Title: 

APD 021093

Significant Decision

Date: 

June 18, 2002

Issues: 

Compensability-Occupationl Inj, Disabilty/Existence-Duration

Table of Contents

APD 021093

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 27, 2002. The hearing officer determined that the appellant (claimant) did not sustain a compensable injury in the form of an occupational disease with a date of injury of ______________, and that she did not have disability. The claimant appeals, asserting that this decision is against the great weight and preponderance of the evidence and that the hearing officer’s “weighing of the evidence is arbitrary and capricious.” The respondent (carrier) urges affirmance.

DECISION

Affirmed.

There was conflicting evidence presented on the issues of whether the claimant sustained a compensable occupational disease injury and whether she had disability. Section 410.165(a) provides that the hearing officer, as finder of fact, is the sole judge of the relevance and materiality of the evidence as well as of the weight and credibility that is to be given the evidence. It was for the hearing officer, as trier of fact, to resolve the inconsistencies and conflicts in the evidence. Garza v. Commercial Insurance Company of Newark, New Jersey, 508 S.W.2d 701 (Tex. Civ. App.-Amarillo 1974, no writ). This is equally true regarding medical evidence. Texas Employers Insurance Association v. Campos, 666 S.W.2d 286 (Tex. App.-Houston [14th Dist.] 1984, no writ). The trier of fact may believe all, part, or none of the testimony of any witness. Aetna Insurance Company v. English, 204 S.W.2d 850 (Tex. Civ. App.-Fort Worth 1947, no writ). When reviewing a hearing officer’s decision for factual sufficiency of the evidence, we should reverse such decision only if it is so contrary to the great weight and preponderance of the evidence as to be clearly wrong and unjust. Cain v. Bain, 709 S.W.2d 175, 176 (Tex. 1986); Pool v. Ford Motor Co., 715 S.W.2d 629, 635 (Tex. 1986). Applying this standard, we find no grounds to reverse the factual findings of the hearing officer.

We affirm the decision and order of the hearing officer.

The true corporate name of the insurance carrier is AMERICAN HOME ASSURANCE COMPANY and the name and address of its registered agent for service of process is

WILLIAM PARNELL

8144 WALNUT HILL LANE, SUITE 1600

DALLAS, TEXAS 75231.

Michael B. McShane – Appeals Judge

CONCUR:

Daniel R. Barry – Appeals Judge

Robert W. Potts – Appeals Judge