Stephen v. Oregon Shipyards

Claimant1 seeks review of an order of the Workers’ Compensation Board holding that she is not entitled to permanent total disability (PTD) because, even though her compensable condition prevented her from returning to the workplace, she did not show that, but for the condition, she was willing to seek work. We affirm.

The facts are not in dispute. Between 1942 and 1945, claimant worked as a welder in employer’s shipyards, where she was exposed to asbestos. Her work with employer ended in 1945, after which she did not work or seek work, but stayed home to raise her children. She developed…