Title: 

APD 030788

Significant Decision

Date: 

May 12, 2003

Issues: 

Extent of Injury

Table of Contents

APD 030788

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, 2003. The hearing officer resolved the disputed issue by deciding that the compensable injury of _____________, does not include an injury to the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine, and the right shoulder. The appellant (claimant) appeals on sufficiency of the evidence grounds. The respondent (carrier) responds, urging affirmance.

DECISION

Affirmed.

The parties stipulated that the claimant sustained a compensable injury on _____________, and that the compensable injury does not extend to the right shoulder. At issue was whether the compensable injury included an injury to the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine. Extent of injury is a question of fact. It was for the hearing officer, as the trier of fact, to resolve the conflicts and inconsistencies in the evidence and to determine what facts had been established. Garza v. Commercial Insurance Company of Newark, New Jersey, 508 S.W.2d 701 (Tex. Civ. App.-Amarillo 1974, no writ). This is equally true regarding medical evidence. Texas Employers Insurance Association v. Campos, 666 S.W.2d 286 (Tex. App.-Houston [14th Dist.] 1984, no writ). The hearing officer noted that based on all the evidence, the claimant did not establish that she sustained a cervical, thoracic, or lumbar injury as a result of the work incident of _____________. In view of the evidence presented, we cannot conclude that the hearing officer’s 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).

We affirm the decision and order of the hearing officer.

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

CT CORPORATION SYSTEMS

350 NORTH ST. PAUL, SUITE 2900

DALLAS, TEXAS 75201.

Margaret L. Turner

CONCUR:

Gary L. Kilgore – Appeals Judge

Edward Vilano – Appeals Judge