{ "id": 3716955, "name": "MARY FRANCIS MENARD, Appellant, v. ILLINOIS WORKERS' COMPENSATION COMMISSION et al. (Gateway Foundation, Appellee)", "name_abbreviation": "Menard v. Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission", "decision_date": "2010-11-16", "docket_number": "No. 5\u201409\u20140354WC", "first_page": "235", "last_page": "240", "citations": [ { "type": "official", "cite": "405 Ill. App. 3d 235" } ], "court": { "name_abbreviation": "Ill. App. Ct.", "id": 8837, "name": "Illinois Appellate Court" }, "jurisdiction": { "id": 29, "name_long": "Illinois", "name": "Ill." }, "cites_to": [ { "cite": "189 Ill. 2d 167", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 1224798 ], "year": 2000, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/189/0167-01" ] }, { "cite": "301 Ill. App. 3d 958", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 257170 ], "year": 1998, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "963" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/301/0958-01" ] }, { "cite": "167 Ill. 2d 77", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 222760 ], "year": 1995, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "85" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/167/0077-01" ] }, { "cite": "162 Ill. App. 3d 806", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 3507592 ], "year": 1987, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "811", "parenthetical": "noting that appellate court is bound to follow decisions of the state supreme court" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/162/0806-01" ] }, { "cite": "318 Ill. App. 3d 932", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 279761 ], "year": 2001, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "935" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/318/0932-01" ] }, { "cite": "397 Ill. App. 3d 975", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 4294643 ], "year": 2010, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "978-79" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/397/0975-01" ] }, { "cite": "72 Ill. 2d 444", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 5442758 ], "year": 1978, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "448" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/72/0444-01" ] }, { "cite": "222 Ill. App. 3d 105", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 5261973 ], "year": 1991, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "111" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/222/0105-01" ] }, { "cite": "324 Ill. App. 3d 526", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 256345 ], "year": 2001, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "533" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/324/0526-01" ] }, { "cite": "369 Ill. App. 3d 711", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 4267900 ], "year": 2006, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "723" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/369/0711-01" ] }, { "cite": "317 Ill. App. 3d 895", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 1025886 ], "year": 2000, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "900" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/317/0895-01" ] }, { "cite": "234 Ill. 2d 430", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 3623686 ], "year": 2009, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/234/0430-01" ] }, { "cite": "382 Ill. App. 3d 802", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 4277235 ], "year": 2008, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "811" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/382/0802-01" ] }, { "cite": "400 Ill. 322", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill.", "case_ids": [ 5307023 ], "weight": 7, "year": 1948, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "327" }, { "page": "327" }, { "page": "328" }, { "page": "328" }, { "page": "328-29" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill/400/0322-01" ] } ], "analysis": { "cardinality": 621, "char_count": 12176, "ocr_confidence": 0.758, "pagerank": { "raw": 4.03580807328026e-08, "percentile": 0.10863490496936308 }, "sha256": "4a39dd798727a553c4a1dcc6ab898c62026b7603e385e5e86c9b6f793d85eb86", "simhash": "1:8877e0b4a391767e", "word_count": 1963 }, "last_updated": "2023-07-14T15:12:02.087067+00:00", "provenance": { "date_added": "2019-08-29", "source": "Harvard", "batch": "2018" }, "casebody": { "judges": [], "parties": [ "MARY FRANCIS MENARD, Appellant, v. ILLINOIS WORKERS\u2019 COMPENSATION COMMISSION et al. (Gateway Foundation, Appellee)." ], "opinions": [ { "text": "JUSTICE HUDSON\ndelivered the opinion of the court:\nOn April 1, 1999, claimant, Mary Francis Menard, filed an application for adjustment of claim (case No. 99 WC 17394) pursuant to the Workers\u2019 Compensation Act (Act) (820 ILCS 305/1 et seq. (West 1998)). In her application, claimant alleged that she suffered a work-related injury in February 1999 due to \u201canxiety/mental illness caused by conflicts\u201d while working for respondent, Gateway Foundation. Several months later, respondent terminated claimant\u2019s employment. On January 24, 2003, claimant filed a second application for adjustment of claim (case No. 03 WC 03802) alleging that she sustained an injury to her back in February 2000 while preparing to travel home from an independent medical evaluation (see 820 ILCS 305/12 (West 1998)) related to the claim filed in April 1999. Both claims were consolidated for hearing before an arbitrator. With respect to case No. 03 WC 03802, the arbitrator found claimant\u2019s back injury compensable. A majority of the Illinois Workers\u2019 Compensation Commission (Commission) affirmed and adopted the decision of the arbitrator. The circuit court of Jackson County, however, set aside the Commission\u2019s decision on the basis that an employer-employee relationship did not exist between the parties at the time of the February 2000 incident. Claimant now appeals. We affirm the decision of the trial court.\nClaimant began working for respondent in 1989. On April 1, 1999, claimant filed an application for adjustment of claim (case No. 99 WC 17394) alleging that she suffered a work-related injury on February 5, 1999, as a result of \u201canxiety/mental illness caused by conflicts\u201d while working for respondent. In June or July 1999, respondent terminated claimant\u2019s employment for her failure to report to work after February 5, 1999.\nFollowing claimant\u2019s termination, and in the process of litigating case No. 99 WC 17394, respondent requested that claimant undergo an independent medical evaluation (IME). See 820 ILCS 305/12 (West 1998). The IME was scheduled for February 20, 2000, with a doctor located in suburban Chicago, about 400 miles north of claimant\u2019s home in Carbondale, Illinois. Claimant requested an examination closer to her home, but she was unsuccessful in having the location changed. Because of the lengthy distance between her residence and the doctor\u2019s office, claimant spent the night prior to the examination in the Chicago area. Claimant testified that the weather driving to Chicago was fine. However, overnight, there was a heavy snowfall. According to claimant, after the examination, the snow and the ice were so bad that she decided to spend the night of the examination at a hotel. The following morning, claimant was carrying a duffle bag with her personal belongings and medical records to the car when she slipped, but did not fall, on some ice. Claimant explained that as a result of the slip, her back \u201cwent out.\u201d Claimant stated that she experienced \u201cterrible pain\u201d in her back and down her right leg. Claimant testified that the only reason that she traveled to the Chicago area was for the IME. Although surgery was recommended, claimant only underwent conservative treatment for her injury.\nClaimant then filed a second application for adjustment of claim alleging accidental injuries as a result of the slip in February 2000. Although the arbitrator acknowledged that claimant\u2019s employment had been terminated prior to the time she injured her back in February 2000, he nevertheless concluded that an employer-employee relationship existed at that time, explaining that claimant had been \u201cdirected to attend [the IME] as it related to her prior activities at work and, further, [she] was not only authorized by respondent to attend this exam in Chicago *** but that she was, in fact, directed to do so.\u201d The arbitrator further determined that claimant sustained an injury that arose out of and in the course of her employment with respondent and that there was a causal connection between claimant\u2019s current condition of ill-being and the accidental injury of February 2000. The arbitrator awarded claimant 354/? weeks of temporary total disability benefits (see 820 ILCS 305/8(a) (West 1998)) and 150 weeks of permanent partial disability benefits (see 820 ILCS 305/8(d)(2) (West 1998)), representing a 30% loss of the person as a whole.\nWith one commissioner dissenting, the Commission affirmed and adopted the decision of the arbitrator. The circuit court of Jackson County, however, set aside the Commission\u2019s decision. Relying principally on Skelgas Co. v. Industrial Comm\u2019n, 400 Ill. 322 (1948), the circuit court held that the Act does not provide coverage for injuries occurring incident to an employer-mandated physical examination when the claimant is no longer an employee at the time of the posttermination injury. This appeal by claimant ensued.\nOn appeal, claimant argues that the trial court erred in setting aside the decision of the Commission. Prior to addressing claimant\u2019s argument, we direct her attorney to Supreme Court Rule 341 (210 Ill. 2d R. 341), which governs the form and contents of appellate briefs. In particular, we note that in violation of Rules 341(h)(6) and 341(h)(7) (210 Ill. 2d Rs. 341(h)(6), (h)(7)), neither the statement of facts nor the argument section of claimant\u2019s brief references the pages of the record relied on. Further, in violation of Supreme Court Rules 6 and 341(h)(7) (145 Ill. 2d R. 6; 210 Ill. 2d R. 341(h)(7)), there is a persistent failure to provide pinpoint citations to the authorities cited in the brief. Finally, we note that claimant\u2019s opening brief is not paginated. See 210 Ill. 2d R. 341(a).\nOur supreme court\u2019s rules are mandatory rules of procedure, not mere suggestions. People v. Garstecki, 382 Ill. App. 3d 802, 811 (2008), aff\u2019d on other grounds, 234 Ill. 2d 430 (2009). A party\u2019s failure to abide by Rule 341 makes appellate review of his or her claim more onerous (In re Marriage of Cerven, 317 Ill. App. 3d 895, 900 (2000)) and may result in waiver (see Gomez v. The Finishing Co., 369 Ill. App. 3d 711, 723 (2006); Elder v. Bryant, 324 Ill. App. 3d 526, 533 (2001); McDuffee v. Industrial Comm\u2019n, 222 Ill. App. 3d 105, 111 (1991)). We opt not to take such a harsh measure in this case given that the facts are relatively uncomplicated and the issue is simple. Nevertheless, we warn counsel for claimant to adhere to Rule 341 in the future. We now turn to the merits of the appeal.\n\u201cProof that a relationship of employer-employee existed at the time of the accident is an essential element of an award under the *** Act [citations].\u201d Alexander v. Industrial Comm\u2019n, 72 Ill. 2d 444, 448 (1978). The existence of an employer-employee relationship is generally a question of fact. Reed v. White, 397 Ill. App. 3d 975, 978-79 (2010). When, however, there is no conflict in the evidence and but one conclusion can reasonably be drawn therefrom, the existence of an employer-employee relationship becomes a question of law. Pearson v. Industrial Comm\u2019n, 318 Ill. App. 3d 932, 935 (2001).\nClaimant does not dispute that her employment had been terminated by respondent at the time of the February 2000 incident. Nevertheless, she asserts that her back injury on that date is compensable because it occurred while she was attending an IME at respondent\u2019s direction. Claimant\u2019s argument is foreclosed by Skelgas, 400 Ill. 322. In Skelgas, the employee worked as a salesman. On March 15, 1938, the employee suffered injuries that arose out of and in the course of his employment with the employer. On January 31, 1939, the employer discharged the employee. On the morning of February 3, 1939, the employee drove from his residence in Chatsworth, Illinois, to Bloomington, Illinois, to undergo an IME at the employer\u2019s request. The sole purpose of traveling to Bloomington was so that the employee could undergo the IME. While returning from Bloomington to Chats-worth, the employee was killed in an automobile accident. Thereafter, the employee\u2019s widow sought benefits under the Act.\nAs framed by our supreme court, the issue in Skelgas was whether the employee was employed by the employer at the time of the fatal accident. Skelgas, 400 Ill. at 327. The court answered this inquiry in the negative, explaining:\n\u201cUndisputed facts impel the conclusion that [the employee\u2019s] employment terminated as of January 31, 1939, and, in consequence, on February 3, 1939, he was not an employee of the Skelgas Company. This being so, it follows necessarily that the accident resulting in his death was not compensable under the *** Act.\u201d Skelgas, 400 Ill. at 327.\nThe court also noted that the employee was not performing any task or duty of his employment. Skelgas, 400 Ill. at 328.\nThe facts in this case are almost indistinguishable from those in Skelgas. Here, claimant filed an application for adjustment of claim alleging a psychological injury while in respondent\u2019s employ. Claimant was subsequently discharged from respondent\u2019s employ. Thereafter, claimant underwent an IME at respondent\u2019s request. Claimant filed a second application for adjustment of claim alleging a physical injury while preparing to travel home from the IME. Like the employee in Skelgas, who traveled to Bloomington for the sole purpose of undergoing the IME at the employer\u2019s request, the sole reason claimant was in Chicago was to attend the IME requested by respondent. Claimant suggests that Skelgas is bad law and that the decision \u201cshould never have been authored or, once authored, should have been overturned many years ago in order to more accurately comport with the purpose of the *** Act.\u201d However, claimant cites no authority for these propositions. Moreover, we are bound to follow Skelgas as the case has not been overruled by our supreme court. Southeastern Illinois Electric Cooperative, Inc. v. Human Rights Comm\u2019n, 162 Ill. App. 3d 806, 811 (1987) (noting that appellate court is bound to follow decisions of the state supreme court).\nClaimant also suggests that, in attending the IME in Chicago, she was acting within the scope of her employment because she attended the examination at the direction of respondent. This argument has been rejected by our supreme court. In Skelgas, for instance, the court acknowledged that under section 12 of the Act, an employer has the right to have an employee requesting workers\u2019 compensation benefits undergo an independent medical examination. Skelgas, 400 Ill. at 328. However, the court described this \u201cstatutory right\u201d as being \u201centirely independent of the relationship of employer and employee.\u201d Skelgas, 400 Ill. at 328-29. In a subsequent case, the supreme court explained that the failure of an employee to accept medical treatment at the request of an employer does not constitute a term or condition of employment since the failure to comply with the employer\u2019s request \u201cresults only in the suspension or reduction of an award of compensation benefits [citation], not in the suspension or termination of the employment relationship.\u201d Lee v. Industrial Comm\u2019n, 167 Ill. 2d 77, 85 (1995); see also King v. Industrial Comm\u2019n, 301 Ill. App. 3d 958, 963 (1998), aff\u2019d, 189 Ill. 2d 167 (2000). Therefore, we find unpersuasive claimant\u2019s argument that her attendance at the IME constituted a condition of her employment.\nFor the reasons stated above, we affirm the judgment of the circuit court of Jackson County, which set aside the decision of the Commission.\nAffirmed.\nMcCullough, P.J., and HOFFMAN, HOLDRIDGE, and STEWART, JJ., concur.\nAccording to the record, the arbitrator awarded claimant benefits in case No. 99 WC 17394, but the Commission reversed the decision of the arbitrator. The present appeal concerns only case No. 03 WC 03802.", "type": "majority", "author": "JUSTICE HUDSON" } ], "attorneys": [ "Jerald J. Bonifield, of Bonifield & Rosenstengel, P.C., of Belleville, for appellant.", "Michael A. Brandow, of Brady, Connolly & Masuda, P.C., of Normal, for appellee." ], "corrections": "", "head_matter": "MARY FRANCIS MENARD, Appellant, v. ILLINOIS WORKERS\u2019 COMPENSATION COMMISSION et al. (Gateway Foundation, Appellee).\nFifth District (Illinois Workers\u2019 Compensation Commission Division)\nNo. 5\u201409\u20140354WC\nOpinion filed November 16, 2010.\nJerald J. Bonifield, of Bonifield & Rosenstengel, P.C., of Belleville, for appellant.\nMichael A. Brandow, of Brady, Connolly & Masuda, P.C., of Normal, for appellee." }, "file_name": "0235-01", "first_page_order": 251, "last_page_order": 256 }