The compensable consequences doctrine allows compensation for illnesses arising as a consequence of a compensable injury. True or false?

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Only for certain illnesses
• D. Not applicable

Answer: (A)

Under this doctrine, the compensation system covers illnesses that naturally and proximately arise from a compensable injury. If an injury leads to a secondary illness—whether from the injury’s effects, immobilization, medical treatment, or aggravated preexisting conditions—and there’s a causal link to the work injury, that illness can be compensable. The key is a direct connection to the initial injury; unrelated illnesses wouldn’t be covered. So, the statement is true because the doctrine explicitly allows compensation for illnesses that occur as a consequence of the compensable injury.