Schiff & Hulbert Builds Savings Of More Than $60,000
For Drywall Contractor.

A carpenter claimed that he was injured while lifting drywall. Our investigation determined that the claimant had not reported the injury immediately in violation of the employer’s policy. He did not seek medical care for four days. The claimant’s medical history included a conflicting date for the incident and a different employer, against which he also had a pending claim. The claimant had also applied for unemployment benefits, citing lack of work. The arbitrator found that the claimant was not credible and denied all benefits. This decision saved the employer more than $60,000 in medical bills, temporary total disability, and permanent disability payments. Since the claimant did not appeal, additional savings in legal fees were realized.

Schiff & Hulbert Saves Scaffold Erector More Than $600,000
In Death Benefits.

The widow of a deceased construction worker filed a claim for death benefits for her husband. He died of cardiac sudden death while erecting scaffolding. We conducted an immediate on-site investigation, which revealed that the decedent had simply collapsed while standing on a truckbed. A coworker testified that the decedent did little physical work and that the job was comparatively easy. Our expert was board-certified in cardiology, internal medicine, and critical care. The claimant’s expert had less impressive qualifications. The Commission held that the death did not arise out of the employment. The decision was affirmed by the Illinois Appellate Court, saving the employer death benefits of 20 years of compensation in excess of $600,000.

Schiff & Hulbert Saves Building Supply Firm More Than $100,000
in Medical Bills in Claim by Driver.

Schiff & Hulbert defeated a claim by a truck driver for a herniated disk injury sustained while unloading a truck. At his deposition, the claimant’s doctor admitted that his patient never told him about a lifting incident at work. He did not know what caused the claimant’s disc herniation. At trial, the claimant admitted he continued driving for three months after the accident without medical treatment. The supervisor denied that the employee told the company about the accident as required by company policy. Company records showed claimant did not even work on the date he said he was hurt. The claimant was simply not believed. The claim for more than $100,000 was denied.

Schiff & Hulbert Saves Transportation Company
More Than $300,000 in RSD Claim.

Schiff & Hulbert successfully defended a claim of Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy. The claimant was a delivery driver. He twisted his ankle getting out of a truck. His doctor diagnosed RSD. We set up surveillance and he was filmed walking with a cane to the doctor’s office. He complained of so much pain he could not tolerate being examined. A second surveillance unit was waiting for him at his home. He was filmed throwing his cane in the trunk of his car and walking briskly. His log showed he drove 22,000 miles after his accident. Our pain expert testified his driving record was not consistent with RSD. The arbitrator found the claimant was not credible and failed to prove causal connection. This decision saved our client more than $300,000 in temporary disability, medical expenses and the claimed permanent total disability.