Jensen
Jensen v. Amgen Inc.
Opinion
lead Opinion
Coffee, J.
An employee brought a tort action against her employer for injuries she allegedly suffered as a result of her exposure to toxic mold in the workplace. The trial court granted summary adjudication of her claim on the ground that workers’ compensation was her exclusive remedy. It rejected the argument that the case was governed by Labor Code section 3602, subdivision (b)(2), 1 which allows an employee to maintain an action at law when the employer has fraudulently concealed the employee’s injury. We affirm.
Facts and Procedural History
Plaintiff and appellant Darcy M. Jensen is employed by defendant and respondent Amgen Inc. as a module team coordinator. In January of 1999, her assignment required her to assist scientists and researchers in buildings 5 and 15. In March of 2000, she visited Amgen’s occupational nurse complaining of sinus headaches, skin rashes and fatigue. Jensen told the nurse and her supervisors that she believed she was allergic to laboratory animals. A safety report prepared by Jensen at the direction of the nurse identified the cause of her symptoms as “Working in [buildings 5 and 15] with animals. Smells specifically of urine, feces, bedding and…