Here, a 34 year old credit union loan officer submitted a Workers’ Compensation claim against her employer credit union for post-traumatic stress disorder.

The claim was denied and on appeal the credit union prevailed.

The Court of Appeals of Oregon found the credit union employee had been exposed to an armed robbery at another credit union where she had worked previously.

Once she began employment at U-Lane-O Credit Union, the employee claimed other credit union employees played practical jokes on her and gossiped about her.

The credit union employee convinced a psychologist to prescribe antidepressants and an osteopath to authorize a one month medical leave from U-Lane-O Credit Union. Thereafter, the employee quit her position with the credit union when her preexisting psychological condition returned.

This credit union loan officer filed a Workers’ Compensation claim against U-Lane-O Credit Union alleging her condition had deteriorated due to the stress and practical jokes committed on her at U-Lane-O Credit Union.

The Workers’ Compensation Board determined that stressful employee relationships are not properly considered to be a risk factor of employment, although the Board did find that this employee was under stress at the credit union.

On appeal, this Court found that the employee did not present clear and convincing evidence that her condition was caused by her employment at the U-Lane-O Credit Union.

The Court also noted that a psychiatrist found that this employee also contributed to her own psychological problems; while she was working for this credit union, her father-in-law and her pet died, her parents contemplated divorce, she had gum surgery and her husband had health problems.

The Court ruled in favor of the credit union and denied the Workers’ Compensation claim. Karen Horchlin-Cogburn vs. U-Lane-O Credit Union, (Case No. WCB 89-01135, CA A66908).

Author: Charles R. Harroun, Attorney at Law