Health Care Worker Gets 13% PPD Award for Back Injury

West Virginia’s Intermediate Court of Appeals upheld an award of benefits for a 13% permanent partial impairment for an injured health care worker. Case: Hospice of Southern West Virginia Inc. v. Whitney, No. 25-ICA-184, 12/04/2025, published. Facts: Melissa Whitney worked for Hospice of Southern West Virginia Inc. She filed a workers’ compensation claim, asserting that she had injured her back in September 2022 while catching a falling patient. Whitney was diagnosed with a lumbar strain and lumbar radiculopathy. A claims administrator for Hospice’s insurance carrier acce...