Title: 

APD 022704

Significant Decision

Date: 

December 11, 2002

Issues: 

Disabilty/Existence-Duration, Existence of Compensable Inj

Table of Contents

APD 022704

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 October 2, 2002. The hearing officer determined that the respondent (claimant) sustained a compensable injury on ______________, and had disability from March 15, 2002, through the date of the hearing. The appellant (carrier) contends that these determinations are against the great weight and preponderance of the evidence. The appeal file contains no response from the claimant.

DECISION

Affirmed.

The claimant had the burden to prove that he sustained a compensable injury on ______________, and thereafter had disability and these issues presented the hearing officer with questions of fact to resolve. 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, 702 (Tex. Civ. App.-Amarillo 1974, no writ). It was the hearing officer’s prerogative to believe all, part, or none of the testimony of any witness, including that of the claimant. Aetna Insurance Company v. English, 204 S.W.2d 850 (Tex. Civ. App.-Fort Worth 1947, no writ). Nothing in our review of the record indicates that the hearing officer’s decision is so against the great weight and preponderance of the evidence as to be clearly wrong and unjust. Cain v. Bain, 709 S.W.2d 175 (Tex. 1986).

The hearing officer’s decision and order is 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

MARCUS CHARLES MERRITT

6600 CAMPUS CIRCLE DRIVE EAST, SUITE 200

IRVING, TEXAS 75063.

Chris Cowan

CONCUR:

Veronica L. Ruberto – Appeals Judge

Robert W. Potts – Appeals Judge