Workers' compensation, post-accident testing, marijuana, policy and procedure, due process, evidence.

Officials at Recchi America, Inc., appeal a lower court's ruling in a suit involving an injured employee's claim for workers' compensation benefits. Astley Hall sustained an injury when a co-worker stumbled and by accident struck Hall in the back of the head with a metal rod. A post-accident drug test on Hall produced a positive result for marijuana. Hall later applied for workers' compensation benefits. Company officials at Recchi America contested the claim, citing a Florida statute that prohibits benefits to workers injured in job-related accidents if alcohol or drugs contributed to the mishap.

An administrative judge for the state's workers' compensation program rejected Hall's claim to benefits. The administrative judge noted the results of Hall's post-accident drug test and ruled he was ineligible for benefits. An appeals court subsequently reversed the ruling of the lower jurisdiction. The appeals court ruled the state statute prohibiting benefits based on the positive drug test denied Hall the right to due process. Company officials now appeal.

Hall wins. The Florida Supreme Court affirmed the ruling of the appeals court. The court ruled that the state's blanket policy of prohibiting workers' compensation benefits because alcohol or drugs played a part in the accident denied injured workers due process.