Coons v. Pete's Electric
Coons v. Pete's Electric
Opinion of the Court
In this workers’ compensation appeal, the claimant challenges the deputy commissioner’s order denying his claim for compensation benefits on the basis that the claimant’s cardiac disease and not the industrial accident caused claimant’s heart condition. Because we agree that the deputy’s order is not based on competent and substantial evidence, we reverse.
Where a claimant’s preexisting asymptomatic atherosclerotic or heart condition is aggravated or accelerated by an industrial accident, the resulting condition is compensable. See Wallen v. Salon of Music, Inc., 418 So.2d 421 (Fla. 1st DCA 1982); cf. Vyajkora v. Farm Stores, 378 So.2d 889 (Fla. 1st DCA 1979). In the instant case, Dr. Haggman’s testimony was clear that claimant’s accident aggravated and accelerated his preexisting cardiac disease and that the stress stemming from the
For the foregoing reasons, we hold the deputy commissioner erred in finding there to be no causal relationship between claimant’s present cardiac condition and the industrial accident. Accordingly, the cause is reversed and remanded for further proceedings.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.