Hendrickson v. George Madsen Construction Co.

TODD, Justice.

Luella Hendrickson, surviving spouse of Theodore Hendrickson, was awarded compensation death benefits. Her husband suffered a fatal heart attack while testifying at a compensation hearing in support of his petition for additional benefits. The stress of testifying contributed to the heart attack. The compensation judge denied benefits for the heart attack, but the court of appeals allowed the claim. We reverse.

Hendrickson suffered a compensable work-related injury to his shoulder. He was awarded 69 weeks of temporary total disability, 25-percent permanent partial disability, and…