Title: 

APD 031762

Significant Decision

Date: 

August 21, 2003

Issues: 

SIBS-3rd Quarter

Table of Contents

APD 031762

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 June 6, 2003. The hearing officer determined that the appellant (claimant) is not entitled to supplemental income benefits (SIBs) for the third quarter. The claimant appeals on sufficiency of the evidence grounds. The respondent (carrier) urges affirmance.

DECISION

Affirmed.

The hearing officer did not err in determining that the claimant is not entitled to third quarter SIBs. Section 408.142 and Tex. W.C. Comm’n, 28 TEX. ADMIN. CODE § 130.102 (Rule 130.102) establish the requirements for entitlement to SIBs. At issue was whether the claimant enrolled and satisfactorily participated in a full-time vocational rehabilitation program sponsored by the Texas Rehabilitation Commission during the qualifying period. 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 Ins. Co., 508 S.W.2d 701 (Tex. Civ. App.-Amarillo 1974, no writ). The hearing officer considered the evidence and found that the claimant did not participate in a program during the qualifying period. In view of the applicable law and 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 (Tex. 1986).

The decision and order of the hearing officer are affirmed.

The true corporate name of the insurance carrier is CASUALTY RECIPROCAL EXCHANGE and the name and address of its registered agent for service of process is

FRED S. STRADELY

9330 LYNDON B. JOHNSON FREEWAY

SUITE 1400, ABRAMS CENTER

DALLAS, TEXAS 75243-4355.

Edward Vilano

CONCUR:

Gary L. Kilgore – Appeals Judge

Margaret L. Turner – Appeals Judge