Filtered Decisions

The Commission affirmed the Administrative Law Judge's award allowing workers' compensation benefits for Christopher Hickman under two separate injury claims: bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome from repetitive work as an ironworker in 1999, and a low back injury from lifting in 2000. Both injuries were found to be compensable occupational injuries arising out of and in the course of employment with McCarthy Interface.

The Labor and Industrial Relations Commission affirmed the Administrative Law Judge's award of workers' compensation benefits to James Flannery for a low back injury sustained in a motor vehicle accident on July 9, 1999. The employee was awarded 40% permanent partial disability of the body as a whole referable to low back, plus additional disability percentages for depression, with compensation and medical benefits totaling over $119,000.

The Labor and Industrial Relations Commission affirmed the Administrative Law Judge's award allowing workers' compensation benefits for Teresa Douglas, who sustained occupational disease injuries to both wrists from repetitive trimmer work on an assembly line. The claimant was awarded permanent partial disability benefits of 22.5% for each wrist, along with unpaid medical expenses and temporary disability compensation.

The Commission affirmed the Administrative Law Judge's decision denying workers' compensation benefits to Joyce Battle for an alleged injury on December 27, 2001. The case was dismissed because no accident or occupational disease arising out of and in the course of employment was established.

The Labor and Industrial Relations Commission affirmed the Administrative Law Judge's award finding that employee Pamela Collier's exposure to asbestos at her employer's building constituted a compensable occupational disease. The Commission awarded temporary total disability benefits of $3,470.50 for 10 weeks and ordered payment of indemnified medical expenses, with the case remaining open for final determination.

The Missouri LIRC affirmed the administrative law judge's award in a workers' compensation case involving employee Catrice Moore and Parkwood Manor that was settled on October 3, 2005 for $6,880.50. The sole issue on appeal was the disputed attorney fee/lien of the employee's former attorney, with the administrative law judge's decision on this matter being upheld as supported by competent and substantial evidence.

The Commission affirmed the Administrative Law Judge's award allowing workers' compensation for Jacqueline Boyd's burn injuries sustained on October 21, 1997 while cooking at Sanford's Supper Club. The award covers unpaid medical expenses of $24,160.98 with liability assigned to the Second Injury Fund as the employer was uninsured.

The Commission affirmed the Administrative Law Judge's award of compensation for Pamela Grammer's occupational injury to both wrists and hands sustained on December 18, 2002, from repetitive assembly work. The decision awarded permanent partial disability benefits of 17.5% for each hand, disfigurement compensation, and necessary medical aid totaling approximately $24,458.03.

The Labor and Industrial Relations Commission affirmed the Administrative Law Judge's award finding the workers' compensation claim compensable and arising out of employment on September 16, 2003. Benefits were awarded in this temporary or partial award, with proceedings kept open pending final determination.

The Commission affirmed the Administrative Law Judge's decision upholding medical bills submitted by Franciscan Health Systems, finding they were fair and reasonable charges. The employer failed to meet its burden of proof to demonstrate that the billed amounts exceeded usual and customary fees or were otherwise unreasonable.

The Labor and Industrial Relations Commission affirmed the administrative law judge's award of workers' compensation benefits to Tomislav Bosnjak for a low back injury sustained on May 11, 2001, while rotating and cleaning heavy molds at his employment. The employee was awarded 17½% permanent partial disability benefits, unpaid medical expenses of $18,010.44, and temporary total disability compensation.

The Commission affirmed the Administrative Law Judge's decision denying workers' compensation benefits in the death of Amanda Belkouch, finding that although she was employed by Missouri Clippers, Inc., her fatal motor vehicle accident while traveling to a voluntary recreational activity did not arise out of and in the course of her employment. No compensation was awarded to the widower dependent.

The Labor and Industrial Relations Commission affirmed the Administrative Law Judge's decision denying workers' compensation benefits to David Trimmer for an alleged fall while stacking batteries on September 9, 2003. The Commission found that the injury was not proven to have arisen out of and in the course of employment, resulting in no compensation award.

The Labor and Industrial Relations Commission affirmed the Administrative Law Judge's award of workers' compensation benefits to Jeff Meacheam for a left knee injury sustained on February 17, 1992, when a boat was pushed into his knee while he was moving another boat out of the way of woodworking activities. The employee was awarded permanent total disability benefits and temporary disability compensation of $27,558.42, with necessary medical aid valued at $159,066.09.

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 Labor and Industrial Relations Commission affirmed the Administrative Law Judge's decision denying workers' compensation benefits to Dana Jones for an alleged February 13, 2002 workplace injury. The Commission found the denial supported by competent and substantial evidence, though a dissenting opinion argued the evidence of L4-5 disc herniation caused by the work accident warranted reversal and benefits.

The Commission affirmed the Administrative Law Judge's award of workers' compensation benefits to Thomas Novak for a low back injury sustained on June 10, 2002, while repairing a die cast press at the employer's Hannibal, Missouri facility. The award includes unpaid medical expenses of $72,471.60, 144 weeks of temporary total disability compensation, and 70 weeks of permanent partial disability compensation for 17.5% permanent partial disability of the body as a whole.

The Labor and Industrial Relations Commission affirmed the Administrative Law Judge's decision denying workers' compensation benefits to Lana Cooper for a back injury alleged to have occurred on April 2, 2001, while lifting a patient. Although the injury was found to be compensable and work-related, no compensation was awarded due to findings that there was no permanent disability resulting from the accident.

The Labor and Industrial Relations Commission affirmed the Administrative Law Judge's award and decision on the issue of liability, finding it supported by competent and substantial evidence and in accordance with the Missouri Workers' Compensation Act. The award is temporary or partial in nature, with proceedings remaining open for a final award to be made.

The Labor and Industrial Relations Commission affirmed the Administrative Law Judge's decision denying workers' compensation benefits for a right shoulder injury sustained on March 26, 2002, while loading linen bags. Although the injury was found to be compensable and arose out of employment, no permanent partial disability was determined and all temporary disability and medical benefits had already been paid or provided.

The Labor and Industrial Relations Commission affirmed the Administrative Law Judge's decision denying workers' compensation benefits to Christopher Doerr for alleged repetitive trauma injuries from striking his head on equipment. The Commission found that the injury did not arise out of and in the course of employment and therefore 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 Larilean Davis for an alleged injury on October 27, 2000. The Commission found that the injury did not arise out of and in the course of employment and was therefore not compensable under Missouri law.

The Commission affirmed the administrative law judge's award of workers' compensation benefits to Virginia L. Neves for a low back injury sustained on April 19, 2002, while employed at Lewis County Nursing Home District. The employee was awarded 20% permanent partial disability of the body as a whole, along with unpaid medical expenses and temporary and permanent disability benefits.

The Commission affirmed the Administrative Law Judge's award of workers' compensation benefits to Timothy Green for injuries sustained when he fell backwards into a concrete vault while pulling a water line on July 13, 2004. The claimant was found to have 15% permanent disability referable to the back and is entitled to permanent total disability benefits from the Second Injury Fund.

The Commission affirmed the Administrative Law Judge's award of workers' compensation benefits to Thomas Whalen for a slip and fall injury occurring on May 6, 1999 in his office environment. The employee was awarded 32 weeks of permanent partial disability (20% PPD of left lower extremity) totaling $9,431.36 in compensation.