Court Affirms Temporary Benefits for Worker Linking COPD to Mold

ALBANY, N.Y. - A New York appellate panel has affirmed temporary disability benefits for an office worker who argued in seeking a permanent award that mold contamination in her workplace permanently exacerbated her chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Sillitti v. Liberty Travel Inc., et al., No. 510109 (N.Y. Sup. Ct., App. Div., 3rd Dept.).

The Supreme Court Appellate Division, Third Department, said in its April 7 opinion affirming a Workers' Compensation Board decision that claimant Rosalie Sillitti failed to meet her burden of demonstrating that the adverse effect of workplace mold exposure on her condition was permanent.

Sillitti was initially diagnosed …