Filtered Decisions

The Labor and Industrial Relations Commission affirmed the administrative law judge's award allowing workers' compensation benefits to Jackie Stallings for a low back injury sustained on May 1, 2001, while lifting heavy objects at Corbitt Manufacturing Company. The employee was awarded 5% permanent partial disability of the body referable to the low back, along with temporary disability compensation and necessary medical aid.

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 Labor and Industrial Relations Commission affirmed the Administrative Law Judge's award of workers' compensation benefits to Patricia Matthews for injuries sustained in a fall while working as a waitress on July 13, 2004. The award includes compensation for permanent partial disability of 25% to the left knee and 35% to the right shoulder, along with temporary disability and medical aid payments.

The Commission affirmed the administrative law judge's award of workers' compensation benefits to Roger Poor for a low back injury sustained on August 13, 2003 while lifting heavy wall sections. The claimant was awarded permanent total disability benefits, with the Second Injury Fund liable for ongoing weekly compensation payments for his lifetime.

The Commission affirmed the Administrative Law Judge's award allowing workers' compensation benefits to David Murphy for permanent total disability resulting from a fall while disassembling a machine on January 7, 2003. The claim was found to be compensable under Missouri law with all statutory requirements satisfied, and the case was settled between employee and employer/insurer.

The Labor and Industrial Relations Commission affirmed the Administrative Law Judge's decision denying workers' compensation benefits to employee Darren Ottobre for a claimed back injury on September 30, 2005. The Commission found that the employee failed to prove that a compensable accident occurred and that the accident was the prevailing factor in causing his back condition, citing inconsistencies in the employee's testimony and evidence of pre-existing back problems.

The Commission affirmed the administrative law judge's award of workers' compensation benefits to Maria Alamo for a left hand injury caused by a drill puncture wound sustained on May 9, 2005, while employed by Adecco. The claimant was awarded compensation totaling $2,809.92 for 7.5% permanent disability and disfigurement benefits.

The Labor and Industrial Relations Commission affirmed the Administrative Law Judge's amended award allowing workers' compensation benefits to Linda Stevens for a right knee injury sustained on February 17, 1999, while assisting another worker with a patient. The award totaled $47,914.25, including unpaid medical expenses, temporary total disability, and permanent partial disability compensation.

The Labor and Industrial Relations Commission affirmed the Administrative Law Judge's award finding that the employee's psychological injury sustained during a client assault on September 18, 2003 was a compensable work-related injury. The Commission confirmed liability and benefits were awarded, though this is a temporary or partial award with proceedings remaining open for final determination.

The Labor and Industrial Relations Commission affirmed the Administrative Law Judge's decision denying workers' compensation benefits to Lillie M. Newson, finding that the alleged injury did not arise out of and in the course of her employment. No compensation was awarded in this case.

The Labor and Industrial Relations Commission affirmed the Administrative Law Judge's award allowing workers' compensation benefits to Melissa Lantz for an injury sustained on January 22, 2001 at Monsanto Chemical Company in St. Louis, Missouri. The Commission found the award was supported by competent and substantial evidence and in accordance with the Missouri Workers' Compensation Act.

The Commission affirmed the administrative law judge's award finding the employee permanently and totally disabled due to her back condition. The Commission modified the original award to correct an error regarding Second Injury Fund liability, which was improperly attempted to be corrected after the application for review was filed.

The Labor and Industrial Relations Commission affirmed the Administrative Law Judge's award allowing workers' compensation benefits for cervical and lumbar spine injuries sustained in a work-related motor vehicle accident on October 1, 1998. One commissioner filed a separate dissenting opinion arguing the decision should be modified regarding the nature and extent of permanent disability and certain denied medical expenses and benefits.

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 award of workers' compensation benefits for James Jackson's right knee injury sustained on May 16, 2003, while employed at PepsiAmericas. The award includes 32 weeks of permanent partial disability compensation at $340.12 per week for 20% permanent partial disability to the right lower extremity.

The Labor and Industrial Relations Commission affirmed the Administrative Law Judge's decision denying all workers' compensation benefits to Wilma Bevenue for an alleged injury on November 10, 1999. The Commission found that the injury was not compensable under Missouri workers' compensation law and that no accident or occupational disease arose out of and in the course of employment.

The Labor and Industrial Relations Commission affirmed the Administrative Law Judge's October 24, 2006 award denying workers' compensation benefits to Scott Mertz for a low back and right leg strain injury sustained on December 22, 2003. Although the injury was found to be compensable and arose out of employment, no permanent disability was determined and therefore no compensation was awarded.

The Labor and Industrial Relations Commission affirmed the Administrative Law Judge's award of temporary or partial workers' compensation benefits to Antonino Pereira for a compensable occupational disease caused by repetitive trauma from overhead and lateral lifting. The claimant was awarded unpaid medical expenses of $16,164.80 and 59 and 3/7 weeks of temporary total disability benefits totaling $14,658.65, with the Second Injury Fund's liability remaining open for future determinations.

The Labor and Industrial Relations Commission affirmed the Administrative Law Judge's decision denying workers' compensation benefits to James V. Parrot for an injury on December 26, 2004, finding he failed to meet his burden of proof that he was in the course of employment at the time of the accident. The Commission determined the employee was not engaged in performing employment duties because he had discretion to respond to an emergency call and there was no evidence he actually responded to or intended to respond to the call.

The Labor and Industrial Relations Commission affirmed the Administrative Law Judge's decision denying workers' compensation benefits in this October 18, 2000 injury case. The Commission found the employee was capable of performing light or sedentary work and therefore not permanently and totally disabled, and failed to establish Second Injury Fund liability.

The Labor and Industrial Relations Commission affirmed the Administrative Law Judge's award of workers' compensation benefits to Joseph A. Barron for an occupational disease involving repetitive upper extremity use from his work as a reed stacker. The employee was awarded compensation for 25% permanent partial disability to his right and left upper extremities with appropriate temporary and permanent disability rates.

The Missouri LIRC affirmed the administrative law judge's award of workers' compensation benefits to Jillian Bartle for a head injury sustained on March 6, 2003, when she was struck by a heavy metal mold at Meramec Group. The Commission awarded 80 weeks of permanent partial disability compensation at $170.57 per week plus unpaid medical expenses totaling $2,816.65.

The Labor and Industrial Relations Commission affirmed the October 19, 2005 award of the administrative law judge in this workers' compensation case involving employee James Calcara, following remand from the Missouri Court of Appeals which found the Commission had erred in dismissing the application as untimely. The Commission found the ALJ's award was supported by competent and substantial evidence and in accordance with the Missouri Workers' Compensation Act.

The Labor and Industrial Relations Commission issued a final award granting Charles Kuykendall permanent partial disability benefits of 15% for work-related bilateral myofascial pain in his shoulders, pursuant to a Missouri Court of Appeals mandate reversing the prior denial of benefits. The Commission accepted Dr. Eaton's opinion regarding the extent of disability and approved attorney's fees as fair and reasonable.

The Commission affirmed the Administrative Law Judge's decision denying workers' compensation benefits, finding that the employee's alleged work-related stress and mental breakdown did not constitute a compensable injury under Missouri law. No accident or occupational disease arising out of and in the course of employment was established.