tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36028695164041688202024-03-17T20:02:36.742-07:00Mo. Workers' Comp AlertsCase law updates, news, commentary and analysis on Missouri worker's compensation law.
klug@huckhowe.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05774717926971151100noreply@blogger.comBlogger461125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3602869516404168820.post-58060283194627483522022-09-15T13:10:00.001-07:002022-09-15T13:10:21.165-07:00 56% prior BAW fails in SIF recovery becuase of nonqualifying knee condition <p><b> Larry Obermann v BRM</b></p><p><i>Release date:</i> Sept. 13, 2022</p><p><i>Venue:</i> Cape Girardeau</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Summary: </b> The Commission in a 2-1 vote reverses an award of second injury benefits for PTD in which experts included nonqualifying pre-existing medical disablity to assess fund liability. The Commission found the ALJ exceeded her authority to exclude consideration of nonqualifying medical conditions based on claimant's testimony rather than expert opinon. </p><p><i>Klecka v Treasurer of Mo as Custodian of Second Injury Fund</i>, 644 S.W.3d 562 (Mo banc 2022) interpreted 287.220.3(a) concluded the statute only allowed recovery against the second injury fund when permanent total disability resulted a combination of disablity attributable to the employee's primary injury and one or more pre-existing disabilities that qualify under enumerated criteria in 287.220.3(a) which requires, among other things, prior disability that equates to 50 weeks or more. </p><p>In this case claimant introduced evidnece of pre-existing disablity of multiple prior conditions which total 56% BAW which was not contested. Part of the total disablity included a prior left knee injury that represented by itself 17 weeks which failed to satisfy the 50 week threshold. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>The experts never addressed that the conclusions that claimant was unemployable, even without</p><p>consideration of the knee. <span style="background-color: white;">The ALJ found the knee (<50 weeks) and anxiety did not impact functional capacity and did not bar a finding of PTD. She stated further that the knee and ankle could also be 'stacked' to meet threshold although it was neesary to each that decision. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 733.09px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 982.763px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.01518); white-space: pre;">I find </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 779.382px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 982.763px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.03574); white-space: pre;">the </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 808.055px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 982.763px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.02894); white-space: pre;">credible </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 138.43px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1005.57px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.04654); white-space: pre;">evidence </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 211.562px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1005.57px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.02611); white-space: pre;">supports </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 280.183px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1005.57px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.03574); white-space: pre;">the </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 308.857px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1005.57px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.03822); white-space: pre;">conclusion </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 395.995px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1005.57px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.07307); white-space: pre;">that </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 429.545px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1005.57px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.08448); white-space: pre;">Employee's </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 526.803px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1005.57px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(0.977734); white-space: pre;">1995 </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 569.282px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1005.57px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.02893); white-space: pre;">left </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 598.798px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1005.57px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.03612); white-space: pre;">knee </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 640.085px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1005.57px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.02737); white-space: pre;">injury </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 689.86px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1005.57px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(0.968346); white-space: pre;">did </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 718.808px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1005.57px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.04664); white-space: pre;">not </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 747.61px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1005.57px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.0455); white-space: pre;">negatively </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 832.072px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1005.57px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.0695); white-space: pre;">impact </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 138.595px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1028.38px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.02278); white-space: pre;">his </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 166.187px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1028.38px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.01745); white-space: pre;">residual </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 230.812px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1028.38px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.02516); white-space: pre;">functional </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 313.037px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1028.38px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.02382); white-space: pre;">capacity </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 380.375px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1028.38px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(0.936414); white-space: pre;">to </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 400.633px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1028.38px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.00972); white-space: pre;">any </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 432.35px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1028.38px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.05271); white-space: pre;">significant </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 517.655px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1028.38px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.01828); white-space: pre;">degree, </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 578.247px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1028.38px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.00972); white-space: pre;">and </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 611.217px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1028.35px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(0.902647); white-space: pre;">as </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 631.533px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1028.35px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.02107); white-space: pre;">such </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 671.262px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1028.35px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(0.992879); white-space: pre;">I find </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 716.948px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1028.35px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.04191); white-space: pre;">that </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 750.993px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1028.35px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.04136); white-space: pre;">excluding </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 138.495px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1050.55px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.07636); white-space: pre;">Employee's </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 235.167px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1050.55px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(0.977734); white-space: pre;">1995 </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 277.187px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1050.55px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.02839); white-space: pre;">non-qualifying </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 394.648px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1050.55px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.06337); white-space: pre;">left </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 424.77px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1050.55px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.06162); white-space: pre;">knee </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 466.662px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1050.55px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.00986); white-space: pre;">injury </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 515.208px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1050.55px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.00139); white-space: pre;">from </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 557.357px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1050.55px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(0.991158); white-space: pre;">the </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 586.03px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1050.55px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.01246); white-space: pre;">analysis </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 651.443px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1050.55px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.03427); white-space: pre;">does </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 691.795px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1050.55px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.0037); white-space: pre;">not </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 721.055px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1050.55px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.05394); white-space: pre;">impact </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 777.558px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1050.55px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.03574); white-space: pre;">the </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 805.81px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1050.55px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.049); white-space: pre;">ultimate </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 139.027px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1073.36px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.03549); white-space: pre;">conclusions </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 233.37px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1073.36px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.04048); white-space: pre;">regarding </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 310.773px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1073.36px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.02278); white-space: pre;">his </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 338.2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1073.36px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.0393); white-space: pre;">employability. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 454.05px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1073.35px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(0.962697); white-space: pre;">To </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 479.217px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1073.35px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.03766); white-space: pre;">conclude </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 553.008px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1073.35px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.03917); white-space: pre;">otherwise </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 631.75px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1073.35px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.04972); white-space: pre;">would </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 685.027px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1073.35px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.01897); white-space: pre;">lead </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 720.52px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1073.35px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(0.936414); white-space: pre;">to </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 740.778px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1073.35px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.04045); white-space: pre;">a nonsensical </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 138.528px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1096.17px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.0598); white-space: pre;">result </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 186.415px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1096.17px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(0.9767); white-space: pre;">in </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 205.61px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1096.17px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.03614); white-space: pre;">light </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 245.217px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1096.17px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.20968); white-space: pre;">of </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 265.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1096.17px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.068); white-space: pre;">Employee's </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 361.033px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1096.17px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.0354); white-space: pre;">qualifying </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 444.028px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1096.17px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.04763); white-space: pre;">preexisting </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 533.825px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1096.17px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.03501); white-space: pre;">disabilities </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 621.4px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1096.17px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.25289); white-space: pre;">of </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 642.35px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1096.17px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.06414); white-space: pre;">50% </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 682.017px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1096.17px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.20968); white-space: pre;">of </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 702.55px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1096.17px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(0.991158); white-space: pre;">the </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 730.765px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1096.17px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.05421); white-space: pre;">right </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 772.015px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1096.17px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.01087); white-space: pre;">ankle, </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 822.523px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1096.17px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.07739); white-space: pre;">40% </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 862.6px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1096.17px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.25289); white-space: pre;">of </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 138.55px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1118.97px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.03574); white-space: pre;">the </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 167.242px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1118.97px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.02893); white-space: pre;">left </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 197.217px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1118.97px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.02794); white-space: pre;">ankle, </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 248.183px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1118.97px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.03831); white-space: pre;">32.5% </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 301.6px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1118.97px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.25289); white-space: pre;">of </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 322.15px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1118.97px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(0.991158); white-space: pre;">the </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 350.365px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1118.97px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.05421); white-space: pre;">right </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 391.157px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1118.97px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.03612); white-space: pre;">knee </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 432.407px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1118.97px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.04846); white-space: pre;">and </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 464.875px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1118.97px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.04615); white-space: pre;">22.5% </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 518.8px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1118.97px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.25289); white-space: pre;">of </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 539.95px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1118.97px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(0.991158); white-space: pre;">the </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 568.165px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1118.97px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.03148); white-space: pre;">right </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 608.737px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1118.97px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.03499); white-space: pre;">shouldWithout expert opinion, the ALJ could not reach that decision that the knee was cumulative to the conclusion cliamant was unemployable.</span></p><p>The dissent argued since cliamant denied symtoms to the knee, the ALJ properly concluded the knee was not a factor to her determination of PTD. The dissent would have allowed a take-back rule so claimant could take the case back for another try to offer additional expert opinon to track <i>Klecka </i>because it was unfair to deny PTD benefits, a position being asserted at the Supreme Court in multiple current appeals to be argued later this month. </p><p><br /></p><p>ALJ Young</p><p>Chris Weiss</p><p>Keyla Rhoades</p><p>Experts: Solman , Mall, Berkin Volarich </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 733.09px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 982.763px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.01518); white-space: pre;">I find </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 779.382px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 982.763px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.03574); white-space: pre;">the </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 808.055px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 982.763px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.02894); white-space: pre;">credible </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 138.43px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1005.57px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.04654); white-space: pre;">evidence </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 211.562px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1005.57px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.02611); white-space: pre;">supports </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 280.183px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1005.57px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.03574); white-space: pre;">the </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 308.857px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1005.57px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.03822); white-space: pre;">conclusion </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 395.995px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1005.57px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.07307); white-space: pre;">that </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 429.545px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1005.57px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.08448); white-space: pre;">Employee's </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 526.803px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1005.57px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(0.977734); white-space: pre;">1995 </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 569.282px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1005.57px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.02893); white-space: pre;">left </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 598.798px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1005.57px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.03612); white-space: pre;">knee </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 640.085px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1005.57px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.02737); white-space: pre;">injury </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 689.86px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1005.57px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(0.968346); white-space: pre;">did </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 718.808px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1005.57px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.04664); white-space: pre;">not </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 747.61px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1005.57px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.0455); white-space: pre;">negatively </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 832.072px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1005.57px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.0695); white-space: pre;">impact </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 138.595px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1028.38px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.02278); white-space: pre;">his </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 166.187px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1028.38px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.01745); white-space: pre;">residual </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 230.812px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1028.38px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.02516); white-space: pre;">functional </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 313.037px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1028.38px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.02382); white-space: pre;">capacity </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 380.375px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1028.38px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(0.936414); white-space: pre;">to </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 400.633px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1028.38px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.00972); white-space: pre;">any </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 432.35px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1028.38px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.05271); white-space: pre;">significant </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 517.655px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1028.38px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.01828); white-space: pre;">degree, </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 578.247px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1028.38px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.00972); white-space: pre;">and </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 611.217px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1028.35px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(0.902647); white-space: pre;">as </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 631.533px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1028.35px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.02107); white-space: pre;">such </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 671.262px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1028.35px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(0.992879); white-space: pre;">I find </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 716.948px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1028.35px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.04191); white-space: pre;">that </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 750.993px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1028.35px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.04136); white-space: pre;">excluding </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 138.495px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1050.55px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.07636); white-space: pre;">Employee's </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 235.167px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1050.55px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(0.977734); white-space: pre;">1995 </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 277.187px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1050.55px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.02839); white-space: pre;">non-qualifying </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 394.648px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1050.55px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.06337); white-space: pre;">left </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 424.77px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1050.55px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.06162); white-space: pre;">knee </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 466.662px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1050.55px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.00986); white-space: pre;">injury </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 515.208px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1050.55px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.00139); white-space: pre;">from </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 557.357px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1050.55px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(0.991158); white-space: pre;">the </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 586.03px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1050.55px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.01246); white-space: pre;">analysis </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 651.443px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1050.55px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.03427); white-space: pre;">does </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 691.795px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1050.55px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.0037); white-space: pre;">not </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 721.055px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1050.55px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.05394); white-space: pre;">impact </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 777.558px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1050.55px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.03574); white-space: pre;">the </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 805.81px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1050.55px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.049); white-space: pre;">ultimate </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 139.027px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1073.36px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.03549); white-space: pre;">conclusions </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 233.37px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1073.36px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.04048); white-space: pre;">regarding </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 310.773px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1073.36px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.02278); white-space: pre;">his </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 338.2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1073.36px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.0393); white-space: pre;">employability. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 454.05px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1073.35px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(0.962697); white-space: pre;">To </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 479.217px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1073.35px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.03766); white-space: pre;">conclude </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 553.008px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1073.35px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.03917); white-space: pre;">otherwise </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 631.75px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1073.35px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.04972); white-space: pre;">would </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 685.027px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1073.35px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.01897); white-space: pre;">lead </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 720.52px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1073.35px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(0.936414); white-space: pre;">to </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 740.778px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1073.35px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.04045); white-space: pre;">a nonsensical </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 138.528px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1096.17px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.0598); white-space: pre;">result </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 186.415px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1096.17px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(0.9767); white-space: pre;">in </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 205.61px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1096.17px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.03614); white-space: pre;">light </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 245.217px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1096.17px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.20968); white-space: pre;">of </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 265.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1096.17px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.068); white-space: pre;">Employee's </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 361.033px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1096.17px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.0354); white-space: pre;">qualifying </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 444.028px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1096.17px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.04763); white-space: pre;">preexisting </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 533.825px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1096.17px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.03501); white-space: pre;">disabilities </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 621.4px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1096.17px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.25289); white-space: pre;">of </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 642.35px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1096.17px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.06414); white-space: pre;">50% </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 682.017px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1096.17px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.20968); white-space: pre;">of </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 702.55px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1096.17px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(0.991158); white-space: pre;">the </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 730.765px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1096.17px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.05421); white-space: pre;">right </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 772.015px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1096.17px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.01087); white-space: pre;">ankle, </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 822.523px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1096.17px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.07739); white-space: pre;">40% </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 862.6px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1096.17px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.25289); white-space: pre;">of </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 138.55px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1118.97px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.03574); white-space: pre;">the </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 167.242px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1118.97px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.02893); white-space: pre;">left </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 197.217px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1118.97px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.02794); white-space: pre;">ankle, </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 248.183px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1118.97px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.03831); white-space: pre;">32.5% </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 301.6px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1118.97px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.25289); white-space: pre;">of </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 322.15px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1118.97px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(0.991158); white-space: pre;">the </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 350.365px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1118.97px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.05421); white-space: pre;">right </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 391.157px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1118.97px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.03612); white-space: pre;">knee </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 432.407px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1118.97px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.04846); white-space: pre;">and </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 464.875px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1118.97px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.04615); white-space: pre;">22.5% </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 518.8px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1118.97px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.25289); white-space: pre;">of </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 539.95px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1118.97px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(0.991158); white-space: pre;">the </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 568.165px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1118.97px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.03148); white-space: pre;">right </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: serif; font-size: 18.3333px; left: 608.737px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 1118.97px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.03499); white-space: pre;">shoulder</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 20px; white-space: pre;">lify </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 20px; left: 700.4px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 378.6px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.00123); white-space: pre;">based on </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 20px; left: 788.4px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 378.6px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.00002); white-space: pre;">the </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 20px; left: 120px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 401.6px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.00124); white-space: pre;">enumerated criteria under § </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 20px; left: 371.4px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 401.6px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.00078); white-space: pre;">287.220.3(a)a. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 20px; left: 507.2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 401.6px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(0.999605); white-space: pre;">Klecka </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 20px; left: 572.8px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 401.6px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.00686); white-space: pre;">v. Treasurer of Mo. As Custodian of </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 20px; left: 120px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 424.6px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.00002); white-space: pre;">the Second Injury Fund</span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 20px; left: 326.8px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 424.6px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.00446); white-space: pre;">, 644 S.W.3d 562, 566</span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 20px; left: 525.8px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 424.6px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.00091); white-space: pre;"> (Mo. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 20px; left: 577px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 424.6px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.0007); white-space: pre;">banc </span><span style="background-color: white; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 20px; left: 625.8px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 424.6px; transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform: scaleX(1.00041); white-space: pre;">2022)</span></p>klug@huckhowe.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05774717926971151100noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3602869516404168820.post-35360158477696498742022-06-17T12:57:00.001-07:002022-06-17T12:57:24.033-07:00Claimant who delayed case with unreasonable conduct denied fees and costs <p><b> Donnell v Tran State Airlines</b></p><p><i>Release Date:</i> June 14, 2022</p><p>Venue: Eastern ED 110126</p><p><i>Decision</i>: Commission did not<i> abuse its discretion</i> to deny fees and costs under 287.560 based on factual findings that both parties engaged in unreasonable antagonist conduct. Claimant contends defense failed to comply with a 2012 award for future medical treatment without a defense in a five year delay in the Remand Hearing. </p><p>The Commission awarded $791,740 as a commutation of a future medical award. The respondent did not object to the Commission's authority to commute the future medical award, but the record did not contain the request for commutation of treatment related to an ankle injury asosciated with RSD or CRPS. The Commission found the payment of PTD had been timely and denied the request to commute PTD benefits. The employer had complied with the duty to provide future medical pursuant to the award until the claimant filed a motion for commutation and stopped benefits after 2014. </p><p>Odenwald, Hon.</p><p>Hoffman, atty</p><p>Lecinski, atty </p><p>Wright, atty (at Ct of Appeals)</p><p>Levy, atty (at DOLIR)</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>klug@huckhowe.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05774717926971151100noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3602869516404168820.post-91675850845952768832022-06-14T14:28:00.002-07:002022-06-14T14:28:20.858-07:00Appeal fizzles to explain "now, what really happened...."<p><b> Sherry Edwards v FedEx Ground</b></p><p>Release Date: June 9, 2022</p><p>Venue: Jackson County</p><p>Summary: Commisson affirms a denial of benefits of an alleged accident when claimant fell off of a stool and alleged various orthopedic injuries. The ALJ found defense expert more credible that the accident may have been a contributing factor and aggravated degenerative conditions but was not the prevailing factor and found claimant's psychological conditon better explained by an unrelated somatic disorder.</p><p>Inj. No. 17-102900.</p><p>Claimant sought to introduce additonal evidnece with the commission premised on a request to explain "what really happened." The Commission found no basis to accept additional evidence and noted the employer had not requested dismissal of the application. </p><p>Zimmerman </p><p>Lingenfelter</p><p>Fevurly</p><p>Barnett</p>klug@huckhowe.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05774717926971151100noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3602869516404168820.post-80207833612894978222022-01-31T08:51:00.001-08:002022-01-31T08:51:17.606-08:00Worker who stops and pivots at work fails to prove comp claim <p><b><span style="font-size: medium;"> Jamie Overstreeet v Tamko Building</span></b></p><p><b>Release Date:</b> Jan 27, 2022 (accident date Feb. 12, 2018) </p><p><b>Venue: </b>Southern District </p><p><b>ummary: </b>Court of appeals affirms ALJ/Commisson denial of benefits on claimant's failure to prove bilateral patellofemoral knee pain symdrome and meniscus tear arose out of employment when his knee poppped when he was walking at work and changed directions quickly.</p><p>No SD 37171</p><p><b>Discussion. </b>Claimant argued that the Commisison misapplied the law on section 287.020.3(2)(b) and that he identified various risk factors to show the injury was compensable including his need to pivot to recover a work related item, the uneven slope of the injury location, the use of protective foot gear, and the need for work to require him to mentally think more than his non-employment life. Claimant failed to show that the risk was not one in which the worker would not have been equally exposed in his non-employment life as he acknowledged in normal life he often walked and often changed directions. The court notes in a foot note that claimant retracted earlier statment that he was walking at a slighlty faster pace. A superivsor testified the asphalt lot was typical and similar to many of the community lots.</p><p>The court noted it was claimant's burden to proof to show an injury arises out of and in course of employemtn including to show it does not come from a hazard or risk unrelated to the employemnt to which workers would have been equally exposed outsdie of an unrelated to the employment in normal nonemployment life. </p><p><br /></p>klug@huckhowe.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05774717926971151100noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3602869516404168820.post-90040672455185754552021-11-19T12:55:00.003-08:002021-11-19T12:55:52.783-08:00Commission totals claimant on 3rd shoulder case alone <p><b><span style="font-size: medium;"> Randy Skaggs v Mo DOT </span></b></p><p><b>Release Date:</b> 11 19 2021</p><p><b>Venue:</b> Jackson County</p><p><b>Summary:</b> Claimant injured his right shoulder when he moved a weed eater and developed a recurrent cuff tear imposed on two previous shoulder cases that caused permanent injuries. He underwent surgical repair including a capsular reconstruction. He reports daily pain and states the injury caused a career ending injury (age 59). He was assigned PPD related to both a DVT complication and shoulder, atributed to new and prior conditions. Prior settlements on the shoulder represented 34.5% of the shoulder. The Commission affirmed last accident alone PTD liability. </p><p><b>Comments</b>: The ALJ noted work restrictions following the last accident were determinative on the issue of PTD. The ALJ regarded prior settlements (discussed separately) do not meet 50 week threshold for fund liaiblity. The Commission wrote a separate opinion noting the ALJ incorrectly reported the employer stipulated to accident (stipulation was for "incident") and made comments that were "confusing and inconsistent." </p><p>The Commission notes when disaiblity includes qualifying and nonqualifying prior disaiblity there is no fund liability, and stated it did not regard the court of appeals decision Klecka as controlling authority becuase it was on appeal to the Supreme Court. A concurring opinion qualified opinon that the statute required consideration of nonqualifying condition. </p><p><br /></p><p><b>Parties:</b></p><p>Rebman, ALJ</p><p>Rosenthal</p><p>Cordray</p><p>Stechschulte</p><p>Purinton</p><p><br /></p>klug@huckhowe.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05774717926971151100noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3602869516404168820.post-40134279948469628812021-11-10T10:02:00.001-08:002021-11-10T10:02:24.660-08:00Commission finds no impeachment value on remote prior conviction and "poor memory" testimony<p><b><span style="font-size: medium;"> Christopher Carewicz v Playcraft Pontoon</span></b></p><p><b>Release Date:</b> Nov 4, 2021 (2014 accident)</p><p><b>Venue</b>: Pulaski</p><p><b>Summary</b>: The Commission affirms PPD award for a shoulder for biceps and tendon tears that required surgical repair and rejects PTD claim including additional spinal claims. </p><p><b>Notes</b>: The ALJ finds claimant undermined his case by inconsistent statements, mistatements and felony conviction. The ALJ admitted probation revocation records over objection. The ALJ found claimant's contemporaneous records do not support cervical thoracic and lumbar injuries and rejected his contention for a full set of dental implants. The ALJ noted claimant did not prove PTD, and noted no disfigurement would be awarded if claimant was PTD. She over-ruled the "plethora" of objections from plaintiff counsel. </p><p>The Commission agreed with claimant to strike criminal records claiming they were not relevant when claimant admitted his prior incarceration and the judge's inference of prior drug use was not supported from those records. The commission further notes 'poor memory' on multiple issues was "irrelevant" to the issue of the mechanism of injury and body parts injured. The Commission agreed claimant's "propensity to exaggerate" and other factors undermined his credibility. </p><p><br /></p><p><b>Cast:</b></p><p>Mahon, ALJ</p><p>Edelman, atty</p><p>Warner, atty</p><p>Poetz 40% shoulder, tooth loss complication of surgery </p><p>Hinton - cervial and lumbar disc herniations</p><p>Mirkin - disc herniations</p><p>Cantrell - 8% </p><p>Bernardi - not related</p><p>Gonzeles - PTD </p><p><b>What's it worth?</b></p><p>35% shoudler </p>klug@huckhowe.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05774717926971151100noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3602869516404168820.post-33120875319949275442021-11-05T09:40:00.003-07:002021-11-05T09:40:43.021-07:00Court remands alleged PTD case for commission to consider excluded voc report <p><b> Ottwell (Parrish) v Treasurer of Mo.</b></p><p>Release Date: 11/2/2021</p><p>Venue: ED 109447 </p><p>Summary: Claimant appeals PPD award and asserts PTD against the Fund and asserts the Commission improperly excluded her vocational report. The court remanded to consider the excluded report. </p><p>Discussion: Claimant reported CTS to Chrysler and then accepted a retirement package when the plant closed. She underwent surgery a month before her retirement in 2009. In 2010 she settled with her employer and then filed an amended claim against the Fund seeking PTD on the basis of pre-existing bladder and psychiatric issues. The ALJ [Denigan] excluded the vocational report on the finding that it relied upon an inadmissible hearsay medical exam from Dr. Shuter, who was deceased and portions of Dr. Volarich's report which relied upon Lalk who relied upon Shuter and considered PTD evidence was "unverified." The Commission found claimant failed to prove the prior psychaitric conditon was disabling. </p><p>The Court found the commission abused its discretion to exclude the report, that an expert could rely upon hearsay evidence if it is reasonably relied upon and not merely a conduit for another expert's opinions. The Court finds minimal references to the report, that the SIF attorney used an overbroad definition of relied upon, and that information in the "objectionable" report was present in other sources. </p><p>Hon Odenwald notes: <i> "Given the record before us, we are persuaded that the </i><i>Commission’s ruling to exclude Lalk’s testimony in its entirety was clearly against the logic of </i><i>the circumstances and displayed a lack of careful, deliberate consideration."</i></p><p>Parties</p><p>Mogab, atty</p><p>Dresher, atty </p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://labor.mo.gov/sites/labor/files/decisions_wc/OtwellPatricia09-01561012-30-20.pdf">OtwellPatricia09-01561012-30-20.pdf (mo.gov)</a> (Commisson case)</p><p><br /></p>klug@huckhowe.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05774717926971151100noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3602869516404168820.post-18589797068069039562021-10-26T12:19:00.005-07:002023-12-11T13:45:02.678-08:00Court reverses SIF PTD denial that did not include multiple qualifying disabilities <p><b><span style="font-size: medium;"> Alan Marberry v Treasurer of MO.</span></b></p><p><b>Release Date</b>: Oct 26, 2021</p><p><b>Venue</b>: ED 109554</p><p><b>Summary:</b> Claimant sought PTD benefits against the fund after settling with the employer for a slip and fall injury to his back resulting in a 13.4% settlement. The Commission found claimant failed in his burden of proof to show PTD from a primary injury in combination with a prior single qualifying disability and PTD was due to a combination of prior disabilities. </p><p>The court found prior qualifying disabilities could be considered in the determination of fund liability and only the priors, and not the primary, had to satisfy the 50 week threshold. The fund's contention that the shoulder prior was something less than 50 weeks was not supported by any medical opinion. The court found no need to remand when it found Dr. Volarich credible (as the only medical expert) and the Commission already concluded claimant was unemployable due to a combo. </p><p><b>Parties</b></p><p>Page, Hon. </p><p>Volarich</p><p>Lalk</p><p>Thurmer</p><p>Lecinski</p><p>Campbell </p>klug@huckhowe.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05774717926971151100noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3602869516404168820.post-60835990606526043732021-10-25T13:05:00.003-07:002021-10-25T13:05:56.827-07:00Commission affirms TKR based on 'never got better' argument<p><b> Alan Rogers v Mario C Early R V School</b></p><p>Release Date: Oct 22, 2021 (Nov. 2015)</p><p>Venue: Greene County </p><p><b>Summary:</b> Commission affirms award 2-1 for knee injury and rejects progressive degeneration defense. Dissent asserts claimant healed from two meniscectomies and TKR was related to arthritis. .</p><p>Inj. No.15-093845</p><p>Discussion: The ALJ finds claimant's TKR flowed from two meniscectomies and "but for" the knee injury he would not have required the TKR. The ALJ noted claimant was highly credible .... "genuine, honest, reliable,
and trustworthy....persuasive and credible." The ALJ contends the accident caused a pain process which did not improve and was related, contrary to conclusions of surgeons who distinguished between a work-related tear and an underlying unrelated arthritic conditions. Hopkins felt claimant would likely require a TKR within 221 years due to changing biomechanics in the knee. Dr. Stuckmeyer had rated 60% which was the amount of the PPD award. </p><p><b>Parties</b></p><p>Elmer, J</p><p>Carlton, atty</p><p>Lemp, atty</p><p>Hopkins </p><p>Stuckmeyer</p><p>Mall</p><p><br /></p><p><b>What's it worth?</b></p><p>TKR 3x surgery knee 60%. , past and open medical </p>klug@huckhowe.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05774717926971151100noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3602869516404168820.post-58041441519433162882021-10-22T08:47:00.002-07:002021-10-22T08:47:44.995-07:00ALJ awards over $18,000 in fees and costs in disputed carpal tunnel claim <p><span style="font-size: large;"> Hernandez v Butterball</span></p><p>Release Date: Oct 21, 2021 (3 cases)</p><p>Venue: Jaspar County</p><p>17-105833, 17-100700, 19-056530</p><p>Summary: ALJ in a temporary award orders studies for carpal tunnel and orders fees and costs of $18,788.85. Employer stipulated to accident and agreed to provide treatment to some body parts but not to the hands/wrists. Claimant filed two claims alleging both accident and repetitive trauma to hands/wrists. </p><p>The ALJ noted the employer violated Missouri law by not filing a FROI. It had prepared an incident report but denied notice until the day of the temporary hearing. The initial answer was in default. The ALJ notes the employer waited 2 years to obtain its own IME, after claimant had incurred costs for its own report. The ALJ awarded costs and attorney's fees at a rate of $400/hour. The ALJ found claimant went to the employer's nurses station on a regular basis but the employer endangered her health.</p><p>Employer relied upon expert opinion of Dr. Kutnik who stated he could make treatment recommendations because he could not form any diagnosis. Claimant's expert recommended EMG studies to evaluate suspected carpal tunnel. It is unclear form the opinion if he addressed why an EMG was appropriate or not. </p><p>The Commission adopted the award for treatment but deferred on ruling on the award of costs and fees because the case was not at MMI and the issue for appeal was not ripe. A dissenting commissioner would have affirmed the award of fees and costs in a temporary hearing. </p><p><b>Parties:</b></p><p>Fischer, ALJ </p><p>Newman</p><p>Larimore</p><p>Lennard</p><p>Kutnik</p><p><br /></p>klug@huckhowe.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05774717926971151100noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3602869516404168820.post-23148106914414154942021-10-19T07:19:00.003-07:002021-10-19T07:19:27.866-07:00Court awards PTD against Fund for undiagnosed carpal tunnel <p><b> Mark Lynch v Treasurer of the State of Mo.</b></p><p><b>Release Date:</b> Oct 19, 2021</p><p><b>Venue:</b> Eastern District</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Summary:</b> The court of appeals reverses a denial of second injury fund benefits as not supported by substantial and competent evidence when it found claimant's retirement unrelated to carpal tunnel which was diagnosed and surgically treated years after his retirement.</p><p>ED 109502</p><p><u>Discussion: </u> </p><p>The SIF argued claimant failed in his burden of persuasion that his retirement was a combo and relied upon an inference from a medical record mentioned in a vocational evaluation that claimant retired unrelated to his carpal tunnel. The court found the record from Dr. Rotman not admitted in evidence, the inference was not completely supported, and that the medical and vocational opinions of a "combo" to trigger Fund liability were not found to lack credibility by the Commission or contradicted by other expert opinion. The court noted the commission failed to identify other medical findings prior to claimant's retirement to support an inference of symptomatic carpal tunnel prior to his retirement, even though the condition had not been diagnosed before he retired. </p><p>Claimant sustained numerous injuries during his 35 year employment with Anheuser Busch. His records identify symptoms in his hand the year of his retirement and a diagnosis of carpal tunnel on nerve conduction studies 5 months after his retirement. Claimant testified he had numbness and tingling for 20 years which impacted his capacity to work and he retired because of his carpal tunnel, ringing in his years and other conditions but at the time did not know anything about carpal tunnel. It is not explained why such chronic symptoms described in his testimony are not documented until shortly before he retires. </p><p>The Commission case notes the employer settled for 20% of each wrist. No medical benefits were paid. ALJ Teer denied compensation and additionally found claimant failed to establish his tinnitus was a pre-existing condition. </p><p><br /></p><p><b>Parties:</b></p><p>Quigless, Hon. </p><p>Tatlow, atty</p><p>Campbell, atty </p><p>Woiteshek</p><p>Cordray</p><p><br /></p><p><b>What's it worth? </b> SIF PTD </p>klug@huckhowe.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05774717926971151100noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3602869516404168820.post-89827730495186263142021-10-13T08:16:00.000-07:002021-10-13T08:16:23.303-07:00Temporary award supported by expert finding of acute radiculopathy <p><span style="font-size: medium;"> Charles Campbell v DISH Network</span> </p><p><b>Release</b> Date: Oct. 7, 2021 (Accident date: 12/5/2018)</p><p><b>Venue</b>: Dade County</p><p><b>Summary:</b> Commission 2-1 award upholds temporary award to treat C7 radiculopathy with fusion following accident while moving a ladder.</p><p><i><b>Inj. No. 18-109984</b></i></p><p><i>Cast</i></p><p>Mahon, ALJ</p><p>Potter, atty</p><p>Larimore, atty</p><p>Olive</p><p>Bernardi</p><p><i><b><br /></b></i></p><p>Discussion: Claimant's expert contends the accident was so severe to cause a new radiculopathy from the load of the ladder, and found prior imaging of the studies of the cervical spine did not identify the same condition. The ALJ essentially found claimant a had a new medical condition (radiculopathy) despite prior degeneration, citing <i>Randolph County v. Moore-Ransdell,</i> 446 S.W.3d 699, 706
(Mo. App. W.D. 2014). The dissent noted the accident could have triggered symptoms, but there were no new changes. </p><p>The dissent noted claimant's spinal condition was more advanced for his age so it was not "normal" and notes claimant's delay in obtaining treatment for 3 months and capacity to work during progressive symptoms further demonstrated the lack of any severe, acute event. </p><p>Claimant's expert contends the medical condition was c7 radiculopathy and prior degenerative disc disease was not a medical condition. "Dr. Olive’s opinion, and the ALJ’s award based upon
that opinion, hinge on the untenable assertion that the condition and the disability are
the same thing: C7 radiculopathy. "This reading would render § 287.020.3(1), which
specifically refers to the medical condition and the disability as two separate entities,
meaningless."</p><p><br /></p>klug@huckhowe.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05774717926971151100noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3602869516404168820.post-80185095295781100532021-10-08T13:50:00.001-07:002021-10-08T13:50:59.546-07:00Court finds CPA less qualified to assess earnings in small business than a family law lawyer <p><span style="font-size: medium;"> <b>Laura Williams and Jennifer Williams, etal v Reeds, LLC</b></span></p><p><b>Release Date:</b> Oct 5, 2021</p><p><b>Venue:</b> Court of Appeals - Southern District SD 36883, SD 36892</p><p><br /></p><p><i>Summary</i>: This case is a fight over applying the "special circumstances" wage rate section to figure out what to pay survivors when the sole company owner was crushed by a car and took a weekly draw that was not designated as wages and paid business and personal expenses off the business account. </p><p>The Court deferred to the Commission's finding as to which expert it believed and adopted findings of a family law attorney over the opinions of a CPA and forensic specialist resulting in computation of wage rate based on $62,100.13 annual earnings rather than the net profits of the business of $13,127. The court noted it is bound by the commission's finding even if other evidence would support a different result.</p><p>The court found a family law attorney was qualified as an expert to render an opinion on earnings under 490.065.1, and the expert's lack of expertise in worker's comp did not preclude admissibility of his expert opinion. The employer argued since he was not an expert in comp, he could not opine on comp rate pursuant to the statute. </p><p>One of the surviving daughters failed to persuade a majority of the Commission that she was "full-time" student to to avoid disqualification as a dependent. The daughter argued employer lacked standing to challenge dependency when the ALJ found it, and the Commission found it was no longer present. The court found the employer had standing to challenge the qualifications of any of the benefit recipients. The Commission had found if claimant was part-time student at age 18, that dependency could not be revived by later enrolling full-time. </p>klug@huckhowe.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05774717926971151100noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3602869516404168820.post-47479886515449904292021-09-29T06:57:00.000-07:002021-09-29T06:57:08.254-07:00SIF PTD Denial reversed when multiple conditions trigger liability <p><u>William Wilson v Treasurer of the State of MO</u></p><p>Release Date: Sept. 28, 2021 (accident date: Nov 2017) WD 84420</p><p>Summary: Court of Appeals reverses a denial of a claim of PTD against the SIF based on <i>Parker </i>and concludes the Commission erred in its application of 287.220.3(2) that liability required proof of primary and only one qualifying disability and not when claimant had multiple prior qualifying disabilities. </p><p>The undisputed medical testimony is claimant had a primary injury (42.5% ankle) and three prior conditions which satisfied threshold involving both knees and his CV condition. The court found the commission applied the correct sub-statutory section, unlike in<i> Parker,</i> but applied the wrong standard. The Fund offered no medical opinion to contest Dr. Volarich's opinions. </p><p>Parties:</p><p>Pfeiffer, Hon. </p><p>Volarich</p><p>McDuffey</p><p>Schmidt</p>klug@huckhowe.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05774717926971151100noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3602869516404168820.post-33786032349173272082021-09-24T13:51:00.004-07:002021-09-24T13:51:56.345-07:00Claim denied based on burden of persuasion <p><span style="font-size: medium;"> Anttila v Treasurer of State of MO</span></p><p>Release Date: Sept. 17, 2021</p><p>Venue: Southern District</p><p><b>Summary</b>: Court affirms Commission denial of disability claim against the Fund, noting a failure in the burden of persuasion between the experts.</p><p>The court found claimant's alleged error that he could not amend his claim was unfounded as he was allowed to amend it and failed to prove the claim on the merits. The ability to amend is within the discretion of the ALJ and not prohibited by strict construction. </p>klug@huckhowe.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05774717926971151100noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3602869516404168820.post-87042625743120137042021-09-18T11:01:00.004-07:002021-09-18T11:01:57.091-07:00Application for review sufficient to withstand motion to dismiss <p><b> Linda Miller v Henniges Automotive</b> (SIF only)</p><p>Release Date: Sept. 14, 2021</p><p>Venue: Eastern District, Div. 1 ED 109432</p><p><b>Summary</b>: Court reverses the Commission's dismissal of claimant's application for review and finds the application satisfied the standards of 8 CSR 20-3.030(3)(a) with sufficient specificity when it went into detail about Dr. Cohen's testimony and whether the ALJ misapplied the testimony to the 2015 or 2016 claims. Claimant noted that Dr. Cohen "corrected" his opinion that the restrictions applied to the 2016 occupational disease claim and not the 2015 injury by accident claim. . The court agreed the "cover sheet" alleged the decision was not supported by sufficient evidence and such asserted error was not enough but the application allowed and included additional pages with further detail. The court did not address the merits of the alleged error. </p>klug@huckhowe.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05774717926971151100noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3602869516404168820.post-14644880639108246032021-09-17T08:40:00.003-07:002021-09-17T08:40:42.657-07:00Commission finds no SIF total with prior 43% BAW disability <p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Robert Cantrell v Spire</span></b> (sif only)</p><p><b>Release Date</b>: 9 15 2021</p><p><b>Venue</b>: Cass County</p><p><b>Summary:</b> Commission reverses an award of PTD against SIF for a primary shoulder injury (20%) based on 43% BAW prior combo settlement when the award also considered of other orthopedic and psychological conditions. The commission found reversible error by consideration of non-qualifying conditions in a determination of fund liability and not due to combination solely from prior accident at 43% BAW. </p><p>The Commission denied the request for additional evidence for the experts to address exactly that point, whether the 43% BAW alone with the primary would constitute PTD. The Commission declined and noted the claimant "could have" solicited alternate conclusions about liability with the exercise of reasonable diligence rather than relying upon Parker case, which was on appeal at the time. </p><p>A dissent would have affirmed the PTD award and regarded consideration of nonqualifying conditions was not erroneous. </p><p>Inj No. 18-019636</p><p><b>Cast</b></p><p>Rebman </p><p>Perkins</p><p>Hinson (sif)</p><p>McCabe</p><p>Schmidt</p><p>Rosenthal</p><p>Cordray</p><p><b>Notes</b></p><p>Claimant's attempts to return to work were reportedly foiled in part when a camera installed by his employer and triggered his prior PTSD/anxiety.</p><p>The Commission noted it would have regarded a prior 43% BAW settlement to qualify even when it was "combined" multiple conditions (scheduled and unscheduled) when it divided the total weeks of disability by the number of body parts listed on the settlement and each would separately trigger the minimum threshold. </p><p><br /></p>klug@huckhowe.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05774717926971151100noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3602869516404168820.post-22843680180583564362021-09-15T12:05:00.000-07:002021-09-15T12:05:04.564-07:00Employer found total liability on "second to last" accident <p><b>William Watson v Tuthill Corporation</b></p><p>Release Date: Sept. 13, 2021 (April 2015)</p><p>Venue: Greene County</p><p><b>Summary:</b> Commission affirms PTD for back injury from a senior service technician resulting from a single level lumbar fusion. He described a failed return to work after surgery and then reported a new neck injury. The employer was unable to accommodate claimant and his expert recommended onerous work restrictions. </p><p>The case is unusual as claimant returned to work and then had a subsequent 2016 accident. The court found that this did not preclude a finding that he was totally disabled from the 2015 accident because after the 2016 he was employed but not working in a capacity that would allow him to work in the open labor market, in effect, not 'really' working and was not at MMI. Even though the 2016 was the "last accident" chronologically it was not a "last accident" for purposes to assess fund liability. Claimant was already totally disabled so the vocational impact of any new injury was irrelevant to his capacity to work and the fact that he was working did not preclude a finding that he was unemployable. </p><p><br /></p><p><b>Cast: </b></p><p>Mahon, ALJ </p><p>Vasquez</p><p>Sparlin</p><p>Bang</p><p>Koprivica PTD failed back syndrome</p><p>Eldred</p><p>Woodward 16%</p><p>Sprecker</p><p>Belz</p><p><br /></p><p>Comments: The ALJ refers to claimant in glowing praise that he was a "loyal employee" and "toiled" at his job for 28 years and went on work trips to South Africa but had to stand in the plane because of pain. </p>klug@huckhowe.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05774717926971151100noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3602869516404168820.post-2532138621518958632021-09-13T14:43:00.003-07:002021-09-13T14:43:41.681-07:00Nudging heavy cart supported PTD award against employer. <p><span style="font-size: medium;"> Harper v Springfield Rehab</span></p><p><b>Release Date</b>: 9/13/2021 (Accident date June 2018)</p><p><b>Venue</b>: Greene County </p><p><b>Summary:</b> Claimant alleged PTD while trying to move a heavy medication cart with her hip. Commission affirms the PTD award and denies a request to submit additional evidence. Inj. No. 18-057914. </p><p>Claimant described a pull in her back moving a 100 pound cart. She quit her job, applied for social security (age 69), and filed the comp claim. She treated with ESI and a doctor recommended a spinal cord stimulator. Records indicated mobility issues related to a prior neck surgery. Her expert asserted she had structural changes with new stenosis and facet pain. Dr. Kopravica indicated claimant was totally disabled from last accident alone. </p><p>The employer relied upon Dr. Cantrell for an accident defense based on a medical history that claimant reported no pain complaints until after going home and sleeping, Dr.
Cantrell opined that there is no evidence of a specific event during a single work shift that would constitute
a specific injury having occurred on June 22, 2018." Dr. Cantrell indicated that he felt the history of a "pulling" symptom was not an injury. He could not identify any record of give away weakness in the prior history. </p><p>ALJ Mahon concluded claimant had an unusual strain when she had symptoms that she stated required OTC medication by the end of the shift. She felt this produced "objective" signs of injury. She felt Dr. Cantrell based his opinions on a fundamental misunderstanding, and conceded she could have had a temporary aggravation. Her risk source of pushing heavy medical carts was a unique occupational risk. The ALJ noted this was more than a soft-tissue case as it demonstrated a psychological component. </p><p>The ALJ found Dr. Cantrell's findings that the 2018 accident did not cause a new structural injury supported a basis to deny any fund liability for the prior neck surgery. SIF liability required proof that the prior (non work condition) aggravated or made worse the subsequent condition. The prior neck surgery at C2 identified a noncancerous tumor in her spinal canal and there was no evidence the prior neck condition was work-related. In addition, she notes Dr. Koprivica expressly stated there was no aggravation between the prior neck surgery and the subsequent back injury. Dr. Koprivica had provided an alternate theory of a combo if PTD was not last accident alone. </p><p>The dissent argued pushing a wheel cart one or two feet was not credible as an accident when claimant did not have immediate symptoms, she performed additional nursing duties during the night, and she stated her symptoms could have come from "anything." The dissent noted a lack of evidence to support the finding of additional psychological injuries. </p><p><br /></p><p>Inj. No. 18-057914</p><p><b>Cast:</b></p><p>Mahon, ALJ</p><p>Alberhasky</p><p>Leahy</p><p>Kopravica</p><p>Eldred</p><p>Cantrell</p><p>Hosutt</p><p><b>What's it Worth?</b> </p><p>PTD (non-surgical back, career ending restrictions) </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>klug@huckhowe.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05774717926971151100noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3602869516404168820.post-12730381610709458262021-09-13T14:08:00.000-07:002021-09-13T14:08:09.550-07:00Claimant PTD from prior conditions fails to trigger fund requirements <b><span style="font-size: medium;">Wesley Davis v Lazer Spot Inc.</span></b><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Release Date</b>: 9/13/2021 (Accident Aug. 2014)</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Venue:</b> Cole County</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Summary:</b> Claimant appeals a denial of PTD benefits against the second injury fund. The Commission affirms. The ALJ found experts credible that claimant was PTD due to the 2014 low back, the prior knee and the prior low back, that the prior back aggravated the current back claim, but claimant failed to satisfy the requirements of 287.220.3(2) that disability flows from a single qualifying pre-existing disability, when the prior knee lacked sufficient level of disability to qualify under the statute. </div><div><br /></div><div>The Commission noted the prior qualifying disability does not have to be known, it does not have to be at MMI, but it fails to trigger liability when there was no testimony that the knee or knees aggravated or accelerated the primary injury. A dissent found consideration of non-qualifying disabilities did not preclude a finding that SIF owed for claimant's PTD.</div><div><br /></div><div>Inj. 14-063032</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Cast</b></div><div>Fisher, ALJ </div><div>Volarich</div><div>Weimholt</div><div>Bernardi</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>What's it worth?</b> </div><div><br /></div><div>20% CLSS back (revision of prior surgical fusion). </div>klug@huckhowe.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05774717926971151100noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3602869516404168820.post-51728725688025888992021-09-07T13:48:00.000-07:002021-09-07T13:48:09.625-07:00Court grants retaliation claim under 287.780 a second life <p><b> Travis Poke v Independence School District</b></p><p>Release Date: Sept. 7, 2021</p><p>Venue: WD 84198</p><p>Summary: Janitor alleged abdominal injuries from lifting at work and school district fired him and denied workers compensation benefits after a positive drug test identified marijuana. School district defended the claim that termination was not a pretext and it had a defense of sovereign immunity although it had bought a liability policy on the contingency that immunity barred such actions. The court found the trial erred to grant defense a motion for summary judgment and relied upon an inapplicable statute as the basis for its decision. </p><p>The court concludes a school district is not protected by sovereign for a claim of retaliatory discharge and the trial court erred to conclude 105.800 was a shield to avoid such claims. In Krasney, King, Wyman, and Wille the employee claimant was employed by the state to perform duties
on behalf of the state, and was thus a "state employee" as defined by section 105.800." The court distinguishes whether the employer is a state employer or if claimant is a state employee. </p><p> "We conclude
that the General Assembly's creation of a civil action for damages in section 287.780 that
can be brought against any employer, and the General Assembly's intent that the
Workers' Compensation Law apply to every governmental body included within the
definition of "employer" at section 287.030.1(2), combine to reflect an express waiver of
sovereign immunity for section 287.780 claims of retaliatory discharge....</p><p> [and did not address] "the retention of sovereign immunity by the state
with respect to claims of retaliatory discharge by state employees, as provided in section 105.850, and as held in
Krasney, King, Wyman, and Wille." [including claims of injunctive relief].</p><p>The court notes plaintiff has the burden to show an exception to sovereign immunity. "Although the School District asserted sovereign immunity as an affirmative defense in its Answer,
sovereign immunity is not an affirmative defense but is instead a part of the plaintiff's prima facie case, such that
Poke had an obligation to plead specific facts in his Petition supporting a waiver of, or an exception to, sovereign
immunity. State ex rel. City of Kansas City v. Harrell, 575 S.W.3d 489, 492 (Mo. App. W.D. 2019). The School
District did not file a motion to dismiss Poke's Petition for failure to state a claim, and its Motion for Summary
Judgment did not argue that Poke failed to plead a waiver of, or an exception to, sovereign immunity."</p><p>Cast:</p><p>Martin , Hon. </p><p>Doyle, atty</p><p>Marriott, atty </p><p><br /></p>klug@huckhowe.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05774717926971151100noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3602869516404168820.post-22867203481265280072021-09-02T12:17:00.002-07:002021-09-02T12:18:00.609-07:00Commission finds prior polio aggravating factor to award SIF total <p><b><span style="font-size: medium;"> Clifford Wolf v Duckett Creek Sewer District</span></b></p><p><b>Release Date</b>: 8-25-2021</p><p><b>Venue:</b> St. Charles, MO </p><p><b>Summary:</b> The Commission affirms a PTD SIF award on the basis of a primary carpal tunnel case and pre-existing back condition (13.5% settlement) with polio (35% each ankle rating). The ALJ finds expert opinion of aggravation of prior polio and work injury without description and noted claimant's need to rest and concentration deficits made it unlikely he could sustain work. </p><p>Injury No. 14-105395</p><p><b>Cast:</b></p><p>Landolt, ALJ</p><p>Krispin</p><p>Toepeke </p><p>Hughes</p><p>Forget</p><p>Moore</p><p>Brown</p><p>Minges - SIF expert, relates back mostly to natural aging process </p><p>Notes</p><p>ALJ commends claimant for remarkable work ethic and showing he was a highly motivated individual. </p><p><b>What's it worth?</b></p><p>primary settled at 22.5 and 20% wrists for career employee </p>klug@huckhowe.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05774717926971151100noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3602869516404168820.post-74232147789679140032021-09-01T13:46:00.003-07:002021-09-01T13:46:48.851-07:00Commission erred to deny SIF benefits on its lay opinion on causation <p><b> Robert March v Treasurer of the State of MO</b>. </p><p>release date: Aug 31, 2021 (Accident April 2015)</p><p>venue: Western District</p><p>WD 84377</p><p><br /></p><p>Summary: Claimant challenges the sufficiency of evidence to deny his claim. </p><p>Claimant settled a claim for repetitive trauma disorder (arms) allocated at BAW. (110 weeks). Claimant sought SIF benefits for pre-existing disability for his legs (among other conditions) and a doctor rated 30% of each leg and separated out non-occupational conditions impacting the legs such as obesity (approaching 500 pounds). Claimant presented uncontradicted opinion and the fund offered no expert.</p><p>The ALJ found the uncontradicted opinion of the expert not credible. The Commission found the expert credible but concluded it was "equally likely" that prior conditions without the addition of the primary injury rendered claimant unemployable. The court found such conclusions to deny liability not supported by expert opinion and speculation and conjecture. The Commission could have found claimant's expert not credible, but disavowing that conclusion of the ALJ, it added credence to the only expert opinion on the issue. </p><p>The court noted it was not obligatory for the Fund to present evidence, but such strategy was risky to argue that claimant failed in its burden of persuasion. </p><p><br /></p>klug@huckhowe.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05774717926971151100noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3602869516404168820.post-52153831554134436452021-08-26T14:29:00.004-07:002021-08-26T14:29:50.709-07:00Failure in burden of production when SIF claim incorporated nonqualifying prior conditions <p><b><span style="font-size: large;">Ray Ingles v Corrigan Bros.</span></b></p><p><b>Release Date:</b> 8 18 2021 (Aug 2014)</p><p><b>Venue:</b> Callaway County</p><p>Summary: Commission affirms denial of PTD benefits against the SIF when expert opinion exclusively relied upon qualifying and non-qualifying medical conditions. A dissent regarded consideration by experts of non-qualifying disabilities was not reversible error. ALJ Farmer further noted claimant failed to show PTD from a "single" pre-existing disability and opined he was "constrained" by the statute as it was "currently construed." The Commission noted a lack of evidence that the prior aggravated or accelerated the disability based on the statute. </p><p>14-102499</p><p><b>Cast</b></p><p>Viet</p><p>Donner</p><p>Volarich</p><p>Cordray</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>klug@huckhowe.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05774717926971151100noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3602869516404168820.post-17507230061190051732021-08-26T08:11:00.006-07:002021-08-26T08:11:59.325-07:00SIF liability not found for total hearing loss without evidence to show it meets SIF statutory categories<p><b><span style="font-size: medium;"> Robert Schebaum v ABB Holdings</span></b></p><p><b>Released:</b> 8-10-2021 (accident Jan 2014)</p><p><b>Venue</b>: Cole County</p><p><b>Plot summary:</b> Commission in 2-1 decision affirms denial of PTD against then fund for failure of proof of statutory requirements of 287.220.3(2) for bilateral knees and hearing loss when he was working 70 hours a week prior to primary </p><p>The Commission found expert opinion on PTD relied upon nonqualifying total hearing loss that did not fall within one of the four qualifying subcategories:</p><p>(i) A direct result of active military duty in any branch of the United
States Armed Forces; or
(ii) A direct result of a compensable injury as defined in section
287.020; or
(iii) Not a compensable injury, but such preexisting disability directly
and significantly aggravates or accelerates the subsequent work-related injury and shall not include unrelated preexisting injuries or
conditions that do not aggravate or accelerate the subsequent work-related injury; or
(iv) A preexisting permanent partial disability of an extremity, loss of
eyesight in one eye, or loss of hearing in one ear, when there is a
subsequent compensable work-related injury ....</p><p>It appears Eldred later attempted to modify opinion that PTD was due to knees alone. ALJ found Eldred not persuasive by live testimony of PTD from knee injuries alone when prior opinion found claimant's hearing loss a combining factor in PTD. Knees were found 25% and 45% disabled with 100% hearing loss (180 weeks) as part of a global disability presentation. </p><p>Cast:</p><p>Fischer, ALJ</p><p>Snyder</p><p>Koprivica</p><p>Eldred</p><p><br /></p>klug@huckhowe.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05774717926971151100noreply@blogger.com