Workers’ Comp Deductibles at Issue in Pork Employees’ Neurological Disease

A Minnesota appeals court has reportedly decided a dispute over workers’
compensation deductibles in favor of a pork processing company’s insurance
carrier in litigation arising from injuries to employees exposed to the mist
from pig brain tissue. Quality Pork Processors Inc. is apparently considering
whether to appeal the ruling to the state supreme court. According to counsel
for the company, the matter involves a contractual dispute and has no effect
on benefit payments to those infected while working on or near the line
called the “head table.” They apparently used compressed air to remove pigs’
brains and were diagnosed with an unusual neurological disease that causes
symptoms including weakness, fatigue, confusion, and seizures. The pork
processor contends that the contract language addressing how deductibles
were calculated is ambiguous and disagreed that each accident should be
decided separately. See The Austin Daily Herald, April 14, 2011.