Not every heart attack is job-related, but heart attacks can, at times, be blamed on the job. Heavier than usual work — called “unusual exertion” in Colorado workers’ compensation practices and procedures — may be to blame for a heart attack.
At the Eley Law Firm in Denver, we have helped hundreds of Colorado workers obtain the compensation for workplace injuries suffered because of on-the-job accidents. A heart attack is not an on-the-job injury that is as obvious as, for example, falling from a scaffold. But in many different circumstances, unusual exertion can and does cause heart attacks.
One worker who suffered a job-related heart attack said, “I never worked harder in my life.” That is the basis for unusual exertion — physically challenging work far beyond the usual requirements for the job.
The employer and insurance carrier may not agree that a heart attack was job-related. If necessary, attorney Cliff Eley may seek the testimony of an expert, such as a cardiologist. The testimony of a qualified expert can help explain how a heart attack can happen because of unusual exertion, and why workers’ compensation is obligated to pay benefits.
If you suffered a work-related heart attack, call the Eley Law Firm in Denver at 303-785-2828 for a free consultation with a workers’ compensation lawyer. You can also contact us by filling out the email form on the Contact page. We look forward to working with you on your case.