Fentanyl Overdose Compensable, Commonwealth Court Rules

An injured worker's fentanyl overdose is compensable, despite the existence of a utilization review determination stating that the fentanyl prescription was not reasonable or necessary, the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania ruled. Case: J.D. Landscaping v. WCAB (Heffernan), No. 1866 CD 2010, 12/2/11, published/reported.Facts: James Heffernan herniated a disc in his back while working for J.D. Landscaping in July 2002. In March 2006, the employer filed a utilization review (UR) request, which rejected the medications prescribed by Heffernan's treating physician, Dr. George Rodriguez. O...