Decision  Carolyn Lawhorne v. Massachusetts Water Resources Authority

Date:	06/24/2008
Organization:	Department of Industrial Accidents
Docket Number:	DIA Board No. 035861-02
Location:	Boston

• Employee: Carolyn Lawhorne
• Employer: Massachusetts Water Resources Authority
• Self Insurer: Massachusetts Water Resources Authority

COSTIGAN, J. The self-insurer appeals from an administrative judge's decision awarding the employee benefits under the provisions of G. L. c. 152, § 1(7A),¹ for her work-related emotional disability. For the reasons that follow, we affirm the decision.

¹ The statute provides, in pertinent part:

Personal injuries shall include mental or emotional disabilities only where the predominant contributing cause of such disability is an event or series of events occurring within any employment. . . . No mental or emotional disability arising principally out of a bona fide, personnel action including a transfer, promotion, demotion or termination except such action which is the intentional infliction of emotional harm shall be deemed to be a personal injury within the meaning of this chapter.