Jennifer Mangoff

The worker's estate appealed a decision denying entitlement for an intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) and survivors' benefits.

The worker had previously suffered a workplace slip and fall resulting in soft tissue injuries and chronic pain.

Years later, the worker developed an IVH and passed away.

The estate argued that the medications prescribed for the workplace injuries contributed to the IVH.

The Appeals Resolution Officer relied on medical evidence indicating no positive association between the prescribed medications and the development of IVH.

The appeal was dismissed, as no causal relationship was established between the workplace injury or its treatment and the IVH, precluding entitlement to survivors' benefits.

The worker appealed a Case Manager's decision denying entitlement for chronic and traumatic mental stress disorders.

The worker alleged they developed a mental stress injury due to harassment and a toxic work environment, including racial discrimination by a coworker.

The Appeals Resolution Officer found no objectively traumatic events to support a traumatic mental stress claim.

However, relying on a third-party investigation that substantiated the coworker's harassing and discriminatory conduct, the Officer concluded the worker was exposed to a substantial work-related stressor.

The appeal was allowed in part, granting entitlement for major depressive disorder with anxiety, but denying entitlement for posttraumatic stress disorder.