89-9702 (1993). LAUREN JORGENSEN VS. GARLAND INDUSTRIES.

• Court: Rhode Island

Rhode Island Worker Compensation January 1989 - December 1993. 89-9702 (1993). LAUREN JORGENSEN VS. GARLAND INDUSTRIES Term: January 1989 - December 1993W.C.C. 89-9702LAUREN JORGENSEN VS. GARLAND INDUSTRIESSTATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS PROVIDENCE, SC. WORKERS' COMPENSATION COURT APPELLATE DIVISION DECISION OF THE APPELLATE DIVISION GILROY, J.The employee appeals from a trial court decision and decree which denied her claim for stress-induced incapacity benefits. We deny the appeal and affirm the trial court. The record establishes that in 1988 the petitioner started working at Garland Industries, her job being that of a "pusher", which job entailed pushing logos onto pen tops, which was performed as a sit-down job. From August, 1988 she worked as a pusher for some forty hours per week, Monday through Friday evenings, from four to twelve. Her work was not piece work, as she was being paid at an hourly wage. She said she had no prior psychological problems or emotional problems. She stated that her job responsibilities were increased from September to Christmas, which she described as the "busy season". She stated that in February of 1989, she also assumed the additional duties of a "group leader" without additional compensation. As a group leader, the employee described her work as making sure that everyone was busy, saying she would check everyone's work and generally run the department. She continued to be a group leader until she left on April 27, 1989. She testified that by then she had developed insomnia, anxiety and nervousness, and that she experienced crying and vomiting spells. The medical evidence consisted of the testimony of Dr. Charles P. Earley, a physician specializing in physical and rehabilitative medicine, and Dr. Robert Wuraftic, a psychologist. It was Dr. Earley's opinion, following his examination of the petitioner, that she was totally disabled because of psychic injury, which he attributed to her employment with the respondent. He treated her until January 30, 1990, at which time it was his opinion that she had fully recovered and that she was able to return to full employment. Dr. Robert Wuraftic, Ph.D. said that he conducted a psychological evaluation on August 21, 1989, as a referral from Dr. Earley. He diagnosed "Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, associated with vivid and rather...