Ashland Oil Co. v. Bean

In this appeal, we must decide whether, when work conditions aggravate an ordinary disease of life pre-existing employment, a disability resulting therefrom is compensable under the Workmen’s Compensation Act.

Shirley Bean, employed for most of her life as a waitress, began work as a gas station attendant for Ashland Oil Company in June 1980. She worked alone in six-hour and nine-hour shifts without scheduled breaks or lunch hours, and her duties required her to be constantly on her feet. As part of her uniform, Bean was required to buy and wear “closed shoes” with hard soles. In November, she…