Defense Attorneys Question Arbitrator Appointments

Two Chicago defense attorneys say the recent appointment of five arbitrators is surprising given the fact that claim numbers are dropping. Three of the new arbitrators have little to no experience in workers’ compensation, attorney Michael E. Rusin of Rusin & Maciorowski in Chicago wrote in the firm's client newsletter. They are Thomas Ciecko, Tiffany Kay and Charles M. Watts, Rusin says, and the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission has confirmed. Watts is a “general practice attorney who has been admitted to practice law since 2001. To my knowledge he has...