Dickten Masch Plastics, LLC and Employers Preferred Insurance Company v. Debra Lee Stuart

Court Rules Worker Entitled to Ongoing Disability Benefits After Plant Closure

What Happened

Debra Lee Stuart was injured while working at Dickten Masch Plastics. The company initially accommodated her disability by modifying her job duties. However, when the plant closed, Stuart lost her accommodated position and the company stopped paying her disability benefits.

What the Court Decided

The court sided with Stuart. Judges confirmed that she became permanently and totally disabled from her work injury and is entitled to continue receiving disability benefits even after losing her job at the closed plant. The court upheld an earlier decision by the workers' compensation commissioner supporting Stuart's claim.

Why This Matters for Workers

This ruling protects injured workers who become permanently disabled. It establishes that closing a business or eliminating an accommodated position doesn't eliminate an employer's obligation to pay disability benefits. If you suffer a serious work injury that prevents you from working, you may have the right to ongoing financial support—regardless of whether your specific job still exists.