United States Federal Circuit

The Public Safety Officers' Benefits Act, 42 USC 3796-3796c, does not apply where the covered officer committed suicide because that is not a "personal injury" within the meaning of the statute, even if the stress and strain resulting in suicide were directly related to his work.

Appellate Information

• Decided 07/24/2001
• Published 07/24/2001

Judges

• SCHALL, Circuit Judge., Before SCHALL, GAJARSA, and LINN, Circuit Judges.

Court

• United States Federal Circuit

Counsel

• For Appellant:
  
• Jeffrey L. Allen, of Wellesley Hills, MA, argued for plaintiff-appellant.


• For Appellees:
  
• Kyle E. Chadwick, Attorney, Commercial Litigation Branch, Civil Division, Department of Justice, of Washington, DC, argued for defendant-appellee.   On the brief were David M. Cohen, Director;  Kathryn A. Bleecker, Assistant Director;  and Elizabeth W. Newsom, Attorney.   Of counsel on the brief were Gregory C. Brady, Deputy General Counsel;  and Lila Sultan, Attorney Advisor, Office of the General Counsel, Office of Justice Programs, Department of Justice, of Washington, DC.