SB3931 Summary

• Defines "injury" as arising out of and in the course of employment, requiring that an accident be the "prevailing factor" in causing both the medical condition and disability.

• Establishes that permanent partial or total disability must be certified by a physician and demonstrated through medically defined objective measurements; subjective complaints are disregarded unless clearly supported by objective findings using the American Medical Association's Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment.

• Eliminates compensation if injury was caused primarily by employee intoxication or influence of unprescribed drugs, alcohol, or controlled substances; creates rebuttable presumption of intoxication if blood alcohol is 0.08% or higher or any amount of unlawfully used drugs are detected.

• Requires Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission commissioners and arbitrators to weigh evidence impartially without giving benefit of the doubt to any party when resolving factual conflicts.

• Clarifies that injuries from idiopathic causes (internal body conditions unrelated to employment) are not compensable.