Title: 

APD 030483

Significant Decision

Date: 

March 27, 2003

Issues: 

Disabilty/Existence-Duration, Existence of Compensable Inj

Table of Contents

APD 030483

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 January 16, 2003. The hearing officer resolved the disputed issues by deciding that although the appellant (claimant) did not sustain an injury in the course and scope of his employment with his employer, the claimant has a compensable injury because the respondent (carrier) waived its right to contest compensability of the injury, and that the claimant had disability from August 31 through November 13, 2002. The claimant appeals the hearing officer’s determination that he was not injured in the course and scope of his employment. The carrier requests affirmance. There is no appeal of the hearing officer’s determinations that the carrier waived its right to contest compensability of the injury, that the claimant has a compensable injury due to the carrier’s waiver of its right to contest compensability, and that the claimant had disability for the time period found by the hearing officer, and those determinations have become final under Section 410.169.

DECISION

Affirmed.

The hearing officer resolved the conflicting evidence by finding that the claimant has an injury to his left foot, and that on _____________, the claimant did not sustain an injury to his left foot as a result of a golf cart running over his foot while working for the employer. The hearing officer is the sole judge of the weight and credibility of the evidence. Section 410.165(a). As the finder of fact, the hearing officer resolves the conflicts in the evidence and determines what facts have been established. The finder of fact may believe that a claimant has an injury, but disbelieve that the injury occurred in the course and scope of the claimant’s employment. We conclude that the hearing officer’s determination that the claimant did not sustain an injury in the course and scope of his employment with the employer is supported by sufficient evidence and is not so against the great weight and preponderance of the evidence as to be clearly wrong and unjust. Cain v. Bain, 709 S.W.2d 175 (Tex. 1986). However, due to the carrier’s waiver of its right to contest compensability, the claimant has a compensable injury.

We affirm the hearing officer’s decision and order.

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

CORPORATION SERVICE COMPANY

800 BRAZOS, SUITE 750, COMMODORE 1

AUSTIN, TEXAS 78701.

Robert W. Potts

CONCUR:

Terri Kay Oliver – Appeals Judge

Edward Vilano – Appeals Judge