Title: 

APD 040656

Significant Decision

Date: 

May 13, 2004

Issues: 

Disabilty/Existence-Duration, Extent of Injury

Table of Contents

APD 040656

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 compensable (right rotator cuff) injury of _______________, extends to and includes the respondent’s (claimant) cervical injury at the C5-6 disc, and that the claimant had disability due to her compensable injury from December 19, 2002, through July 2, 2003. The appellant (self-insured) appeals on sufficiency of the evidence grounds. The claimant responds, urging affirmance.

DECISION

Affirmed.

The hearing officer did not err in making the complained-of determinations. The extent-of-injury and disability determinations involved 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)) 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)). In view of the evidence presented, we cannot conclude that the hearing officer’s determinations are 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 decision and order of the hearing officer.

The true corporate name of the insurance carrier is STATE OFFICE OF RISK MANAGEMENT (a self-insured governmental entity) and the name and address of its registered agent for service of process is

For service in person the address is:

RON JOSSELET, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

STATE OFFICE OF RISK MANAGEMENT

300 W. 15TH STREET

WILLIAM P. CLEMENTS, JR. STATE OFFICE BUILDING, 6TH FLOOR

AUSTIN, TEXAS 78701.

For service by mail the address is:

RON JOSSELET, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

THE STATE OFFICE OF RISK MANAGEMENT

P.O. BOX 13777

AUSTIN, TEXAS 78711-3777.

Michael B. McShane

Appeals Panel

Manager-Judge

CONCUR:

Robert W. Potts – Appeals Judge

Edward Vilano – Appeals Judge