Title: 

APD 040613

Significant Decision

Date: 

May 7, 2004

Issues: 

SIBS-2nd Quarter, SIBS-3rd Quarter, SIBS-4th Quarter

Table of Contents

APD 040613

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 February 18, 2004. The hearing officer determined that the respondent (claimant) is entitled to supplemental income benefits (SIBs) for the second and third quarters, but is not entitled to SIBs for the fourth quarter. The appellant (carrier) appealed the determinations regarding the second and third quarters, and the file does not contain a response from the claimant. The hearing officer’s determination regarding the fourth quarter has not been appealed and has become final. Section 410.169.

DECISION

Affirmed.

The hearing officer did not err in determining that the claimant is entitled to second and third quarter SIBs. Section 408.142 and Tex. W.C. Comm’n, 28 TEX. ADMIN. CODE § 130.102 (Rule 130.102) establish the requirements for entitlement to SIBs. At issue was whether the claimant made a good faith job search during the relevant qualifying periods. 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). The hearing officer found that the claimant conducted a well-structured job search each week during the relevant qualifying periods. In view of the applicable law and 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 (Tex. 1986).

The decision and order of the hearing officer are affirmed.

The true corporate name of the insurance carrier is HARTFORD CASUALTY INSURANCE COMPANY and the name and address of its registered agent for service of process is

CT CORPORATION SYSTEM

350 NORTH ST. PAUL STREET

DALLAS, TEXAS 75201.

Daniel R. Barry – Appeals Judge

CONCUR:

Judy L. S. Barnes – Appeals Judge

Gary L. Kilgore – Appeals Judge