Illinois Workers’ Compensation law is set up to stream line the trial process.
You do not have to prove your work injury was the fault of your employer. You only have to prove the accident happened and that it is the cause of, or aggravated your condition, and that you continue to suffer from the injury.
Usually this means you will have to testify and there will not be the need for another witness. However, if there is a dispute about whether the accident occurred then you may have to bring in an eye-witness to testify about the accident.
Your doctor will testify by way of his deposition. The transcript of the testimony will be submitted to the Workers Compensation Arbitrator for him to read.
Since the witnesses are limited in number a Workers’ Compensation trial will often be completed in less than one hour.