Court Clarifies Definition of Compensable 'Combined Condition'

An Oregon worker's condition of ill-being, if caused by a combination of a preexisting condition and an industrial injury, will be compensable if the industrial injury is the major contributing cause of the worker's disability or need for treatment, the Court of Appeals ruled. Case: Vigor Industries v. Ayers, No. A149855, 08/07/2013, published.Facts: Randi Ayers slipped and fell while at work, injuring his right foot, in 2008. His employer, Vigor Industries, accepted liability for a nondisabling foot strain.In January 2009, Ayers submitted a claim based on a navicular fracture and...