Cases

Claimant suffered a compensable workers’ compensation injury and was paid workers’ compensation benefits by the employer. Thereafter workers’ compensation benefits were denied since the claimant’s medical condition was no longer related to his work accident but to a degenerative condition. Civil cause of action filed against employer, the claimant asserting that by denying workers’ compensation benefits, the claimant was estopped in asserting exclusive remedy protection from civil cause of action. Summary judgment in favor of injured worker reversed. Court determined that where claimant suffered a work related injury and the employer paid benefits before denying further benefits when medical evidence indicated that claimant’s medical condition no longer related to his work accident, employer was not estopped from claiming workers’ compensation exclusivity in civil cause of action.