Albanese's Case

The question presented is whether a mental or emotional disorder 1 causally related to stressful incidents at work is a "personal injury arising out of and in the course of ... employment” under the Workmen’s Compensation Act, G. L. c. 152, § 26. We hold that if an employee is incapacitated by a mental or emotional disor der causally related to a series of specific stressful work-related incidents, the employee is entitled to compensation.

The reviewing board found that Joseph Albanese was totally disabled as a result of his mental illness, and that his illness was related to a series of…