Title: 

APD 040824

Significant Decision

Date: 

May 24, 2004

Issues: 

Disabilty/Existence-Duration, Extent of Injury

Table of Contents

APD 040824

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 17, 2004. The hearing officer determined that: (1) the compensable injury of ____________, includes a buttocks contusion and low back sprain/strain but does not include herniated discs at L4-5 and L5-S1; and (2) the appellant (claimant) has not had disability from May 14, 2002, through the date of the hearing. The claimant appeals the adverse extent-of-injury and disability 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 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).

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

12222 MERIT DRIVE, SUITE 700

DALLAS, TEXAS 75251-2237.

Edward Vilano

CONCUR:

Judy L. S. Barnes – Appeals Judge

Chris Cowan – Appeals Judge