TRANSMITTAL LETTER FOR BOARD MEETING OF NOVEMBER 7, 2019
COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY
Mr. Brian A. Perkovich, Executive Director
Title
Authority to settle the Workers’ Compensation Claims of Dann Grillo vs. MWRDGC, Claim 14 WC 18233, 14 WC 18234, 14 WC 18235, 14 WC 18236, and 16 WC 19210, Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission (IWCC), in the sum of $174,000.00, Account 901-30000-601090
Body
Dear Sir:
Dann Grillo was a Truck Driver at the O’Brien Water Reclamation Plant. He retired from the District on April 30, 2018. On December 1, 2010, he sustained an injury to his right knee. He also claimed an injury to his right hip from this accident. Mr. Grillo was initially seen by the doctor at the industrial medical clinic on December 6, 2010. His initial treatment consisted of physical therapy and medications. He was disabled from work effective December 7, 2010. He was able to return to work on December 16, 2010. The employee did not improve with conservative treatment and on April 19, 2011 the employee underwent surgery to repair his right knee. He was disabled effective April 19, 2011. He was able to return to work on May 31, 2011. Mr. Grillo underwent surgery on his right hip on September 30, 2016, which was processed through his group medical insurance. In addition, Mr. Grillo underwent a second surgical procedure on his right knee on March 1, 2017 which was also processed through his group medical insurance. No lost time benefits were paid for the hip surgery or the second right knee surgery.
Mr. Grillo sustained another injury on August 28, 2012. This accident caused an injury to his right shoulder. The employee initially sought treatment at the industrial clinic on September 14, 2012. He did not lose any time from work for his injury and received conservative treatment consisting of medications and physical therapy. The treating physician ultimately recommended shoulder surgery, which Mr. Grillo declined at that time. He did eventually undergo right shoulder surgery on March 1, 2017; but submitted this surgery through his group medical insurance. There were no lost time benefits paid under this injury.
Mr. Grillo claimed another injury to his right knee and right hip on February 18, 2014 which was under dispute after investigation. There were no lost time benefits paid under this injury.
Mr. Grillo again claimed another injury to right knee and hip on May 20, 2014, which was under dispute after investigation. There were no lost time benefits paid under this injury.
Mr. Grillo sustained an injury to his left knee on May 4, 2016. The request for surgery on his left knee was in dispute based on an independent medical evaluation. The employee would later undergo surgery on his left knee on October 14, 2016, which was paid through his group medical insurance. There were no lost time benefits paid under this injury. An MRI in 2018 showed degenerative changes that may necessitate the need for additional future surgery.
Mr. Grillo was paid a total of $6,161.48 in lost time benefits during his disability period on his December 1, 2010 accident. He was paid a total of 6.8 weeks of lost time benefits.
Mr. Grillo filed five Applications of Adjustment of Claims with the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission (IWCC) through his counsel. Subject to the approval of the IWCC, these cases can now be settled for a total of $174,000.00, representing approximately 25% loss of the right knee, approximately 17.68% loss of person as a whole, approximately 21.55% loss of the left leg and approximately 27.80% loss of the right leg/hip. This settlement will close out future lost time benefits, as well as any future medical benefits associated with these injuries.
The Director of Human Resources believes this settlement is in the best interest of the District and requests payment of that sum be approved and she be authorized to execute such documents as may be necessary to effect the settlement.
Requested, Beverly K. Sanders, Director of Human Resources, BKS:RAJ:RG
Disposition of this agenda item will be documented in the official Regular Board Meeting Minutes of the Board of Commissioners for November 7, 2019