A hearing before the Industrial Commission is informal and takes place in a small hearing room with only a few people present. A hearing can last from a few minutes to 30 minutes depending on the issue. There are two levels of hearing: District Hearing Officer and Staff Hearing Officer. The types of issues presented before the Industrial Commission include disputes regarding: Initial allowance of the claim Additional allowance requests Medical treatment requests Temporary total compensation Permanent partial disability compensation Because this is an administrative hearing the formal rules of evidence do not apply. Both parties and their representatives will have an opportunity to present their position and present medical evidence. It is important to understand the issue so you are properly prepared for the hearing. Attorney Mark L. Newman can help you prepare for your Industrial Commission hearing.