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 October 20, 2003. The hearing officer determined that the respondent’s (claimant) ____________, compensable injury does extend to and include her lumbar spine. The appellant (carrier) appealed on sufficiency of the evidence grounds. The claimant responded, urging affirmance.
DECISION
Affirmed.
The hearing officer did not err in determining that the claimant’s compensable injury of ____________, extends to include her lumbar spine. That issue presented 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). As the trier of fact, the hearing officer resolves the conflicts and inconsistencies in the evidence and decides what facts the evidence has established. Texas Employers Ins. Ass’n v. Campos, 666 S.W.2d 286 (Tex. App.-Houston [14th Dist.] 1984, no writ). The hearing officer’s extent-of-injury determination is supported by the medical evidence and the claimant’s testimony. We further note that at the commencement of the hearing, the carrier’s attorney acknowledged that the claimant sustained a contusion to her tailbone and low back sprain/strain as part of the original compensable injury. Nothing in our review of the record reveals that the challenged determination is so against the great weight and preponderance of the evidence as to be clearly wrong or manifestly unjust. Accordingly, no sound basis exists for us to reverse that determination on appeal. Cain v. Bain, 709 S.W.2d 175 (Tex. 1986).
The hearing officer’s decision and order are affirmed.
The true corporate name of the insurance carrier is STATE FARM FIRE AND CASUALTY COMPANY and the name and address of its registered agent for service of process is
MR. JERRY B. JENSEN
8900 AMBERGLEN BOULEVARD
AUSTIN, TEXAS 78729-1110.
Elaine M. Chaney
CONCUR:
Thomas A. Knapp – Appeals Judge
Edward Vilano – Appeals Judge