John Deere Harvester Works v. Industrial Commission

Claimant, Larry Adkins, filed an application for adjustment of claim pursuant to the Workers’ Occupational Diseases Act (Act) (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1987, ch. 48, par. 172.36 et seq.). Therein he alleged loss of hearing in both ears arising out of and in the course of employment with John Deere Harvester Works (the employer). Claimant did not allege work-related hearing loss beyond August 3, 1987, at which time he began to use hearing protection. The arbitrator found that claimant had sustained a 27.3% loss of hearing in his left ear and 15.17% loss of hearing in his right ear.

On review, the…