In the Matter of the Claim of Seosi Song
Claimant Seosi Song, an assistant plan examiner, appealed a decision by the Workers' Compensation Board that denied her claim for workers' compensation benefits. Song alleged that she sustained physical injuries to her back, right knee, and right wrist, as well as psychological injuries, due to working unusually prolonged hours in a static position from home since April 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A Workers' Compensation Law Judge disallowed the claim, and the Board affirmed, finding that Song did not establish a causally-related occupational disease or accidental injury. The Appellate Division, Third Judicial Department, affirmed the Board's decision, concluding that the medical evidence was insufficient to establish a recognizable link between Song's condition and a distinctive feature of her occupation, or that her injuries resulted from unusual environmental conditions. The court also found no error in the Board's decision to disregard speculative medical evidence regarding psychological injuries.