Sarantis v. Sheraton Corp.

Claimant, an immigrant Greek woman in her early 50’s, injured her lower back while working as a maid for respondent’s Lloyd Center Sheraton Hotel in Portland. She has been in constant pain since the injury, and a referee awarded her permanent total disability. The Workers’ Compensation Board reduced the award to 70 percent permanent partial disability, finding that claimant’s refusal to undergo a laminectomy was unreasonable. On de novo review, we reverse and remand.

Although the statutes do not explicitly provide that a permanent disability award should be reduced if the claimant unreasonably…