Multifoods Specialty Distribution v. McAtee

In this workers’ compensation case, employer Multifoods Specialty Distribution accepted claimant McAtee’s injury as a “lumbar strain (combined condition).” The term “combined condition” referred to earlier compensable injuries and a resulting degenerative condition that existed simultaneously with the lumbar strain. Subsequently, employer denied the claim based on information that the lumbar strain was no longer the major contributing cause of claimant’s discomfort and need for treatment. An administrative law judge (AU) determined that employer permissibly had denied the claim. The Workers’…