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 18, 2001. The hearing officer determined that (1) the respondent’s (claimant) compensable injury of ___________, extends to and includes a neuroma of the left superficial branch of the radial nerve of the forearm but does not extend to and include tenosynovitis of the left wrist, left wrist joint pain, myalgia, and myositis, and (2) the appellant (carrier) did not waive the right to dispute compensability of the claimed injuries. The carrier appeals the hearing officer’s determination that the compensable injury extends to and includes a neuroma of the left superficial branch of the radial nerve of the forearm, on sufficiency grounds. The claimant urges affirmance. The hearing officer’s remaining extent-of-injury determinations were not appealed. The waiver of the right to dispute compensability issue has not been appealed and has become final. Section 410.169.
DECISION
Affirmed.
Whether the compensable left arm laceration injury included a neuroma of the left superficial branch of the radial nerve of the claimant’s forearm was a question of fact for the hearing officer. Texas Workers’ Compensation Commission Appeal No. 002424, decided November 27, 2000. Where the matter of the causation of the claimed injury is beyond common knowledge or experience, expert evidence to a reasonable degree of medical probability is required. Schaefer v. Texas Employers’ Insurance Association, 612 S.W.2d 199 (Tex. 1980); Houston General Insurance Company v. Pegues, 514 S.W.2d 492 (Tex. Civ. App.-Texarkana 1974, writ ref’d n.r.e.). The Texas Supreme Court has said that a doctor is not required to use the expression that there is a “reasonable probability” of causal connection between the original injury and the present condition, and that a medical expert is not required to explain or even understand the precise biochemistry or mechanism by which the initial trauma affects the health or organs of the injured party. Western Casualty and Surety Company v. Gonzales, 518 S.W.2d 524, 526-527 (Tex. 1975). In this case, there is medical evidence that indicates a connection between the compensable left arm laceration injury and a neuroma of the left superficial branch of the radial nerve of the claimant’s forearm. In view of such evidence, 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).
The decision and order of the hearing officer are affirmed.
The true corporate name of the insurance carrier is MID-CENTURY INSURANCE EXCHANGE and the name and address of its registered agent for service of process is
TAMMY LEE
100 FARMERS CIRCLE
AUSTIN, TEXAS 78728.
Thomas A. Knapp
CONCUR:
Philip F. O’Neill – Appeals Judge
Robert W. Potts – Appeals Judge