Tap House Real Estate, LLC v. City of Rochester

**Court Rules Against Worker Who Hid Medical History on Job Application** This case involved a maritime worker who sued his employer, Gulf Offshore Logistics, after getting injured on the job. The worker claimed his employer should pay for his medical care and living expenses while he recovered (called "maintenance and cure" in maritime law). He also argued the company was negligent and that the vessel was unsafe. However, the court sided with the employer and dismissed the worker's claims. The court found that the worker had lied on his pre-employment medical questionnaire by failing to disclose previous back and neck injuries. Because of these false statements, the employer successfully used what's called the "McCorpen defense" - a legal rule that allows employers to deny benefits when workers materially misrepresent their medical history during hiring. **What this means for workers:** This ruling highlights the critical importance of being completely honest on job applications and medical questionnaires. Even if you're injured at work, you could lose your right to compensation and benefits if your employer can prove you lied about your medical history when you were hired. Workers should always disclose prior injuries truthfully, even if they worry it might hurt their chances of getting the job.