Evidence Lacking Connecting Interstitial Lung Disease to Occupational Welding Fumes, Court of Appeals Rules

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- A Workers' Compensation Appeals Panel affirmed a ruling where a state chancery court determined that while there was no doubt that a Tennessee man exposed to welding fumes suffered from interstitial lung disease, an award of benefits could not be justified because of conflicting conclusions offered by medical experts testifying in the case. Spurlock v. Boiler & Heat Exchange Systems, Inc., No. E2002-02842-WC-R3-CV (Tenn. Sup. Ct., Workers' Comp. App. Panel).

The Tennessee Supreme Court Special Workers' Compensation Appeals Panel on Jan. 22 upheld the chancery court's decision to dismiss the welding fume exposure complaint due to …