Alvarado v. Industrial Commission

At issue in this case is whether the Illinois Industrial Commission (the Commission) may award attorney fees to a claimant’s former attorneys several months after the Commission approves a settlement between the claimant and his employer. The trial court confirmed the Commission’s decision to award attorney fees to the former attorneys. The appellate court reversed. For the reasons that follow, we reverse the decision of the appellate court.

BACKGROUND

Angel Alvarado, the claimant, was injured on August 19, 1996, while working for his employer, Central Die Casting. On December 16, 1996, the law…