Kansas Appeals Court Unpersuaded by Candy Worker's Claim of Permanent Disability

TOPEKA, Kan. - The Kansas Court of Appeals sided with dissenting members of a workers compensation board in vacating an award of permanent and total disability benefits to a former candy worker who claimed that exposure to workplace toxins exacerbated her multiple chemical sensitivity. Chriestenson v. Russell Stover Candies, et al., No. 104,412 (Kan. Ct. App.).

The Court of Appeals said in its Sept. 9 opinion that other courts have rejected causation opinions offered by the claimant's medical expert and that the MCS diagnosis itself is controversial.

Claimant appellee Deborah Chriestenson, 57, worked as a plant nurse and safety …