Felipe Gonzalez v. Mogotillo Restaurant, LLC

**Worker's Death During Travel From Work Covered by Workers' Compensation** This case involved a dispute over whether Commonwealth Edison had to pay workers' compensation death benefits when an employee died while traveling from work. The employee's death occurred during travel time that was specifically covered and paid for under the company's labor agreement with workers. Commonwealth Edison challenged the Industrial Commission's decision to award death benefits to the employee's family. The company appealed the case all the way to the Illinois Supreme Court, arguing they shouldn't have to pay workers' compensation for the death. The Illinois Supreme Court ruled against Commonwealth Edison and upheld the workers' compensation award. The court found that since the labor agreement specifically paid employees for their travel time, the employee was effectively "on the job" when the fatal incident occurred during that compensated travel. This decision matters for workers because it confirms that if your employer pays you for travel time under a union contract or employment agreement, you're covered by workers' compensation during that travel. If you're injured or killed while traveling on company-compensated time, your family may be entitled to workers' compensation benefits, even if the incident happens away from your regular workplace.