Jan. 31, 2013
The Wisconsin Court of Appeals recently reached a decision in a Juneau County workers’ compensation benefits claim filed three years ago. An article published in a recent issue of the Juneau County Star Times stated the court believed a judge with the Labor and Industry Review Commission correctly awarded workers’ compensation benefits to a Juneau County Sheriff’s Detective and that the Court of Appeals would not interfere with the decision.
The case stems from an accident the detective was involved in at the Juneau County Justice Center in 2006. He was walking through the building when he slipped, fell, and hurt his right knee. The injury resulted in the need for surgery. However, the site of the incision later became infected and he required a complete knee replacement. The injury also was responsible for the detective missing work over a three-year period.
The county did not dispute over the initial injury, but argued medical records show the infection occurred as a result of hot tub use, resulting in further complications and medical expenses and that were not work-related. The victim denied the claims and the court concurred.
The ruling means the county owes the injured employee more than $73,000 in workers compensation benefits.
The Appleton personal injury lawyers with Sigman, Janssen, Stack, Sewall & Pitz hope the decision being reached in the case will bring some sort of closure to the accident for the victim and his family.