Employee, James DeWald, (claimant) currently lives in Kendallville, Indiana. He is not married and has one 20-year-old child dependent child. An outstanding child support lien was acknowledged. The claimant completed the $10^{\text {th }}$ grade. He is currently employed as a truck driver for Evans Trucking.
Claimant testified he worked for Select Transport for two years prior to the accident. He had worked for this employer on and off in the past on two or three separate occasions. He worked as a truck driver involved in moving heavy equipment.
Claimant testified the accident occurred while he was attempting to unload a truck off the bed of a trailer. The truck began to roll backwards and towards a tele handler (forklift). Claimant jumped in the cab of the truck to stop it. Claimant stated the truck ran into the forks of the
telehandler, which came through the windshield. Claimant was sitting in the driver's seat when this occurred with his foot on the brake. He said he had immediate symptoms of a loss of breath, as if he had been punched in the stomach. He also stated the blade of the telehandler struck his left upper arm. He went on to make his normal delivery and returned to the terminal about 4:00 a.m. He reported this to his boss and his boss told him to go home and take the day off. He testified his symptoms at that point were shortness of breath and a "massive" headache.
Claimant testified he went home and went to bed. He then went to SSM St. Clare Health Center and was told he had sprained his ribs. He testified his boss yelled at him for going to the hospital and acknowledged this was because he had not notified him before this visit. The employer then sent him to BarnesCare for further treatment. Claimant explained his symptoms during this course of treatment included left arm pain, numbness and tingling in his right hand and right foot, and rib pain. He also complained of pain in his neck and back. He returned to SSM St. Clare Health Center a week later $(8 / 30 / 12)$ because he still had a headache and had trouble breathing. He stated he was given a full work up on this examination. He then continued treating with BarnesCare and was eventually referred to Dr. Russell Cantrell for further evaluation and treatment.
Claimant testified his treatment through Dr. Cantrell included a course of aquatic physical therapy (Aquatic Fitness, Inc.) followed by therapy at Eureka Physical Therapy. He stated the aquatic physical therapy did not help his condition. He acknowledged the therapy through Eureka Physical Therapy helped a little bit with his ribs but that he continued to have head, neck, and back pain. He testified it was his understanding he had a bulging disc at L5-6. He last saw Dr. Cantrell on 1/8/13 and he reported he was still having problems with his neck, back, arm, and right foot. He explained his neck would make a cracking noise when he turned his head and that he was still experiencing pain. He also said he was still having headaches. His low back pain also persisted. He complained of right hand numbness that went into his forearm. He was also experiencing numbness in his right foot to his calf that would occur "every now and then."
Claimant testified he was next evaluated by Dr. Woiteshek on 2/7/13. He stated he told Dr. Woiteshek he was continuing to have neck pain with popping and grinding noises, and low back with pain shooting down his leg. He stated Dr. Woiteshek did not suggest any additional medical treatment.
Claimant testified with regard to his current symptoms and restrictions. He stated he cannot sit in his driver's seat for long periods of time as his foot will go numb if he sits for more than one hour. He also experiences numbness in his leg. He testified his neck pops all of the time and his low back hurts him all of the time. He experiences numbness in his right hand, especially if he has to shift gears.
Claimant testified his only prior injury to his neck occurred when he was in a motor vehicle accident at age 14 or 15 . He described the injury as "whiplash." He said he only had symptoms for about a week. He stated he never had any prior low back pain, symptoms of pain or numbness in his right hand or forearm, right foot or leg. He also denied prior headaches, other than sinus problems every now and then.
Claimant stated he has not seen any doctors since his evaluation with Dr. Woiteshek. He said he has tried to get in to see at least ten doctors but none of them will take him because this is a workers' compensation case and he has no insurance.
Claimant testified on cross-examination that he is currently taking no prescription medications for his injuries. He does take Tylenol for pain.
Claimant testified he collected unemployment compensation for a short period of time after he was released from care by Dr. Cantrell. He then began working as an over-the-road truck driver for SDX beginning in February of 2013. He recalled having to pass a DOT physical prior to beginning work. He drove 40 to 60 hours per week for this employer and confirmed