i was hurt at work and had surgery on my knee i was released back to work on 8/22/05 but could not reach my employer on or about 8/30/05 i got a hold of my boss he told me ok and that he would work with me and call me right back since then i have heard nothing and have left messages with no response i sent a certified letter to them and they recieved it on 9/29/05 but still have not heard anything from them as of 10/9/05 i am in Illinois and would love to know if they can just cut me off like this i am going to file for unemployment now and wonder what do i tell them was i fired or laidoff ?

The worker's comp carrier may be on the hook for some extended TTD benefits if you were released to return to work on light/alterted duty and the employer failed to return you to work. If you were released for work with no restrictions, then it's possible this could be a wrongful term under IL's WC reg's and I suggest you discuss this with a WC attorney.

You were neither fired or laidoff (as far as you know) so when you file for UC benefits, simply tell them what the situation is.

Thank You Beth