Filtered workers' comp decisions

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.

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 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 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 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 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 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 Labor and Industrial Relations Commission affirmed the administrative law judge's award of workers' compensation for Jackie W. Hooper's work-related knee injuries (medial meniscus tears) sustained at the Missouri Department of Corrections. One dissenting opinion argued that future medical treatment should be limited to care directly addressing the compensable injury rather than all conditions affecting the injured body part.

The Commission modified the administrative law judge's award regarding a work-related occupational disease (L4-5 disc herniation) sustained by Jeffrey Dudley while employed at Chrysler LLC on July 10, 2008. The decision addressed the prevailing factor causing the injury, employer's liability for past medical expenses, and the Second Injury Fund's liability.

The Labor and Industrial Relations Commission affirmed the administrative law judge's award of workers' compensation benefits for Jackie W. Hooper's work-related knee injuries involving two tears to the medical meniscus. The commission found the award was supported by competent and substantial evidence and in accordance with Missouri Workers' Compensation Law, though one member filed a dissenting opinion regarding the scope of future medical treatment responsibility.

The Commission affirmed the Administrative Law Judge's denial of workers' compensation benefits for a recurrent disc herniation at L5-S1, finding that the employee failed to establish work duties as the prevailing factor in causing the injury. The court found Dr. Coyle's medical opinions unpersuasive, noting his 2017 deposition testimony contradicted his earlier written opinions regarding causation.

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 Commission reversed the administrative law judge's award granting Second Injury Fund liability for permanent total disability benefits. The decision focused on whether employee's preexisting conditions (head injury from 1981 and knee surgery from 1982) met the criteria for Second Injury Fund coverage under Missouri law.

The Labor and Industrial Relations Commission affirmed the Administrative Law Judge's award regarding liability in this workers' compensation case involving an inventory clerk with bilateral carpal syndrome. The case is marked as a temporary or partial award with proceedings remaining open for final determination.

The Labor and Industrial Relations Commission affirmed the administrative law judge's award denying permanent total disability compensation to Judith Gustin for a November 27, 2014, trip and fall injury at work. The Commission found that objective medical evidence from independent orthopedic physicians (MRI imaging and physical examinations) supported the conclusion that the injury resulted only in a contusion without permanent structural damage or disability.

The Commission affirmed the Administrative Law Judge's decision denying all workers' compensation benefits, finding that although the injury to the left shoulder occurred in the course of employment on July 15, 2009, the claim was filed outside the time required by law. No compensation was awarded to the employee Janet K. Scott.

The Missouri LIRC affirmed the Administrative Law Judge's final award denying all workers' compensation benefits to Janet K. Scott for a left ankle injury sustained on March 16, 2010, while inspecting parts at her workplace. Although the injury was found to be work-related and compensable under Missouri law, no benefits were awarded because the claim was not filed within the time required by law.

The Labor and Industrial Relations Commission modified the Administrative Law Judge's award in a workers' compensation case involving William Haynes, who sustained work-related injuries including facial lacerations, nasal and orbital fractures, concussion, and L3 compression fracture on April 22, 2015. The Commission adjusted the award and decision while adopting the ALJ's findings to the extent they were not inconsistent with the modifications, addressing issues of compensability, wage rates, medical causation, and permanent partial disability ratings.

The Missouri LIRC affirmed the administrative law judge's denial of workers' compensation benefits, finding the employee failed to prove she sustained an accident arising out of and in the course of her employment. The employee's claim alleged steam exposure at a restaurant caused throat and speech problems, but the court found her testimony not credible and the causal connection to a work accident insufficient.

The Missouri Court of Appeals reversed the Commission's denial of permanent total disability benefits, and the Commission on remand awarded the Second Injury Fund liable for permanent total disability benefits beginning May 3, 2013, at differential and then stipulated weekly rates continuing for the employee's lifetime. The injury resulted from a hanging toolbox striking the claimant on the head and left shoulder on June 15, 2012, while employed at General Motors LLC in St. Charles County.

The Labor and Industrial Relations Commission affirmed the Administrative Law Judge's award of workers' compensation benefits for Benjamin Branch's low back injury sustained on November 13, 2017, finding 14.5% permanent partial disability. A dissenting opinion disputed the disability percentage, arguing the evidence supported only 5% permanent partial disability rather than 14.5%.

The Labor and Industrial Relations Commission affirmed the Administrative Law Judge's temporary award granting Georgetta Hull workers' compensation benefits and future medical treatment for a right shoulder injury sustained in a July 2, 2018 work accident. The majority found the award was supported by competent and substantial evidence, though a dissenting opinion argued the employee failed to prove medical causation between the work accident and the shoulder condition.

The Labor and Industrial Relations Commission affirmed the administrative law judge's Final Award on Medical Fee Dispute, finding that the health care provider's application for payment of additional reimbursement was not timely filed as required by § 287.140.4. The Commission preserved constitutional arguments raised by the health care provider for potential appeal but did not address them as outside their jurisdiction.

The Missouri LIRC reversed the Administrative Law Judge's award of permanent total disability benefits against the Second Injury Fund, finding that the ALJ misapplied statutory criteria by improperly including preexisting conditions in the analysis. The employee, an aircraft simulation technician, claimed permanent total disability based on left carpal tunnel syndrome combined with preexisting conditions including right shoulder degenerative changes and left knee issues, but the Commission determined the Second Injury Fund was not liable.