Gooden v. Industrial Commission

William Gooden filed an application for adjustment of claim seeking workers’ compensation benefits from his employer, Allstate Insurance Company, for injuries he sustained while participating in a company picnic. The matter proceeded to an arbitration hearing where the arbitrator found that Gooden’s injuries were not compensable because they did not arise out of and in the course of his employment. Gooden appealed to the Illinois Industrial Commission, 1 which affirmed the arbitrator’s decision. He then appealed to the Cook County circuit court, which confirmed the Commission’s decision. He…