HICKS (CLARENCE) VS. COMPENSATION R & J WELL SERVICE , ET AL.
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RENDERED: JUNE 20, 2008; 2:00 P.M.
NOT TO BE PUBLISHED
Commonwealth of Kentucky
Court of Appeals
NO. 2007-CA-002609-WC
CLARENCE HICKS
v.
APPELLANT
PETITION FOR REVIEW OF A DECISION
OF THE WORKERS’ COMPENSATION BOARD
ACTION NO. WC-06-78469
R & J WELL SERVICE; HON. CHRIS DAVIS,
ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE; AND
WORKERS' COMPENSATION BOARD
APPELLEES
OPINION
AFFIRMING
** ** ** ** **
BEFORE: KELLER AND THOMPSON, JUDGES; GRAVES,1 SENIOR JUDGE.
KELLER, JUDGE: Clarence Hicks (Hicks) appeals from an Opinion of the
Workers’ Compensation Board (the Board) affirming the Opinion of the
Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) dismissing Hicks’s claim. On appeal, Hicks
asserts: (1) that the ALJ erred when he found that Hicks had not suffered a work
Senior Judge John W. Graves sitting as Special Judge by assignment of the Chief Justice
pursuant to Section 110(5)(b) of the Kentucky constitution and KRS 21.580.
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injury; (2) that the ALJ misconstrued Dr. Bean’s testimony regarding Hicks’s preexisting condition; (3) that the ALJ’s failure to apportion any of Hicks’s
impairment was not supported by substantial evidence; and (4) that the ALJ’s
decision denying medical treatment is not supported by substantial evidence. For
the reasons set forth below, we affirm.
FACTS
Hicks filed a claim with the Office of Workers’ Claims, alleging that
he suffered a work related injury to his back, shoulders, arms, head, and legs on
August 18, 2006 (the injury). R & J Well Service, Inc. (R&J) timely filed a
“Notice of Claim Acceptance” stating that Hicks’s claim was being “accepted as
compensable as a temporary exacerbation of a pre-existing condition” and
admitting that Hicks’s injury “occurred or became disabling on August 18, 2006.”
However, R&J stated that there was “a dispute concerning the amount of any
additional compensation owed to the Plaintiff as any permanent impairment arising
from the work incident is denied.”
Following the taking of proof, the parties attended a final hearing. In
a statement before the hearing, the ALJ noted that the claim was being bifurcated
and that the parties “want[ed] to make sure that the issue is [sic] to include injury
as defined by the Act.” Counsel for both parties agreed with that statement.
After the final hearing, the ALJ rendered an opinion and order
dismissing Hicks’s claim. In his opinion, the ALJ noted Hicks’s testimony that he
had suffered from back pain prior to the injury. He also noted Hicks’s testimony
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that, despite those symptoms, he had been able to work more than sixty hours per
week but had not been able “to do much” since the injury.
The ALJ noted Dr. Potter’s records and Dr. Potter’s opinion that
“Hicks’s complaints were the result of years of cumulative trauma and repetitive
strain associated with the physical demands of his employment.” The ALJ
reviewed Dr. Bean’s records and testimony regarding the pre-existing nature of
Hicks’s condition. The ALJ noted Dr. Templin’s opinion and the reports of Dr.
Jenkinson and Dr. Best. We will summarize these medical opinions and Hicks’s
testimony in more detail below. Because the primary issue herein is whether
evidence of substance supported the ALJ’s finding that Hicks’s condition actively
pre-existed the injury, our summary of the evidence will primarily focus on that
issue.
A. Clarence Hicks
Hicks testified by way of deposition and at the final hearing. Hicks
was born on June 23, 1965, has a ninth grade education, and has worked for a meat
packing company and R&J. On August 18, 2006, Hicks lifted a valve and was
turning when he experienced pain in his back and “went to [his] knees.” That
evening, Hicks received treatment at Highlands Hospital in Prestonsburg. Three
days later, Hicks began treating with Dr. Potter, who recommended physical
therapy and medication. Ultimately, Dr. Potter referred Hicks to Dr. Bean, who
recommended surgery. There is some dispute regarding the timing of this referral.
From Dr. Bean’s testimony it appears that the referral was made before the injury.
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However, based on the entirety of the evidence, whether the referral was made
before or after the injury is of little consequence.
Hicks admitted that he had experienced intermittent low back and leg
pain for approximately one year prior to the injury. Dr. Potter treated Hicks for
these complaints with medication. Hicks could not remember the name or names
of that medication but testified that Dr. Potter changed his medications after the
injury. Hicks testified that Dr. Potter also had referred him for an MRI and nerve
conduction study prior to the injury. In early August of 2006, Dr. Potter took
Hicks off work for one or two days because of Hicks’s back and leg pain.
Hicks noted that he had worked up to eighty hours per week preceding
the alleged injury. However, after the injury, his pain increased to the point that he
could not continue working.
B. Dr. Ira Potter
Hicks filed medical records and a Form 107 from Dr. Ira Potter. On
August 21, 2006, Dr. Potter stated that Hicks felt sudden pain in his back while
bending to pick up a piece of equipment. Following his examination, Dr. Potter
made a diagnosis of acute lumbosacral pain with right leg radiation, took Hicks off
work, and recommended medication and physical therapy. At some point, Dr.
Potter referred Hicks to Dr. Bean for a neurosurgical evaluation. As previously
noted, the timing of this referral is not clear.
In his Form 107, Dr. Potter noted that Hicks had a two to three year
history of intermittent lower back pain and dysfunction prior to the injury. Dr.
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Potter treated Hicks for these complaints in February, May, July, and August 2006.
He noted that Hicks had undergone an MRI in July 2006 and a nerve conduction
study in August 2006. The MRI revealed a right L5-S1 disc extrusion, but the
nerve conduction study was normal. Dr. Potter stated that Hicks’s
complaints were caused by years of cumulative trauma
and repetitive strain associated with the physical job
demands encountered through his employment . . . [his]
lower back symptoms gradually manifested at work in
early 2006 and grew progressively worse . . . [The] 0818-06 injury was superimposed upon a pre-existing
work-related L5-S1 disc herniation . . . [that] was
severely exacerbated by the 08-18-06 work injury.
Dr. Potter assigned Hicks a 13% impairment rating, stating that none of that
impairment actively pre-existed the injury. In an addendum to his Form 107, Dr.
Potter stated that Hicks had not reached maximum medical improvement and that
the impairment rating might be subject to change in the future.
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C. Dr. James Bean
Hicks filed medical records and the transcript of the deposition of Dr.
James Bean. In pertinent part, Dr. Bean testified that he began treating Hicks on
September 25, 2006. He initially treated Hicks conservatively with physical
therapy and medication. However, when Hicks did not improve, Dr. Bean
recommended surgery to repair a herniated disc at L5-S1. With regard to whether
Hicks had a pre-existing condition, Dr. Bean testified on direct examination as
follows
I think it [the injury] aroused a pre-existing condition,
and it was pre-existing because the MRI scan was done
before the injury and showed it, but he didn’t have that
type of pain. He now has pain that corresponds to that
finding.
The injury, in my view, caused further protrusion of the
disc enough to make the nerve tight or compressed
enough to cause the pain. So it was there beforehand.
The pain wasn’t there. The injury occurred and now it
causes pain and he should have surgery on it.
On cross-examination, Dr. Bean stated that Hicks’s condition
was active because he had been getting studies since
2001 on his back for back pain. It was a non-disabling
condition because he was working. And it was also
dormant in the sense that it wasn’t a constant right leg
pain. [T]hat’s not asymptomatic because he’s been
seeing a doctor and getting studies done and getting
treatment for it.
As to the extent that Hicks’s impairment rating actively pre-existed the alleged
injury, Dr. Bean stated that:
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if he had radiculopathy that was symptomatic, even if he
was still able to work but having the problem and you
wanted to be reserved, he’d end up with a 10 percent
impairment rating, same old impairment rating. Can’t
escape it. If he had just back pain, it’d be 5 percent
because it’d be a Category II.
According to Dr. Bean, the difference between the 5% and 10%
ratings is the extent and duration of leg pain. If the leg pain was present and then
subsided, the impairment rating would be 5%. However, if the leg pain lasted
three to six months, then the impairment rating would be 10%.
On re-direct examination, Dr. Bean testified that, if Hicks’s back and
leg pain was intermittent before the alleged injury but constant thereafter, the
impairment rating would be evenly divided.
D. Dr. James Templin
Hicks filed the Form 107 of Dr. James Templin. Dr. Templin noted a
history of the injury and Dr. Potter’s medical records, which showed complaints of
low back and right leg pain dating to March of 2001. Dr. Templin also noted a five
year gap in treatment, with no complaints of low back pain again until February
13, 2006. Following his examination, Dr. Templin made diagnoses of chronic low
back pain, lumbar disc herniation at L5-S1, lumbar disc desiccation at L4-5, and
right leg radicular symptoms. He assigned Hicks an 8% impairment rating and
stated that Hicks’s pre-existing lumbar disc herniation was exacerbated by the
work injury. As to whether Hicks had any pre-existing impairment, Dr. Templin
stated that Hicks’s
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disc herniation was present prior to his injury of 08-1806. Even with this finding, Mr. Hicks was able to work
and perform his functional job duties productively for
some two to three weeks. I believe the lifting injury on
08-18-06 exacerbated his underlying pre-existing lumbar
disc herniation with radicular symptoms.
Dr. Templin apportioned all of his impairment “to an active and symptomatic
preexisting lumbar disc herniation.”
E. Dr. David Jenkinson
R&J filed the report of Dr. David Jenkinson. Hicks complained to Dr.
Jenkinson of constant back pain with some radiation into the right leg. Dr.
Jenkinson noted that Hicks’s MRI was performed prior to the injury and agreed
with Dr. Bean that the MRI showed an abnormality at L5-S1. However, he stated
that he saw only degenerative changes and did not see a “significant disc
herniation.” Dr. Jenkinson assigned Hicks a 0% impairment rating and stated that
Hicks could return to work with no restrictions. Finally, Dr. Jenkinson indicated
that Hicks was engaged in symptom magnification.
F. Dr. Michael Best
R&J filed the report of Michael Best, M.D. In his review of the
medical records, Dr. Best noted Hicks’s complaints of back pain to Dr. Potter in
March and June of 2001 with renewed complaints beginning in February of 2006.
Following his review of the records and examination, Dr. Best concluded that
Hicks’s condition actively pre-existed the injury. Finally, Dr. Best assigned Hicks
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a 5% impairment rating but indicated that all of that impairment rating, like
Hicks’s condition, actively pre-existed the injury.
THE ALJ’S OPINION
Having reviewed Hicks’s testimony and the medical evidence, the
ALJ stated that the primary question was whether the alleged injury caused Hicks’s
condition and precipitated the need for surgery. In reviewing the evidence, the
ALJ noted that there had been no objective change in Hicks’s condition following
the alleged injury. Furthermore, the ALJ noted that the evidence indicated that Dr.
Potter had referred Hicks to Dr. Bean prior to the alleged injury and that Dr.
Bean’s testimony regarding causation was less than clear. Relying on Dr.
Jenkinson’s opinion and Dr. Bean’s testimony that Hicks’s condition actively preexisted the injury, the ALJ found that the injury resulted in a “temporary
exacerbation” but not in any “permanent impairment or need for permanent
medical treatment.” The ALJ then awarded Hicks temporary total disability
benefits from August 19, 2006 through November 22, 2006. Finally, the ALJ
awarded Hicks medical expense benefits during his period of temporary disability
but specifically excluded any entitlement to medical expense benefits related to the
surgery recommended by Dr. Bean. Hicks appealed to the Board and, after a
lengthy recital of the evidence, the Board affirmed the ALJ.
STANDARD OF REVIEW
When reviewing a decision of the Board, this Court will only reverse
when the Board has overlooked or misconstrued controlling law or so flagrantly
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erred in evaluating the evidence that it has caused gross injustice. Western Baptist
Hospital v. Kelly, 827 S.W.2d 685, 687-88 (Ky. 1992). In order to review the
Board's decision, we must review the ALJ's decision because the ALJ as fact finder
has the sole authority to judge the weight, credibility, substance and inferences to
be drawn from the evidence. Paramount Foods, Inc. v. Burkhardt, 695 S.W.2d
418, 419 (Ky. 1985). In reaching his decision, the ALJ is free to choose to believe
or disbelieve parts of the evidence from the total proof, no matter which party
offered it. Brockway v. Rockwell International, 907 S.W.2d 166, 169 (Ky.
App.1995). The determinative question to be answered is whether the ALJ's
finding “is so unreasonable under the evidence that it must be viewed as erroneous
as a matter of law.” KRS 342.285; Ira A. Watson Department Store v. Hamilton,
34 S.W.3d 48, 52 (Ky. 2000). If the party with the burden of proof fails to
convince the ALJ, that party must establish on appeal that the favorable evidence
was so overwhelming as to compel a favorable finding. Special Fund v. Francis,
708 S.W.2d 641, 643 (Ky. 1986). With these standards in mind, we will address
the issues raised by Hicks. We note that, although Hicks listed four issues, the
second and third issues are essentially the same. Therefore, we will address those
two issues as one.
ANALYSIS
A. Finding that Hicks Did Not Suffer a Work Injury
Hicks first argues that “the ALJ’s finding of no work injury is
reversible error.” In support of his argument, Hicks states that R&J stipulated to a
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work injury and that Drs. Potter, Bean, Templin, and Jenkinson all stated that he
had suffered a work injury.
We note that Hicks’s argument that R&J stipulated to a work injury is
incorrect. The Benefit Review Conference Memorandum and Order indicates that
the parties stipulated to an “alleged” injury. Furthermore, at the final hearing, the
ALJ confirmed that the parties wanted him to consider whether Hicks suffered an
injury as defined by KRS Chapter 342 as an issue. Therefore, it is clear that R&J
preserved the issue of whether Hicks suffered a work injury and that this issue was
properly before the ALJ.
As to whether Hicks suffered an injury, we turn to KRS 342.0011(1),
which defines injury as:
any work-related traumatic event or series of traumatic
events, including cumulative trauma, arising out of and in
the course of employment which is the proximate cause
producing a harmful change in the human organism
evidenced by objective medical findings.
Dr. Potter stated that Hicks’s complaints were the result of work
related cumulative trauma exacerbated by the August 16, 2006 injury. However,
he noted that Hicks’s herniated disc pre-existed the injury. Dr. Bean also noted
that Hicks had an active pre-existing condition that was aggravated by the August
2006 injury. Dr. Templin agreed with Drs. Potter and Bean that Hicks had a preexisting herniated disc that was aggravated by the work injury. Dr. Jenkinson
stated that Hicks had degenerative changes only and that Hicks did not have a
herniated disc. Dr. Best stated that Hicks’s condition actively pre-existed the
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injury. Hicks underwent an MRI before the injury, which revealed a herniated
disc. Furthermore, Hicks admitted, and Dr. Potter’s records confirmed, that he had
symptoms that pre-dated the injury. Although we might have come to a different
conclusion than the ALJ, there was substantial evidence to support the ALJ’s
finding that Hicks did not suffer an injury as defined by Kentucky Revised Statue
(KRS) 342.0011(1), and we are powerless to hold otherwise.
We do agree with Hicks that the ALJ’s finding of no work injury and
his award of TTD and medical expense benefits is somewhat inconsistent.
However, neither Hicks nor R&J appealed from that portion of the ALJ’s award;
therefore, we will not address this apparent inconsistency.
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B. Failure to Apportion
Hicks next argues that, based on Dr. Bean’s testimony, the ALJ was
compelled to apportion some of Hicks’s condition to the injury. This argument
fails for two reasons. First, Dr. Bean was not the only physician who addressed the
issue. As noted above, Dr. Jenkinson, on whom the ALJ specifically relied, stated
that all of Hicks’s condition was due to pre-existing degeneration. Furthermore,
Dr. Templin attributed 100% of Hicks’s impairment rating to an active, preexisting disc herniation. The ALJ is charged with weighing the evidence and
drawing inferences from that evidence, and can pick and choose what evidence to
believe. See Paramount Foods, Inc. v. Burkhardt, 695 S.W.2d 418 (Ky. 1985),
and Caudill v. Maloney’s Discount Stores, 560 S.W.2d 15 (Ky. 1977). The reports
of Dr. Jenkinson and Dr. Templin support the ALJ’s inference that Hicks’s
condition is not related to the injury, and we cannot disturb that finding on appeal.
See KRS 342.285.
Second, Dr. Bean’s testimony is not as clear cut as Hicks would like.
Hicks argues that the ALJ could not have relied on Dr. Bean and come to the
conclusion that Hicks’s condition was not related, at least in part, to the injury.
However, we note that the ALJ stated that he was relying on Dr. Bean’s testimony
only in so far as Dr. Bean stated that Hicks’s condition was pre-existing and active.
As noted above, Dr. Bean stated that Hicks’s herniated disc actively pre-existed the
injury. Furthermore, Dr. Bean stated that, depending on the length of time Hicks
suffered leg symptoms, any impairment Hicks might have would also have actively
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pre-existed the injury. Therefore, the ALJ’s partial reliance on Dr. Bean’s
testimony is not inconsistent with a finding that Hicks did not suffer a work related
injury. Furthermore, the ALJ’s partial reliance on Dr. Bean’s testimony is not
inconsistent with the ALJ’s failure to apportion any of Hicks’s condition to the
injury.
In a related argument, Hicks states that “Dr. Jenkinson’s testimony
cannot form the basis of substantial evidence supporting a finding that all of Mr.
Hicks’ [sic] impairment was pre-existing active.” In support of this argument,
Hicks notes that Dr. Jenkinson opined that Hicks had degenerative changes only
and no impairment. That opinion, according to Hicks, is not sufficient to support a
finding of an active impairment. However, this argument ignores the fact that the
ALJ did not rely solely on Dr. Jenkinson to make the finding that Hicks’s condition
was pre-existing and active. He also relied on Dr. Bean, who testified that Hicks
had a pre-existing active condition. Furthermore, even if the opinions of Dr.
Jenkinson and Dr. Bean failed to fully support the ALJ’s findings, there is more
than ample other evidence to do so. As noted above, Dr. Templin stated that all of
Hicks’s impairment was pre-existing and active, as did Dr. Best. Dr. Potter’s
records reflected ongoing treatment for complaints of low back and leg symptoms
prior to the injury. Hicks’s MRI, which was performed prior to the injury, revealed
a herniated disc, and Hicks testified that he was symptomatic before the injury.
This evidence clearly supports the ALJ’s finding that Hicks’s condition actively
pre-existed the injury.
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Hicks further argues that the ALJ was required to make a finding
regarding his percentage of impairment and cites to Young v. Fulkerson, 463
S.W.2d 118 (Ky. 1971) as supportive of his position. However, Fulkerson is
distinguishable. In Fulkerson, the claimant had suffered several injuries. The
issue was what portion of his disability was attributable to the last injury. In such a
case, the Supreme Court of Kentucky held that the Board was required to
determine the amount of disability that existed at the time of the last injury. Once
that determination was made, the Board could then apportion the disability
appropriately among the several injuries.
In the case herein, Hicks alleged only one injury. The ALJ found that
Hicks’s condition entirely pre-existed the injury and that Hicks had not suffered an
injury as defined by KRS 342.0011(1). The only time an ALJ is required to make
a determination regarding percentage of impairment is when the ALJ is making an
award of permanent disability, either partial or total. See KRS 342.0011(11)(b)
and (c). The ALJ made no such award to Hicks; therefore, the ALJ was not
required to make a finding regarding what impairment, if any, Hicks has.
C. Compensability of Surgery
Hicks argues that the ALJ erred when he failed to find R&J liable for
the surgery recommended by Dr. Bean. We disagree. KRS 342.020(1) provides
that an employer is only liable for medical expenses related to an injury. Since the
ALJ found that Hicks did not suffer an injury as defined by KRS 342.0011(1), R &
J had no liability for medical expenses.
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Although Hicks argues that the opinions of Drs. Bean, Templin, and
Potter support his claim that his pre-existing condition was aggravated by the
injury, the opinions of Drs. Best and Jenkinson do not. The ALJ specifically stated
that he was relying on the opinion of Dr. Jenkinson along with that portion of Dr.
Bean’s opinion that Hicks’s condition actively pre-existed the injury. That
evidence supports the ALJ’s opinion and the evidence to the contrary is not so
overwhelming as to compel a contrary finding.
As to the cases cited by Hicks, his reliance on McNutt
Construction/First General Services v. Scott, 40 S.W.3d 854 (Ky. 2001), is
misplaced. In McNutt, the issue was whether, after the 1996 Amendments to KRS
Chapter 342, that portion of disability attributable to the arousal of a pre-existing
dormant condition was compensable. In the case before us, the medical evidence
overwhelming indicates that Hicks had a pre-existing active condition, not a preexisting dormant condition. Therefore, McNutt is not instructive. Furthermore,
Wells v. Bunch, 692 S.W.2d 806 (Ky. 1985), Griffin v. Booth Memorial Hospital,
467 S.W.2d 789 (Ky. 1071), and Young v. Fulkerson, 463 S.W.2d 118 (Ky. 1971),
do not provide Hicks with any support because those cases involved the question
of pre-existing active disability when the determination of disability was based on
vocational factors, not solely on impairment.
Again, we note that we might have come to a different conclusion
than the ALJ. However, the ALJ’s finding that Hicks is not entitled to surgery is
supported by substantial evidence, and we cannot overturn that opinion on appeal.
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CONCLUSION
The ALJ’s finding that Hicks did not suffer a work-related injury is
supported by substantial evidence. In light of that finding, the ALJ was not
required to apportion any of Hicks’s condition to the injury or to find that the
recommended surgery was compensable. The evidence does not compel any
contrary findings; therefore, we affirm.
GRAVES, SENIOR JUDGE, CONCURS AND FILES SEPARATE
OPINION.
THOMPSON, JUDGE, DISSENTS AND FILES SEPARATE
OPINION.
GRAVES, SENIOR JUDGE, CONCURRING: I concur with the
majority solely because my oath requires that I follow the law, regardless of how
unfairly it treats the working wounded who continue to serve their employer.
The existing Kentucky Workers’ Compensation Act has been applied
in accordance with the statute; however, I write separately because the result
reached by the ALJ is inconsistent not only with the humanitarian purpose of
Workers’ Compensation law but also with moral principles. In an employment
relationship there is an underlying element of natural justice. When an injured
worker is forced to forego necessary curative medical treatment for an on the job
injury, he is submitting to a forced wrong, against which justice cries out in protest.
Many fact finders would decide this case differently because they
would be able to articulate the infinite variations in gradation of physical injury to
the back. That is, the indirect effects of injury have various degrees of gravity
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depending on an individual’s recuperative powers. Clarence Hicks is being
penalized because he has continued to labor even though he had an active
disability.
King Draco, with his vast array of multitudinous machinations, could
not have devised a more cruel or more harsh result. He would be proud of the
result in this case.
Had the Kentucky Workers’ Compensation Act existed in earlier
times, Richard the Lionhearted would never have dared risk having a heavy male
knight injure his back at the expense of a royal treasury, nor would Columbus or
Pizarro have dared the slippery footing of the Santa Maria or the slopes of Mexico.
It would not have been worth it.
When soldiers are injured in the line of duty they are given a medal,
usually a Purple Heart. Were Clarence Hicks given an award, it would be a
Dunce’s cap with the inscription, “Denied a remedy because I am an expendable
American worker.”
THOMPSON, JUDGE, DISSENTING: I must respectfully dissent. I
agree with Judge Graves’ eloquent expression of the injustice of a denial of
benefits in this case but differ with the majority’s conclusion that Kentucky’s
Workers’ Compensation law requires such a result.
Mr. Hicks withstood the rigors of heavy manual labor while working
for R & J from 1994 thru 2006. In 2001, he began to experience physical
symptoms of a gradual wear and tear type injury to his back and eventually an MRI
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revealed a bulging disc. Despite his condition, Hicks continued to work for his
employer well in excess of forty hours per week until August 18, 2006, the date of
the injury. The ALJ has ruled that Mr. Hicks was temporarily totally disabled with
an inconsistent finding of no disability. Now, Mr. Hicks has no health insurance to
pay for his surgery because he was injured at work.
The ALJ relied heavily on the testimony of Dr. Jenkinson who
performed an independent medical examination at R & J’s request. His opinion
was that Hicks had only degenerative changes and, contrary to the opinions of Drs.
Potter, Bean, Templin, and Best, opined that Hicks had a 0% impairment rating. In
view of the medical opinions in disagreement with Dr. Jenkinson’s opinion, the
result of the MRI, and the recommendation by Dr. Bean that Hicks undergo
surgery to treat his herniated disc, it defies common sense to rely exclusively on
Dr. Jenkinson’s opinion.
I believe this case is an example of the “substantial evidence” test
taken to the extreme. The majority’s unbending adherence to the deference owed
the ALJ in fact finding matters reduce the test to a mere “scintilla of evidence” test.
The MRI revealed that Hicks has a bulging disc and will undergo surgery. He has
engaged in heavy labor for the past fourteen years yet Dr. Jenkinson rendered the
subjective diagnosis that Hicks is a malingerer. The objective facts simply do not
support Dr. Jenkinson’s subjective diagnosis. It is not mere coincidence that the
only physician who gave a 0% impairment rating was the employer’s independent
medical evaluator.
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I would reverse and remand this case to the ALJ for an award of
benefits.
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BRIEF AND ORAL ARGUMENT
FOR APPELLANT:
BRIEF FOR APPELLEE:
James W. Herald III
Prestonsburg, Kentucky
Thomas W. Moak
Prestonsburg, Kentucky
ORAL ARGUMENT FOR
APPELLEE:
James Gregory Allen
Prestonsburg, Kentucky
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