Mason & Dixon Lines, Inc. v. Industrial Commission

Claimant, Edward Clasby, filed a claim under the Workers’ Compensation Act (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1979, ch. 48, par. 138.1 et seq.) for injuries allegedly sustained while in the employ of respondent, Mason & Dixon Lines, Inc. An arbitrator awarded claimant permanent total disability benefits and medical expenses. The award was affirmed by the Industrial Commission and subsequently confirmed by the circuit court of Cook County. Respondent appealed directly to this court. 87 Ill. 2d R. 302(a).

Petitioner, an obese, 56-year-old truck-loading-dock worker, had been diagnosed in January 1978 as suffering…