# Martin v. Ketchum, Inc.

> Supreme Court of Pennsylvania · January 4, 1990 · 523 Pa. 509

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/cases/9706025

## Case

- **Full name:** Charles MARTIN, Deceased, Jean L. Martin, Widow and Workmen’s Compensation Appeal Board, v. KETCHUM, INC. and Ina Underwriters Insurance Company. Appeal of Jean L. MARTIN; Edward BENESKY, Appellant, v. WORKMEN’S COMPENSATION APPEAL BOARD (EDWARDSVILLE BOROUGH and PMA Insurance Company)
- **Court:** Supreme Court of Pennsylvania
- **Decided:** January 4, 1990
- **Citations:** 523 Pa. 509; 568 A.2d 159; 1990 Pa. LEXIS 2
- **Precedential status:** Published
- **Opinion:** Concurring in part by Larsen
- **Judges:** Nix, Larsen, Flaherty, McDermott, Zappala, Papadakos, Stout, Former
- **Cited by:** 119 later opinions in the Frix Law Library

## Citator (automated)

- No negative treatment found by the automated citator. That is not the same as a confirmation that the case is good law; read the citing cases.
- Full citator and citing cases: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/cases/9706025

## How later opinions describe it (automated extraction)

- holding that benefits were unavailable to claimant where the decedent’s “self-imposed expectations and his perception of success,” rather than work conditions, caused his suicide
- discussing the mental/mental standard of proof

## Opinion text

concurring and dissenting.
I dissent. I believe the record amply demonstrates that Martin’s self-destruction was caused by his employment. He was, as the Majority suggests, a strong-willed, successful individual and when his strong will met resistance, on the job, in Michigan, he began to experience mental reservations concerning his work abilities. His subsequent reassignment to a less prestigious project for the Salvation Army campaign intensified his stress, on the job, and eventually led to his suicide. Clearly, the conditions of his employment brought about his death. I believe the referee and the Board correctly decided this claim and I would reverse the Commonwealth Court.
With respect to the Benesky appeal, I concur in the result reached by the Majority.
*523 LARSEN, Justice,

---

Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/cases/9706025. Public record. Not legal advice.