Rapp v. Ford Motor Company

Congratulations to Ford Motor Company and Kirk Kuhns for obtaining a favorable decision from Arbitrator Soto in Rapp v. Ford Motor Company.  The case was a repetitive trauma/accident claim by an assembling worker alleging a shoulder injury that was denied and fully disputed.  Petitioner alleged her injury was due to a tool gun over torqueing, being heavier than usual, kicking back toward her or the cumulative nature of utilizing the tool gun during her employment.  Respondent provided witnesses to directly dispute and contradict Petitioner’s testimony.  Respondent’s Section 12 examining doctor provided an opinion that Petitioner’s shoulder condition was not causally related to her employment.  The Arbitrator found that Petitioner failed to prove an accident or that her shoulder condition was related to her employment.