John was employed as a foreman on a construction project on Pennsylvania Marcellus Shale natural gas drilling well site . He had been suffering from diabetes for a number of years. For the most part, he kept good control of his blood sugar levels but there were times when he did not. One hot, muggy day, with the temperatures in the high 90’s, John was sweating profusely as he worked through his shift. He began to feel weak and then he apparently passed out. The next thing that John remembered was waking up in a hospital bed with a bad cut on his head and a broken right arm. As it turned out, John’s blood sugar level had dropped too low thus causing him to pass out. John had skipped lunch that day because he was so busy with work.
Question: Does John have a Workers’ Compensation claim?
ANSWER: Yes. Even though the reason that John fell had nothing to do with the work he did, the injuries that John incurred once he hit the ground would be considered work related. Thus any disability that John incurs because of his injury to his head and broken arm would be compensable. The treatment that John receives in the hospital for his physical injuries would be the responsibility of the Workers’ Compensation insurance carrier for his employer. The treatment John receives for his diabetes though, would not be.
If you’ve suffered a work injury and have questions about your claim, contact me at tcummings@dlplaw.com or call (570) 347-1011 for a free consultation.
