Title: 

APD 040070

Significant Decision

Date: 

March 1, 2004

Issues: 

SIBS-2nd Quarter, SIBS-3rd Quarter, SIBS-4th Quarter, SIBS-5th Quarter

Table of Contents

APD 040070

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 November 12, 2003. The hearing officer determined that appellant (claimant) is not entitled to supplemental income benefits (SIBs) for the second through fifth quarters. Claimant appealed on sufficiency of the evidence grounds. The appeal file does not contain a response from respondent (carrier).

DECISION

We affirm.

Claimant argued that he was entitled to SIBs based on the theory that he had no ability to work at all during the qualifying periods in question. The question whether claimant had an ability to work was a fact issue for the hearing officer. 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). The hearing officer specifically found that during the relevant time periods, claimant did have some ability to work. Based upon these findings, the hearing officer determined that claimant did not satisfy the good faith requirement as provided for in Tex. W.C. Comm’n, 28 TEX. ADMIN. CODE § 130.102(d)(4) (Rule 130.102(d)(4)). Nothing in our review of the record indicates that the hearing officer’s SIBs determinations are 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).

We affirm the hearing officer’s decision and order.

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

LEO MALO

ZURICH NORTH AMERICA

12222 MERIT DRIVE, SUITE 700

DALLAS, TEXAS 75251.

Judy L. S. Barnes – Appeals Judge

CONCUR:

Elaine M. Chaney – Appeals Judge

Gary L. Kilgore – Appeals Judge