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 August 12, 2004. The hearing officer determined that: (1) the respondent (claimant) sustained a compensable injury in the form of an occupational disease, with a date of injury of ______________; and (2) the claimant had disability from June 14, 2004, through the date of the hearing. The appellant (carrier) appeals these determinations on sufficiency of the evidence grounds. The claimant did not file a response.

DECISION

Affirmed.

The hearing officer did not err in determining that the claimant sustained a compensable injury in the form of an occupational disease, with a date of injury of ______________. This 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)). 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).

The hearing officer did not err in determining that the claimant had disability from June 14, 2004, through the date of the hearing. The carrier's challenge to the hearing officer's disability determination is premised upon the success of its argument that the claimant did not sustain a compensable injury. Given our affirmance of the injury determination, we likewise affirm the hearing officer's disability determination.

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:

Daniel R. Barry
Appeals Judge

Margaret L. Turner
Appeals Judge