Title: 

APD 021362

Significant Decision

Date: 

July 16, 2002

Issues: 

Disabilty/Existence-Duration, Existence of Compensable Inj

Table of Contents

APD 021362

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 May 6, 2002. The hearing officer determined that the respondent (claimant) sustained a compensable injury to his low back on ______________, and that he had disability from ______________, through January 28, 2002. The appellant (carrier) appealed, arguing that the hearing officer erred in determining injury and disability. The claimant responded, urging affirmance.

DECISION

Affirmed.

The issues of whether the claimant sustained a compensable injury and whether he had disability were questions of fact for the hearing officer. The hearing officer is the sole judge of the relevance and materiality of the evidence and of its weight and credibility. Section 410.165(a). The hearing officer resolves conflicts and inconsistencies in the evidence and decides what facts the evidence has established. Texas Employers Ins. Ass’n v. Campos, 666 S.W.2d 286 (Tex. App.-Houston [14th Dist.] 1984, no writ). The hearing officer resolved the conflicts and inconsistencies in the evidence in favor of the claimant, and she was acting within her province as the fact finder in so doing. Our review of the record does not demonstrate that the challenged determinations are so contrary to the great weight of the evidence as to be clearly wrong or manifestly unjust. Therefore, no sound basis exists for us to reverse the challenged determinations on appeal. Cain v. Bain, 709 S.W.2d 175, 176 (Tex. 1986); Pool v. Ford Motor Co., 715 S.W.2d 629, 635 (Tex. 1986).

The hearing officer’s decision and order are affirmed.

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

CT CORPORATION

350 NORTH ST. PAUL STREET

DALLAS, TEXAS 75201.

Gary L. Kilgore

CONCUR:

Michael B. McShane – Appeals Judge

Philip F. O’Neill – Appeals Judge