Aldridge v. Novant Health, Inc.
Dec 07, 2021OUTCOME: The North Carolina Court of Appeals upheld the Industrial Commission's decision that Jennifer Aldridge's injury was caused by an unforeseen workplace accident and was compensable under the Workers' Compensation Act.
Jennifer Aldridge, a nurse at Novant Health, was injured while moving a 350-pound uncooperative patient with only one other assistant, a task typically requiring 3–4 people. The North Carolina Industri ... al Commission ruled the injury was an "accident" under the Workers' Compensation Act because it interrupted Aldridge's regular work routine. Novant Health appealed, arguing the task was routine. The Court of Appeals affirmed, finding substantial evidence that the circumstances were unusual and unexpected, making the injury compensable. This case distinguishes routine work from exceptional tasks that qualify as compensable workplace accidents under North Carolina law.
