Cochrum v. Old Ben Coal Co.

The plaintiff, Kenneth W. Cochrum, filed this action against the defendant, Old Ben Coal Company, his employer, seeking damages for defendant’s refusal to recall him in a suitable capacity and its alleged threat to discharge him due to plaintiff’s exercise of his rights under the Workers’ Compensation Act (the Act) (820 ILCS 305/1 et seq. (West 1992)). The trial court directed a verdict in favor of defendant at the close of plaintiff’s case. Plaintiff filed a timely notice of appeal.

We note from the outset that plaintiffs attorney conceded in oral argument that he was only seeking…