Title: 

APD 040629

Significant Decision

Date: 

May 13, 2004

Issues: 

Disabilty/Existence-Duration, Existence of Compensable Inj

Table of Contents

APD 040629

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 March 3, 2004. The hearing officer decided that: (1) the appellant (claimant) did not sustain a compensable injury on ______________; and (2) the claimant did not have disability from August 5, 2003, to the present. The claimant appeals these determinations on sufficiency of the evidence grounds. The respondent (carrier) urges affirmance.

DECISION

Affirmed.

The hearing officer did not err in making the complained-of determinations. The injury determination involved a question of fact for the hearing officer to resolve. The hearing officer is the sole judge of the weight and credibility of the evidence (Section 410.165(a)) and, as the trier of fact, resolves the conflicts and inconsistencies in the evidence, including the medical evidence (Texas Employers Insurance Association v. Campos, 666 S.W.2d 286 (Tex. App.-Houston [14th Dist.] 1984, no writ)). In view of the evidence presented, we cannot conclude that the hearing officer’s injury determination is so against the great weight and preponderance of the evidence as to be clearly wrong or manifestly unjust. Cain v. Bain, 709 S.W.2d 175, 176 (Tex. 1986). Because the claimant did not sustain a compensable injury, the hearing officer properly concluded that the claimant did not have disability. Section 401.011(16).

The decision and order of the hearing officer is affirmed.

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

CORPORATION SERVICE COMPANY

701 BRAZOS STREET, SUITE 1050

AUSTIN, TEXAS 78701.

Edward Vilano – Appeals Judge

CONCUR:

Elaine M. Chaney – Appeals Judge

Margaret L. Turner – Appeals Judge