Banks v. Industrial Commission

I. INTRODUCTION

On November 2, 1995, claimant, Johnnie D. Banks, Jr., filed an application for adjustment of his claim under the Workers’ Compensation Act (Act) (820 ILCS 305/1 et seq. (West 1994)). On April 21, 1999, an arbitrator dismissed his claim for want of prosecution. On June 28, 1999, claimant’s counsel petitioned to reinstate the claim but did not set a hearing on the petition. Claimant obtained new counsel who, on February 28, 2001, filed a second petition to reinstate. An arbitrator, denied reinstatement. Claimant sought review before the Industrial Commission (Commission), which…