Henrietta Collins — ADJ11360280

Applicant Henrietta Collins, a bus operator for AC Transit, suffered cardiac arrest at work on February 28, 2018, after a cumulative period of work stress. The WCJ found no industrial injury, apparently because the AME psychologist Dr. Kirz found applicant did not suffer from PTSD. On reconsideration, the WCAB rescinded that finding and held that the physical injury (cardiac arrest) was compensable based on internist Dr. Larach's opinion that work-related stress contributed at least 1% to applicant's heart disease and cardiac arrest. The Board emphasized that the heightened causation standard of Labor Code section 3208.3 applies only to psychiatric injuries, not physical injuries caused by emotional stress, which require only that work be a contributing cause. Defendant's subsequent petition for reconsideration was denied, with the Board adopting and incorporating its prior October 15, 2021 decision.