9th Circuit Upholds Award of Benefits for Worker Who Attempted Suicide

The U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld an award of benefits to a longshoreman for his injuries from a failed suicide attempt. Case: Leeward Marine v. Director of the Office of Workers’ Compensation Program, No. 16-72242, 08/16/2017, unpublished. Facts: William Kealoha suffered an industrial injury in September 2001 when he fell a distance of 25 to 50 feet from the deck of a barge while working for Leeward Marine. He suffered a broken rib and a broken shoulder blade in the fall but returned to full duty less than three weeks after the accident. Kealoha filed a claim fo...