Title: Harper v. Springfield Rehab & Health Care Center

State: missouri

Issuer: Missouri Supreme Court

Document:

SUPREME COURT OF MISSOURI 
en banc 
 
JEANNIE E. HARPER, 
) 
Opinion issued November 21, 2023 
 
) 
 
Respondent, 
) 
 
) 
v. 
) 
 
 
) 
SPRINGFIELD REHAB AND HEALTH 
) 
CARE CENTER/NHC HEALTH, 
) 
 
) 
 
Appellant, 
) 
 
 
) 
PREMIER GROUP INSURANCE 
) 
 
No. SC100006 
COMPANY CORVEL ENTERPRISE 
) 
COMPANY, INC. (TPA), 
) 
 
 
) 
 
Appellant, 
) 
 
 
) 
and 
 
) 
 
 
) 
TREASURER OF MISSOURI AS 
) 
CUSTODIAN OF THE SECOND INJURY ) 
FUND, 
) 
 
 
) 
 
Respondent. 
) 
 
 
APPEAL FROM THE LABOR AND INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS COMMISSION 
Springfield Rehab and Health Care Center/NHC Health and Premier Group 
Insurance Company Corvel Enterprise Company, Inc. (TPA) (collectively, “Springfield 
Rehab”) appeal a labor and industrial relations commission (“commission”) final award 
2 
 
affirming and adopting the administrative law judge’s award of permanent total disability 
benefits to claimant Jeannie Harper under the Missouri Workers’ Compensation Law.  
Because the commission’s decision that Harper suffered a compensable injury arising from 
a workplace accident and awarding her permanent and total disability benefits was 
supported by competent and substantial evidence, this Court affirms. 
Factual and Procedural Background 
Jeannie Harper worked in nursing for more than 30 years.  In 2013, Harper left the 
workforce following neck surgery that left her unable to walk.1  She eventually recovered 
and regained the strength to walk independently. 
By June 2018, Harper had returned to work and was employed as a nurse at 
Springfield Rehab.  Her duties included calling doctors, talking to hospitals, walking 
hallways to check on patients, and distributing medications.  Medications were distributed 
to patients at Springfield Rehab using two different-sized wheeled carts.  Harper, 67 years 
old at the time, used the smaller cart dedicated to diabetic patients and not the larger cart, 
which weighed approximately 100 pounds. 
Around midnight on June 22, 2018, Harper was answering call lights and attending 
patient rounds.  While she was leaving a patient’s room, she encountered the larger medical 
cart angled from the wall into the hallway.  Sensing a hazard to patients, she forcefully 
pushed the cart against the wall using her hips and back.  At that moment, she experienced 
a pull in her back.  She continued working, but the pull she experienced in her back began 
                                              
1 Harper underwent neck surgery after developing unusual neck pain in 2013 that may have 
been related to previous motor vehicle accidents. 
3 
 
causing her discomfort.  By the end of her shift, she was experiencing nagging pain and 
had trouble walking. 
The next day, Harper woke up with increasing pain.  She had considerable difficulty 
finishing her next work shift and reported the injury to her supervisor the following 
Monday.  On June 26, 2018, Harper was seen by Dr. Ernesto Carampatan at Dr. Gil's 
ImMEDiate Care & Occupational Care Center ("Dr. Gil's Immediate Care").   According 
to Dr. Carampatan's notes, Harper stated she had pushed a medical cart against a wall and, 
upon so doing, felt a pull in her lower right back and now had severe back pain made worse 
by walking.  After examination, Dr. Carampatan diagnosed Harper with strain of the 
muscle, fascia and tendon of the lower back and was prescribed medication for pain and 
muscle spasms.  On June 29, Dr. Gilbert Mobley at Dr. Gil's Immediate Care recommended 
physical therapy and limited to a 10-pound lifting restriction. 
Harper’s symptoms did not improve and she experienced continued pain and 
difficulties with walking.  Imaging ordered by Dr. Mobley and conducted on August 17, 
2018, showed damage to the lumbar area of her spine.  Harper remained employed at 
Springfield Rehab, but she often called in to work to report she could not get out of bed.  
When she did make it in, she struggled or failed to complete her rounds and other duties.  
Unable to fulfill her work responsibilities and care for patients at Springfield Rehab, Harper 
finally terminated her employment in November 2018.  She last received medical care 
through Springfield Rehab in August 2018 but continued seeking private medical treatment 
and pain management throughout 2018 and 2019. 
4 
 
In December 2018, Harper filed a claim for workers’ compensation.  At a hearing 
before an administrative law judge (“ALJ”), Harper testified about the above events, 
including feeling a “pull” in her back at the moment she pushed the medical cart.  She 
testified she has continual pain in her back and legs, requiring her to frequently lie down 
or sit down for most of the day to adjust her body to ease the pain. 
Harper also presented testimony from Dr. Brent Koprivica, who examined her in 
July 2019.  Dr. Koprivica testified Harper suffered an injury from the cart incident that 
resulted in enhanced narrowing and constriction of the spinal column, causing new pain 
generators in the low back that Harper did not have before the incident, as well as other 
indicia of injury.  He testified the imaging from August 2018 showed a relative amount of 
narrowing and constriction greater than that found in imaging from August 2013.   
Dr. Koprivica opined the cart incident injury was the prevailing factor in Harper’s injury 
and disability development based on the imaging and other factors at issue.  He concluded 
Harper has 25 percent permanent partial disability to the body as a whole as a result of her 
workplace injury and is totally disabled due entirely to the workplace injury given her 
limitations and need to lie down unpredictably.  
Springfield Rehab responded with testimony from Dr. Russell Cantrell, who had 
examined Harper in December 2019.  Dr. Cantrell opined Harper suffered from low back 
pain caused by preexisting degenerative disk disease, and Harper did not experience an 
identifiable traumatic event or unusual strain on June 22, 2018, that was the prevailing 
factor causing her symptoms.  He concluded Harper has 30 percent permanent partial 
disability related to her preexisting disability.  
5 
 
Both parties also presented competing testimony from vocational experts.  
Springfield Rehab presented testimony from Bob Hosutt, a rehabilitation counselor.  
Hosutt interviewed Harper and reported she would be unable to return to the physically 
demanding work she performed as a traditional patient care nurse, but he believed she could 
work in a number of related occupations.  Harper presented testimony from Phillip Eldred, 
also a rehabilitation counselor.  Eldred noted Harper’s limitations and advanced age and 
concluded she was functioning at less than sedentary work level, was unable to perform 
any of her past work, and was unemployable in the open labor market. 
Following the hearing, the ALJ issued an award finding Harper credible. The ALJ 
found she suffered a compensable work injury resulting from an accident in the course of 
her employment and, was permanently and totally disabled due entirely as a result of the 
work accident.2  In her award, the ALJ noted she found Dr. Koprivica’s opinions more 
credible than Dr. Cantrell’s opinions because the former “were based on a more accurate 
history of the injury, a comparison of objective imaging studies, and his examination.”  The 
ALJ also found Mr. Eldred credible.  Based on the evidence presented, the ALJ awarded 
Harper lifetime permanent total disability (“PTD”) benefits and future medical care as 
necessary to address the work injury.  The commission, thereafter, issued a final award 
affirming and adopting the ALJ’s award, finding the ALJ award was supported by 
                                              
2 The ALJ found Harper reached maximum medical improvement when she was released 
from Dr. Gil’s Immediate Care in August 22, 2018. 
 
6 
 
competent and substantial evidence and was made in accordance with Missouri Workers’ 
Compensation Law (“the Act”).  Springfield Rehab appeals.3 
Standard of Review 
 
On appeal, this Court reviews decisions by the commission to ensure they are 
“supported by competent and substantial evidence upon the whole record.”  Mo. Const. art. 
V, sec. 18.  The commission’s decision will be affirmed unless the Court finds: (1) “the 
commission acted without or in excess of its powers”; (2) “the award was procured by 
fraud”; (3) the commission’s factual findings “do not support the award”; or (4) “there was 
not sufficient competent evidence in the record to warrant the making of the award.”  
Section 287.495.1.4   
The constitutional standard (“supported by competent and substantial 
evidence upon the whole record”) is in harmony with the statutory standard 
(“sufficient competent evidence in the record”). A court must examine the 
whole record to determine if it contains sufficient competent and substantial 
evidence to support the award, i.e., whether the award is contrary to the 
overwhelming weight of the evidence. Whether the award is supported by 
competent and substantial evidence is judged by examining the evidence in 
the context of the whole record. An award that is contrary to the 
overwhelming weight of the evidence is, in context, not supported by 
competent and substantial evidence. 
 
Hampton v. Big Boy Steel Erection, 121 S.W.3d 220, 222‐23 (Mo. banc 2003) (internal 
quotation omitted).  “This Court must defer to the [c]ommission’s findings on issues of 
fact, the credibility of the witnesses, and the weight given to conflicting evidence.” Greer 
v. SYSCO Food Servs., 475 S.W.3d 655, 664 (Mo. banc 2015). Questions of law, however, 
                                              
3 This Court has jurisdiction under article V, section 10 of the Missouri Constitution. 
4 All statutory references are to RSMo 2016 unless otherwise indicated. 
7 
 
are reviewed de novo.  Id.  “This Court is not bound by the [c]ommission’s interpretation 
and application of the law, and no deference is afforded to those determinations.”  Id. 
The record contains competent and substantial evidence Harper experienced a 
workplace accident as required for an award of PTD benefits 
In its first point relied on, Springfield Rehab appears to argue the commission erred 
awarding Harper PTD benefits under the Act because the record does not contain 
competent and substantial evidence she experienced a workplace accident as required for 
such an award.5  Under the Act, an employer is liable to provide compensation pursuant to 
                                              
5 Springfield Rehab’s points relied on fail to comply with Rule 84.04.  However, “this 
Court has discretion to review noncompliant points gratuitously, overlooking the technical 
deficiencies in the points relied on, when the deficiencies do not impede review on the 
merits.”  Lexow v. Boeing Co., 643 S.W.3d 501, 508 (Mo. banc 2022).  To the extent the 
Court can discern Springfield Rehab’s first, third, fourth, and sixth points relied on, it 
addresses those points as it interprets them below.  The Court declines, however, to address 
Springfield Rehab’s noncompliant second and fifth point relied on.  In addition to being 
noncompliant with Rule 84.04, neither of these points relied on appears to raise a 
cognizable legal basis for reversing the commission’s final award.  Springfield Rehab’s 
second point relied on does not allege any error made by the commission but merely asks 
this Court to provide additional guidance for complying with Rule 84.04(d).  This Court 
does not have authority to issue advisory opinions.  Graves v. Mo. Dep’t of Corr., Div. of 
Prob. & Parole, 630 S.W.3d 769, 774 (Mo. banc 2021).  Springfield Rehab’s fifth point 
relied on appears to argue that, if this Court finds Harper is entitled to an award for her 
work injury, the Second Injury Fund (“Fund”) should also be held liable because the only 
reasonable and logical conclusion is the commission’s finding of PTD was the result of 
Harper’s work injury and preexisting disabilities.  As stated by this Court, however, 
“[w]hether a claimant is permanently and totally disabled and whether that claimant is 
entitled to PTD benefits from the Fund [under the Act] are entirely distinct questions.”  
Klecka v. Treasurer of Mo., 644 S.W.3d 562, 567 (Mo. banc 2022).  Springfield Rehab 
fails to recognize this distinction.  Other than generally referencing legislative purpose, 
statutory construction, and the inequities of finding it solely responsible for Harper’s PTD, 
Springfield Rehab’s point relied on and argument does not specify or assert how the 
commission erred finding Harper had no qualifying preexisting disability necessary for 
Fund liability under the Act.  See generally Treasurer of Mo. v. Parker, 622 S.W.3d 178, 
181 (Mo. banc 2021) (noting the legislature, in 2013, limited Fund liability under the Act 
 
8 
 
the terms of the Act for an employee’s personal injuries by an accident arising out and in 
course of the employee’s employment.  Section 287.120.1.  Pursuant to section 287.020.2:  
The word “accident” as used in this chapter shall mean an unexpected 
traumatic event or unusual strain identifiable by time and place of occurrence 
and producing at the time objective symptoms of an injury caused by a 
specific event during a single work shift. An injury is not compensable 
because work was a triggering or precipitating factor. 
 
Springfield Rehab argues Harper could not have endured an accident as defined in 
section 287.020.2 in that there is no evidence the cart incident “produc[ed] at the time 
objective symptoms of an injury caused by [the incident.]”  This argument fails.  Harper 
testified she felt an immediate pull in her back upon forcefully pushing the cart with her 
hips and back.  As the ALJ noted, this testimony was consistent with Dr. Carampatan's 
office notes of Harper’s initial complaint a few days after the incident.  “A claimant’s 
credible testimony … can constitute competent and substantial evidence[,]” Big Boy, 121 
S.W.3d at 223-24, and the commission’s award found Harper’s testimony credible.  “This 
Court must defer to the [c]ommission’s findings on … the credibility of the witnesses[.]”  
Greer, 475 S.W.3d at 664. 
Moreover, the commission found Dr. Koprivica’s testimony credible.  Dr. Koprivica 
testified the August 2018 imaging revealed indicia of injury he believed resulted from the 
workplace incident Harper described.  Harper’s testimony and the imaging findings as 
                                              
in section 287.220.3 by requiring employees to have a qualifying preexisting disability to 
make a compensable PTD claim against the Fund).  Springfield Rehab’s point relied on 
and argument does not challenge this ruling.  Accordingly, Harper’s motion to dismiss 
Springfield Rehab’s appeal for briefing deficiencies is sustained in part as to Springfield 
Rehab’s second and fifth points relied on and overruled in part as to Springfield Rehab’s 
first, third, fourth, and sixth points relied on. 
9 
 
interpreted by Dr. Koprivica constitute competent and substantial evidence for finding 
Harper suffered, at the time she forcefully pushed the medical cart with her hips and back, 
objective symptoms of an injury caused by the incident.  Competent and substantial 
evidence, therefore, supports finding Harper suffered an accident within the meaning of 
section 287.020.2.  Point one is denied. 
In its third point relied on, Springfield Rehab relatedly contends Harper did not 
experience an accident in that she did not experience an “unusual strain” within the 
meaning of section 287.020.2.  This argument fails, as there is competent and substantial 
evidence Harper experienced unusual strain in forcefully pushing the medical cart in that 
the push resulted in the pull in her back and increasing pain as discussed above.  Point three 
is denied. 
The record contains competent and substantial evidence Harper is permanently and 
totally disabled and her PTD arose from her workplace accident 
In its fourth point relied on, Springfield Rehab argues the commission erred 
awarding Harper PTD benefits under the Act.  Specifically, Springfield Rehab contends 
the commission erred in determining that the pull Harper suffered, in isolation, resulted in 
an injury rendering Harper permanently and totally disabled because she continued to work 
for several months after her workplace injury and, therefore, fails to meet the statutory 
requirements of total disability as defined under the Act.   
“The term ‘total disability’ as used in [the Act] shall mean inability to return to any 
employment and not merely inability to return to the employment in which the employee 
was engaged at the time of the accident.”  Section 287.020.6.  “The test for permanent total 
10 
 
disability is the worker’s ability to compete in the open labor market because it measures 
the worker’s potential for returning to employment.”  Greer, 475 S.W.3d at 664 (internal 
quotation omitted). 
This Court rejected a similar argument to Springfield Rehab’s in Big Boy, 121 
S.W.3d 220.  In that case, the employer argued the commission’s award of PTD benefits 
was not supported by competent and substantial evidence because of the nature of the 
claimant’s injury, the claimant’s complaints did not establish the unavailability of jobs in 
the open labor market, and the evidence did not establish the claimant was totally disabled 
due to the workplace injury.  Id. at 223.  The Court, however, noted the commission had 
found credible the claimant’s testimony that he needed to lie down or recline for several 
hours during the day as a result of his disability, a limitation that would prevent full-time 
employment.  Id. at 223-24.  The Court also noted the commission found credible expert 
testimony that the claimant’s impairment left him unable to compete in the open labor 
market given his limitations, advanced age, and lack of transferable skills.  Id. at 224.  
Finally, the Court found the record established the claimant’s severe impairment and the 
impairment arose from the workplace accident.  Id.  
Similar to the claimant in Big Boy, Harper testified she has severe, ongoing pain 
requiring her to lie down throughout the day.  See id. at 223-24.  Medical evidence of 
Harper’s condition included Dr. Carampatan's diagnosis, the imaging, and Dr. Koprivica’s 
evaluation.  Dr. Koprivica, moreover, opined Harper’s severe disability renders her totally 
disabled given her limitations and need to lie down unpredictably.  Eldred’s testimony 
concurred that Harper is functioning at less than sedentary level and unemployable on the 
11 
 
open labor market given her advanced age and limitations.  See id. (finding the claimant’s 
testimony of his need to lie down during the day due to severe impairment and expert 
testimony of total disability given the claimant’s age and limitations constituted competent 
and substantial evidence of PTD).6  
Springfield Rehab contends Harper cannot be totally disabled from her workplace 
injury alone because she remained employed at Springfield Rehab for several months after 
her work injury. This argument fails to note Harper clearly struggled with significant pain 
rendering her unable to complete her duties or even make it to work during much of that 
time.  Following the workplace accident, the muscle strain she experienced did not 
dissipate but rather increased into significant, debilitating pain to the point she reported her 
injury, sought medical care, and terminated her employment.  Harper’s efforts to continue 
working through debilitating pain do not equate to future employability.7   The testimony 
of Harper, Dr. Koprivica, and Eldred, all of which the commission found credible, 
                                              
6 In Big Boy, 121 S.W.3d at 221, 223-24, the evidence found sufficient included testimony 
from the claimant and a vocational expert.  Similarly, the evidence of Harper’s PTD 
includes testimony from Harper and a vocational expert, as well as expert testimony from 
a medical doctor. 
7 Springfield Rehab also contends Harper remained employed after the date the 
commission found she reached maximum medical improvement.  “[T]he [c]ommission and 
appellate courts have relied upon the date of maximum medical improvement to 
determinate when a condition becomes permanent[.]”  Greer, 475 S.W.3d at 667; see 
section 287.020.12, RSMo Supp. 2018 (defining “maximum medical improvement” as “the 
point at which the injured employee’s medical condition has stabilized and can no longer 
reasonably improve with additional medical care, as determined within a reasonable degree 
of medical certainty”).  As discussed, Harper’s attempts to work and remain employed after 
she reached maximum medical improvement do not require a finding that she was 
employable. 
 
12 
constitutes competent and substantial evidence of PTD resulting from the workplace 
accident.  See id. (holding the claimant and expert testimony found credible by the 
commission was competent and substantial evidence of total disability arising from a 
workplace accident); see also Greer, 475 S.W.3d at 665 (Mo. banc 2015) (“Employability 
is a matter within the [c]ommission’s expertise[.]” (internal quotation omitted)).  Point four 
is denied.8 
The record contains competent and substantial evidence of a reasonable probability 
Harper will need future medical care due to her workplace injury 
Finally, in its sixth point relied on, Springfield Rehab contends the record does not 
contain competent and substantial evidence of a reasonable probability Harper will need 
future medical treatment due to her work-related injury.  The Act provides: 
In addition to all other compensation paid to the employee under this section, 
the employee shall receive and the employer shall provide such medical, 
surgical, chiropractic, and hospital treatment, including nursing, custodial, 
ambulance and medicines, as may reasonably be required after the injury or 
disability, to cure and relieve from the effects of the injury. 
8 In numerous places in its brief, Springfield Rehab appears to suggest Harper is not 
permanently and totally disabled due entirely from her workplace injury given she had 
preexisting medical problems.  To the extent Springfield Rehab’s point relied on and brief 
can be so interpreted, competent and substantial evidence presented to the ALJ and adopted 
by the commission supports the opposite conclusion.  See Greer, 475 S.W.3d at 664 (“This 
Court must defer to the [c]ommission’s findings on … the weight given to conflicting 
evidence[.]”).   
Dr. Koprivica opined Harper’s total disability is from her workplace injury alone.  
This conclusion is supported by Harper’s account.  Harper had successfully returned to the 
workforce for several years after her previous injuries and medical problems and prior to 
the workplace accident.  Following the accident, the initial pull she experienced developed 
into debilitating pain to the point she terminated her employment.  Harper’s position has 
been consistent as to the cart accident being the catalyst of her debilitating pain rendering 
her unable to work.  See Big Boy, 121 S.W.3d at 223-24 (finding the claimant’s total 
disability arose from a workplace accident rendering the claimant unable to perform 
basic physical activity due to back impairment).   
13 
 
 
Section 287.140.1. 
 
 
Pursuant to section 287.140.1, the commission in this case awarded Harper “future 
medical treatment to cure and relieve the effects of the work injury of June 22, 2018.”  
Springfield Rehab contends this award of future medical care was erroneous because 
Harper cannot demonstrate a “reasonable probability” that future medical treatment will be 
necessary due to the work-related injury.  
Springfield Rehab’s argument fails because a claimant “needs only to show a 
reasonable probability that the future treatment is necessary because of [her] work-related 
injury.” Greer, 475 S.W.3d at 673. The facts of this case clearly show a reasonable 
probability Harper will need future medical treatment due to her workplace injury.  The 
record established she has suffered persistent, debilitating pain for which she has sought 
medical care since the cart accident.  There is no reason from the record to assume her pain 
will suddenly subside or she will never again need medical care to address her condition.  
Rather, Dr. Koprivica opined, “I thought that she needed ongoing multidisciplinary pain 
management …. I still think she needs monitoring and medication and possible 
psychological support.”9  The record contains competent and substantial evidence there is 
a reasonable probability Harper has continued to need and will continue to need future 
medical treatment due to her workplace injury.  Point six is denied. 
                                              
9 Springfield Rehab appears to suggest the commission’s award of future medical treatment 
is improperly based on a non-pled and non-work-related psychological component.  The 
commission’s final award, however, provides for “future medical treatment to cure and 
relieve the effects of the work injury of June 22, 2018.” (Emphasis added). 
14 
 
Conclusion 
Because competent and substantial evidence supports the commission’s final award 
of PTD compensation and future medical care, this Court affirms. 
 
___________________ 
W. Brent Powell, Judge 
 
Russell, C.J., Ransom and Wilson, JJ., concur;  
Fischer, J., concurs in separate opinion filed.   
Broniec and Gooch, JJ., not participating. 
 
SUPREME COURT OF MISSOURI 
en banc 
 
JEANNIE E. HARPER, 
) 
 
) 
 
Respondent, 
) 
 
) 
v. 
) 
 
 
) 
SPRINGFIELD REHAB AND HEALTH 
) 
CARE CENTER/NHC HEALTH, 
) 
 
) 
 
Appellant, 
) 
 
 
) 
PREMIER GROUP INSURANCE 
) 
 
No. SC100006 
COMPANY CORVEL ENTERPRISE 
) 
COMPANY, INC. (TPA), 
) 
 
 
) 
 
Appellant, 
) 
 
 
) 
and 
 
) 
 
 
) 
TREASURER OF MISSOURI AS 
) 
CUSTODIAN OF THE SECOND INJURY ) 
FUND, 
) 
 
 
) 
 
Respondent. 
) 
 
CONCURRING OPINION 
 
I concur with the conclusion of the principal opinion and its holding that Springfield 
Rehab's points relied on all fail to comply with Rule 84.04.  Because the Rule 84.04 briefing 
2 
 
requirements are mandatory, however, I would dismiss Springfield Rehab's appeal for its 
repeated, wholesale noncompliance with Rule 84.04.1  
 
Rule 84.04's briefing rules are mandatory.  Lexow v. Boeing Co., 643 S.W.3d 501, 
505 (Mo. banc 2022).  A noncompliant point relied on fails to preserve a claim for appellate 
review.  Fowler v. Mo. Sheriffs' Ret. Sys., 623 S.W.3d 578, 583 (Mo. banc 2021).  
Fortunately, Rule 84.04 provides simple, straightforward guidance for drafting a compliant 
point relied on in appeals from circuit court judgments, administrative agency decisions, 
and original writ proceedings.  Rule 84.04(d)(1)-(3).  
In this case, Rule 84.04(d)(2) identifies the elements of a point relied on in an appeal 
from an agency decision and provides the template for a compliant point, literally leaving 
it to the appellant to fill in the blanks: 
Where the appellate court reviews the decision of an administrative agency, 
rather than a trial court, each point shall: 
 
(A) Identify the administrative ruling or action the appellant challenges; 
(B) State concisely the legal reasons for the appellant's claim of reversible 
error; and 
                                                 
1 Consistent with the mandatory nature of the rules, "this Court should employ ex gratia review 
only when the issue contained in the point relied on is exceedingly important."  Lollar v. Lollar, 
609 S.W.3d 41, 50 (Mo. banc 2020) (Fischer, J., concurring).  For instance, as I noted in Lollar, 
this Court in Macke v. Patton, 591 S.W.3d 865, 870 n.3 (Mo. banc 2019), exercised its discretion 
to review a noncompliant point relied on to correct a line of court of appeals decisions utilizing an 
incorrect standard of review for wrongful death settlement apportionment determinations.  
Similarly, in Johnson v. State, 580 S.W.3d 895, 907 n.10 (Mo. banc 2019), this Court recognized 
it should "exercise extreme caution when deciding whether to conduct discretionary ex gratia 
review, as such review is warranted only where necessary to avoid manifest injustice."  This case 
does not involve an exceedingly important legal issue in need of immediate resolution.  There is 
no manifest injustice because, whether the appeal is dismissed or resolved on the merits, the net 
result is the same: the Commission's award stands.  Under the circumstances, noncompliance with 
the mandatory briefing rules should preclude gratuitous review of the deficient points relied on.  
 
3 
 
(C) Explain in summary fashion why, in the context of the case, those legal 
reasons support the claim of reversible error. 
 
The point shall be in substantially the following form: "The [name of agency] 
erred in [identify the challenged ruling or action], because [state the legal 
reasons for the claim of reversible error, including the reference to the 
applicable statute authorizing review], in that [explain why, in the context of 
the case, the legal reasons support the claim of reversible error]." 
 
 
The principal opinion correctly holds all six points relied on violate Rule 
84.04(d)(2).  The principal opinion dismisses Springfield Rehab's second and fifth points 
relied on but then gratuitously reviews the remaining points to the extent they can be 
discerned and interpreted.  My concern is, and always has been, that the moment this Court 
attempts to discern or interpret a noncompliant point relied on, it risks blurring the clear 
line Rule 84.04 draws between neutrality and well-intentioned, but ill-advised, advocacy.  
Bowers v. Bowers, 543 S.W.3d 608, 619 (Mo. banc 2018) (Fischer, J., concurring).  In my 
view, whenever this Court must discern and interpret the points relied on, the most 
judicious course of action is to dismiss the appeal.  
The reasons for dismissal are well-established and essential.  When resolving an 
appeal, this Court serves as a neutral arbiter of legal disputes, not as an "advocate for any 
party to an appeal."  Thummel v. King, 570 S.W.2d 679, 686 (Mo. banc 1978).  Reviewing 
a deficient point gratuitously "creates a risk of the Court exceeding its jurisprudential 
function and assuming a role as advocate instead of arbiter."  Johnson, 580 S.W.3d at 907 
n.10.  It follows that this Court "should exercise extreme caution" and should gratuitously 
review a deficient point only when necessary to avoid a "manifest injustice" or to address 
an "exceedingly important" issue in need of immediate resolution.  Lollar, 609 S.W.3d at 
4 
 
50 (Fischer, J., concurring).  Declining to review Springfield Rehab's deficient points relied 
on challenging an administrative award of permanent total disability benefits would not 
result in a manifest injustice.  It would, however, send a clear and important message that 
this Court will enforce its own rules as written to preserve both its neutrality and the level 
playing field the rules create.  
Finally, any remaining sliver of a reason to gratuitously review the deficient points 
relied on is severed by fact the court of appeals dismissed all but one of Springfield Rehab's 
points relied due to noncompliance with Rule 84.04.  Dismissal is especially appropriate 
when, as in this case, a party is "warned by the court of appeals of the briefing deficiencies" 
and fails "to adequately rectify the shortcomings identified by the court of appeals" in its 
substitute briefing.  Lexow, 643 S.W.3d at 509.  Despite the fact the court of appeals 
dismissed all but subpart (B) of its multifarious first point relied on, Springfield Rehab's 
substitute brief also fails to comply with the clear dictates of Rule 84.04(d)(2).  I would 
dismiss the appeal.  
 
__________________ 
 
Zel M. Fischer, Judge