Court Affirms Expansion of Worker's Claim to Include Additional Conditions

West Virginia’s Intermediate Court of Appeals upheld a determination expanding a worker’s claim to include additional conditions. Case: Townley Engineering & Manufacturing Co. Inc. v. Austin, No. 26-ICA-167, 08/06/2026, published. Facts: Richard Austin worked for Townley Engineering & Manufacturing Co. Inc. He filed a workers’ compensation claim in October 2022, asserting that he had injured his back in a fall. Austin had a history of lower back problems, including mild degenerative disc disease at L3-4 with minimal mid levoscoliosis that was revealed in ...