Title: 

APD 012062

Significant Decision

Date: 

October 15, 2001

Issues: 

Disabilty/Existence-Duration

Table of Contents

APD 012062

This appeal arises pursuant to the Texas Workers’ Compensation Act, TEX. LAB. CODE ANN. § 401.001 et seq. (1989 Act). A contested case hearing (CCH) was held on August 9, 2001. The hearing officer determined that the respondent (claimant) sustained a compensable left knee injury on ________, and that he had disability from the compensable injury, beginning May 18, 2000, and continuing through the date of the CCH. The appellant (carrier) requests review of the hearing officer’s determinations, primarily on sufficiency of the evidence grounds. The claimant replied, urging that the decision be affirmed.

DECISION

Affirmed.

There was conflicting evidence presented at the CCH concerning whether the claimant had a compensable injury, whether there was disability as a result of the compensable injury, and the period of disability. Section 410.165(a) provides that the hearing officer, as finder of fact, is the sole judge of the relevance and materiality of the evidence as well as of the weight and credibility that is to be given the evidence. It was for the hearing officer, as trier of fact, to resolve the inconsistencies and conflicts in the evidence. Garza v. Commercial Insurance Company of Newark, New Jersey, 508 S.W.2d 701 (Tex. Civ. App.-Amarillo 1974, no writ). This is equally true regarding medical evidence. Texas Employers Insurance Association v. Campos, 666 S.W.2d 286 (Tex. App.-Houston [14th Dist.] 1984, no writ). The trier of fact may believe all, part, or none of the testimony of any witness. Aetna Insurance Company v. English, 204 S.W.2d 850 (Tex. Civ. App.-Fort Worth 1947, no writ). When reviewing a hearing officer’s decision for factual sufficiency of the evidence, we should reverse such decision only if it is so contrary to the great weight and preponderance of the evidence as to be clearly wrong and unjust. Cain v. Bain, 709 S.W.2d 175, 176 (Tex. 1986); Pool v. Ford Motor Co., 715 S.W.2d 629, 635 (Tex. 1986). Applying this standard, we find no grounds to reverse the factual findings of the hearing officer.

We affirm the decision and order of the hearing officer.

The true corporate name of the insurance carrier is PACIFIC EMPLOYERS INSURANCE COMPANY and the name and address of its registered agent for service of process is

MARCUS CHARLES MERRITT

6600 CAMPUS CIRCLE DRIVE EAST, SUITE 200

IRVING, TEXAS 75063.

Michael B. McShane – Appeals Judge

CONCUR:

Gary L. Kilgore – Appeals Judge

Robert W. Potts – Appeals Judge