TRANSMITTAL LETTER FOR BOARD MEETING OF MARCH 7, 2024
COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY
Mr. Brian A. Perkovich, Executive Director
Title
Authority to settle the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Claims of Tarita Stewart vs. MWRDGC, Claim Number 19WC026140 and 19WC027761 in the sum of $50,000.00, Account 901-30000-601090
Body
Dear Sir:
Tarita Stewart worked as a Maintenance Laborer A at the Egan Water Reclamation Plant. This employee has since separated from the District effective July 16, 2020. On June 18, 2019, the employee reported that she injured her lower back while lifting pallets from ground level and throwing them in a dumpster. The employee initially sought treatment at the industrial clinic on June 18, 2019, and was disabled from work initially on June 19, 2019. She treated conservatively with medication, physical therapy, and epidural injections. The employee returned to work on July 17, 2019, but was disabled again effective July 18, 2019. The employee returned to work on July 24, 2019.
The employee reported a second injury to her lower back, on September 4, 2019, while operating a floor scrubber. She initially sought treatment at the industrial clinic on September 4, 2019. She continued to receive treatment for her lower back consisting of injections, medication, and physical therapy. She did not lose any time from work for this accident.
The employee was paid 4.8 weeks of lost time benefits for the first injury totaling $5,145.50.
Ms. Stewart filed Application of Adjustment of Claims with the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission (IWCC) through her counsel. These cases can now be settled for a total of $50,000.00, representing approximately 6.14% loss of use of the person as a whole for the June 18, 2019 accident and approximately 5.98% loss of use of the person as a whole for the September 4, 2019 accident. This settlement will close out any future lost time benefits and 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 he be authorized to execute such documents as may be necessary to effect the settlement.
Requested, Thaddeus J. Kosowski, Director of Human Resources, TJK:BLW:RG
Disposition of this agenda item will be documented in the official Regular Board Meeting Minutes of the Board of Commissioners for March 7, 2024