Brad Antonacci

Practices

• Workers' Compensation

Credentials

Education

J.D., Northern Illinois University School of Law

B.A., University of Illinois, Sociology

Licensure(s) and Admission(s)

State Courts of Illinois

United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois

Professional Affiliations

Illinois Defense Counsel

Illinois State Bar Association 

Workers’ Compensation Lawyers’ Association

Results

• Ordoniz v. Dano Auto Body – Petitioner claimed he injured his low back and allegedly suffered a herniated disc while removing a car door from a vehicle. He amassed approximately $225,000 in outstanding medical bills for treatment in chiropractic care, physical therapy, medications, numerous spinal injections, radiofrequency ablation, and numerous radiological tests. The Workers' Compensation Commission relied on our IME and Utilization Review reports to find that the petitioner suffered a lumbar strain and denied approximately $225,000 in alleged outstanding medical bills as unreasonable, unnecessary, and causally unrelated to the work injury. The Commission awarded 3% person-as-a-whole.
• Alanis v. Woodstock Christian Life Services – Petitioner injured her lower back while pushing a cart and slipping and falling on some water. She received medical treatment for approximately one month and was then released to return to work. She eventually began treating with a pain management physician who performed a series of lumbar spine injections and a radiofrequency ablation. When the pain management physician released the petitioner after one year of treatment, the petitioner had accumulated an extensive amount of outstanding medical bills which we denied. Relying on our IME physician, the Workers' Compensation Commission denied approximately $34,000 in alleged outstanding medical bills and awarded 6% person-as-a-whole for a lumbar strain.
• Hieber v. Glass and Mirror Company – Petitioner suffered a compensable and accepted right shoulder injury. Following right shoulder surgery, the petitioner developed an infection in the right shoulder, resulting in revision surgery. Subsequent to the second surgery, the petitioner suffered from kidney failure and eventually required a kidney transplant. On behalf of the glass and mirror company, Heyl Royster presented evidence and an expert opinion that the renal failure was not related to the right shoulder surgeries and infection, that the petitioner had risk factors for developing renal failure, and that petitioner subsequently developed renal failure in the transplanted kidney. The arbitrator found the petitioner's renal failure to be causally connected to the right shoulder work injury and awarded all benefits related to the renal failure. On review, the Worker's Compensation Commission found no causal connection between the work injury and the petitioner's kidney condition, and the circuit court affirmed on appeal. The Commission's decision resulted in a reduction of the arbitrator's award of more than $300,000.

Presentations/Publications

Presentations

“Can You Win In Illinois? Yes, You can! A Path to Success,” Heyl Royster's 34th Annual Claims Handling Seminar (2023)

“Discussion of the McAllister Case and Pending Appeal; Case Law Update for 2020,” Heyl Royster WC Webinar Series

“Going to the Bench: Bringing in an Expert Witness,” Heyl Royster's 32nd Annual Claims Handling Seminar (2017)

“Functional Capacity Evaluations As Evidence of Disability In Workers’ Compensation Claims,” Heyl Royster's 31st Annual Claims Handling Seminar (2016)

“Workers’ Compensation Case-Law Update,” Winnebago County Bar Association (2016)

“All I Want for the Holidays is a Drone: Permitted Uses Today and What to Expect Tomorrow,” Heyl Royster Governmental Lunch & Learn Seminar, Rockford, IL (2015)

“Vocational Rehabilitation – Respondent’s Perspective,” IICLE Advanced Workers’ Compensation Seminar (2014)

“Case Law Update,” Heyl Royster 26th Annual Claims Handling Seminar (2011)

“TTD Liability and Mass Layoffs," Heyl Royster 24th Annual Claims Handling Seminar (2009)

Publications

“No Section 5(A) Immunity for General Contractor Operating Separately From Subsidiary-Subcontractor,” Below the Red Line - Heyl Royster Workers' Compensation Newsletter (2022)

“Three Recent Appellate Court Jurisdictional Rulings Should Give Practitioners Pause When Filing Reviews,” Illinois Defense Counsel Quarterly (2018)

“Corn Belt Energy Corp. v. Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission: Is an AMA Rating Report Necessary and Should the Defense Obtain One?,” Illinois Defense Counsel Quarterly (2017)

"Loaning Employer Not Liable . . ., Personal Comfort Doctrine," Illinois Defense Counsel Quarterly (2008)

Awards/Recognition

• Leading Lawyer by Law Bulletin Media℠
• Super Lawyer Rising Star by Super Lawyers®

Public Profile

With over 20 years of dedicated experience in defending Workers' Compensation law, Brad Antonacci has established a reputation for skillfully navigating complex claims. Starting his journey at Heyl Royster's Rockford office in 2002, Brad became a partner in 2013. Brad's strong dedication to defending Workers' Compensation cases has allowed him to effectively advocate for many employers before the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission. His extensive experience in arbitrating claims, reviewing arguments, and appealing decisions in circuit court instills confidence in both his clients and colleagues.

As a distinguished member of the Workers' Compensation Lawyers' Association and a Leading Lawyer recognized by Law Bulletin Media™, Brad has shared his experiences through speaking engagements and published articles on critical topics, including employment layoffs, temporary total disability benefits, and recent developments in Workers' Compensation case law.

When he’s not advocating for his clients, Brad enjoys cheering for his favorite sports teams, including his children's teams, playing various sports, and sharing his humor with those around him through his collection of dad jokes.