Court Upholds Denial of Benefits for Worker Injured in Fall

The Virginia Court of Appeals upheld the denial of a worker’s claim for an injury from falling as she turned to speak to a colleague. Case: O’Brien v. Northern Virginia Community College, No. 0537-23-4, 05/21/2024, unpublished. Facts: Mary Pat O’Brien worked for Northern Virginia Community College as the dean of nursing. While walking to a meeting in July 2021, a colleague asked her a question. O’Brien fell as she turned to respond. She was carrying a computer and paperwork for the meeting.   Procedural history: O’Brien applied for benefits under the ...