Title: 

APD 020060

Significant Decision

Date: 

February 21, 2002

Issues: 

SIBS-2nd Quarter, SIBS-3rd Quarter, SIBS-4th Quarter, SIBS-5th Quarter, SIBS-6th Quarter, SIBS-First Quarter

Table of Contents

APD 020060

This appeal arises pursuant to the Texas Workers’ Compensation Act, TEX. LAB. CODE ANN. § 401.001 et seq. (1989 Act). A contested case hearing was held on December 20, 2001. The hearing officer determined that (1) the appellant (claimant) is not entitled to supplemental income benefits (SIBs) for the first through ninth quarters; and (2) the claimant has permanently lost entitlement to SIBs because he was not entitled to them for 12 consecutive months. The claimant appealed on sufficiency grounds. The respondent (self-insured) urges affirmance.

DECISION

Affirmed.

The hearing officer did not err in determining that the claimant was not entitled to SIBs for the first through ninth quarters and has permanently lost entitlement to SIBs. Whether the claimant was entitled to first through ninth quarter SIBs was a question of fact for the hearing officer to resolve. The hearing officer is the sole judge of the weight and credibility of the evidence (Section 410.165(a)) and, as the trier of fact, resolves the conflicts and inconsistencies in the evidence, including the medical evidence (Texas Employers Insurance Association v. Campos, 666 S.W.2d 286 (Tex. App.-Houston [14th Dist.] 1984, no writ)). In view of the evidence presented, we cannot conclude that the hearing officer’s determination is so against the great weight and preponderance of the evidence as to be clearly wrong or manifestly unjust. Cain v. Bain, 709 S.W.2d 175 (Tex. 1986). Because the claimant was not entitled to SIBs for 12 consecutive months, he has permanently lost entitlement to SIBs. Section 408.146(c).

The decision and order of the hearing officer are affirmed.

The true corporate name of the insurance carrier is STATE OFFICE OF RISK MANAGEMENT (a self-insured governmental entity) and the name and address of its registered agent for service of process is

For service in person the address is:

RON JOSSELET, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

STATE OFFICE OF RISK MANAGEMENT

300 W. 15TH STREET

WILLIAM P. CLEMENTS, JR. STATE OFFICE BUILDING, 6TH FLOOR

AUSTIN, TEXAS 78701.

For service by mail the address is:

RON JOSSELET, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

THE STATE OFFICE OF RISK MANAGEMENT

P.O. BOX 13777

AUSTIN, TEXAS 78711-3777.

Edward Vilano – Appeals Judge

CONCUR:

Susan M. Kelley – Appeals Judge

Robert W. Potts – Appeals Judge