A Chicago fire department paramedic trainee who was injured while participating in a training program may not sue the city and fire academy training staff for damages, after having obtained workers' compensation benefits for his injuries. Plaintiff alleged that defendants intentionally injured him during paramedic training by forcing him to do rigorous physical exercise with minimal water breaks, resulting in dehydration and acute kidney failure. Once an employee has collected compensation on basis that his or her injuries were compensable under Workers' Compensation Act, the employee cannot then allege that those injuries fall outside the Act's provisions, such as by alleging that injuries were intentional torts. (PIERCE and NEVILLE, concurring.)
Illinois Appellate Court
Civil Court
Workers' Compensation