Seitz v. L&R Industries, Inc.

437 A.2d 1345 (1981)

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Seitz v. L&R Industries, Inc.

Rhode Island Supreme Court
437 A.2d 1345 (1981)

Facts

Beulah Seitz (plaintiff) worked as a secretary to the vice president and general manager of Worcester Pressed Aluminum Corporation (Worcester) for about six years before her division, called Palco Products Division (Palco), was sold to L & R Industries, Inc. (L & R) (defendant) in 1975. Palco was moved from Massachusetts to Rhode Island, and Seitz was partially in charge of the moving process. Once in the new location, Seitz struggled with difficult conditions. Seitz could not find records, the telephone service did not work well, the previous tenants were still on the premises, and the staff was not trained. Seitz had to do janitorial and cleaning work as well as her normal duties, and a leaking roof meant that she had to protect the office equipment. Seitz struggled in her relationships with other staff members, who she did not feel respected her authority or followed office protocol. After 16 days working for L & R, Seitz quit. Seitz saw Dr. Elliot R. Reiner, a psychiatrist who had treated her in 1967. Dr. Reiner diagnosed Seitz with obsessive-compulsive personality disorder. Dr. Reiner noted that Seitz’s condition had preexisted her employment with L & R but was aggravated by the conditions of her employment. Seitz filed a claim for workers’-compensation benefits. Dr. Reiner testified that although Seitz had not suffered a physical injury, she had suffered an emotional trauma. The commission found that Seitz’s condition was an aggravation of a preexisting psychological condition that qualified as a personal injury arising out of and in the course of Seitz’s employment. The appellate commission sustained the commission’s order. L & R appealed.

Rule of Law

Issue

Holding and Reasoning (Weisberger, J.)

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