Title: 

APD 030893

Significant Decision

Date: 

May 27, 2003

Issues: 

Disabilty/Existence-Duration, Election of Remedies, Existence of Compensable Inj, Timely Reporting to Employer

Table of Contents

APD 030893

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 4, 2003. The hearing officer determined that (1) the appellant (claimant) did not sustain a compensable injury on ______________; (2) the claimant did not have disability; (3) the respondent (carrier) is relieved of liability under Section 409.002 because the claimant failed to timely notify her employer of her claimed injury pursuant to Section 409.001; and (4) the claimant is not barred from pursuing workers’ compensation benefits because of an election to receive benefits under a group health insurance policy. The claimant appealed the hearing officer’s injury, disability, and notice determinations on sufficiency of the evidence grounds. The carrier urges affirmance. The hearing officer’s election-of-remedies determination was not appealed and is now final. Section 410.169.

DECISION

Affirmed.

The hearing officer did not err in making the complained-of determinations. The determinations involved questions 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 determinations are 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).

The decision and order of the hearing officer are affirmed.

The true corporate name of the insurance carrier is AMERICAN CASUALTY COMPANY OF READING, PENNSYLVANIA and the name and address of its registered agent for service of process is

CT CORPORATION SYSTEM

350 NORTH ST. PAUL STREET

DALLAS, TEXAS 75201.

Edward Vilano

CONCUR:

Gary L. Kilgore – Appeals Judge

Robert W. Potts – Appeals Judge