Filtered Decisions

The Commission reversed the administrative law judge's decision and found the Second Injury Fund (SIF) liable for compensation in this case involving a preexisting condition of osteogenesis imperfecta. The employee sustained a compensable right knee injury on September 1, 2010, and the Commission determined that the preexisting condition constituted a hindrance or obstacle to employment for purposes of SIF liability.

The Missouri LIRC affirmed the administrative law judge's denial of workers' compensation benefits for Valerie Williams, finding that her left shoulder condition (glenohumeral and acromioclavicular joint arthritis with chronic rotator cuff tendinopathy) was not caused by a workplace fall on January 15, 2018. The court determined that while a traumatic work event occurred, it was not the prevailing factor in causing the resulting medical condition and disability.

The Commission modified the administrative law judge's award in a workers' compensation case involving Justin Kent's low back injury from December 4, 2008. The Commission modified findings regarding permanent total disability, payment of past medical bills, and temporary total disability benefits while affirming other aspects of the decision.

The Commission affirmed the Administrative Law Judge's award allowing compensation for a right knee contusion resulting from a July 19, 2015 work accident at the Hyatt Regency St. Louis at the Arch. The Commission found that while the work injury caused the knee contusion and related surgical complications including DVT and PE, the idiopathic conditions of thrombophilia and synovial chondromatosis were not causally connected to the work injury and therefore not compensable.

The Labor and Industrial Relations Commission affirmed the administrative law judge's award denying workers' compensation benefits to the estate of Lula Gray for an alleged left shoulder injury. The Commission found that while the employee was in the course of employment, the injury was not compensable under Missouri workers' compensation law, and no benefits were awarded.

The Commission affirmed the Administrative Law Judge's award denying permanent total disability compensation to Sterling Bennett for his March 24, 2014 work injury, finding that his permanent partial disability (25% left hand, 5% body as a whole for ribs) did not meet the statutory requirements for Second Injury Fund liability. The expert opinions presented failed to establish that the combination of the primary injury and preexisting disabilities resulted in permanent total disability as required by Missouri law.

The Commission affirmed the Administrative Law Judge's award denying compensation in a workers' compensation case involving a right knee injury sustained by Sterling Bennett on August 14, 2013, while employed as a painter. Although the injury was found to be compensable and arose out of employment, no benefits were awarded in the final decision.

The Commission affirmed the Administrative Law Judge's denial of workers' compensation benefits for mesothelioma claimed as an occupational disease arising from the employee's work as a hairdresser. The decision was based on finding that expert medical testimony denying occupational causation was more persuasive than contrary expert testimony supporting causation.

The Commission modified the administrative law judge's award, increasing the employee's average weekly wage calculation for a part-time healthcare worker beyond the 30-hour limitation previously applied. The case involved disputes over wage calculation methodology, liability for past medical expenses totaling $13,962.60, and future medical care coverage for a worker with 10% permanent partial disability.