Title: 

APD 040808

Significant Decision

Date: 

May 24, 2004

Issues: 

Compensability-Occupationl Inj, Disabilty/Existence-Duration

Table of Contents

APD 040808

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 15, 2004. The hearing officer decided that: (1) the appellant (claimant) did not sustain a compensable injury in the form of an occupational disease with a date of injury of _____________; and (2) the claimant does not have disability. The claimant appeals these determinations on sufficiency of the evidence grounds. The respondent (carrier) urges affirmance.

DECISION

Affirmed.

The hearing officer did not err in making the complained-of determinations. The injury determination involved a question 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)). The hearing officer was not persuaded that the claimant sustained the claimed injuries as a result of performing repetitive, physically traumatic activities at work. In view of the evidence presented, we cannot conclude that the hearing officer’s injury 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). Because the claimant did not sustain a compensable injury, the hearing officer properly concluded that the claimant did not have disability. Section 401.011(16).

The decision and order of the hearing officer is affirmed.

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

LEO F. MALO

ZURICH NORTH AMERICA

12222 MERIT DRIVE, SUITE 700

DALLAS, TEXAS 75251.

Edward Vilano – Appeals Judge

CONCUR:

Judy L. S. Barnes – Appeals Judge

Daniel R. Barry – Appeals Judge