Worker Need Not Prove Structural Change to Shoulder to Receive Benefits

The Virginia Court of Appeals ruled that a worker needs to prove only that an accident caused at least one sudden mechanical or structural change to her body to collect compensation. Case: Alexandria City Public Schools v. Handel, No. 1582-18-4, 05/14/2019, published. Facts: Kerri Handel worked for the Alexandria City Public Schools as a teacher. She slipped and fell in her classroom in April 2014. Among the multiple injuries listed under "final diagnoses" on hospital records is "pain in joint, shoulder region." Procedural history: Handel filed a workers' compensati...