Filtered Decisions

The Commission affirmed the administrative law judge's award denying Second Injury Fund liability, finding the employee sustained a compensable 10% permanent partial disability to the hand from an April 8, 2005 injury, but the preexisting left foot injury did not meet the statutory threshold for Second Injury Fund benefits. The Commission rejected the employee's arguments that the administrative law judge erred in assessing expert credibility and substituting his own opinions for medical testimony.

The Commission reversed the ALJ's award of 18.63 weeks of compensation for synergistic disability combining a primary right hand injury (15% PPD) with preexisting pelvis, lumbar, and cervical spine disabilities. The case involved a dispute with the Second Injury Fund regarding the proper calculation of liability for the combined effect of the employee's injuries.

The Commission affirmed the Administrative Law Judge's award of workers' compensation to Helena D. Deschenes for a left hand injury sustained on October 24, 2007, when a frosting can smashed her hand while she was moving items on a conveyor belt. The employee was awarded $7,043.82 in compensation for permanent partial disability (amputation at distal joint of ring finger) and disfigurement, plus reasonable and necessary medical aid for ongoing treatment including prosthesis and replacements.

The Commission affirmed the administrative law judge's award of workers' compensation benefits to Eddie L. Thompson for a right hand injury sustained on October 20, 2007, when his hand was pulled between a machine belt and pulley. The employee was awarded temporary total disability underpayment, permanent partial disability compensation for 55% impairment to the right upper extremity, and disfigurement benefits, with a 37.5% safety violation penalty reduction applied.

The Commission affirmed the Administrative Law Judge's award denying compensation in this case, finding that while the claimant's injury to his left hand from a barrel explosion on November 9, 2002 was compensable under Missouri law, no benefits were awarded. Temporary disability compensation of $42,938.77 and medical aid of $150,511.69 had been paid to date, but the claim for ongoing permanent total disability benefits was denied.

The Commission affirmed the Administrative Law Judge's award allowing workers' compensation benefits for a right hand injury sustained when the employee slipped on a wet floor while carrying glasses on November 11, 1995. The claimant was awarded 80% permanent partial disability benefits, with 20 weeks of compensation ($5,145.80) payable from the Second Injury Fund.