Title: 

APD 020899

Significant Decision

Date: 

May 30, 2002

Issues: 

Disabilty/Existence-Duration

Table of Contents

APD 020899

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 March 27, 2002. With regard to the issues before him, the hearing officer found that the respondent (claimant herein) suffered an injury on ____________, and had disability from ____________, through the date of the CCH. The appellant (carrier herein) files a request for review contending that the hearing officer’s findings of injury and disability were not supported by the evidence. The claimant replies that the hearing officer’s decision was sufficiently supported by the evidence.

DECISION

Finding sufficient evidence to support the decision of the hearing officer and no reversible error in the record, we affirm the decision and order of the hearing officer.

There was sufficient evidence to support the hearing officer’s determinations. 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 to the evidence. 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.

The decision and order of the hearing officer are affirmed.

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

CT CORPORATION SYSTEM

350 NORTH ST. PAUL

DALLAS, TEXAS 75201.

Gary L. Kilgore – Appeals Judge

CONCUR:

Elaine M. Chaney – Appeals Judge

Robert W. Potts

Appeals JudgeMay 31, 2002