This section contains the nature of the case and procedural background.

Virginia Electric (D) employed Cogbill (P) as an operations clerk. This required P to sit at a desk in a cushioned office chair. On April 19, 1980, P worked at a public auction of D's surplus motor vehicles. During the auction, P's back began to bother her and grew painful by that evening. Three days later P went to the company doctor who then referred her to an orthopedic doctor who diagnosed her backache as lumbar strain from prolonged sitting at the auction. P had a history of prior back pain. The hearing commissioner ruled that P had suffered an injury and awarded compensation.

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