Worker's Estranged Husband Gets Death Benefits for Her Fatal Overdose

The Iowa Court of Appeals upheld an award of death benefits for a fatal prescription drug overdose saying evidence in the record was equivocal regarding whether the death was accidental or the injured worker committed suicide. Heather Blasdell worked for Linnhaven Inc. She injured her ankle at work in November 2012. Blasdell later developed lower-back pain and depression as a result of the ankle injury. A workers' compensation commissioner found Blasdell was permanently and totally disabled because of the injury and awarded her workers’ compensation benefits. Blasdell sought...