Imagine being so physically and mentally traumatized by a personal injury that the thought of suicide becomes a reality. Worse yet, imagine executing on the idea and failing. The scenario presents a perplexing legal challenge in the field of Workers’ Compensation. Indeed, one such case remains unresolved 10 years after a longshore worker’s suicide attempt, but a recent ruling may put the issue to rest.
Fall and Suicide Attempt
In 2001, William ‘Willie Boy’ Kealoha, a ship laborer on cleaning detail, fell 25 to 50 feet from the top of a barge to the steel deck of a dry dock. He barely survived the fall and suffered severe trauma to the head, chest, and abdomen. Apparently, not thrilled to be so painfully alive after the horrific fall, two years later, Kealoha shot himself and once again barely survived. He sought benefits under the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (33 U.S.C. §§901-950) (LHWCA or Longshore Act).
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