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2020 IL App (1st) 192428WC-U 

Workers’ Compensation 

Commission Division

Order Filed: October 23, 2020 

No. 1-19-2428WC

NOTICE: This order was filed under Supreme Court Rule 23 and may not be cited as precedent 

by any party except in the limited circumstances allowed under Rule 23(e)(1). 

______________________________________________________________________________ 

IN THE

APPELLATE COURT OF ILLINOIS

FIRST DISTRICT

CRAIG MARKIEWICZ, 

 Appellant, 

v. 

THE ILLINOIS WORKERS’ COMPENSATION 

COMMISSION et al., 

(McHugh Construction, Appellee).

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Appeal from the

Circuit Court of 

Cook County 

Nos. 18 L 050550 

 

Honorable 

Daniel P. Duffy, 

Judge, Presiding.

______________________________________________________________________________ 

JUSTICE HOFFMAN delivered the judgment of the court.

Presiding Justice Holdridge and Justices Hudson, Cavanagh, and Barberis concurred in the 

judgment. 

ORDER

¶ 1 Held: We: 1) reversed that portion of the circuit court’s judgment that confirmed the 

portions of the Commission’s decision vacating the maintenance benefits awarded 

to the claimant, reducing the claimant’s TTD benefits from 59 3/7 weeks of benefits 

to 56 4/7 weeks of benefits, and vacating the order upon McHugh to pay Grzesik 
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$2,000; 2) vacated that portion of the circuit court’s judgment that confirmed the 

Commission’s denial of penalties under sections 19(k) and 19(l) of the Act and 

attorney fees under section 16 of the Act; 3) affirmed the circuit court’s judgment 

in all other respects; 4) reversed those portions of the Commission’s decision 

vacating the maintenance benefits awarded to the claimant, reducing the claimant’s 

TTD benefits from 59 3/7 weeks of benefits to 56 4/7 weeks of benefits, and 

vacating the order upon McHugh to pay Grzesik $2,000; 5) vacated that portion of 

the Commission’s decision denying the claimant penalties under sections 19(k) and 

19(l) of the Act and attorney fees under section 16 of the Act; and 6) remanded this 

cause to the Commission with directions to: a) award the claimant 59 3/7 weeks 

TTD benefits for the period of December 19, 2011, through January 31, 2013; b) 

award the claimant 125 4/7 weeks of maintenance benefits for the period from 

February 1, 2013, through June 30, 2015; c) order McHugh to pay $2,000 to 

Thomas Grzesik; and d) conduct a hearing, consistent with the opinions expressed 

herein, to determine whether the claimant is entitled to penalties under sections 

19(k) and 19(l) of the Act and attorney fees under section 16 of the Act. 

¶ 2 The claimant, Craig Markiewicz, appeals from an order of the circuit court, confirming a 

decision of the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission (Commission) which modified the

decision of an arbitrator that awarded him certain benefits under the the Workers’ Compensation 

Act (Act) (820 ILCS 305/1 et seq. (West 2010)) for injuries to his left knee which he sustained on 

December 16, 2011, while wording for McHugh Construction Company (McHugh). For the 

reasons which follow, we: affirm the circuit court’s order in part; reverse the circuit court’s order

in part; vacate the circuit court’s order in part; reverse the Commission’s decision in part; vacate 

the Commission’s decision in part; and remand this matter to the Commission with directions. 

¶ 3 The following recitation of the facts relevant to a disposition of this appeal is taken from 

the evidence adduced at the arbitration hearing held on January 19, 2016. 

¶ 4 The claimant was a journeyman ironworker who had been employed by McHugh off and 

on for approximately 10 years. On December 16, 2011, the claimant was working for McHugh as 

a rodbuster on a reconstruction project on lower Wacker Drive in Chicago. His duties included 

installing rebar, wire mesh, and post tension cables. As he was walking to his work position on a 
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freshly installed slab covered completely with concrete, the claimant stepped onto an unmarked 

area for a manhole cover, causing him to step into a hole and twist his left knee. The claimant 

testified that he experienced immediate pain but, nevertheless, finished working that day. The 

accident took place on a Friday. 

¶ 5 On the following Monday, December 19, 2011, the claimant reported to work and told his 

supervisor that his knee was not better and that he needed medical care. McHugh sent the claimant 

to the Northwestern Corporate Health facility where he was seen by Dr. Milton. The claimant was 

given crutches and a knee immobilizer, released to light duty work, and told to undergo an MRI. 

The claimant testified that Dr. Milton referred him to Dr. Stephen Gryzlo.

¶ 6 The claimant had the recommended MRI at Advantage MRI on December 23, 2011. Rather 

than see Dr. Gryzlo, the claimant had a follow-up appointment with Dr. Eugene Lopez on 

December 27, 2011. On that date, Dr. Lopez diagnosed the claimant as suffering from a meniscal 

tear. He prescribed physical therapy and authorized the claimant to remain off of work.

¶ 7 The claimant began physical therapy at ATI on December 29, 2011. On January 13, 2012, 

the claimant returned to see Dr. Lopez, who reviewed the MRI of the claimant’s left knee, 

administered a steroid injection, and authorized the claimant to remain off of work. According to 

the claimant, he received no relief from the injection.

¶ 8 The claimant next saw Dr. Lopez on February 9, 2012. Dr. Lopez administered the first of 

a series of five Supartz injections into the claimant’s left knee. The claimant testified that his 

symptoms did not improve with the injections, the last of which was administered on April 11, 

2012. 

¶ 9 At the request of McHugh, the claimant was evaluated by Dr. Mark Levin on February 20, 
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2012. According to the claimant, Dr. Lavin recommended that he undergo an exploratory 

arthroscopy of his left knee. He testified that Dr. Levin stated that his condition was causally 

related to his accident and he required surgery. The claimant stated that Dr. Lopez was not in 

agreement with Dr. Levin’s recommendation for surgery. 

¶ 10 The claimant continued in physical therapy until April 27, 2012. Desirous of a second 

opinion, the claimant presented to Dr. Gryzlo on May 3, 2012. The claimant testified that Dr. 

Gryzlo examined him, took x-rays, recommended a repeat MRI followed by surgery, and 

authorized him to remain off of work. Dr. Gryzlo testified that he recommended surgery as all 

conservative treatment had failed.

¶ 11 On June 22, 2012, Dr. Gryzlo operated on the claimant’s left knee at Northwestern 

Memorial Hospital. The operation consisted of a partial medial meniscectomy, debridement of the 

patella femoral chondromalacia, and debridement of an ACL ganglion cyst. Dr. Gryzlo testified 

that he removed the meniscus because it could not be repaired. He opined that the meniscal tear in 

the claimant’s left knee was caused by his work accident and that both the surgery and the 

claimant’s post-operative care are causally related to that accident.

¶ 12 The claimant continued to treat with Dr. Gryzlo post-operatively. He also underwent 

physical therapy at ATI from July 3, 2012, through August 28, 2012, followed by work hardening 

beginning on September 4, 2012. On September 27, 2012, Dr. Gryzlo released the claimant to 

return to work at a medium demand physical level, with no lifting over 50 pounds, and he 

recommended that the claimant undergo vocational retraining.

¶ 13 According to the claimant, McHugh ceased paying TTD benefits on October 4, 2012. 

¶ 14 The claimant testified that, on October 5, 2012, he received an offer from McHugh of light 
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duty work. The offer came in the form of an attachment to an e-mail to his attorney. In relevant 

part, the written job offer states: 

“After reviewing information provided to us dated September 27, 2012 by 

examining doctor, Dr. Gryzlo, this will confirm we are offering the following medically 

modified work assignment. 

Your most recent work restrictions provided to us indicate that Dr. Gryzlo states 

that you are able to lift up to 50 pounds, within a medium level work duty. This assignment 

is within medically modified abilities described as safe for you to perform by the examining 

doctor. The duration of these modifications and this work offer will follow future changes 

to medical modifications.

You will only be assigned to tasks consistent with this Dr. Gryzlo’s work restriction 

recommendations. If you feel you have been given tasks to perform in excess of the medical 

modifications, this will confirm you are not to attempt or perform such tasks but call or see 

the undersigned at your earliest opportunity. 

 *** 

Job Title: Ironworker 

Description of physical requirements for this medically modified position: 

Within the restrictions described above.” 

On October 12, 2012, claimant’s attorney forwarded a letter to McHugh’s workers’ compensation 

insurance carrier in which he advised the carrier that the claimant was attending work hardening 

five days each week from 7:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. and that McHugh’s offer of employment 

overlaps those hours. The letter goes on to state that the claimant will not return to work until he 

is in receipt of a job description of the work he will be doing and that, in the absence of a detailed 

job description, the claimant would be unable to respond to the job offer. 
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¶ 15 On October 22, 2012, the claimant had a functional capacity evaluation (FCE) at ATI. The 

report of that evaluation placed the claimant at a medium physical demand level with no standing 

more than four hours per day for a one-hour duration only, no walking more than four to five hours, 

and only occasional balancing, bending, stooping, climbing stairs, crouching, or squatting. The 

claimant testified that he gave full effort during the evaluation.

¶ 16 On January 7, 2013, McHugh’s attorney forwarded a modified job description to the 

claimant’s counsel. The document states that the job title was “IRONWORKER – (rodbuster),” 

with a general job description of: rigs, unloads, carries, drays, and ties reinforcing steel for concrete 

placement; directs operators and operates forklifts, man lifts and scissors lifts; and generally 

perform duties as required to satisfy the overall purpose of the job. The physical requirements set 

forth in the document included ability to: lift up to 50 pounds; bend over as much as four to six 

hours in an eight hour work day to move rebar, place rebar, and tie rebar in place with tie wire; 

install rebar for three to four hours in an eight hour work day; and building rebar cages. 

¶ 17 The claimant testified that he took the job description to Dr. Gryzlo on January 17, 2013. 

According to the claimant, Dr. Gryzlo reviewed the job description and stated that he was unable 

to perform the modified duties. In a progress note dated that same day, Dr. Gryzlo wrote that the 

claimant was eight months post left knee surgery, had not progressed, and will not progress. Dr. 

Gryzlo found the claimant to be at maximum medical improvement (MMI) and that he will always 

fall into the medium physical demand level. In the progress note, Dr Gryzlo went on to state: 

“A report on a modified job description for an iron worker was given to me, which 

suggests climbing ladders, scaffold, carrying heavy items and climbing up a wall in rebar, 

to place rebar. The modified duties make it somewhat possible for an injured worker to 
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get back, but his medium level duty, with pain when he bends and kneels and squats and 

works on beam and uneven surfaces, would be, again, jeopardized with this modified iron 

worker position. I therefore don’t think that he can do the modified job description as 

described by me and brought to my viewing. I think that he can find vocational retraining, 

but returning to an iron worker, even on a modified level, would not be possible with his 

restrictions with regards to his left knee.” 

On January 24, 2013, a copy of Dr. Gryzlo’s note was sent by the claimant’s attorney to McHugh’s 

counsel via facsimile. In that transmission, the claimant’s attorney demanded that vocational 

rehabilitation be provided and that the claimant be brought current on maintenance benefits. The 

claimant testified that he rejected McHugh’s modified job offer. He admitted, however, that he 

never attempted to perform the duties of the job that he was offered.

¶ 18 According to the claimant, he began a self-directed job search on February 1, 2013. At the 

arbitration hearing, the claimant identified his job logs, representing his job search efforts through 

the date of the arbitration hearing. The claimant stated that he had not received any offers of 

employment as a result of his job search.

¶ 19 On April 17, 2013, the claimant was examined by Dr. Ram Aribindi at the request of 

McHugh. Dr. Aribindi diagnosed the claimant as suffering from left knee anterior pain attributable 

to underlying degenerative arthritic changes. Dr. Aribindi testified that the claimant was restricted 

from climbing ladders, kneeling or squatting, and that the claimant fell into the medium physical 

demand level as outlined in his FCE. In the report of his examination, Dr. Aribindi opined that the 

claimant’s restrictions were due to a longstanding arthritic condition, which predated his work 

accident. He did admit that the claimant’s work accident was a causative factor in the onset of left 
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knee pain, and that the work accident could have aggravated the claimant’s underlying arthritic 

condition. Dr. Aribindi testified that the claimant had reached MMI, that he could not perform his 

regular job duties, and that the claimant would not be able to squat or go up and down stairs. He 

attributed the claimant’s physical limitations to “his underlying arthritis.” According to Dr. 

Aribindi, all of the claimant’s medical care was reasonable and necessary.

¶ 20 On June 20, 2013, the claimant next saw Dr. Gryzlo for a post-operative follow-up visit. 

Dr. Gryzlo testified that the claimant’s medium physical demand work level restriction is 

permanent, and he again opined that the claimant could not return to work as an iron worker but 

could work at a medium physical demand level or less. He stated that he could not release the 

claimant to return to ironwork based upon what the claimant could only do occasionally. 

¶ 21 On September 5, 2013, the claimant enrolled at the CDL Mega Driving School (MEGA) 

in an effort to obtain a Class A truck driving license. The claimant testified that he was offered the 

training by McHugh and that McHugh paid the fees for a commercial driving license (CDL) 

permit. According to the claimant, he did not undergo a vocational assessment before starting the 

CDL program, nor did he receive any opinion from a vocational counselor stating that truck driving 

was suitable employment for him. The program consisted of 40 hours of classroom instruction and 

behind the wheel training. The claimant was also required to have a physical examination to 

determine his ability to drive. On September 17, 2013, the claimant underwent a physical 

examination by Dr. Simon who did not clear him to drive but, instead, ordered that he undergo an 

SPE before he was cleared to drive. According to the claimant, the SPE is a test to determine if he 

could physically drive a truck safely. The test required him to climb into the cab of a truck, climb 

up into the engine compartment, climb on the truck to connect air lines, crawl under the truck to 
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check the brakes, squat to check tire pressure, and climb onto a trailer to secure a load with straps. 

He stated that successful completion of the SPE was necessary to complete the qualification for a 

DOT physical. The SPE test required the use of a semi-trailer Class A truck, which MEGA did not 

provide. Through his attorney, the claimant requested both authorization for the SPE test and that 

McHugh provide a truck to complete the test. Those requests were made on six occasions, but 

McHugh never authorized the test, nor did it provide the required truck. The claimant testified that, 

because he was unable to take the SPE test, he did not complete the CDL course. He stated that 

McHugh paid maintenance benefits beginning on September 5, 2013, the day that he began the 

CDL course, but terminated maintenance on June 3, 2014, when he failed to complete the course. 

¶ 22 At the request of his attorney, the claimant underwent a vocational assessment conducted 

by Thomas Grzesik, a certified rehabilitation counselor. Grzesik interviewed the claimant on 

October 30, 2014. In his report of that assessment dated January 19, 2015, Grzesik enumerated the 

documents that he reviewed and set forth the claimant’s biographical data, which included the fact 

that, in 1994, the claimant earned a B.S. degree in Health Science – Occupational Safety from 

Illinois State University. He also set forth other information relating to the claimant’s medical 

treatment, his current activities, social activities, hobbies, work history, and physical capabilities. 

The report sets forth the vocational tests that Grzesik administered and the claimant’s results. In 

that report, Grzesik opined as follows: the claimant is unable to perform the duties of a journeyman 

ironworker; his B.S. degree in Health Science “has very little to no efficacy with respect to 

employment;” commercial truck driving is not suitable employment for the claimant; the 

claimant’s self-directed job search was diligent but unsuccessful; the claimant meets the criteria 

for vocational rehabilitation; and that, based upon his vocational profile, the claimant is currently 
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limited to entry level unskilled or semi-skilled occupations. Grzesik then listed 15 examples of 

entry level unskilled or semi-skilled occupations; he testified that the claimant considered some of 

those jobs. When deposed, Grzesik testified that the claimant met the need for vocational 

rehabilitation and again opined that the claimant performed a diligent, but unsuccessful, job search. 

He admitted, however, that, when the claimant began his job search, he was looking at the high 

end, “not so much looking for a job but contacting employers that were advertising jobs that were 

outside his area.” He stated that the claimant eventually pared back his search to positions “that 

were more specific to what he could do now without having to go through perhaps more screening 

to see if maybe he could be used, but openings that were there that he could perform now.” 

According to Grzesik, the claimant “was diligent, he went and he looked.” He testified that, if the 

claimant had professional assistance with his job search, “it’s more likely than not he would 

become employed.” Grzesik did not believe that the claimant was at a full medium physical 

demand level due to his restriction. He again stated his opinions that: the claimant is not able to 

return to work as an ironworker; he is not able to work as a commercial truck driver; the claimant 

meets the criteria for vocational rehabilitation; and the claimant’s self-directed job search was 

diligent but unsuccessful. 

¶ 23 Lawrence Kahan, a vocational rehabilitation counselor, testified that, at the request of 

McHugh, he prepared a report relating to the claimant dated July 13, 2015. In that report, Kahan 

wrote that the claimant “was offered a medically appropriate modified duty position within his 

physical demand capacity by McHugh Construction.” According to Kahan, a truck driving position 

is within the claimant’s medium physical demand level. The report states that the claimant is 

“capable of working in this capacity based on an assessment of his vocational profile and physical 
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capacity to perform the work”. Kahan noted, however, that the claimant would be required to 

obtain the necessary CDL license and pass the required physical. He noted that there are 464,700 

projected job openings for truck drivers for the period of 2012 through 2022, and listed 10 

company contacts. When deposed, Kahan admitted that he did not evaluate the claimant face to 

face. He testified that he performed a labor market survey for a Class A truck driving job and that 

the survey was based entirely on CDL Class A truck driving jobs. According to Kahan, if the 

claimant failed to pass a SPE test, he would not qualify for the jobs listed in the labor market 

survey. Kahn stated that a truck driving job would require the claimant to: load and unload the 

truck; squat to inspect the tires and check tire pressure; inspect the lights, brakes, gas, oil and water; 

change spark plugs; and put chains on the tires. Kahan admitted that he did not perform a 

transferred skills analysis or a vocational assessment. Kahan also admitted that he did not review 

the claimant’s job logs and had no opinion as to whether the claimant’s job search efforts were 

diligent. He was uncertain as to which of Dr. Gryzlo’s records he reviewed, but he denied ever 

seeing Dr. Gryzlo’s January 17, 2013, progress note that states the claimant could not perform the 

job offered by McHugh. Kahan admitted that he never reviewed the job description for the position 

offered to the claimant by McHugh. Nevertheless, he opined that the claimant could perform the 

modified job offered by McHugh. Kahan testified that he did not review Dr. Aribindi’s deposition 

testimony. After viewing the ironworker work rules, Kahan acknowledged that ironworker 

contract rules require members to be capable of performing 100% of their job duties and that no 

light duty is available in ironwork. Kahan conceded that, under the ironworker contract rules, the 

job offered to the claimant would not be appropriate for, or available to, him. 

¶ 24 At the arbitration hearing, the claimant testified that prior to his work accident of December 
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16, 2011, he had never before injured his left knee, received medical care for the knee, missed 

work due to his left knee, or had any difficulty performing his job as an ironworker as the result 

of his left knee. As to his current physical symptoms, the claimant stated that he experiences 

constant pain in his left knee, more so when he climbs stairs and when sitting in a chair. He stated 

that his daily activities are limited because his left knee gets sore and stiff and that his knee is stiff 

when bent. The claimant testified that he had no medical appointments scheduled, although he did 

plan to see his doctor in the future. When questioned about several videos that depicted him 

working out at a gym and getting in and out of his pick-up truck, the claimant stated that he works 

out at a gym regularly, three to four times each week, using elliptical machines and weight lifting 

exercises he learned in physical therapy and work conditioning. He stated that his ongoing physical 

conditioning was directed by his doctor. As for the video depicting him getting in and out of his 

pick-up truck, the claimant explained that the truck is equipped with running boards which aid him 

in getting in and out of the vehicle. The claimant also testified that his union prohibits light-duty 

work for a journeyman ironworker, but he did not know whether McHugh was authorized to offer 

him work in a non-union capacity. 

¶ 25 Following the arbitration hearing held on January 19, 2016, pursuant to section 19(b) of 

the Act (820 ILCS 305/19(b) (West 2014)), the arbitrator issued a written decision on September 

12, 2017, finding that the claimant sustained an injury to his left knee on December 16, 2011, that 

arose out of and in the course of his employment with McHugh. The arbitrator awarded the 

claimant: 59 3/7 weeks of temporary total disability (TTD) benefits for the period of December 

19, 2011, through January 31, 2013; 125 4/7 weeks of maintenance benefits for the period from 

February 1, 2013, through June 30, 2015; 86 weeks of permanent partial disability (PPD) benefits 
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for a 40% loss of use of the left leg; and 125 weeks of PPD benefits for a 25% loss of trade due to 

permanent restrictions. McHugh was ordered to pay $2,000 to the claimant’s vocational expert, 

Thomas Grzesik, and was given a credit of $93,000 for TTD benefits paid. The arbitrator found 

that the claimant was not totally and permanently disabled. In addition, the arbitrator denied the 

claimant’s request for penalties pursuant to sections 19(k) and 19(l) of the Act (820 ILCS 

305/19(k), 19(l) (West 2016)) and attorney fees pursuant to section 16 of the Act (820 ILCS 

305/19(16) (West 2014)). In the request for hearing form, McHugh did not dispute either accident 

or notice. 

¶ 26 Both the claimant and McHugh filed petitions for review of the arbitrator’s decision before 

the Commission. On August 15, 2018, the Commission issued a unanimous decision in which it 

modified the arbitrator’s decision. Finding that McHugh offered to accommodate the claimant and 

provide work within his physical demand level and that the claimant made no attempt to work in 

the accommodated position, the Commission: awarded the claimant 56 4/7 weeks of TTD benefits 

for the period of December 19, 2011, through January 17, 2013; vacated the arbitrator’s award of 

maintenance benefits; and vacated the order requiring McHugh to pay $2,000 to the claimant’s 

vocational expert, Thomas Grzesik. The Commission also vacated the award of 86 weeks PPD 

benefits for a 40% loss of use of the left leg and the award of 125 weeks of PPD benefits for a 25% 

loss of trade due to permanent restrictions, and instead awarded the claimant 200 weeks of PPD 

benefits for a 40% loss of the person as a whole. In all other respects, the Commission afformed 

and adopted the decision of the arbitrator, including, but not limited to, the $93,000 credit granted 

to McHugh for TTD benefits paid and the denial of the claimant’s request for penalties pursuant 

to sections 19(k) and 19(l) of the Act and attorney fees pursuant to section 16 of the Act. The 
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Commission did not remand the matter back to the arbitrator.

¶ 27 The claimant sought a judicial review of the Commission’s decision in the circuit court of 

Cook County. On November 7, 2019, the circuit court confirmed the Commission’s decision, and 

this appeal followed.

¶ 28 Again, we find it necessary to admonish a litigant for failure to comply with the 

requirements for briefs filed with this court. Illinois Supreme Court Rule 341(h)(7) (eff. Nov. 1, 

2017) requires that the argument section of a brief contain citations to the pages in the record relied 

upon in support of factual contentions. The requirements set forth in Rule 341(h)(7) are applicable 

to appellees briefs. S. Ct. R. 341(i) (eff. May 25, 2018). In the 17-page argument section of the 

brief filed by McHugh, there are only 3 citations to the record and 2 citations to the arbitrator’s 

decision supporting factual assertions. The result is that this court was required to search a 3000+ 

page record to determine the veracity of the factual statements made by McHugh that do not appear 

in the claimant’s brief, which does contain record page citations. Supreme Court rules “are not 

suggestions;” rather, they are rules which have the force of law, and the presumption is that they 

will be followed as written. Bright v. Dicke, 166 Ill. 2d 204, 210 (1995). This court has the 

discretion to strike a brief for failure to comply with the rules of the supreme court. Holzrichter v. 

Yorath, 2013 IL App (1st) 110287, ¶ 77. We elect not to do so in this case and will address the 

issues raised on the merits. 

¶ 29 We also wish to comment that, contrary to McHugh’s assertion, our function is not to 

determine if the circuit court’s decision is against the manifest weight of the evidence; rather, we 

review the Commission’s decision to determine whether that decision is against the manifest 

weight of the evidence and, based on that review, either affirm or reverse the circuit court’s 
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judgment. Dodaro v. Illinois Workers’ Compensation Comm’n, 403 Ill. App. 3d 538, 543 (2010). 

¶ 30 Before addressing the claims of error raised by the claimant in this appeal, we address the 

appropriate standard of review. The claimant argues that we should review the Commission’s 

decision de novo. According to the claimant, the facts in this case are “essentially undisputed and 

the Commission’s decision was based upon a misapplication of the law to those undisputed facts.” 

McHugh argues that the appropriate standard of review is the manifest weight standard. It contends 

that numerous disputed issues of fact were resolved by the Commission that should be reviewed 

pursuant to a manifest-weight standard of review. We agree with McHugh; the appropriate 

standard of review in this case is manifest weight with the exception of the issues relating to the 

denial of penalties pursuant to section 19(k) of the Act and attorney fees pursuant to section 16 of 

the Act, to which we apply the abuse of discretion standard. See McMahan v. Industrial Comm’n,

183 Ill. 2d 499, 516 (1998)).

¶ 31 Even in cases where the facts are undisputed, this court must apply the manifest-weight 

standard of review if more than one reasonable inference might be drawn from the facts. Brady v. 

Louis Ruffolo & Sons Construction Co., 143 Ill. 2d 542, 549 (1991). It is only in those cases where 

the undisputed facts are susceptible to a single inference that we conduct a de novo review. 

Baumgardner v. Illinois Workers’ Compensation Comm’n, 409 Ill. App. 3d 274, 279 (2011). 

When, as in this case, the issues presented are addressed to the Commission’s factual 

determinations, we apply a manifest-weight standard of review. Orsini v. Industrial Comm’n, 117 

Ill. 2d 38, 44 (1987). Under that standard, we will not disturb the Commission’s factual 

determinations unless an opposite conclusion is clearly apparent. Caterpillar, Inc. v. Industrial 

Comm’n, 228 Ill. App. 3d 288, 291 (1992). Whether this court might have reached the same 
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conclusion is not the test of whether the Commission’s determination of a question of fact is 

supported by the manifest weight of the evidence. Rather, the appropriate test is whether there is 

sufficient evidence in the record to support the Commission’s determination. Benson v. Industrial 

Comm’n, 91 Ill. 2d 445, 450 (1982).

¶ 32 Turning now to the substantive issues raised in this appeal, we first address the claimant’s 

argument that the Commission erred in failing to award him permanent total disability (PTD) 

benefits under the odd-lot theory. He asserts that the evidence of record established that he 

performed a diligent, but unsuccessful, job search, and McHugh failed to meet its burden of 

proving both that he is employable in a stable labor market and that such a market exists. McHugh 

argues that the claimant failed to prove that he conducted a diligent job search and that the evidence 

established that the claimant is employable in a stable labor market.

¶ 33 A claimant is entitled to PTD benefits pursuant to section 8(f) of the Act (820 ILCS 305/8(f) 

(West 2014)) if, as the result of his work injury, he can make no contribution to the work force 

sufficient to earn a wage. Lenhart v. Illinois Workers’ Compensation Comm’n, 2015 IL App (3d) 

130743WC, ¶ 32. Entitlement to PTD benefits does not require that a claimant be completely 

physically incapacitated. Id. When, as in this case, the claimant’s disability is limited in nature so 

that he is not obviously unemployable, or if there is no medical evidence to support a claim of total 

disability, the burden rests with the claimant to establish that he will not be regularly employed in 

a well-known branch of the labor market. However, once the employee has initially established 

that he falls in what has been termed the “odd-lot” category (one who, though not altogether 

incapacitated for work, is so handicapped that he will not be employed regularly in any well-known 

branch of the labor market), the burden shifts to the employer to prove that the claimant is 
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employable in a stable labor market and that such a market exists. Valley Mold & Iron Co. v. 

Industrial Comm’n, 84 Ill. 2d 538, 546-47 (1981); Westin Hotel v. Industrial Comm’n, 372 Ill. 

App. 3d 527, 544 (2007). A claimant can satisfy his burden of proving that he falls within the oddlot category by showing either that he has made diligent but unsuccessful attempts to find work or 

that, because of his age, skills, training, and work history, he will not be regularly employed in a 

well-known branch of the labor market. Westin Hotel, 372 Ill. App. 3d at 544. A claimant is not 

entitled to PTD benefits if he is capable of obtaining gainful employment without seriously 

injuring his health. Lenhart, 2015 IL App (3d) 130743WC, ¶ 32.

¶ 34 The claimant asserts that “[t]he Commission never considered [him] *** for permanent 

total disability because it held that he refused [McHugh’s] *** ‘modified job’ offer to his 

detriment.” The Commission’s decision reflects that, other than observing that the arbitrator found 

that the claimant was not permanently and totally disabled under an odd-lot theory, the 

Commission never addressed the claimant’s request for an award of PTD benefits. Rather, the 

determination of the issue is contained within a portion of the arbitrator’s decision that the 

Commission affirmed and adopted. The arbitrator’s decision reflects that the claimant’s failure to 

accept McHugh’s job offer never entered into the analysis of his entitlement to PTD benefits. The 

arbitrator found that the claimant had not conducted a diligent job search and was capable of 

gainful employment. In her decision, the arbitrator noted that, although Grzesik opined that the 

claimant’s job search was diligent, he admitted that, when the claimant began his job search, he 

was looking at the high end, “not so much looking for a job but contacting employers that were 

advertising jobs that were outside his area.” According to Grzesik, if the claimant had professional 

assistance with his job search, “it’s more likely than not he would become employed.” The 
No. 1-19-2428WC 

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arbitrator also noted that the claimant has a B.S. degree from Illinois State University, he is 

articulate and organized, and he does not suffer from a language barrier. She concluded that all of 

the evidence supports the fact that the claimant is capable of working at a medium physical demand 

level. Based upon these facts, and not the claimant’s refusal to accept McHugh’s job offer, the 

arbitrator determined that the claimant did not fall into the odd-lot category for PTD. The 

Commission affirmed and adopted that finding. We also note that, in his report, Grzesik found 

that, based upon the claimant’s vocational profile, he is limited to entry level or unskilled jobs. 

Grzesik then listed 15 examples of such jobs.

¶ 35 Whether a claimant is permanently and totally disabled is a question of fact to be resolved 

by the Commission, and its determination will not be disturbed on review unless it is against the 

manifest weight of the evidence. Lenhart, 2015 IL App (3d) 130743WC, ¶ 31. Based upon the 

record before us, we are unable to conclude that an opposite conclusion from the Commission’s 

finding that the Claimant did not fall into the odd-lot category is readily apparent. Consequently, 

the Commission’s determination that the claimant is not entitled to PTD benefits is not against the 

manifest weight of the evidence.

¶ 36 Next, the claimant argues that the Commission erred in refusing to award him maintenance 

benefits. He asserts both that his vocational expert, Grzesik, and McHugh’s vocational expert, 

Kahan, opined that his self-directed job search satisfied the criteria for vocational rehabilitation, 

and that the search entitled him to maintenance benefits. McHugh argues that, due to his refusal to 

accept its job offer, the claimant was not entitled to maintenance benefits.

¶ 37 Section 8(a) of the Act (820 ILCS 305/8(a) (West 2014)) authorizes awards for vocational 

rehabilitation. The section provides that the employer shall pay for “vocational rehabilitation of 
No. 1-19-2428WC 

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the employee, including all maintenance costs and expenses incidental thereto.” 820 ILCS 305/8(a) 

(West 2014); Nascote Industries v. Industrial Comm’n, 353 Ill. App. 3d 1067, 1075 (2004). If the 

claimant is not engaged in some type of physical rehabilitation program, formal job training or a 

self-directed job search, there is no obligation to provide maintenance. Greaney v. Industrial 

Comm’n, 358 Ill. App. 3d 1002, 1019 (2005). Whether a claimant is entitled to maintenance 

benefits is a question of fact to be resolved by the Commission, and its determination of the issue 

will not be disturbed on review unless it is against the manifest weight of the evidence. W.B. Olson, 

Inc. v. Illinois Worker’s Compensation Comm’n, 2012 IL App (1st) 113129WC, ¶¶ 31, 39.

¶ 38 The arbitrator awarded the claimant 125 4/7 weeks of maintenance benefits for the period 

from February 1, 2013, through June 30, 2015, the period during which he was conducting a selfdirected job search. She found that the claimant proved his entitlement to maintenance benefits 

and that McHugh’s modified job offer “was not suitable or appropriate.” The Commission 

disagreed and vacated the award of maintenance benefits, finding that the claimant refused 

McHugh’s offer of accommodated work. The Commission noted that McHugh’s job offer states 

that “you [the claimant] will only be assigned tasks consistent with Dr. Gryzlo’s work restrictions. 

If you feel you have been given tasks to perform in excess of the medical modifications, this will 

confirm you are not to attempt or perform such tasks.” The Commission’s decision states that it 

“not only gives weight to *** [McHugh’s] offer of employment” it found that the claimant “was, 

at a minimum, obligated to prove that *** [McHugh’s] offer of employment was not genuine.”

¶ 39 The claimant argues that McHugh’s job offer of October 5, 2012, and the modified job 

description received by his attorney on January 7, 2013, exceeded his physical restrictions. He 

asserts that he was not obliged to accept a job that he could not safely perform and that exceeded 
No. 1-19-2428WC 

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his physical restrictions. The claimant takes issue with the Commission’s determination that 

McHugh’s job offer comported with his physical restrictions, merely because the offer states that 

“you will only be assigned tasks consistent with Dr. Gryzlo’s work restrictions.” He also takes 

issue with the Commission’s assertion that “he ran to Dr. Grzylo and obtained a letter that indicated 

that *** [he] was unable to perform the tasks as outlined [in McHugh’s job offer] *** in an obvious 

effort to avoid a return to accommodated work.”

¶ 40 Benefits may be denied to a claimant who refuses to work within his physical restrictions. 

Interstate Scaffolding, Inc. v. Illinois Workers’ Compensation Comm’n, 236 Ill. 2d 132, 147 

(2010); City of Granite City v. Industrial Comm’n, 279 Ill. App. 3d 1087, 1090 (1996). Whether a 

claimant has refused work within his physical restrictions is a question of fact to be resolved by 

the Commission, and its determination will not be disturbed on review unless it is against the 

manifest weight of the evidence. Otto Baum Company, Inc. v. Illinois Worker’s Compensation 

Comm’n, 2011 IL App (4th) 100959WC, ¶ 13. However, we will not hesitate to overturn a factual 

determination made by the Commission when the clearly evident, plain, and indisputable weight 

of the evidence compels an opposite conclusion. Dye v. Illinois Workers’ Compensation Comm’n, 

2012 IL App (3d) 110907WC, ¶ 10.

¶ 41 McHugh’s job offer of October 5, 2012, states, in relevant parts, that: the claimant was 

offered the position of “Ironworker;” “[t]he assignment is within medically modified abilities 

described as safe for you to perform by the examining doctor;” “[t]he duration of these 

modifications and this work offer will follow future changes to medical modifications;” “[y]ou 

will only be assigned tasks consistent with Dr. Gryzlo’s work restrictions; “ and “[i]f you feel that 

you have been given tasks to perform in excess of the medical modifications, you are not to attempt 
No. 1-19-2428WC 

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or perform such tasks.” Nowhere in the document does it describe the tasks that the claimant was 

expected to perform, prompting the claimant’s attorney to advise McHugh’s workers’ 

compensation insurance carrier by e-mail, on October 10, 2012, that the claimant “will not return 

to work until we have a detailed job description of what he will be doing.” In that same e-mail, the 

claimant’s attorney stated that the claimant “is more than willing to return to work within his 

restrictions, but is entitled to confirm, through his physician, that the work available is within his 

restrictions and it is safe for him to return to work.” The modified job description that the 

claimant’s counsel received on January 7, 2013, has a job title of “IRONWORKER – (Rodbuster)” 

with a general job description of a general job of: rigs, unloads, carries, drays, and ties reinforcing 

steel for concrete placement; directs operators and operates forklifts, man lifts and scissors lifts; 

and generally perform duties as required to satisfy the overall purpose of the job. The document 

also includes “Physical Requirements,” which include: “[g]ood arm, hand, leg, foot coordination 

for climbing ladders and scaffolding and walking carrying materials plus climbing up wall rebar 

to place rebar;” “[m]ust be able to bend over to move rebar, place rebar on centers and tie in-place 

with tie wire;” and “[m]ust be able to bend over as much as 4-6 hours out of an 8 hour work day.” 

The document also states that the job includes installing rebar “in walls in place” during which a 

safety belt is secured to the in-place rebar and the worker then lays back on the safety belt with his 

feet and legs supported on the lower rebar like the rungs of a ladder and that three to four hours 

out of an eight hour work day could be spent on this type of work. 

¶ 42 It is undisputed that the claimant can only work at a medium physical demand level as 

determined by the claimant’s FCE, Dr. Gryzlo, Dr. Aribindi, and Grzesik. According to Grzesik’s 

report, ironwork is “HEAVY in physical demand.” He opined that the claimant is unable to 
No. 1-19-2428WC 

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perform the duties of a journeyman ironworker. Dr. Aribindi, McHugh’s examining physician, 

testified that the claimant is restricted from climbing ladders, going up and down stairs, kneeling, 

or squatting. Dr. Aribindi did not render an opinion as to whether the claimant was physically 

capable of performing the tasks outlined in McHugh’s modified job description. According to Dr. 

Gryzlo’s progress note of January 17, 2013, he was given a copy of the modified job description, 

which he found “suggests climbing ladders, scaffold, carrying heavy items and climbing up a wall 

in rebar to place rebar.” The note states that the pain the claimant experiences when bending, 

kneeling, and squatting would be “jeopardized with this modified iron worker position.” The note 

also states that Dr. Gryzlo did not think that the claimant “can do the modified job description.” 

Dr. Gryzlo concluded by stating that the claimant returning to work as an ironworker, “even on a 

modified level, would not be possible with his restrictions with regards to his knee.” The only 

evidence in the record that even remotely supports the conclusion that the claimant was capable of 

performing the tasks outlined in McHugh’s modified job description is the report and testimony 

of Kahan, McHugh’s vocational expert. Kahan opined that McHugh “offered [the claimant] a 

medically appropriate modified duty position within his physical demand capacity.” The record 

reflects, however, that: Kahan never met the claimant; he denied ever seeing Dr. Gryzlo’s progress 

note of January 17, 2020; he admitted that he never reviewed the job description for the position 

that McHugh offered to the claimant; and he admitted that he did not review Dr. Aribindi’s 

deposition testimony. Kahan even conceded that, under the ironworker contract rules, the job 

offered to the claimant would not be appropriate for, or available to him.

¶ 43 Simply put, there is no competent evidence in the record before us that could even support 

an inference that the claimant was offered a position within his physical capabilities. The fact that 
No. 1-19-2428WC 

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McHugh’s offer of October 5, 2012, states that the claimant would only be assigned tasks 

consistent with Dr. Gryzlo’s work restrictions and that, if he felt that he had been given tasks to 

perform in excess of the medical modifications, he was not to attempt or perform such tasks, does 

not change our conclusion in this regard. The general work duties and physical requirements 

described in McHugh’s modified job description exceeded the claimant’s physical capabilities and 

restrictions against climbing ladders and scaffolding, going up and down stairs, kneeling, 

squatting, carrying heavy items, and climbing up a wall in rebar to place rebar; and McHugh has 

pointed to nothing within the duties described that fell within the claimant’s physical capabilities 

and restrictions. We conclude, therefore, that the Commission’s determination that McHugh 

offered to accommodate the claimant and provide him with work falling within his physical 

capabilities and restrictions is against the manifest weight of the evidence.

¶ 44 A claimant’s refusal to accept an offer of work that does not fall within his physical 

capabilities and restrictions is not a basis for denying benefits. It was the Commission’s 

determination that the claimant had refused a job offer within his physical capabilities and 

restrictions that was its sole articulated rational for vacating the arbitrator’s award of 125 4/7 weeks 

of maintenance benefits for the period from February 1, 2013, through June 30, 2015. Having 

found that the Commission’s determination that McHugh offered to accommodate the claimant 

and provide him with work falling within his physical capabilities and restrictions is against the 

manifest weight of the evidence, it follows that we also find that the Commission’s refusal to award 

the claimant maintenance benefits on that basis is against the manifest weight of the evidence.

¶ 45 For the same reason that it vacated the arbitrator’s award of maintenance benefits to the 

claimant, the Commission also reduced the claimant’s TTD benefits from the 59 3/7 weeks of 
No. 1-19-2428WC 

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benefits awarded by the arbitrator to 56 4/7 weeks of benefits and vacated the arbitrator’s order 

that McHugh pay $2,000 to Grzesik. Having found that the Commission’s reason for denying the 

claimant maintenance benefits is against the manifest weight of the evidence, we also find that the 

Commission’s reduction of the claimant’s TTD benefits and its vacation of the arbitrator’s order 

that McHugh pay $2,000 to Grzesik is against the manifest weight of the evidence. 

¶ 46 Other than its contention that the claimant refused its job offer, McHugh has made no other 

argument in support of the Commission’s denial of maintenance benefits, its reduction of the 

claimant’s TTD benefits, or its vacation of the arbitrator’s order that McHugh pay $2,000 to 

Grzesik. Failure to raise an argument in a litigant’s brief results in a forfeiture of the issue for 

purposes of appeal. Ill. S. Ct. Rule 341(h)(7), (8) (eff. May 25, 2018). 

¶ 47 Next, the claimant argues that the Commission erred in failing to award penalties pursuant 

to sections 19(k) and 19(l) of the Act and attorney fees pursuant to section 16 of the Act. He argues 

that McHugh acted unreasonably in failing to pay benefits based upon his refusal of its modified 

job offer, which the claimant describes as a “sham.” He also argues that McHugh acted 

unreasonably in refusing to supply him with a truck to use while taking the SPE test, which resulted 

in his inability to complete the truck driving course at MEGA, and in relying upon Dr. Aribindi’s 

opinion that his physical restrictions were the result of a pre-existing arthritic condition. McHugh 

argues that it acted in reasonable reliance upon both the claimant refusal of its job offer and Dr. 

Aribindi’s opinion that the claimant’s physical restrictions were the result of a pre-existing arthritic 

condition and not his work accident. 

¶ 48 Again, the Commission did not directly address the issue of penalties and attorney fees 

other than to state that they were denied. It is the arbitrator’s decision that sets forth the rational 
No. 1-19-2428WC 

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behind the denial of the claimant’ request for an award of penalties and attorney fees. Other than 

the modifications in the arbitrator’s decision relating to TTD benefits, maintenance, PPD benefits, 

and Grzesik’s bill, the Commission affirmed and adopted the arbitrator’s decision. In denying an 

award of penalties and attorney fees, the arbitrator found that McHugh had a reasonable basis to 

deny TTD and maintenance benefits. According to the arbitrator, there existed a “legitimate 

dispute” as to whether the claimant rejected McHugh’s offer of employment with duties within the 

restrictions imposed by Dr. Gryzlo. She also found that the claimant failed to show what efforts 

he made to secure the truck necessary for him to complete the SPE test necessary to obtain a CDL, 

and instead, he quit the MEGA program.

¶ 49 Section 19(k) penalties and section 16 attorney fees are intended to address situations 

where there is not only a delay in the payment of benefits, but the delay is deliberate or the result 

of bad faith or improper purpose. McMahan, 183 Ill. 2d at 514-15. Penalties and attorney fees are 

not warranted in circumstances where the employer could have reasonably believed that the 

claimant was not entitled to benefits. Avon Products, Inc. v. Industrial Comm’n, 82 Ill. 2d 297, 

302 (1980); Mobil Oil Corp. v. Industrial Comm’n, 309 Ill. App. 3d 616, 626 (2000). However, 

the standard is one of objective reasonableness. General Refractories v. Industrial Comm’n, 255 

Ill. App. 3d 925, 931 (1994). The question of whether an employer acted reasonably under the 

circumstances is one of fact to be resolved by the Commission. Roodhouse Envelope Co. v. 

Industrial Comm’n, 276 Ill. App. 3d 576, 579 (1995).

¶ 50 A review of the Commission’s decision to deny penalties under section 19(k) of the Act 

and/or attorney fees under section 16 involves a two-part analysis. First, we must determine 

whether the Commission’s factual finding in support of the denial are contrary to the manifest 
No. 1-19-2428WC 

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weight of the evidence. Second, we must determine whether it would be an abuse of discretion to 

deny section 19(k) penalties and/or attorney fees under section 16. McMahan, 183 Ill. 2d at 516; 

Jacobo v. Illinois Workers’ Compensation Comm’n, 2011 IL App (3d) 100807WC, ¶ 25.

¶ 51 The additional compensation authorized by section 19(l) is in the nature of a late fee. 

McMahan, 183 Ill. 2d at 515; Jacobo, 2011 IL App (3d) 100807WC, ¶ 20. The statute applies 

whenever the employer or its carrier simply fails, neglects, or refuses to make payment or 

unreasonably delays payment without good and just cause. McMahan, 183 Ill. 2d at 515. If the 

payment is late for whatever reason, and the employer or its carrier cannot show an adequate 

justification for the delay, an award of the statutorily specified additional compensation is 

mandatory. Id. Whether the employer had an adequate justification for the delay is a question of 

fact to be resolved by the Commission, and its determination will not be disturbed on appeal unless 

it is against the manifest weight of the evidence. Jacobo, 2011 IL App (3d) 100807WC, ¶ 20.

¶ 52 As noted earlier, the basis for denying an award of penalties and attorney fees was the 

finding that a “legitimate dispute” existed on the issue of whether the claimant rejected an offer of 

employment with duties within the restrictions imposed by Dr. Gryzlo. In order to determine 

whether that factual finding is supported by the manifest weight of the evidence, it is necessary to 

examine the evolution of information concerning the claimant’s physical capabilities and 

restrictions. On September 27, 2012, Dr. Gryzlo released the claimant to work at a medium demand 

level with the only restriction being no lifting in excess of 50 pounds. On October 5, 2012, McHugh 

conveyed its offer of employment which, as noted earlier, stated that the claimant would only be 

assigned tasks consistent with Dr. Gryzlo’s work restrictions, and that, if he felt that he was given 

tasks to perform in excess of the medical modifications, he was not to attempt or perform such 
No. 1-19-2428WC 

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tasks. That offer also states that McHugh had reviewed Dr. Gryzlo’s September 27, 2012 

“information.” On October 22, 2012, the claimant had an FCE that determined he was capable of 

performing medium demand level work with no standing for more than four hours per day, no 

walking more than four to five hours per day, and only occasional balancing, bending, stooping, 

climbing stairs, crouching, or squatting. On January 7, 2013, McHugh’s modified job description 

was received by the claimant’s attorney, and the claimant took that document to Dr. Gryzlo on 

January 17, 2013. Dr. Gryzlo issued his progress note on that same day, concluding that the 

claimant could not “do the modified job description.” A copy of that progress note was sent to 

McHugh’s counsel on January 24, 2013. On April 17, 2013, McHugh had the claimant examined 

by Dr. Aribindi who issued a report in which he opined that the claimant’s restrictions were due 

to an arthritic condition which predated his work accident. According to Dr. Aribindi’s report, the 

pain that the claimant suffers is the result of underlying chronic degenerative-arthritic changes that 

are not the result of his work injury. Dr. Aribindi found that, although the claimant is not able to 

perform his regular duties at the very high physical demand level, he is capable of working at a 

medium demand level. He advised that the claimant should refrain from climbing ladders, 

kneeling, or squatting activities, and opined that the claimant was in need of no further medical or 

surgical intervention for the injury he suffered on December 16, 2011. Neither in his report, nor in 

his subsequent deposition, did Dr. Aribindi render an opinion as to the claimant’s ability to perform 

the duties outlined in McHugh’s modified job description. 

¶ 53 Based upon the evidence in the record, we believe that the finding that a “legitimate 

dispute” existed on the issue of whether the claimant rejected an offer of employment with duties 

within the restrictions imposed by Dr. Gryzlo is against the manifest weight of the evidence. 
No. 1-19-2428WC 

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McHugh may well have reasonably believed when it issued its initial job offer on October 5, 2012, 

which stated that the claimant would only be assigned tasks consistent with Dr. Gryzlo’s 

restrictions, that it had in fact offered work within the claimant’s physical capabilities because as 

of that date Dr. Gryzlo had released the claimant to work at a medium demand level restricted only 

to not lifting in excess of 50 pounds. However, once it was in possession of a copy of the report of 

claimant’s October 27, 2012 FCE, a copy of Dr. Gryzlo’s progress note of January 17, 2013, and 

Dr. Aribindi’s report of his April 17, 2013 examination, McHugh was on notice that the claimant 

could not perform the duties outlined in its modified job description. According to the FCE report, 

the claimant was restricted from standing for more than four hours per day and walking more than 

four to five hours per day. The report states that he is allowed only occasional balancing, bending, 

stooping, climbing stairs, crouching, or squatting. Dr. Gryzlo’s progress note states that the 

claimant could not climb ladders or scaffolds, carry heavy items, or climb up a wall in rebar. Dr. 

Aribindi advised that the claimant should refrain from climbing ladders, kneeling, or squatting. 

There is no evidence in the record that the claimant was physically capable of performing the 

duties outlined in the modified job description until Kahan issued his report on July 12, 2015, 

stating that McHugh had offered the claimant “a medically appropriate modified duty position 

within his physical demand capacity.” However, the credibility of Kahan’ s opinion in that regard 

must be measured against his deposition testimony in which he denied ever seeing Dr. Gryzlo’s 

January 17, 2013 progress note and admitted that he had not reviewed McHugh’s modified job 

description for the position offered to the claimant. There is no competent evidence in the record 

supporting the conclusion that a “legitimate dispute” existed on the issue of whether the claimant 

rejected an offer of employment with duties within the restrictions imposed by Dr. Gryzlo.
No. 1-19-2428WC 

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¶ 54 Although the basis stated in the arbitrator’s decision for denying an award of penalties and 

attorney fees that the Commission adopted finds no support in the record, McHugh argues that, in 

failing to pay maintenance benefits, it also relied upon the opinion of Dr. Aribindi that the leftknee pain which the claimant suffers is the result of underlying chronic degenerative-arthritic 

changes and not the result of his work injury. Neither the arbitrator nor the Commission ever 

addressed the issue of whether McHugh could have reasonably believed, based upon Dr. Aribindi’s 

opinion, that the claimant was not entitled to maintenance benefits. Penalties and attorney fees are 

not warranted in circumstances where an employer reasonably relied on a medical opinion as the 

basis for failing to pay benefits. Avon Products, Inc., 82 Ill. 2d at 302; Mobil Oil Corp, 309 Ill. 

App. 3d at 626. The question of whether McHugh acted in reasonable reliance upon Dr. Aribindi’s 

opinion in failing to pay the claimant maintenance benefits is one of fact to be resolved by the 

Commission. Roodhouse Envelope Co., 276 Ill. App. 3d at 579. As the reasonableness of 

McHugh’s reliance on Dr. Aribindi’s opinion underlies the question of whether the claimant 

should be awarded penalties under sections 19(k) and 19(l) of the Act and attorney fees under 

section 16, we deem it appropriate to vacate the Commission’s denial of penalties and attorney 

fees and remand the matter to the Commission to decide the issue.

¶ 55 Based upon the foregoing analysis, we: 1) reverse that portion of the circuit court’s 

judgment that confirmed the portions of the Commission’s decision vacating the maintenance 

benefits awarded to the claimant, reducing the claimant’s TTD benefits from 59 3/7 weeks of 

benefits to 56 4/7 weeks of benefits, and vacating the order upon McHugh to pay Grzesik $2,000; 

2) vacate that portion of the circuit court’s judgment that confirmed the Commission’s denial of 

penalties under sections 19(k) and 19(l) of the Act and attorney fees under section 16 of the Act; 
No. 1-19-2428WC 

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3) affirm the circuit court’s judgment in all other respects; 4) reverse those portions of the 

Commission’s decision vacating the maintenance benefits awarded to the claimant, reducing the 

claimant’s TTD benefits from 59 3/7 weeks of benefits to 56 4/7 weeks of benefits, and vacating 

the order upon McHugh to pay Grzesik $2,000; 5) vacate that portion of the Commission’s decision 

denying the claimant penalties under sections 19(k) and 19(l) of the Act and attorney fees under 

section 16 of the Act; and 6) remand this cause to the Commission with directions to: a) award the 

claimant 59 3/7 weeks TTD benefits for the period of December 19, 2011, through January 31, 

2013; b) award the claimant 125 4/7 weeks of maintenance benefits for the period from February 

1, 2013, through June 30, 2015; c) order McHugh to pay $2,000 to Thomas Grzesik; and d) conduct 

a hearing, consistent with the opinions expressed herein, to determine whether the claimant is 

entitled to penalties under sections 19(k) and 19(l) of the Act and attorney fees under section 16 

of the Act.

¶ 56 Circuit court judgment affirmed in part, vacated in part and reversed in part. 

 Commission decision reversed in part and vacated in part. 

 Cause remanded to the Commission with directions.