Stilp v. Mid States Corp. Conveying & Fabricating Specialists

The issue framed by this appeal is whether the filing of a worker’s compensation claim by a minor’s father as "father and next friend” amounts to the act of a legal representative under section 5(a) of the Workers’ Compensation Act (820 ILCS 305/5(a) (West 1992)). We hold that it does and reverse the trial court’s order dismissing plaintiff’s cause of action.

Plaintiff, Eric Stilp, injured his hand on June 22, 1990, while working at defendant’s factory. He was 15 years old.

Michael Stilp, as the father and next friend of Eric Stilp, filed a worker’s compensation claim on Eric’s behalf with the…