Filtered workers' comp decisions

The Commission affirmed the administrative law judge's denial of workers' compensation benefits, finding that the employee failed to establish a causal connection between her upper extremity complaints and her work duties, as there was no objective medical evidence supporting the claim. Expert medical opinions from Dr. Rotman and Dr. Brown concluded that the employee's subjective complaints were not substantially related to her work at True Manufacturing.

The Labor and Industrial Relations Commission affirmed the Administrative Law Judge's denial of workers' compensation benefits to employee Yolanda Bridges for alleged occupational disease (bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome). The Commission found that the employee failed to establish that her job duties as a guest services representative were the prevailing factor in developing her condition.

The Commission affirmed the Administrative Law Judge's award denying all workers' compensation benefits, finding that the employee's alleged carpal tunnel syndrome from loading and unloading portable toilets was not a compensable injury under Missouri workers' compensation law. No compensation, medical benefits, or Second Injury Fund liability were awarded.

The Commission affirmed the Administrative Law Judge's award of workers' compensation to Debbie Maher for a compensable occupational disease of the hands and wrists caused by repetitive typing/keyboarding in awkward positions. The employee was awarded $18,931.66 in permanent partial disability compensation for 17.5% left wrist, 15% right wrist, 10% multiplicity, and two weeks disfigurement.

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.

The Labor and Industrial Relations Commission affirmed the administrative law judge's award of workers' compensation benefits to Geneva Sellers for occupational disease (cubital and carpal tunnel syndrome) sustained on May 19, 2003, while performing job duties. The claimant was awarded permanent partial disability benefits, unpaid medical expenses of $18,150.80, and temporary disability compensation.

The Labor and Industrial Relations Commission affirmed the Administrative Law Judge's award allowing workers' compensation benefits for an occupational disease claim. The employee sustained a 15% permanent partial disability in both hands and wrists from repetitive use of hands and wrists performing job duties, with the Commission finding the award supported by competent and substantial evidence.

The Labor and Industrial Relations Commission affirmed the administrative law judge's award of workers' compensation benefits to Brenda K. Boyer for a work-related injury to her bilateral wrists and hands caused by repetitive hand motions. The claimant was awarded permanent partial disability compensation of $27,261.85 with a 20% bilateral upper extremity rating, with the Second Injury Fund liable for a portion of weekly differential benefits.

The Missouri LIRC affirmed the administrative law judge's decision denying workers' compensation benefits for an alleged occupational disease of right bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome. The Commission concluded that the employee failed to provide substantial and competent evidence that the carpal tunnel syndrome was attributable to an occupational disease arising out of his employment.

The Labor and Industrial Relations Commission affirmed the Administrative Law Judge's award denying workers' compensation to Melanie Days for carpal tunnel syndrome claimed as an occupational disease. The majority found the employee failed to prove the condition was work-related, though a dissenting opinion argued the evidence from employee's medical experts should have been credited over the employer's expert testimony.

The Commission affirmed the Administrative Law Judge's decision denying workers' compensation benefits to employee Wendy Hagan, finding that her neck, arm, and hand conditions (including carpal tunnel syndrome and cervical spondylitic radiopathy) were not caused by her keystroke and other work duties. Medical expert Dr. Goldfarb testified that employee's multiple inflammatory conditions, cervical spine disease, and obesity were more likely risk factors than her job duties, and her symptoms did not improve even during extended time away from work.

The Labor and Industrial Relations Commission affirmed the administrative law judge's award allowing workers' compensation benefits for Ronald Ford's bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome contracted on June 30, 2004, while employed by Ameren UE. The claimant was awarded permanent partial disability compensation of 17.5% for each wrist with a 10% multiplicity factor, along with medical expense coverage under a hold harmless agreement.

The Commission affirmed the Administrative Law Judge's award allowing workers' compensation benefits for Randy Daugherty's bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome sustained on October 19, 2005, arising from repetitive hand use in his employment. The claimant was awarded $23,365.12 in total compensation for a 15 percent permanent partial disability, plus temporary disability payments and disfigurement benefits.

The Commission affirmed the Administrative Law Judge's award of workers' compensation benefits for Tanya Willis-Livers, who developed carpal tunnel syndrome in both wrists from data entry work on January 7, 2003. The employee was awarded compensation for unpaid medical expenses ($10,867), temporary disability benefits ($6,749.99), and permanent partial disability benefits ($23,958.05) based on a 17.5% disability rating per wrist plus a 15% multiplicity factor.

The Labor and Industrial Relations Commission affirmed the administrative law judge's award of workers' compensation to Julia Hines for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome caused by repetitive data entry work as a Customer Service Representative. The claimant was awarded $38,438.45 in total compensation including unpaid medical expenses, temporary total disability, and permanent partial disability benefits.

The Commission affirmed the Administrative Law Judge's award allowing workers' compensation for Debra Highley's repetitive use injury to both wrists sustained on December 16, 2003, while employed at Von Weise Gear. The employee was awarded 87.6 weeks of permanent partial disability compensation at $347.05 per week from the Second Injury Fund, totaling $30,401.58.

The Missouri LIRC affirmed the Administrative Law Judge's award in a workers' compensation case for Stephanie Weaver, who developed bilateral hand complaints from repetitive hand-intensive work as a food line worker and cleaning captain. The injury was found compensable under Missouri law, and the case was kept open for further proceedings pending a final award.

The Labor and Industrial Relations Commission affirmed the Administrative Law Judge's award finding that employee Theresa Garner sustained a compensable occupational disease to both wrists from repetitive hand use as a housekeeper on November 11, 2004. Medical treatment benefits were awarded, though the award is temporary/partial and proceedings remain open for final determination.

The Commission reversed the administrative law judge's denial of workers' compensation benefits, finding that the employer was the last employer to expose the employee to the hazard causing bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome. Under the last exposure rule, the employer is liable for benefits for this occupational disease that arose out of and in the course of the employee's employment as a material handler.

The Commission affirmed the administrative law judge's award granting workers' compensation benefits for Dale Lane's bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, an occupational disease contracted through repetitive typing, writing, and exposure to vibratory tools during his employment as a maintenance supervisor. The employee was awarded compensation for permanent disability (17.5% of each wrist), medical expenses, and temporary disability benefits.

The Commission affirmed the administrative law judge's finding that the employee's right cubital tunnel syndrome was not compensable but reversed the decision regarding left carpal tunnel syndrome. The employee, a gardener of fifteen years, developed symptoms of left carpal tunnel syndrome from repetitive work activities including digging, raking, and other manual labor at the cemetery.

The Labor and Industrial Relations Commission affirmed the Administrative Law Judge's decision denying workers' compensation benefits for Alfred Bazile's bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, finding it was not a result of his employment as a bus driver. The Commission rejected the employee's Application for Review and denied the employer's motion to dismiss, while correcting a typographical error in the Findings of Fact regarding nerve root study results.

The Labor and Industrial Relations Commission affirmed the Administrative Law Judge's award allowing workers' compensation benefits for an employee who sustained a carpal tunnel injury to his right upper extremity while pounding on a truck door during employment. The employee was also found to have coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus, with the Second Injury Fund owing permanent total disability benefits.

The LIRC affirmed the administrative law judge's award denying workers' compensation to Don Northern (deceased, substituted by claimant Lisa Northern) for carpal tunnel syndrome allegedly caused by work duties. One commissioner dissented, arguing the ALJ erred in finding insufficient evidence that the employee's work caused the carpal tunnel condition.

The Commission affirmed the Administrative Law Judge's award of workers' compensation to Debora Jackson for a left thumb injury sustained on September 29, 2003, while typing at her workstation. The employee was awarded 4.2 weeks of permanent partial disability compensation totaling $1,457.61 plus previously paid medical aid of $3,345.98.