Worker Who Fell While Walking Dog Gets 13% PPD Award

West Virginia’s Intermediate Court of Appeals upheld a 13% permanent partial disability award for a school employee for his injuries from a fall while walking a dog. Case: Mingo County Board of Education v. Lucas, No. 25-ICA-60, 08/06/2025, published. Facts: Michael Lucas worked for the Mingo County Board of Education. He filed a workers’ compensation claim, asserting he suffered multiple injuries when he tripped on a leash and fell while walking a service dog. A claims administrator for the BOE’s insurance carrier accepted liability for a contusion of the thorax, a contus...