Title: 

APD 030878

Significant Decision

Date: 

May 30, 2003

Issues: 

Disabilty/Existence-Duration, Existence of Compensable Inj

Table of Contents

APD 030878

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 13, 2003. With respect to the issues before her, the hearing officer determined that the respondent (claimant) sustained a compensable injury on _____________, and that he had disability from May 16, 2002, through the date of the hearing. In its appeal, the appellant (carrier) argues that the hearing officer’s injury and disability determinations are against the great weight of the evidence. In his response to the carrier’s appeal, the claimant urges affirmance.

DECISION

Affirmed.

The hearing officer did not err in determining that the claimant sustained a compensable injury on _____________, and that he had disability from May 16, 2002, through the date of the hearing. Those issues presented 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). As the trier of fact, the hearing officer resolves the conflicts and inconsistencies in the evidence and decides what facts the evidence has established. Texas Employers Ins. Ass’n v. Campos, 666 S.W.2d 286 (Tex. App.-Houston [14th Dist.] 1984, no writ). The hearing officer was persuaded that the claimant sustained his burden of proof on each of the issues. The factors emphasized by the carrier in challenging the hearing officer’s injury and disability determinations on appeal are the same factors it emphasized at the hearing. The significance, if any, of those factors was a matter for the hearing officer. Nothing in our review of the record reveals that the challenged determinations are so against the great weight and preponderance of the evidence as to be clearly wrong or manifestly unjust. Accordingly, no sound basis exists for us to reverse those determinations on appeal. Cain v. Bain, 709 S.W.2d 175 (Tex. 1986).

The hearing officer’s decision and order are affirmed.

The true corporate name of the insurance carrier is LIBERTY MUTUAL FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY and the name and address of its registered agent for service of process is

CT CORPORATION SYSTEMS

350 NORTH ST. PAUL, SUITE 2900

DALLAS, TEXAS 75201.

Elaine M. Chaney

CONCUR:

Judy L. S. Barnes – Appeals Judge

Margaret L. Turner – Appeals Judge