For Additional Information:
Michelle Benson
708-907-5301
175 ILLINOIS WORKERS’ COMPENSATION
MOVERS AND SHAKERS PACK THE
16TH ANNUAL WORK INJURY CONFERENCE
(Champaign, Illinois – November 14, 2008)
The 16th Annual Work
Injury Conference:
“Culture Change, Culture
Shock: the Reality of the Illinois Workers’ Compensation
System” attracted more than 175 industry movers and
shakers with a vital stake in the Illinois Workers’
Compensation system.
The Work Injury Conference was held Tuesday, October 21,
2008 at the new I-Hotel and Conference Center in
Champaign, Illinois.
This conference brings together the key players from the
Workers’ Compensation System to discuss their concerns and
develop strategies for solutions to improve the Illinois
Workers’ Compensation system. The annual conference
attracts employers, physicians, nurse case managers,
insurance adjusters, physical therapists and attorneys who
have a vested interest in the Illinois Workers’
Compensation System.
CONFERENCE TOPICS:
This year featured the farewell address of
Dennis Ruth, who resigned the IWCC chairmanship effective 10/2/08.
In his discussion, he
shared that cases are moving through the system faster. He
said that the 2005 reform
legislation allowed the governor to appoint three
additional commissioners and that the number of review
decisions has increased by 50%. He said the fact that 50%
of arbitrators’ decisions (approximately 3,000 decisions
per year are issued by arbitrators) are appealed forcing
the creation of a third panel of commissioners to
adjudicate a back-load of appealed cases. Ruth noted that
the commissioners affirm approximately two-thirds of the
arbitrators’ decisions.
Ruth followed Rep. David
Reis, (R)-Willow Hill, who had opened the Conference
discussing his House Bill 5659 that proposed further
Workers’ Compensation reforms. The bill has not yet been
sent to a committee for consideration under the Democratic
Party controlled state government. "Illinois employers
continue to be burdened with high costs and frustrations
with a system rampant with abuse," said Reis.
He shared specific cases from the Illinois Worker's
Compensation Fraud Unit's 2008 annual report
(www.iwcc.il.gov/WCFU-08report.pdf)
including a doctor who billed an insurance company for
treating an employee's injured body part using
"manipulation under anesthesia" – and 12 other body parts
unrelated to the injury.
Ruth’s assertion that Illinois was in the middle of the
pack in regards to costs was vigorously challenged by
Jay Shattuck, a
lobbyist who works with the Illinois State Chamber of
Commerce, who believes that the Illinois Workers’
Compensation System is still a drag on jobs.
Shattuck cited that Illinois has experienced job loss, for
the last six consecutive quarters and the state’s current
unemployment rate is 6.9%.
Illinois is one of the highest indemnity states.
Most states are lowering Workers’ Compensation costs,
while Illinois’ costs continue to rise, especially when
compared to neighboring states.
The 16th Annual Work Injury Conference
highlighted a case study of a large employer
(Super-Valu)
that successfully changed their culture to prevent work
injury and proactively responded when injuries did occur.
Previously, the Champaign-based company challenged nearly
every Workers’ Compensation claim.
Since Mike Weber
became
the risk manager in 2007, their corporate culture has
changed to create an atmosphere of trust. Weber cited the
behavior-based safety program he started in his
400-employee grocery distribution center and working with
SafeWorks Illinois was an effort to reduce preventable
injuries and increase awareness. As a result of these
combined efforts, he has experienced a 67% decrease in the
company’s OSHA rate and 68% in Workers’ Compensation
costs.
SafeWorks Illinois Medical Director David Fletcher
spoke on the impact of the aging worker on the Illinois
Workers’ Compensation System. “With the recent economic
meltdown, a lot more workers will be staying on the job
longer and many will use the Workers’ Compensation system
in lieu of group health benefits.” Illinois employers will
pay the brunt of these costs since there is no
apportionment in Illinois for pre-existing conditions.
Employers have to prepare now to implement strategies to
keep older workers productive and injury free.
An HDTV-quality DVD of the conference is available for purchase
from SafeWorks Illinois. (Contact Stacey Benson at
sbenson@safeworksillinois.com)
###
An HDTV-quality DVD of the conference is available for purchase
from SafeWorks Illinois. (Contact Stacey
Benson at
sbenson@safeworksillinois.com)
ABOUT SAFEWORKS ILLINOIS
SafeWorks Illinois provides comprehensive occupational health services and return to work programs to
create safe, drug-free business and industries. SafeWorks’ ultimate goal is to promote wellness in the
workplace by developing prevention programs, providing injury treatment and industrial rehabilitation services
to help the employee recover, rehabilitate and return to work. SafeWorks Illinois provides 24-hour access to
doctors and ‘Fast-Track’ services with offices in Decatur, Champaign and Chicago.
www.safeworksillinois.com
