By EMS1 Staff
RAWDON, Quebec — A Canadian paramedic was denied workers’ compensation after being diagnosed with PTSD as a result of his mother dying in his arms during a cardiac arrest call.
Employment Law Today reported that Olivier Mireault and his partner were preparing for a shift when he heard a cardiac arrest call come in for his mother’s address.
Mireault and his partner responded to the call a few minutes before their shift began, and Mireault’s mother died in his arms just minutes after they arrived. As a result, Mireault was diagnosed with PTSD.
Mireault took a leave of absence after the diagnosis, but was denied workers’ compensation because he was not technically on the clock when responding to the call.
The Quebec workplace health and safety board said in order for workers’ compensation to be granted, the incident must take place during a work shift in an unexpected manner.