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 26, 2001. The hearing officer determined that respondent (claimant) sustained a compensable injury to her finger in the course and scope of her employment and that she had disability from September 5, 2000, through the date of the hearing. Appellant (carrier) appealed these determinations on sufficiency grounds. Claimant responded that the Appeals Panel should affirm the hearing officer’s decision.
DECISION
We affirm.
We have reviewed the complained-of determinations and conclude that the issues involved fact questions for the hearing officer. The hearing officer reviewed the record and decided what facts were established. The hearing officer determined that, at the time of the injury, claimant was learning a skill that would enable her to provide a service to employer’s customers. The hearing officer determined that the incident occurred “while [c]laimant was in the furtherance of the affairs of the employer’s business.” Thus, the hearing officer found that claimant was not pursuing her own personal objectives. See Texas Workers’ Compensation Commission Appeal No. 000166, decided February 28, 2000. Claimant’s testimony supports the hearing officer’s determinations. Regarding the dates of disability, despite claimant’s attorney’s opening statement, claimant’s testimony and the medical evidence minimally support the hearing officer’s disability determination. We conclude that the hearing officer’s determinations regarding injury, course and scope, and disability, are not 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 hearing officer’s decision and order.
Judy L. S. Barnes – Appeals Judge
CONCUR:
Thomas A. Knapp – Appeals Judge
Robert W. Potts – Appeals Judge