUMBER: N/A
WHICH OF THE GOALS IDENTIFIED IN THE COUNCIL’S 2017 - 2032 STRATEGIC PLAN DOES THIS RECOMMENDATION ADVANCE?
1. Financially Sound City
WHICH CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTOR(S) FROM THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DOES THIS RECOMMENDATION IMPLEMENT?
1. Have an efficient government.
DEPARTMENT: Human Resources