This appeal arises pursuant to the Texas Workers’ Compensation Act, TEX. LAB. CODE ANN. § 401.001 et seq. (1989 Act). A contested case hearing (CCH) was held on August 9, 2010. With regard to the disputed issues the hearing officer determined that: (1) the appellant (claimant) does not have disability as a result of the ____________, compensable injury from February 18, 2010, through the date of the CCH; (2) the compensable injury does not include a disc protrusion at the L4-5 level of the lumbar spine or a bulge at the L5-S1 level of the lumbar spine; and (3) the claimant is not barred from pursuing Texas workers’ compensation benefits because of an election to receive benefits under a group health insurance policy.

The claimant appealed the disability and extent-of-injury determinations on a sufficiency of the evidence basis. The respondent (carrier) responded, urging affirmance.

DECISION

Reversed and remanded for reconstruction of the record.

Section 410.203(a)(1) requires the Appeals Panel to consider the record developed at the CCH. The CCH was recorded on two compact discs (CDs). The CDs were blank. A handwritten notation on the CDs indicates that they constituted “2 hours total.” The file indicates that there was no court reporter and the file does not contain a transcript or a tape recording of the CCH proceeding. Consequently, we reverse and remand this case to the hearing officer for reconstruction of the CCH record. See Appeals Panel Decision (APD) 060353, decided April 12, 2006.

Pending resolution of the remand, a final decision has not been made in this case. However, since reversal and remand necessitate the issuance of a new decision and order by the hearing officer, a party who wishes to appeal from such new decision must file a request for review not later than 15 days after the date on which such new decision is received from the Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers’ Compensation, pursuant to Section 410.202 which was amended June 17, 2001, to exclude Saturdays and Sundays and holidays listed in Section 662.003 of the Texas Government Code in the computation of the 15-day appeal and response periods. See APD 060721, decided June 12, 2006.

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

JOSEPH KELLEY-GRAY, PRESIDENT

6907 CAPITOL OF TEXAS HIGHWAY NORTH

AUSTIN, TEXAS 78755.

Thomas A. Knapp

CONCUR:

Cynthia A. Brown
Appeals Judge

Margaret L. Turner
Appeals Judge