Meils v. Northwestern Bell Telephone Co.

COYNE, Justice.

By writ of certiorari, relator Marilyn Miels seeks review of the Workers’ Compensation Court of Appeals’ denial of her claim for death benefits following her husband’s suicide. The Court of Appeals overturned the compensation judge’s award of benefits to relator and her two minor children. We reverse and remand for further proceedings in accordance with this opinion.

I

The decedent Howard Miels was employed as a combination man by respondent Northwestern Bell Telephone Company (Bell) at Mora, Minnesota. His job required strenuous physical labor including cable splicing, trench…