Iowa Court of Appeals Affirms 80 Percent Disability for Jeld-Wen Worker

DES MOINES, Iowa — The Iowa Court of Appeals has affirmed a permanent 80 percent disability award for a Jeld-Wen worker who attributed lung ailments to exposure to isocyanates.

The Iowa court declined to award the worker permanent total disability benefits, however, and also affirmed the Workers’ Compensation Commissioner’s rejection of his claim that his tinnitus was not related to his employment.

James McCarthy sought benefits for ailments that included a chronic cough, shortness of breath and exercise fatigue. He attributed his illnesses to isocyanate exposure while employed at a Jeld-Wen Inc. facility from 1978 until 2009.

Isocyanates are …