Title: 

APD 030880

Significant Decision

Date: 

May 30, 2003

Issues: 

Dispute of DD IR, Dispute of DD MMI Date

Table of Contents

APD 030880

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 10, 2003. The hearing officer determined that appellant (claimant) reached maximum medical improvement (MMI) on April 18, 2002, with a ten percent impairment rating (IR), as certified by the Texas Workers’ Compensation Commission (Commission)-selected designated doctor, Dr. J. Claimant appealed these determinations on sufficiency grounds. Respondent (carrier) responded that the Appeals Panel should affirm the hearing officer’s decision and order.

DECISION

We affirm.

Sections 408.122 and 408.125 of the 1989 Act provide that a report of a Commission-selected designated doctor shall have presumptive weight on the issues of MMI and IR, and the Commission shall base its determination on such report, unless the great weight of other medical evidence is to the contrary.Whether the great weight of the other medical evidence was contrary to the opinion of the designated doctor is basically a factual determination. Texas Workers’ Compensation Commission Appeal No. 93459, decided July 15, 1993. We have reviewed the complained-of determinations and conclude that the issues involved fact questions for the hearing officer. The hearing officer reviewed the record and decided what facts were established. We conclude that the hearing officer’s determinations are supported by the record and are not 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).

We affirm the hearing officer’s decision and order.

According to information provided by carrier, the true corporate name of the insurance carrier is CONTINENTAL CASUALTY COMPANY and the name and address of its registered agent for service of process is

CT CORPORATION

350 NORTH ST. PAUL STREET

DALLAS, TEXAS 75201.

Judy L. S. Barnes

CONCUR:

Robert W. Potts – Appeals Judge

Edward Vilano – Appeals Judge