Stupidity is Compensable| 2021 OSIA Virtual Annual Conference | Day 2, Session 5

“There is nothing more horrifying than stupidity in action."

This quote, attributed to Adlai Stevenson, is particularly true when an employer must pay for it.  As a no fault system, Workers’ Compensation compensates claimants despite their own negligence and outright stupidity. In this session, we will look at various fact situations where ridiculous behavior was compensable, and perhaps find a scenario where a claimant’s actions were so outrageous as to provide a defense.

Randall W. Mikes is an attorney with Kegler Brown Hill + Ritter, practicing in the areas of workers’ compensation and litigation. With 30 years of workers’ compensation experience, Randy represents Ohio employers at administrative hearings before the Industrial Commission and before the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation, and defends them in matters in Ohio’s courts of common pleas, courts of appeal, and Supreme Court. He is recognized in Best Lawyers and is a member of the Columbus Bar Association’s Workers' Compensation Committee.