Title: 

APD 022126

Significant Decision

Date: 

September 23, 2002

Issues: 

Disabilty/Existence-Duration

Table of Contents

APD 022126

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 July 26, 2002. The hearing officer determined that the appellant (claimant) did not have disability from September 10 through December 18, 2001, from the injury sustained on _______. The claimant appeals that determination and the respondent (carrier) responds urging affirmance.

DECISION

We affirm the hearing officer’s decision.

Essentially, the claimant quarrels with the manner in which the hearing officer gave weight and credibility to the evidence. The hearing officer is the sole judge of the relevance, materiality, weight, and credibility of the evidence presented at the hearing. Section 410.165(a). The decision should not be set aside because different inferences and conclusions may be drawn upon review, even when the record contains evidence that would lend itself to different inferences. Garza v. Commercial Insurance Company of Newark, New Jersey, 508 S.W.2d 701 (Tex. Civ. App.-Amarillo 1974, no writ). The hearing officer detailed the considerations she made regarding credibility and she determined that the preponderance of the credible evidence established that the claimant did not have disability because he continued working at his preinjury wages.

In considering all the evidence in the record, we cannot agree that the findings of the hearing officer are so against the great weight and preponderance of the evidence as to be manifestly wrong and unjust. In re King’s Estate, 150 Tex. 662, 244 S.W.2d 660 (1951). We therefore affirm the decision and order.

The true corporate name of the insurance carrier is LUMBERMENS UNDERWRITING ALLIANCE and the name and address of its registered agent for service of process is

DEBRA S. MATHEWS-BUDET

12200 FORD ROAD, SUITE 344

DALLAS, TEXAS 75234.

Susan M. Kelley – Appeals Judge

CONCUR:

Thomas A. Knapp – Appeals Judge

Robert W. Potts – Appeals Judge