Court Opinion

ID: 9714980
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 05:50:47.190828+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:23:30.090891
License: Public Domain

PRESIDING JUSTICE McCULLOUGH, specially concurring: I agree with the ruling of the majority and submit the following. The supreme court in Best referred to Petrillo stating, “ex parte conferences were not necessary to obtain information for defending a lawsuit because the discovery methods outlined by Supreme Court Rule 201 were sufficient.” Best, 179 Ill. 2d at 453, 689 N.E.2d at 1098. The Best court also in discussing Petrillo stated: “[T]he Petrillo court distinguished between medical information which is considered waived by the filing of a lawsuit and information which is not waived. The court noted that disclosure of information could be accomplished by either an express consent or one implied at law by the patient’s conduct, such as the filing of a lawsuit. With respect to the latter situation, the patient filing suit implicitly agrees to his or her doctor’s release of any medical information related to the specific physical or mental condition which the patient has placed in issue. However, the plaintiff’s implied consent (or waiver of information) ‘is obviously and necessarily limited; he consents only to the release of his medical information (relative to the lawsuit) pursuant to the methods of discovery authorized by Supreme Court Rule 201(a) (87 Ill. 2d R. 201(a)).’ (Emphasis in original.) [Citation.] The plaintiff-patient does not, by the simple act of filing suit, consent to ex parte discussions between his treating doctor and defense counsel, nor does he consent to disclosure of confidential information unrelated to the subject matter of the lawsuit.” Best, 179 Ill. 2d at 457, 689 N.E.2d at 1099-1100. Under section 8(a) of the Act, the employer is responsible for all “necessary medical, surgical and hospital services *** which [are] reasonably required to cure or relieve from the effects of the accidental injury.” 820 ILCS 305/8(a) (West 1998). Section 8(a) also provides: “Every hospital, physician, surgeon or other person rendering treatment or services in accordance with the provisions of this Section shall upon written request furnish full and complete reports thereof to, and permit their records to be copied by, the employer, the employee or his dependents, as the case may be, or -any other party to any proceeding for compensation before the Commission, or their attorneys.” 820 ILCS 305/8(a) (West 1998). This court, as well as the supreme court, has stated that the provisions of the Code of Civil Procedure and the supreme court rules are inapplicable to procedures regulated by the Act. Elles v. Industrial Comm’n, 375 Ill. 107, 113, 30 N.E.2d 615, 618 (1940). See also Chicago Transit Authority v. Industrial Comm’n, 238 Ill. App. 3d 202, 205, 606 N.E.2d 236, 238 (1992); Chambers v. Industrial Comm’n, 132 Ill. App. 3d 891, 893, 478 N.E.2d 498, 499 (1985). As the majority states, the discovery rules discussed in Best and Petrillo do not apply in workers’ compensation cases. The provisions of section 8(a) do allow the employer appropriate methods to determine merits of the claim, its nature, and its extent. The admissibility of evidence is subject at all times to the discretion of the rulings of the Commission.