Claimant has apparently dropped the multiplier on appeal. However, this case represents no truly unique legal questions and constitutes nothing more than a Workers' Compensation case where the Petitioner had to earnestly pursue justifiable penalties. The purpose of awarding attorneys' fees as a penalty under 16 is to relieve the Petitioner of the responsibility for paying the attorney's fees he would otherwise be obligated to pay. Allowing the increase of fees based on a quantum meruit theory is not warranted. There is nothing in the experience of the Commission that leads to the belief that attorneys are unwilling to represent injured workers if they are paid fees at the rate established by the Act.
Fees based on quantum meruit constitute an unreasonable cost burden on the system.
In a vexatious case involving 16, fees may be awarded on all compensation. 209 Ill. App. 243 Ill. App. The circuit court reasoned that to require the respondent to pay the attorney fees requested by claimant would pay Rittenberg far in excess of the value of his services to claimant. According to the circuit court, the fact that time and effort was expended beyond that contemplated by claimant's attorney was a circumstance which the attorney must bear.