Opinion ID: 1615386
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Did the Injury Arise Out of and in the Course of Gray's Employment?

Text: St. Luke's argues that whatever Gray's condition is it was not caused by her employment. To receive workers' compensation benefits Gray must show by a preponderance of the evidence that the injury arose out of and in the course of her employment. Quaker Oats Co. v. Ciha, 552 N.W.2d 143, 150 (Iowa 1996); see Iowa Code § 85.3(1). A. An injury occurs in the course of employment when it is within the period of employment at a place where the employee reasonably may be in performing his duties, and while he is fulfilling those duties or engaged in doing something incidental thereto. Quaker Oats Co., 552 N.W.2d at 150 (citations omitted). St. Luke's does not dispute the proof on the question of whether the latex allergy occurred in the course of her employment. It does, however, dispute the claimant's showing on the arises out of element, an issue treated in the following section. B. An injury arises out of employment if there is a causal connection between the employment and the injury. Bailey v. Batchelder, 576 N.W.2d 334, 338 (Iowa 1998). Whether an injury has a direct causal connection with the employment or arose independently thereof is ordinarily established by expert testimony, and the weight to be given such an opinion is for the finder of fact. Dunlavey, 526 N.W.2d at 853. Dr. Hunt observed that Gray's symptoms were work-related and suggested modification of her work environment. Dr. Zeaske stated: [Gray] did have ... a predisposition to latex, with increasing exposure to latex she had increasing symptomatology. The increased exposure came in connection with her employment at St. Luke's Hospital. It is my opinion that the symptoms that she was having at the time were a direct result of the exposure to latex at work. It is known that approximately 1 percent of the general non-atopic population is estimated to have some latex allergy, whereas, 7 to 10 percent of health care workers are estimated to have this problem. Relying on the medical evidence, the commissioner determined that Gray's injury arose out of her employment with St. Luke's, and substantial evidence supports that finding.