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SIGNIFICANT CASE SUMMARIES VA CASE SUMMARY Suyes v. Chesterfield County Public Schools Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission 1835397 Decided: March 30, 2022 When Zoloft was prescribed for both leg pain related to the work injury – and also psychological issues unrelated to the work injury – the Zoloft was still compensable. Background Claimant suffered compensable injuries… read more

SIGNIFICANT CASE SUMMARIES PA CASE SUMMARIES John Bark v. Sooner Steel, LLC (WCAB) Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania No. 540 C.D. 2021 Decided: March 21, 2022 Claimant riding home in a company truck was in the course and scope of employment based on an oral employment contract which included transportation. Background Claimant was a laborer for… read more

SIGNIFICANT CASE SUMMARIES MD CASE SUMMARY United Parcel Service, et al. v. David Strothers In the Court of Special Appeals Filed: February 4, 2022 Establishing a hernia claim only requires a preponderance of the evidence, the same standard of proof as in other occupational disease claims. Background Claimant sustained an abdominal injury while using a… read more

SIGNIFICANT CASE SUMMARIES VA CASE SUMMARY Johnson v. General Dynamics Corp. Virginia Court of Appeals No. 0645-21-3 Decided: March 8, 2022 The first-aid doctrine does not allow a compensable consequence injury when the first injury was non-compensable, nor when the Claim for Benefits did not specifically include the negligent first-aid injury. Background Claimant’s wife brought… read more

SIGNIFICANT CASE SUMMARIES PA CASE SUMMARIES Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center v. Colleen Drozda (WCAB) Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania No. 427 C.D. 2021 Decided: February 28, 2022 Even in the absence of medical testimony, a claimant can establish the work-relatedness of a cervical herniation based on obviousness. Background Claimant was assisting a patient when the… read more