Filtered Decisions

The Commission affirmed the Administrative Law Judge's decision denying all workers' compensation benefits for an alleged occupational disease of the low back claimed to have occurred on March 16, 2007. The decision found that the alleged injury did not arise out of and in the course of employment, and therefore was not compensable under Missouri workers' compensation law.

The Commission affirmed the Administrative Law Judge's award finding that the employee sustained a compensable work injury when his foot was struck by a security turnstile while entering the employer's building, causing him to pivot and injure his left knee. The injury occurred on October 1, 2006, while the employee was arriving for his scheduled work shift in a parking lot owned and controlled by the employer.

The Labor and Industrial Relations Commission affirmed the Administrative Law Judge's decision denying Ben Degonia's workers' compensation claim, finding that he failed to prove he sustained a work-related injury or accident on May 6, 2005. The employee was denied past medical treatment, future medical treatment, and temporary total disability benefits.

The LIRC affirmed the administrative law judge's decision denying workers' compensation benefits to Francis Basler for bilateral cervical radiculopathy, finding he failed to meet his burden of proof on causation. A dissenting opinion argued the employee should have been awarded past medical expenses and future medical care based on the work-related nature of the condition from repetitive polishing work.

The Commission affirmed the Administrative Law Judge's decision denying workers' compensation benefits to Linda Bryant for degenerative cervical disease, finding that her work position was not a substantial factor in causing her condition. The court determined that degenerative cervical disease is an ordinary disease of life to which the general public is exposed, not a compensable occupational disease arising from her employment with HealthSouth.

The Commission modified the Administrative Law Judge's award denying compensation to employee Dolores Woolery for an alleged occupational disease, finding that her husband qualified as a dependent as of the claimed injury date of August 22, 2000, despite the ALJ's initial denial. The case involves disputed issues of medical causation, whether an accident or occupational disease arose out of employment, and liability for future medical care and Second Injury Fund coverage.

The Commission affirmed the Administrative Law Judge's award allowing workers' compensation benefits to Michael Webb for a slip and fall injury on ice while attaching a trailer on March 14, 1997. Webb was awarded 60% permanent partial disability to the abdominal area with ongoing compensation and Second Injury Fund liability.

The Commission affirmed the Administrative Law Judge's award denying compensation in this workers' compensation case involving a left thumb injury sustained by Samuel Watson on December 22, 2006. Although the injury was found to be compensable and arose out of employment, no additional benefits were awarded as temporary disability and medical expenses had already been paid.

The Commission affirmed the Administrative Law Judge's award granting permanent total disability benefits to employee Mose Hopkins for occupational lung disease caused by inhalation of welding fumes during his employment. Benefits commenced April 1, 2003, and are payable for the claimant's lifetime.

The Commission affirmed the Administrative Law Judge's award of workers' compensation benefits to Nathan Hempel, an electrician who suffered a closed head injury when he struck his head on an overhead steel beam while installing conduit on January 3, 2007. Benefits awarded include temporary disability compensation, permanent partial disability at 15% of body as a whole, and necessary medical expenses.

The Labor and Industrial Relations Commission affirmed the Administrative Law Judge's award denying all workers' compensation benefits, finding that the employee's alleged repetitive trauma injury to his low back and left leg from lifting supplies and moving carts did not arise out of and in the course of employment. No compensation, medical benefits, or disability payments were awarded.

The Labor and Industrial Relations Commission affirmed the Administrative Law Judge's award denying workers' compensation benefits to Stephanie Bosch for alleged carpal tunnel syndrome. 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 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 of workers' compensation benefits to Donna Johnson for injuries sustained on July 10, 2003, when a co-employee slipped and caused a table to collide with her, resulting in left knee and lower back injuries. The claimant was awarded permanent partial disability benefits totaling 15% for the knee and 17.5% for the back, with the Second Injury Fund liable for $1,957.79 in compensation.

The Commission affirmed the Administrative Law Judge's decision denying workers' compensation benefits to Aaron Zentz for an alleged lower back injury occurring on April 26, 2005, while working at Kraft Foods. The injury was found not to have arisen out of and in the course of employment, rendering it non-compensable under Missouri Workers' Compensation Law.

The Missouri LIRC affirmed the Administrative Law Judge's decision denying workers' compensation benefits to Kimberly L. Swierk for an incident on June 24, 2008. The Commission found that the incident did not constitute a compensable injury or occupational disease arising out of and in the course of employment.

The Commission modified the administrative law judge's award, affirming findings that the employee's cervical spine and right knee injuries were causally related to the August 14, 2002 work accident and that the employer is liable for past medical expenses, future medical care, and temporary total disability benefits. The employee was found to be permanently and totally disabled as a result of the work-related injuries, with the employer liable for permanent total disability benefits and the Second Injury Fund found to have no liability.

The Missouri LIRC affirmed the administrative law judge's decision denying workers' compensation benefits to Michael Martin, a police dispatcher supervisor, for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and right cubital tunnel syndrome. One commissioner dissented, arguing the employee met his burden of proof regarding causation and should have been awarded medical expense reimbursement and disability benefits.

The Commission affirmed the Administrative Law Judge's decision denying workers' compensation benefits, finding that the employee's alleged work-related osteoarthritis did not arise out of and in the course of employment. No compensation was awarded in this case.

The Commission affirmed the administrative law judge's award of workers' compensation benefits to Sharon Morgan for a back injury sustained on May 12, 2004, when she fell from a chair while hanging a poster at work. The employee was awarded temporary total disability benefits for ten weeks and permanent partial disability benefits of 22.5% of body as a whole.

Kenneth H. Tilley was awarded permanent total disability benefits after suffering a back injury while unloading canvas rolls from a truck on June 6, 2003. The Commission affirmed the administrative law judge's award, which included temporary total disability payments and necessary medical expenses.

The Labor and Industrial Relations Commission affirmed the Administrative Law Judge's award finding that the employee's right knee injury from an elevator malfunction was a compensable work injury. The decision awards unpaid medical expenses of $64,802.09 and temporary total disability benefits, with the case remaining open for further determination pending maximum medical improvement.

The Commission affirmed the Administrative Law Judge's decision denying workers' compensation benefits, finding no compensable injury under Missouri law. The employee's alleged fall from a ladder on January 5, 2005 was determined not to have occurred in the course of employment with either listed employer.

The Labor and Industrial Relations Commission affirmed the Administrative Law Judge's award of workers' compensation benefits to Robin Crank for a fall injury sustained on June 16, 2003, while putting on booties at work. The claimant was awarded 60 weeks of permanent partial disability benefits at 15% permanent disability with a weekly compensation rate of $226.66.

The Commission reversed the Administrative Law Judge's award finding that employee Angela Bond sustained a compensable work injury to her right wrist from a fall caused by tripping over a telephone cord on May 17, 2007. The Commission determined that the employee's injury did not arise out of and in the course of her employment, and therefore reversed the award of past medical expenses, future medical treatment, and attorney's fees.