Ill. 5th: Stroke Caused by Speech is Compensable

The Fifth District of the Illinois Court of Appeals, Workers' Compensation Division, held that a stroke caused by giving speech at a work-related dinner is compensable. In Pinckneyville Community Hosp. v. The Industrial Commission (Downen), No. 5-05-0204WC, 03/30/2006, Mary Downen was employed by Pinckneyville Community Hospital as a nurse for 25 years. Downen's job duties included supervisory duties, such as contacting other nurses or doing the work herself when no one else was available. Downen also received 2-3 calls a day at home regarding work problems. In 1997, John Schubert beca...