Debra Highley v. Von Weise Gear
Decision date: April 15, 20082 pages
Summary
The Missouri Court of Appeals reversed the initial LIRC decision and remanded the case, directing the Commission to award permanent total disability benefits to employee Debra Highley for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome combined with multiple pre-existing conditions. The Commission issued this final award granting permanent total disability compensation against the Second Injury Fund at a rate of $504.75 weekly, finding the employee unable to sustain work in the open labor market.
Caption
| Issued by THE LABOR AND INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS COMMISSION | |
| FINAL AWARD ALLOWING COMPENSATION(Pursuant to the Mandate of the Missouri Court of Appeals, Eastern District) | |
| Injury No.: 03-138799 | |
| Employee: | Debra Highley |
| Employer: | Von Weise Gear (Settled) |
| Insurer: | Travelers Insurance (Settled) |
| Additional Party: | Treasurer of Missouri as Custodian of Second Injury Fund |
| Date of Accident: | December 16, 2003 |
| Place and County of Accident: | Franklin County, Missouri |
On March 4, 2008, the Missouri Court of Appeals for the Eastern District issued an opinion reversing the July 19, 2007, Final Award of the Labor and Industrial Relations Commission (Commission) in the abovereferenced case. By mandate issued March 27, 2008, the Court remanded this matter to the Commission with directions to enter a new award finding employee is permanently and totally disabled and the Second Injury Fund is liable for the enhanced permanent and total disability in accordance with the Court’s opinion delivered March 4, 2008. Highley v. Von Weise Gear, ED90160, 2008 Mo.App. LEXIS 27 (Mo.App E.D. 2008).
Pursuant to the Court’s opinion and mandate, we issue this new award reversing the award and decision of the administrative law judge dated February 6, 2007.
Discussion
Dr. Margolis concluded that employee suffered from several pre-existing conditions, including bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, bilateral cubital tunnel syndrome, bilateral shoulder impingement, right ulnar nerve entrapment at the wrist, left medial epicondylitis, history of cervical strain/sprain, degenerative cervical disc disease, degenerative disease of the lumbar spine, and multiple sclerosis. According to Dr. Margolis, these pre-existing conditions combined with employee’s primary injury of bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome to create a greater overall disability. Dr. Margolis opined that employee was permanently and totally disabled based on employee’s disabilities.
James England, vocational expert, provided unimpeached and uncontradicted testimony. Mr. England opined that employee was unable to sustain work in the open labor market in any job. Mr. England opined that employee was not a good candidate for vocational rehabilitation and was likely to remain permanently and totally disabled from a vocational standpoint.
After considering the entire record, including the expert opinions of Dr. Margolis and Mr. England, we conclude that employee is permanently and totally disabled due to a combination of her pre-existing disabilities and December 16, 2003 work-related injury.
Section 287.200.1(4) RSMo, provides:
"the weekly compensation shall be an amount equal to sixty-six and two-thirds percent of the injured employee's average weekly earnings as of the date of the injury; provided that the weekly compensation paid under this subdivision shall not exceed an amount equal to one hundred five percent of the state average weekly wage."
Employee introduced Exhibit SS, a pay stub reflecting one week of employee's wages from November 16, 2003 through November 21, 2003, as evidence of employee's average weekly earnings. Exhibit SS showed that employee worked 48 hours that week and earned $\ 14.56 per hour. Employee testified at hearing that she earned $\ 14.56 per hour, and testified that the number of hours listed on Exhibit SS accurately reflected the number of hours she worked for employer. Exhibit SS showed a weekly earnings of $\ 757.12. Pursuant to section 287.200.1(4), the applicable rate for permanent total disability benefits is $\ 504.75 ( $\$ 757.12 \times 66$ 2 / 3 % ).
Award
Pursuant to the Court's mandate, we award permanent total disability against the Second Injury Fund. The Second Injury Fund is liable for 52.5 weekly installments of the $\ 157.70, the differential between the permanent total disability rate ( $\ 504.75 ) and the permanent partial disability rate ( $\ 347.05 ). Thereafter, the Second Injury Fund shall pay to employee weekly payments of $\ 504.75 for her permanent total disability benefit for her lifetime or until modified by law.
The Commission further approves and affirms the administrative law judge's allowance of attorney's fee herein as being fair and reasonable.
Any past due compensation shall bear interest as provided by law.
Given at Jefferson City, State of Missouri, this 15th day of April 2008.
LABOR AND INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS COMMISSION
William F. Ringer, Chairman
Alice A. Bartlett, Member
John J. Hickey, Member
Attest:
Secretary
Related Decisions
Freeman v. General Motors(2011)
August 3, 2011
The Commission affirmed the administrative law judge's award allowing workers' compensation benefits for Mitchel Freeman's bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome developed through repetitive hand tasks. The claimant was awarded permanent partial disability benefits at 20% of the right and left upper extremities, with a minor correction made to the calculation of preexisting disability weeks.
Beckton v. AT&T(2011)
June 9, 2011
The Commission affirmed the administrative law judge's award finding that the employee suffered a compensable occupational disease of bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome caused by repetitive typing at AT&T. The employer's liability for future medical treatment was upheld despite a deficiency in the notice of injury, as the employer was not prejudiced by the timing discrepancy.
Eaton v. AT&T/Southwestern Bell Telephone L.P.(2011)
March 30, 2011
The Missouri LIRC modified its March 9, 2011 temporary award regarding medical treatment for an employee's work-related bilateral upper extremities injury from repetitive computer work. The Commission reversed the administrative law judge's designation of a specific treating physician and instead awarded the employee the right to reasonable medical treatment as needed to cure and relieve the injury effects.
Vrabel v. Aramark Services(2011)
February 23, 2011
The Commission affirmed the ALJ's award of medical benefits for carpal tunnel syndrome in both upper extremities, finding that the employee's occupational exposure was the prevailing factor in causing the condition. The Commission clarified that under the 2005 amendments to Missouri Workers' Compensation Law, occupational disease compensation requires proving occupational exposure was the prevailing factor, not merely a substantial factor.
Shepard v. Yellow Transportation(2011)
February 9, 2011
The Labor and Industrial Relations Commission reversed the Administrative Law Judge's award of compensation for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, finding that the employee failed to establish medical evidence of a direct causal connection between the condition and his employment. The Commission determined that without competent medical testimony establishing the occupational disease was work-related, the award was not supported by substantial evidence.