Dependents of Latex Allergic Hospital Worker Awarded Workers' Compensation Benefits
Latex Allergy
Janeth McFarlane worked at the Baptist Hospital in Florida for approximately two years before November 1, 1996. She had used latex-powdered gloves. Her employer had ordered but had not received powder-less gloves. During her employment, she did experience some respiratory difficulty but was unaware of the cause. On November 1, 1996, she underwent respiratory failure immediately after using powdered latex gloves. Her co-workers attempted to revive her but were unsuccessful.
SENSITIZED TO LATEX
Relying upon the uncontradicted testimony of an independent medical examiner designated by the claimant, the court concluded that it was within reasonable medical certainty that the decedent's exposure at work was the major contributing cause of her death. The doctor relied upon the fact that the decedent had been sensitized to latex because of her employment and concluded that her latex allergy resulted in a sudden respiratory shutdown and ultimate demise. The court awarded dependency benefits to three minor children of the decedent and assessed a 20% penalty on the accrued benefits and interest at the 12% statutory rate.
McFarlane vs. Dade Correctional Institute/State of Florida Department of Corrections, Claim # 360-84-2917 (Department of Labor and Employment Security), decided February 15, 2000.
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By Jon L. Gelman of Wayne, NJ. He is the author of NJ Workers’ Compensation Law (Thomson-Reuters) and co-author of the national treatise Modern Workers’ Compensation Law (Thomson-Reuters). For over five decades, the Law Offices of Jon L Gelman 1.973.696.7900 jon@gelmans.com have represented injured workers and their families who have suffered occupational accidents and illnesses.
Recommended Citation: Gelman, Jon L., Dependents of Latex Allergic Hospital Worker Awarded Workers' Compensation Benefits, www.gelmans.com (2000), https://www.gelmans.com/ReadingRoom/tabid/65/ArtMID/1482/ArticleID/952/preview/true/Default.aspx
(c) 2000 Jon L Gelman. All rights reserved
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