Brian Fowler

The Commission affirmed the Administrative Law Judge's award of workers' compensation benefits to Raymond Nichols for a shoulder injury sustained on May 29, 2009, while shifting gears in his truck. The claimant was awarded 5% permanent partial disability to the right shoulder, totaling $4,330.63 in compensation.

The Labor and Industrial Relations Commission affirmed the Administrative Law Judge's award of workers' compensation benefits to Willie White for a cervical spine injury with myelopathy of the left lower extremity sustained on June 11, 2007, while holding his neck in an awkward position during work. The employer was ordered to pay $60,248 (160 weeks) in permanent partial disability benefits for 40% permanent partial disability to the body as a whole.

The Missouri LIRC reversed the administrative law judge's award that found the employee sustained a compensable right ankle injury on September 30, 2002, while working as an extra relief person at QuikTrip. The Commission determined that the employee failed to prove he sustained a compensable injury and did not provide proper written notice as required by statute.

The Commission reversed the Administrative Law Judge's award granting Robert Taylor temporary total disability benefits and 5% permanent partial disability for a right ankle injury claimed to have occurred on October 30-31, 2002 at QuikTrip. The Commission found that Taylor failed to prove he sustained a compensable injury and did not provide proper written notice as required by statute.

The Commission affirmed the Administrative Law Judge's award of workers' compensation benefits to Robert Taylor for a right ankle injury sustained on October 13, 2003, while employed at QuikTrip. The employee was awarded permanent partial disability benefits of 15 percent to the right lower extremity and 5 percent to the body as a whole, resulting from cumulative trauma caused by standing and constant turning and twisting movements required during work shifts.

The Labor and Industrial Relations Commission affirmed the Administrative Law Judge's award finding that employee Shelli Talbert's repetitive strain injury to her right thumb while working as a customer service representative was a compensable occupational disease. The award is temporary or partial, with medical expenses of $2,516.51 paid to date and proceedings kept open for final determination of permanent disability benefits.

The LIRC affirmed the administrative law judge's decision denying workers' compensation benefits to Renee Viles for low back injuries allegedly caused by repetitive bending, lifting, and turning at work. The court found that the injury did not arise out of and in the course of employment, and no compensable injury or occupational disease was established.

The Labor and Industrial Relations Commission affirmed the administrative law judge's award of workers' compensation benefits to Charles Roy Bennett for a fall injury sustained on June 27, 2000, while performing routine maintenance on a horizontal milling machine at Gardner Denver, Inc. The employee was awarded compensation for 17.5% whole body permanent partial disability and temporary total disability benefits, with medical expenses totaling $57,255.89 already paid by the employer.

The Labor and Industrial Relations Commission affirmed the Administrative Law Judge's decision denying workers' compensation benefits to Jerrold Walden for an alleged back injury sustained while handling plywood sheets on January 17, 2003. The commission found that the injury did not arise out of and in the course of employment, making it non-compensable under Missouri workers' compensation law.