Cochran v. Dept. of Transportation

Summary

The court held that a claimant with a compensable workplace injury may receive total incapacity benefits even when total incapacity arises after voluntary retirement and the claimant did not intend to return to work. The statute requires that the compensable injury cause the claimant's incapacity to work, but does not require actual wage loss, involuntary workforce separation, willingness to work, or a job search. The court reversed the Appellate Court and remanded for consideration of the defendant's unresolved challenge concerning benefits following the plaintiff's out-of-state surgery.