The Illinois Industrial Commission found that an employees’ injuries from a fall off scaffolding at work were compensable even though the medical evidence revealed that the fall was from an idiopathic cause.
An idiopathic cause, such as a seizure or a fainting episode, generally are not compensable. An exception arises if the employment contributes to the injury by putting the employee in a position that may increase the dangerous effects of a fall.
In the reported case, the injured employee was working regular duties in 80-90 degree temperatures when he fell from scaffolding to the ground. He never had prior fainting or blacking out episodes.
the Arbitrator held that the employees’ accident arose out of and was in the course of his employment as the employment contributed to his injury and the scaffolding that he was on increased the effects of his fall. The surrounding scaffolding contributed to his injury and increased the effects of his fall.
