Compensation of the Beneficiaries of Mawhinney v. State Accident Insurance Fund

The issue in this workers’ compensation appeal is factual: Was there a causal connection, both legal and medical, between decedent’s work activities and his fatal heart attack?

The State Accident Insurance Fund (SAIF) denied the widow’s claim. The referee, relying primarily on testimony of the widow and a fellow employee, reversed, concluding that the claim had been established both legally and medically by a preponderance of evidence. On appeal to the Board, the Board reversed the referee and reinstated SAIF’s denial on the ground that conflicts in testimony raised substantial doubt whether…