Title: 

APD 040085

Significant Decision

Date: 

March 3, 2004

Issues: 

Compensability-Occupationl Inj

Table of Contents

APD 040085

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 December 16, 2003. The hearing officer determined that the respondent (claimant) sustained a compensable occupational disease injury with a date of injury of _______________. The appellant (carrier) appeals this determination. The appeal file contains no response from the claimant.

DECISION

Affirmed.

Section 401.011(34) defines occupational disease as including repetitive trauma injuries. The date of injury for an occupational disease is the date the employee knew or should have known that the disease may be related to the employment. Section 408.007. The date of injury is a factual question 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)) and, as the trier of fact, resolves the conflicts and inconsistencies in the evidence, including the medical evidence (Texas Employers Insurance Association v. Campos, 666 S.W.2d 286 (Tex. App.-Houston [14th Dist.] 1984, no writ)). It was the hearing officer’s prerogative to believe all, part, or none of the testimony of any witness, including that of the claimant. Aetna Insurance Company v. English, 204 S.W.2d 850 (Tex. Civ. App.-Fort Worth 1947, no writ). The hearing officer distinguished the claimant’s condition in 1989 or 1990 from his condition in 2003 and determined that the claimant met his burden of proving that he sustained a compensable occupational disease injury with a date of injury of _______________. Nothing in our review of the record indicates that the hearing officer’s decision 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 PROTECTION INSURANCE COMPANY and the name and address of its registered agent for service of process is

CORPORATION SERVICE COMPANY

800 BRAZOS

AUSTIN, TEXAS 78701.

Chris Cowan

CONCUR:

Thomas A. Knapp – Appeals Judge

Robert W. Potts – Appeals Judge