After a slip and fall accident that resulted in a severe tibial fracture, a security guard was denied workers’ compensation benefits by his employer, United Security Services, Inc.. He enlisted the help of Ankin Law attorney Phil Risley who was able to secure permanent partial disability benefits, and temporary total disability benefits, along with payment of outstanding medical services.
The injured security guard worked as a supervisor for United Security Services and was assigned to the Hyatt Regency at McCormick Place. His duties included observing, patrolling, monitoring cameras, and completing reports. After midnight, while in the security office, he slipped on a bottle of water on the floor while retrieving water from the refrigerator and fell. Following the fall, he experienced severe pain and was in and out of consciousness. He was unable to get up, as a co-worker discovered him and called 911.
[Read the Full Arbitrator Decision here]
He was transported by ambulance to the hospital, where he first observed the severity of his leg injury. He later notified his supervisor, of the work-related accident and was provided insurance information. At the hospital, imaging revealed severe injuries, including a tibial plateau fracture and a proximal fibular fracture. He was admitted to the hospital and underwent application of an external fixation device. What followed was physical therapy and a second surgery.
When United Security Services denied workers’ compensation, the injured security guard called Ankin Law. That’s when Phil Risley took over and saw the case to a successful conclusion. The arbitrator saw fit to award the injured man:
- Temporary Total Disability benefits of $495.30 per week for 33-2/7 weeks
- Outstanding reasonable and necessary medical services of $206,761.46
- Permanent Partial Disability benefits of $445.77 per week for 81.7 weeks because injuries sustained caused the 38% loss of use of the left knee
- Permanent Partial Disability benefits of $445.77 per week for 5 weeks because the injuries sustained caused the 1% loss of use of the person as a whole
Despite the efforts of medical staff, he continues to experience significant functional limitations, including pain, swelling, reduced range of motion in the left knee, difficulty walking or running for extended periods, altered gait, and limitations with sitting and daily activities. He manages symptoms with ibuprofen several times per week and laments the ongoing impact on his quality of life.
Below is a brief summary the security guard’s medical journey, from the Arbitrator Decision:
Summary of Medical Records:
On September 9, 2023, the injured security guard (Petitioner) was taken by ambulance to a Hospital in Chicago after a work-related accident in which he slipped on water and fell, twisting his left leg. Imaging revealed severe injuries, including a comminuted, displaced bicondylar tibial plateau fracture and a proximal fibular fracture. The Petitioner was admitted to the hospital and underwent application of an external fixation device on September 11, 2023, followed by a second surgery for open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) with removal of the external fixator. He was discharged on September 28, 2023.
Following discharge, the Petitioner continued orthopedic follow-up and physical therapy, remaining off work. He received in-home physical therapy from late September to October 2023 and later outpatient physical therapy from December 2023 through April 2024. During follow-up care, the Petitioner reported ongoing low back pain radiating into his legs, for which additional physical therapy and a lumbar MRI were ordered.
On April 29, 2024, the Petitioner was released to return to work with activities as tolerated. Despite this, he continues to experience significant functional limitations, including pain, swelling, reduced range of motion in the left knee, difficulty walking or running for extended periods, altered gait, and limitations with sitting and daily activities. He manages symptoms with ibuprofen several times per week and reports ongoing impact on his quality of life.
