Thompson v. Lenoir Transfer Co.

WELLS, Judge.

John Thompson accidentally injured his leg in January 1976, while in the course of his employment. He died in December 1976 as a result of an overdose of pain medicine prescribed for his injuries. Plaintiffs initiated this proceeding seeking death benefits, both for Thompson’s death and for his widow’s disability at the time. In the initial hearing, plaintiffs attempted unsuccessfully to introduce lay testimony regarding Thompson’s state of mind before his death; in addition, the Commission conditionally admitted, but did not finally rule on, causation testimony in the form of a…