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Video Broadcast Virginia Slim Claim on Ice Runtime 2:13 Real Media 56k | Broadband Windows Media Player 56k | Broadband Quicktime 56k | Broadband

A Virginia man took a deep breath July 21 in hopes that an Iowa court would exhale a decision in favor of his claim. Even though it is a long shot, Norbert Sanek filed a workers’ compensation claim for a frostbite injury he alleges cost him his left foot, following a smoke break in a snowstorm.

While working for Global Computer on a contract to service the State of Iowa’s computers it came time for Sanek to subdue his appetite for tobacco by having a cigarette. But in order to take the edge off his nicotine cravings he was required to leave the building and light up in a designated area.

The ex-paratrooper stepped outside December 2000 in a chilly snowstorm and smoked for about 15 minutes. Sanek claims that while outside on the smoke break his left foot was frostbitten so bad that it eventually needed to be amputated.

According to TheIowaChannel.com, Sanek said, "It froze me up like they freeze hams and turkey."

But Global Computer’s attorney argued that 15 minutes wasn’t long enough to cause a case of frostbite severe enough to require amputation. He explained that after a doctor examined the symptoms leading up to the amputation, all the evidence pointed to vascular disease, not frostbite.

Sanek wants to be compensated at least $60,000 for his medical bills related to the amputation because he was on the job when the frostbite occurred and the state’s smoking facility failed to protect him from the harsh elements.

It is estimated that it will take about a month before the public learns if the judge will light up the nicotine-stained claim to Sanek’s satisfaction or stamp it out.