(Radio Iowa) — The Iowa Supreme Court has ruled falls at work caused by medical conditions can’t automatically be ruled out for workers compensation claims. Thirty-eight-year-old Jason Bluml was injured when he had a seizure and fell onto the tile floor while working as the shift manager of the Long John Silver’s in Council Bluffs in 2012. Court records showed Bluml had not been taking anti-seizure medications and had issues with alcohol abuse. A Workforce Compensation Commissioner ruled the fall was idiopathic — or caused by a medical condition — and Bluml was not due compensation for the injuries.

The Iowa Supreme Court ruling says it has been two decades since the issue has been addressed. It reversed the commissioner — saying there is no blanket rule for such workplace falls, so long as the employees proves that a condition their employment increased the risk of injury. Justice Thomas Waterman disagreed with the majority opinion. He says it is undisputed that Bluml’s seizure was unrelated to his working conditions and was fortuitous that he has a seizure at work rather than outside on a hard sidewalk.

Waterman says the commissioner may still find the floor did not contribute to the injuries — but says it could result in a costly payout that would eviscerate that section of the law and make the employer a general health insurer.