Title: 

APD 031951

Significant Decision

Date: 

September 3, 2003

Issues: 

Extent of Injury

Table of Contents

APD 031951

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 June 25, 2003. The hearing officer decided that the compensable injury of _____________, does not include the L4-5 disc and an aggravation of the L5-S1 disc. The appellant (claimant) appealed, essentially on sufficiency of the evidence. The respondent (carrier) responded, urging affirmance.

DECISION

Affirmed.

The sole issue before the hearing officer was extent of injury. Extent of injury is a question of fact. There was conflicting testimony and medical evidence regarding the disputed issue. It was for the hearing officer, as the trier of fact, to resolve the conflicts and inconsistencies in the evidence and to determine what facts had been established. 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). 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, 176 (Tex. 1986).

The decision and order of the hearing officer are affirmed.

The true corporate name of the insurance carrier is AMERICAN CASUALTY COMPANY OF READING, PENNSYLVANIA and the name and address of its registered agent for service of process is

CT CORPORATION

350 NORTH ST. PAUL STREET

DALLAS, TEXAS 75201.

Thomas A. Knapp

CONCUR:

Elaine M. Chaney – Appeals Judge

Chris Cowan – Appeals Judge