Pa. Court Affirms Award to Worker Who Claimed Injury from HVAC Setting

HARRISBURG, Pa. - A Pennsylvania court on June 26 affirmed an order awarding workers' compensation benefits to an employee who claimed he suffers from hypersensitivity pneumonitis from exposure to workplace fungus. Craftex Mills Inc. v. Workers' Compensation Appeal Board, No. 1758 CD 2005 (Pa. Cmwlth. Ct.).

Thomas Markowicz sought benefits from Craftex Mills Inc. for a work-related injury after he was diagnosed with pneumonitis and asthmatic bronchitis in 2002. He blamed his condition on exposure to spores in an air conditioning unit, which he was required to clean every six months.

Craftex opposed the claim, but a workers' compensation …