Thomas v. Elephant Run

Thomas v. Elephant Run
1991 OK 72
814 P.2d 496
62 OBJ 2155
Case Number: 72511
Decided: 07/09/1991
Supreme Court of Oklahoma

CHESTER THOMAS, PETITIONER,
v.
ELEPHANT RUN, AMERICAN GENERAL FIRE & CASUALTY AND THE WORKERS' COMPENSATION COURT, RESPONDENTS.

Appeal from the Supreme Court, Lavender, J.

Certiorari to the Court of Appeals, Division III; Appeal From Three Judge Panel of the Oklahoma Workers' Compensation Court; Ben P. Choate, Jr., Trial Judge.

¶0 Petitioner brought a claim for work-related injury. After hearing on temporary total disability (TTD) the trial judge awarded a lump sum for past TTD covering about one year and for a period not to exceed 150 weeks during continuance of the TTD. A three judge panel vacated in part, taking away about 30 weeks of past TTD. The Court of Appeals (COA) initially ruled the panel decision unsupported by any competent evidence. It reinstated the trial judge's decision. On rehearing the COA reversed itself, ruling competent evidence existed to support the panel's decision apparently in the form of medical report(s) it determined might show the TTD during the relevant 30 week period was due to an injury predating the work-related injury. HELD: Certain medical reports apparently relied on by the COA to rule competent evidence existed to support the decision of the panel were never admitted into evidence and could not be considered by the panel in determining the matter under the mandate of Rule 19 of the Worker's Compensation Court Rules, 85 O.S.Supp. 1987, Ch. 4, App. The only medical evidence (reports from two doctors) admitted at the TTD hearing unequivocally supported an award of TTD during the relevant time period. Although part of the evidence was objected to by respondent as not containing a history of the work-related injury the evidence was in substantial compliance with Rule 20 of the Workers' Compensation Court Rules and because it stood unrefuted by any opposing evidence from respondent no competent evidence existed supporting the panel's decision taking 30 weeks of TTD from petitioner.

CERTIORARI PREVIOUSLY GRANTED; COURT OF APPEALS OPINION VACATED; THREE JUDGE PANEL'S DECISION REVERSED IN PART, AFFIRMED IN PART; REMANDED WITH INSTRUCTIONS.

Bill Settle Settle & Landrum, Muskogee, for petitioner.

Dale F. Whitten Whitten, Davies and Layman, Tulsa, for respondents Employer and Insur. Carrier.

LAVENDER, Justice:

[814 P.2d 497]

¶1 This case requires us to answer three questions: 1) may medical reports never offered or admitted into evidence at a hearing to determine temporary total disability (TTD) be considered by a three judge panel when reviewing a trial judge's decision to award TTD; 2) was a medical report admitted into evidence to support a claim of work-related temporary total disability (TTD) from August 28, 1987 to January 15, 1988 in substantial compliance with Rule 20 of the Workers' Compensation Court Rules, 85 O.S.Supp. 1987, Ch. 4, App.;

[814 P.2d 498]

¶2 We initially note the first two issues have not been adequately framed by the parties in their appellate submissions. We must address them, however, because the ultimate issue for review is whether the panel-substituted decision taking away TTD during the relevant time period is supported by any competent evidence. See Parks v. Norman Municipal Hospital, 684 P.2d 548, 552 (Okla. 1984) (when a panel-substituted decision is tendered for corrective appellate relief, it must be reviewed by applying the any-competent-evidence test of correctness).

¶3 By order filed February 10, 1988, a trial judge found petitioner sustained a work-related injury to his right arm on August 13, 1986 while employed at Elephant Run Restaurant (respondent) and awarded TTD for a five week period in May and June 1987. A Form 10, Pretrial Stipulation Offered By Respondent, had earlier been filed which admitted petitioner sustained an accidental injury in the course of employment. Future TTD and permanent disability, if any, were reserved.

¶4 Petitioner was the only witness to testify. He testified his arm was injured while working as a chef for respondent when he attempted to open a freezer door that was frozen shut. Surgery was performed on his wrist in June 1988 for what was eventually diagnosed as carpal tunnel syndrome.

¶5 On cross-examination testimony was elicited that appears to show petitioner was seen in an emergency room on August 2, 1986 and by Dr. R.P. (petitioner's treating physician) on August 6, 1986 with complaints of pain in his right arm, shoulder and leg. The testimony was elicited by questions referring to a medical report of Dr. R.P. dated August 21, 1987, never admitted into evidence, but contained in the workers' compensation court file, as an attachment to a form previously filed by petitioner. The circumstances surrounding the apparent visit to an emergency room are never explained in the evidence, nor in any other material contained in the record. It is impossible to determine whether the emergency room and Dr. R.P. visits were, in actuality, related to a prior episode unrelated to petitioner's job or whether the testimony elicited merely reflects a mistake as to the date petitioner had the accident at his job while trying to open the freezer door.

¶6 All medical evidence at the hearing was submitted by petitioner. It included two reports of Dr. R.P., one dated March 9, 1988 and one July 21, 1988. Also submitted was a report dated January 15, 1988 of a Dr. S.P., a physician petitioner was referred to by Dr. R.P. Respondent offered no medical evidence.

¶7 Respondent objected to the two reports of Dr. R.P. as not containing any history of the work-related injury. In that only the report dated March 9, 1988 gives an opinion petitioner was TTD during the relevant time period we need not consider whether the objection to the other report of Dr. R.P. dated July 21, 1988 was valid. No such objection was interposed to the report of Dr. S.P. and respondent agrees here the report of Dr. S.P. suffices to support an award of TTD after January 15, 1988, the date of the report. Respondent voluntarily began paying TTD on June 10, 1988, the date of petitioner's surgery.

¶8 Intertwined with the objection to the reports of Dr. R.P. was the argument the August 21, 1987 report of Dr. R.P., contained in the court file, but never offered or admitted at the August 18th hearing on TTD, somehow raised the question of whether petitioner's TTD during the relevant time period (August 28, 1987 to January 15, 1988) was caused by the unexplained event which apparently necessitated a trip to the emergency room on August 2, 1986. The trial court admitted all of petitioner's medical evidence, taking note of the objection. Although no specific ruling was made by the trial judge the objection was obviously rejected because the trial judge awarded TTD during the relevant time period.

¶9 Respondent then sought review from the panel. Although never once mentioned during the hearing of August 18, 1988 and, consequently, never offered or admitted at the hearing before the trial judge, respondent attached to its review papers a November 17, 1987 report of Dr. R.P. contained in the court file, which respondent argues here also raised the same question whether TTD during the relevant time period was caused by the earlier unexplained event.

¶10 Initially, we must determine whether either of these reports could properly be considered in the determination of whether to award TTD during the relevant time [814 P.2d 500] period. The answer is found in Rule 19 of the Workers' Compensation Court Rules. Rule 19, in part, provides that medical reports sought to be used as evidence in a hearing before a trial judge be attached by a party to an appropriate form (e.g. Form 9, Motion of Claimant to Set for Trial or Form 10, Pretrial Stipulation Offered by Respondent).

¶11 Review by a three judge panel of a trial judge's decision is required to be on the record made before the trial judge. 85 O.S.Supp. 1986 § 3.6 (A). The review does not authorize introduction of additional evidence. Parks v. Norman Municipal Hospital, supra, 684 P.2d at 550 f.n. 7. McSperitt v. Sooner Service, Inc., 431 P.2d 443, 444-445 (Okla. 1967). Rule 28(A), specifically provides in part, "[a]ppeals to the three judge panel shall be strictly on the record made before the trial judge. No new evidence shall be allowed."

¶12 Rule 20 requires that medical reports of doctors contain certain information, including a detailed description of the present injury [Rule 20(a)], the date and cause of the injury and whether it was work-related [Rule 20(d)]. Although respondent has never cited Rule 20 as the basis of its history objection we believe its objection is based on a perceived failure of the March 9, 1988, report to adequately contain the information embodied in Rule 20(a) and (d). Respondent's objection is meritless.

¶13 The record made before the trial judge reveals the medical reports of Dr. R.P. and Dr. S.P. were received in evidence as a "package". As noted above Dr. R.P. referred petitioner to Dr. S.P. The January 15, 1988 report of Dr. S.P. (the report respondent indicates here does contain an adequate history of the work-related injury) is, in fact, a letter of Dr. S.P. to Dr. R.P. The March 9, 1988 report of Dr. R.P. indicates at the bottom of it that a letter from Dr. S.P. is enclosed with it. Furthermore, the other report of Dr. R.P. dated July 21, 1988, submitted as part of the "package", specifically refers to the January 15th report of Dr. S.P. and unequivocally indicates Dr. R.P. has been treating petitioner "since August 1986 for his workers' injury sustained while working for [respondent]". Under these circumstances we [814 P.2d 501] believe the history contained in the January 15th letter report of Dr. S.P. is a part of the March 9th report of Dr. R.P., history which respondent admits is adequate. It is, therefore, our view substantial compliance with Rule 20 exists and the attempt of respondent to separate the reports is simply invalid. In that the only medical opinion covering the involved time period is in the March 9th report and it unequivocally opines TTD during the disputed period, we must finally determine whether some other valid basis exists which would support the decision of the three judge panel to take away TTD during this time period and the COA's affirmance of that decision.

¶14 Parks v. Norman Municipal Hospital, supra explains the standard by which a court of appeals or this Court reviews an order of a three judge panel which substitutes its decision for one entered by a trial judge. The standard is whether any competent evidence exists to support the decision of the three judge panel. Id. at 552.

¶15 Normally, questions concerning whether someone is temporarily totally disabled and whether the conditions is work-related require expert medical evidence. See Bama Pie, Inc. v. Roberts, 565 P.2d 31, 34 (Okla. 1977); see also Stiles v. Oklahoma Tax Commission, 752 P.2d 800, 803 (Okla. 1987) (where there is a lack of competent evidence to oppose expert medical opinion of connection between work-related stresses and aggravation of arthritic condition resulting in TTD panel decision that claimant did not suffer work-related injury will be reversed). In that the report of Dr. R.P. dated March 9, 1988 is the sole evidence touching on the issue of whether petitioner was TTD during the relevant time period and read in context it is clear this report is providing an opinion that the TTD was related to the injury suffered by him at work for respondent in August 1986 the three judge panel's decision is unsupported by any competent evidence. There simply is no evidence which would support a determination petitioner's TTD was caused by any episode other than the work-related one occurring in August 1986. In such a situation, when a panel decision which reverses or modifies a trial judge's determination of a factual question is found to lack support by competent evidence it is subject to reversal. See Stiles v. Oklahoma Tax Commission, supra, at 803. Accordingly, the decision of the panel vacating the trial judge's decision in so far as it granted TTD from August 28, 1987 to January 15, 1988 must be reversed.

¶16 One final matter needs to be mentioned in regard to this case. The panel ruling also modified the trial judge's decision in so far as it awarded TTD as part of a lump sum from June 10, 1988, the date [814 P.2d 502] respondent voluntarily began paying TTD to petitioner, to the date of the trial judge's order in August 1988. Petitioner admits the trial judge's decision in such regard was in error and the panel decision correct because respondent voluntarily began paying petitioner on June 10, 1988. Therefore, such part of the panel's decision is affirmed.

¶17 In conformity with the instant opinion, the decision of the Court of Appeals is VACATED, the three judge panel decision is REVERSED IN PART AND AFFIRMED IN PART and this matter is REMANDED for entry of an order awarding TTD consistent with the views expressed herein.

¶18 All Justices concur.

Footnotes:

1 The Worker's Compensation Court Rules were revised in 1990, effective November 1, 1990. 85 O.S.Supp. 1990, Ch. 4, App., Rules 1-43. The Rules in effect at the time of the August 18, 1988 hearing were the 1987 Rules. All references to the Rules here will be to the 1987 Rules [85 O.S.Supp. 1987, Ch. 4, App., Rules 1-36] unless otherwise indicated.

2 The Court of Appeals in both its memorandum opinions noted petitioner was seeking a revisiting of our determination in Parks v. Norman Municipal Hospital, 684 P.2d 548 (Okla. 1984) concerning the proper standard of appellate review when a panel substitutes its decision for one of a trial judge and adoption of Justice Wilson's dissent espoused in Parks [Id. at 552-553] that appellant review should consist of deciding whether the panel has properly carried out its statutory duty to reverse or modify a trial judge's decision under the clear weight of the evidence or contrary to law standard. To the extent petitioner does seek such a revisiting we adhere to our determination in Parks that the any-competent-evidence test is the appropriate standard of appellate review in such a situation and no adequate rationale has been presented warranting a retreat from the law of Parks in such regard.

3 In its review papers to the three judge panel respondent argued the initial order of February 10, 1988 acted as an adjudication of TTD up to that date and the reservation of future TTD only allowed consideration of TTD after the date of said order. In that the trial court allowed additional TTD beginning August 28, 1987 and the panel partially allowed TTD to stand prior to February 10, 1988, the argument was obviously rejected. Respondent does not reargue the issue on appeal and we, therefore, need not decide it because we determine it has been abandoned.

4 85 O.S.Supp. 1986 § 3.6 (A) and (B) allow an appeal from a trial judge's order to a three judge panel or directly to this Court, respectively, within certain time limits. In that no appeal was taken from the February 10th order certain matters decided by it are no longer valid subjects of adjudication between the parties because unappealed issues decided therein have become binding and conclusive on the parties. See Garcia v. Western Motor Freight, 528 P.2d 304, 306 (Okla. 1974). Included in the issues so decided would be the fact petitioner suffered a work-related injury while employed by respondent in August 1986. Hannah v. Oklahoma State Highway Commission, 172 Okla. 221, 45 P.2d 53, 54 (1935); Waller v. Scheduled Truckways, 775 P.2d 298, 300 (Okla. Ct. App.Div. 3, 1989). However, such order would not be conclusive on the primary issue raised by respondent at the August 18, 1988 hearing and continuously thereafter to the effect petitioner's additional TTD was not caused by the work-related injury, but by an injury unrelated to his employment with respondent.

5 Carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by compression of the median nerve which passes through the wrist to the hand. THE MERCK MANUAL OF DIAGNOSIS AND THERAPY 1444 (15th ed. 1987). Symptoms include numbness, tingling and pain in the hand and fingers, loss of sensory feedback from the hand and, consequently, decreased motor functioning of the hand, i.e. weakness and loss of grip. Armstrong, An ergonomics guide to carpal tunnel syndrome, found in U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME SELECTED REFERENCES (March 1989). Although the syndrome is widely associated with occupations involving repetitive hand movements, its causes are varied, including one-time acute trauma to the wrist. Id.

6 In its April 3, 1990 memorandum opinion the Court of Appeals indicates respondent introduced the January 15, 1988 report of Dr. S.P., rather than petitioner. This is incorrect. The transcript of the August 18, 1988 hearing unequivocally shows the report of Dr. S.P., was offered by petitioner.

7 Respondent, in its June 12, 1989 Brief of Respondent, states the November 17, 1987 report of Dr. R.P. was introduced into evidence by petitioner at the first hearing culminating in an award of TTD for the five week period in May and June 1987 via the order filed on February 10, 1988. Said order indicates a hearing was held on February 3, 1988. We have been provided no transcript of this earlier hearing nor any exhibits admitted there and nowhere does this record indicate the November 17, 1987 report was so admitted.

8 A list of the forms used in workers' compensation cases is found at Rule 11 of the Workers' Compensation Court Rules.

9 The quoted material is now found at Rule 31(B), 85 O.S.Supp. 1990, Ch. 4, App.

10 As noted, we do not believe the August 21 and November 17, 1987 reports could be considered part of the evidence in the case because not admitted at the August 1988 hearing. However, even if they were subject to consideration we doubt whether they alone support the determination petitioner's TTD was caused by an accident unrelated to his employment for respondent. Both reports clearly contain the opinion of Dr. R.P. that the time period of TTD covered by them was due to the injury he sustained while working at respondent.

11 The three judge panel's order is not facially defective as the one involved in Parks v. Norman Municipal Hospital, 684 P.2d 548, 552 (Okla. 1984), for failure to contain the statutorily-mandated panel determination that the trial judge's determination regarding TTD was "against the clear weight of the evidence". See 85 O.S.Supp. 1986. § 3.6(A) . Unlike in Norman, therefore, we must decide whether the panel-substituted order is supported by competent evidence.