Cargill, Inc. v. Jeffers

Cargill, Inc., and Sedgwick James of Florida appeal an order of the judge of compensation claims (JCC) finding Deborah Jeffers’ reactive airway disease/occupational asthma compensable under an exposure theory. Because there was no competent, substantial evidence in the record revealing that Jeffers’ exposure to any chemical agent was prolonged or causally related to her respiratory ailment, we reverse. In reaching his decision, the JCC relied upon the expert opinions of two physicians, each of whom concluded that Jeffers’ exposure to hazardous chemicals at the chicken hatchery where she was…