Court Publishes Ruling on Denial of Benefits for Worker With Mental Injury

The Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania has ordered publication of its decision denying benefits to a worker for a psychiatric injury from exposure to a diesel fuel leak. Although Kenneth Frankiewicz allegedly suffered physical symptoms immediately following his exposure, the court said the transient symptoms did not constitute a physical injury. As such, the court said Frankiewicz’s claim did not involve a combination of physical and mental injuries, but a purely mental injury. Under Pennsylvania law, a worker cannot recover benefits for a purely mental injury unless it was the result...