Title: 

APD 020509

Significant Decision

Date: 

April 5, 2002

Issues: 

SIBS-4th Quarter

Table of Contents

APD 020509

This appeal arises pursuant to the Texas Workers’ Compensation Act, TEX. LAB. CODE ANN. § 401.001 et seq. (1989 Act). A contested case hearing (CCH) was held on February 11, 2002. The hearing officer determined that the appellant (claimant) was not entitled to supplemental income benefits (SIBs) for the fourth or fifth quarter. The claimant appeals the determination on sufficiency grounds. The respondent (carrier) urges affirmance.

DECISION

We affirm.

The hearing officer did not err in determining that the claimant is not entitled to fourth or fifth quarter SIBs. The claimant asserted at the CCH that he had no ability to work during the qualifying period for the fourth and fifth quarters and, in the alternative, that he made a good faith effort to find employment commensurate with his ability to work. Whether the claimant had an ability to work and made a good faith effort to seek employment commensurate with that ability were 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 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 ST. PAUL FIRE & MARINE INSURANCE COMPANY and the name and address of its registered agent for service of process is

CORPORATION SERVICE COMPANY

800 BRAZOS

AUSTIN, TEXAS 78701.

Gary L. Kilgore – Appeals Judge

CONCUR:

Elaine M. Chaney – Appeals Judge

Chris Cowan – Appeals Judge