Cornetta's Case

In this workers’ compensation case, an administrative judge awarded Laura Cometta (employee) permanent and total incapacity benefits, pursuant to G. L. c. 152, § 34A, for a work-related emotional disability. On appeal by the self-insurer,1 the reviewing board of the Department of Industrial Accidents (board) affirmed, viewing the employee’s disabling psychological condition as “subsequent to” physical trauma sustained in an incident on May 22, 1997, when the employee, a Spanish teacher at Nashoba Valley Technical High School, was assaulted by a student. Even though the employee had a…