Kentucky Retirement Systems v. West

Opinion of the Court by

Justice CUNNINGHAM.

Appellee, Roger West, was employed as a plant operator by the City of Middles-boro when he filed for disability retirement benefits as a member of the County Employees Retirement Systems on November 23, 2005. He began working at the city’s water treatment facility in 1991, though he had periodically been employed by various state and local entities prior to this date. His last date of paid employment was December 18, 2005.

He based his application on a work-related back injury, as well as “breathing problems.” He cited exposure to chemicals at the…