Bentley v. Associated Spring Co.

The defendants, Associated Spring Company and Travelers Insurance Company, appeal from a determination of the Workers’ Compensation Appeal Board (WCAB) granting the plaintiff, Ruth Bentley, an open award of compensation benefits of $115 per week and necessary psychiatric care expenses. The WCAB reversed the decision of the hearing referee, who had denied benefits.

Bentley began working for Associated Spring Company on October 30, 1973, as a machine tester. Her job was to ensure that springs automatically fed into a machine did not clog or jam it. Around May 1, 1974, she was injured when her…