Workers’ Compensation Law

(Thapedi, D-Chicago) makes four changes to the Health Care Services Lien Act. (1) Limits the lien of a health care provider to the rates established by the health insurance plan or public funds that are available to pay the medical bills. (2) Proportionately reduces subrogation claims or liens for medical expenses in the same proportion that the claimant’s recovery is reduced because of comparative fault or uncollectability of the full value of the full claim because of limited liability insurance or from any other cause. (3) Requires a lienholder to bear the pro rata share of the claimant’s attorney’s fees and litigation expenses for collecting the health-care provider’s lien and be barred from suing the patient for the unpaid balance. (4) Allows petitions to adjudicate rights under this Act to be served on interested adverse parties by personal service, substitute service, or registered or certified mail. House Bill 5823 hasn't been scheduled for a hearing yet.

(Rezin, R-Peru) creates an exception to the statute of repose for attorney malpractice that currently limits actions to no later than six years after the date on which the attorney's act or omission occurred. The exception is if the client is still represented by the attorney or the attorney knowingly conceals the act or omission. If that occurs, the limitation does begin to run until the person is no longer represented by the attorney or until the client should have known of the injury. Just introduced and referred to the Committee on Assignments for assignment to a substantive committee.