New York Court Affirms Occupational Injury Benefits for Food Worker Claiming Lung Injury

ALBANY, N.Y. – A New York appellate court has affirmed occupational disability benefits for a Frito Lay Inc. employee who claimed chronic lung injury from workplace exposure to food flavoring chemicals and cleaning compounds.

The New York Supreme Court Appellate Division, Third Department, issued its decision in favor of claimant Keith Sandell Dec. 26, finding Frito Lay’s opposition unpersuasive.

Sandell claimed that he worked for 12 years at a Frito Lay facility that produced corn-, potato- and grain-based snacks, but was forced to leave in March 2010 because of acute respiratory problems. He was eventually diagnosed with chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis, …