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 April 25, 2002. The hearing officer found that the respondent’s (claimant) injury extended to his cervical spine but not his thoracic spine. The appellant (carrier) appeals this determination, arguing that the neck condition was not diagnosed until months after the injury, which was limited to a scalp abrasion. The claimant argues facts in support of the decision.
DECISION
We affirm.
The claimant hit the top of his head on a hard metal fixture; although seen by the company doctor and discharged back to full duty, he said that he continued to be bothered by headaches and neck pain until he finally consulted a chiropractor about four months after his injury. An MRI found cervical herniations.
We find no error in the hearing officer’s determination on the extent of the injury. We would caution that while chronology alone does not establish a causal connection between an accident and a later-diagnosed injury (Texas Workers’ Compensation Commission Appeal No. 94231, decided April 8, 1994), neither does a delayed manifestation nor the failure to immediately mention an injury to a health care provider necessarily rule out a connection. See Texas Employers Insurance Company v. Stephenson, 496 S.W.2d 184 (Tex. Civ. App.-Amarillo 1973, no writ). Generally, lay testimony establishing a sequence of events which provides a strong, logically traceable connection between the event and the condition is sufficient proof of causation. Morgan v. Compugraphic Corp., 675 S.W.2d 729, 733 (Tex. 1984). The site of the trauma and its immediate effects are not necessarily determinative of the nature and extent of the compensable injury and the full consequences of the original injury, together with the effects of its treatment, upon the health and body of the worker are to be considered. Western Casualty & Surety Company v. Gonzales, 518 S.W.2d 524 (Tex. 1975). The determination is supported and is not against the great weight and preponderance of the evidence and we, therefore, affirm the decision and order.
The true corporate name of the insurance carrier is INSURANCE COMPANY OF THE STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA and the name and address of its registered agent for service of process is
CORPORATION SERVICE COMPANY
800 BRAZOS SUITE 750 COMMODORE 1
AUSTIN, TEXAS 78701.
Susan M. Kelley – Appeals Judge
CONCUR:
Daniel R. Barry – Appeals Judge
Elaine M. Chaney – Appeals Judge