Plumber Loses Disability Claim Based on Risk of Reactive Airways Syndrome

RALEIGH, N.C. — The North Carolina Court of Appeals has affirmed an industrial commission decision that a maintenance plumber is not entitled to an occupational disease award based on an alleged increased risk or reactive airways syndrome caused by exposure to chlorine bleach. Harrell v. Palace Entertainment Holdings, Inc., et al., No. COA11-796 (N.C. Ct. App.).

The court noted in its May 15 opinion that Clayton Ray Harrell did not appeal the commission’s finding that his accidental injury claim, based on the same accidental exposure, was time-barred.

Harrell’s claims arose on July 10, 2006, when he was asked to repair …