Roberts v. Industrial Commission

On April 1, 1977, Merle E. Roberts brought this action before the Industrial Commission pursuant to section 19(h) of the Workmen’s Compensation Act (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1975, ch. 48, par. 138.19(h)) seeking recovery for an alleged increased disability resulting from a prior industrial accident. The Industrial Commission dismissed the action for want of prosecution.

The petitioner appealed the decision of the Industrial Commission to the circuit court of Cook County, which affirmed the dismissal. The petitioner then appealed directly to this court (87 Ill. 2d R. 302(a)).

On December 18, 1979, the…