Filtered Decisions

The Commission affirmed the Administrative Law Judge's award denying workers' compensation benefits to William Bisby for injuries sustained when he was riding on the back of a garbage truck involved in a motor vehicle accident on January 5, 2007. Although the accident occurred during employment and the claimant suffered a left leg injury, the claim was deemed non-compensable under Missouri workers' compensation law, resulting in an award of zero compensation.

The Missouri LIRC affirmed the Administrative Law Judge's award denying workers' compensation to Sue Ann Hecker, an in-home caregiver, for injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident on July 19, 2007, while traveling between client homes. The ALJ found the employee's evidence less credible than the employer's witnesses and determined the accident did not arise out of or occur in the course and scope of employment, though a dissenting opinion disagreed with this credibility determination.

The Commission reversed the ALJ's award of permanent total disability benefits and medical treatment costs for an employee injured in a single-vehicle accident on December 13, 2008, finding that the primary issue is whether the injuries arose out of and in the course of employment. The decision questions whether the employee's trip on the morning of the accident was work-related, as communications with a potential employer about future jobs do not establish that the accident occurred during employment duties.

The Labor and Industrial Relations Commission affirmed the administrative law judge's award allowing workers' compensation benefits for Kathy Meyer, who sustained injuries from an automobile accident on January 30, 1998 while employed by Pyramid Home Care, Inc. The employee was awarded compensation for temporary and permanent partial disability along with necessary medical benefits totaling over $262,000.

The Commission affirmed the administrative law judge's temporary award allowing compensation for an employee struck by a vehicle in the employer's parking lot at the end of her work day on December 18, 2008. The injury was deemed to arise out of and in the course of employment because the employee would not have crossed paths with the negligent driver but for her employment.

The Commission affirmed the administrative law judge's award of workers' compensation benefits to Linden Dauenbaugh for a motor vehicle accident occurring on May 6, 2004, while employed as a taxi driver. Benefits included 35% permanent partial disability rating for cervical injury, temporary total disability compensation, unpaid medical expenses of $44,886.41, and Second Injury Fund liability of $6,549.60.

The Commission affirmed the Administrative Law Judge's award of workers' compensation benefits for John Dreiman's motor vehicle accident injury occurring on July 6, 2005, involving cervical spine and bilateral wrist injuries. The decision approved permanent partial disability benefits (30% PPD for cervical spine, 15% PPD for each wrist) and permanent total disability benefits from the Second Injury Fund due to the combination of the primary injury with preexisting conditions.

The Commission affirmed the administrative law judge's decision denying workers' compensation benefits in this motor vehicle accident case. The employee failed to appear at the final hearing on February 2, 2009, and no compensable injury was found under Missouri law.

The Commission affirmed the administrative law judge's award of workers' compensation benefits to Patsy Ellis for injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident on December 10, 2004, while employed. The award includes unpaid medical expenses of $165,459.99, 121 weeks of temporary disability, 244 weeks of permanent partial disability, and future medical benefits.

The Labor and Industrial Relations Commission affirmed the Administrative Law Judge's decision denying workers' compensation benefits to Shaun Jordan for injuries sustained in an automobile accident on May 10, 2005, despite finding the accident occurred in the course of employment. Although the employee suffered injuries to his back, head, and neck, the Commission found the injury was not compensable under Missouri workers' compensation law.

The Labor and Industrial Relations Commission affirmed the Administrative Law Judge's award denying workers' compensation benefits to truck driver Robert Allen for injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident on July 6, 1999, finding that while an accident occurred during employment, no compensation was warranted. The claimant sustained injuries to the left femur and left hip but received no temporary disability, permanent disability, or medical benefits from the employer or insurer.

The Labor and Industrial Relations Commission affirmed the administrative law judge's award of workers' compensation benefits to Rama Hitchcock for injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident on December 5, 2000. The claimant was awarded permanent total disability benefits beginning March 20, 2002, payable for life, along with medical expenses and temporary total disability underpayment.

The Commission reversed the administrative law judge's award of death benefits to the widow of an employee who died from injuries sustained in a work-related motor vehicle accident after refusing life-saving blood transfusions based on religious beliefs. The Commission found that the employee's refusal to accept medical treatment was unreasonable under Missouri workers' compensation law, thereby relieving the employer of liability for the death.

The Commission reversed the Administrative Law Judge's decision and awarded workers' compensation benefits to Leslie Dubose for injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident precipitated by an idiopathic occurrence (seizure disorder). The Commission held that the employee is entitled to benefits because the conditions of employment caused or contributed to cause the accident, establishing the required causal connection under section 287.120 RSMo.

The Labor and Industrial Relations Commission affirmed the Administrative Law Judge's decision denying workers' compensation benefits to employee Garrick Clewis for an alleged October 22, 1999 motor vehicle accident. The Commission found the employer's evidence more credible, determining that the employee did not sustain an injury arising out of and in the course of employment.