Opinion ID: 1542384
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Hohl v. Insulated Duct & Cable Company

Text: Gerald F. Hohl died on July 9, 2003, from chronic bronchitis and bladder cancer that he developed as a result of occupational exposure during his employment with Insulated Duct & Cable Company. At the time of his death, his average gross weekly wages were $370.00 and his wife, Valentyna Hohl (Hohl), was his only surviving dependent. The employer voluntarily commenced payment of death benefits of $185.00 per week to Hohl on August 19, 2003, without the entry of any formal award, in accordance with the statutory rate of fifty percent of her decedent's wages. See N.J.S.A. 34:15-13(a) (2003). Following the adoption of the statutory amendment, Hohl sought an increase in her benefits to the newly-enacted rate of seventy percent. On February 28, 2005, the same judge of compensation who on that date had denied the Cruz petition, also denied Hohl's petition, relying on the same rationale. Hohl filed her notice of appeal on April 7, 2005.