IN THE COMMONWEALTH COURT OF PENNSYLVANIA

Pocono Mountain School District, :

 Petitioner :

:

v. :

:

Jeffrey Kojeszewski (Workers’ :

Compensation Appeal Board), : No. 1002 C.D. 2021

Respondent : Submitted: February 4, 2022

BEFORE: HONORABLE PATRICIA A. McCULLOUGH, Judge

HONORABLE CHRISTINE FIZZANO CANNON, Judge

HONORABLE LORI A. DUMAS, Judge

OPINION NOT REPORTED

MEMORANDUM OPINION 

BY JUDGE FIZZANO CANNON FILED: April 21, 2022

Before the Court is a petition (Petition for Review) by Pocono 

Mountain School District (Employer) seeking review of the August 18, 2021 order 

of the Workers’ Compensation Appeal Board (Board). The Board affirmed the 

decision of Workers’ Compensation Judge Alan Harris (WCJ Harris) granting 

review and reinstatement petitions filed by Jeffrey Kojeszewski (Claimant) and 

denying Employer’s termination petition. For the reasons set forth below, the 

Board’s order is affirmed.

I. Background

Claimant sustained a work-related injury on July 5, 2016, when he 

slipped and fell while applying polyurethane to a gymnasium floor. Reproduced 
2

Record (RR) at 263a. By decision dated January 2, 2018 (WCJ Pletcher Decision), 

Workers’ Compensation Judge Eric Pletcher (WCJ Pletcher) granted Claimant’s 

claim petition and recognized work-related injuries in the nature of a “left wrist and 

elbow strain and sprain and contusion, bruising of the left wrist, and left post[-

]traumatic carpal tunnel syndrome.” Id. WCJ Pletcher also suspended Claimant’s 

benefits as of August 29, 2016, when Claimant returned to his pre-injury position

with no loss of wages. Id.

In June 2019, Claimant filed a review petition seeking to add left 

brachial plexopathy to the description of his injuries, as well as a reinstatement 

petition seeking wage loss benefits as of June 26, 2018. RR at 263a. On September 

25, 2019, Employer filed a termination petition alleging that Claimant had fully 

recovered from his work injuries as of September 12, 2019. Id. The matters were 

assigned to WCJ Harris for disposition.

Claimant testified before WCJ Harris in July 2019, describing his 

original work injury and how he landed on his left arm and shoulder when he fell to 

the floor. RR at 263a. Claimant testified that following this accident, he experienced 

pain radiating from his shoulder down into his hand and that such symptoms have 

remained unchanged since the date of the injury. Id. Claimant averred that he was

still experiencing radiating pain from the left side of his neck and down his left arm, 

with frequent numbness in the outer aspect of his left hand and arm, for which he is 

treating with Dr. Jay Talsania (Dr. Talsania). Id. Following six weeks of physical 

therapy, Dr. Talsania prescribed Claimant medical marijuana to help ease his pain 

and provide relaxation so that he can sleep at night. Id. Claimant indicated that he 

continued working for Employer after the work injury. Id.
3

Claimant stated that during the school year, he works as a non-teaching 

assistant for Employer, assisting teachers with the supervision of students, and that 

he has no restrictions while performing this job. RR at 263a. He indicated that he 

was able to work the custodian position over the summer of 2018, but not the 

summer of 2019, because the position required that he be able to lift 100 pounds and 

Dr. Talsania has since imposed a restriction of no lifting over 20 pounds with his left 

arm. Id. Claimant testified that he was out of work as of June 13, 2019. Id. On 

cross-examination, Claimant acknowledged that his updated 2019 restrictions 

related to his alleged left brachial problem and that his treatment since June of 2018 

has been related to that problem. Id. at 264a. Claimant returned to his non-teaching 

position during the 2018-2019 school year. Id.

During testimony at a hearing in January 2020, Claimant testified that 

he returned to work for Employer as a custodian on July 18, 2019, but with 

restrictions. RR at 264a. Claimant stated that he continued to treat with Dr. Talsania 

every six months. Id. Claimant acknowledged that for many years prior to his work 

injuries, he suffered from, and was treated for, psoriatic arthritis, which included 

pain in his neck and lower back. Id. Claimant also confirmed that such pain 

increased in late 2018 and early 2019. Id.

Following this testimony, Claimant and Employer entered into a 

stipulation of fact as to Claimant’s earnings during the relevant periods of the 

litigation, which indicated that Claimant received four weeks of disability benefits 

from June 17 through July 14, 2019, that Claimant returned to work thereafter, and 

that Claimant would not be entitled to disability benefits for the 2018-2019 and 

2019-2020 school years. RR at 264a.
4

Claimant submitted the deposition testimony of Dr. Talsania, a boardcertified orthopedic surgeon with additional certification in hand surgery, who first 

saw Claimant in May of 2018. RR at 264a. Dr. Talsania testified that his 

examination revealed a positive test for left brachial plexus irritation and a mild 

subluxation of the ulnar nerve on the left, which were confirmed by a subsequent 

nerve test. Id. Dr. Talsania restricted Claimant from any overhead work and from

lifting more than 20 pounds. Id. at 265a. Dr. Talsania later recommended H-wave 

therapy1 and medical marijuana to help ease Claimant’s pain. Id. He noted that 

Claimant’s complaints of left arm pain and numbness remained consistent 

throughout his treatment. Id. He opined that Claimant suffered from left brachial 

plexopathy, for which he noted a delay in diagnosis was not uncommon, left ulnar 

neuritis, a capitate contusion, and resolved left wrist sprain and elbow pain. Id. Dr. 

Talsania related these diagnoses to Claimant’s fall on July 5, 2016. Id. Dr. Talsania 

disagreed with the findings of Dr. Richard Mandel (Dr. Mandel), who performed an 

independent medical examination (IME) of Claimant at the request of Employer and 

noted no brachial plexus injury. Id.

Employer presented the deposition testimony of Dr. Mandel, who 

performed an IME of Claimant on September 12, 2019. RR at 265a. Dr. Mandel 

testified that certain tests conducted during his examination of Claimant were 

positive for a possible brachial plexus problem, but that the diagnosis could not be 

confirmed because Claimant’s responses related to subjective tests. Id. Dr. Mandel 

opined that Claimant had fully recovered from his left wrist and elbow strain and 

sprain, the bruise of the left wrist, and post-traumatic left carpal tunnel syndrome, 

1

“H-Wave is a multi-functional electrical stimulation device intended to speed recovery, 

restore function, and manage chronic, acute or post-operative pain.” What Is H-Wave®? Available 

online at https://www.h-wave.com/ (last visited Apr. 20, 2022).
5

and that Claimant did not sustain a left brachial plexus injury as a result of the fall 

at work. Id. at 265a-66a. Dr. Mandel opined that, at most, Claimant sustained ulnar 

nerve irritation as a result of the fall, for which he imposed restrictions. Id. at 266a. 

On cross-examination, Dr. Mandel agreed that Claimant showed no gross signs of 

symptom magnification, that there were clinical findings consistent with bilateral 

subluxation of the ulnar nerves resulting in ulnar nerve irritation, and that the same 

was related to Claimant’s work injury. Id.

WCJ Harris ultimately granted Claimant’s review and reinstatement 

petitions and denied Employer’s termination petition. WCJ Harris accepted the 

testimony of Claimant as credible and found Dr. Talsania to be more credible than 

Dr. Mandel, noting that their physical findings on examination were similar. RR at 

266a. WCJ Harris further found that Claimant’s work injuries should be amended 

to include left brachial plexopathy and left ulnar neuritis, and that Claimant has never 

at any time been fully recovered from his work injuries. Id. WCJ Harris approved 

the stipulation of the parties, which reflected Claimant’s different periods of wage 

loss resulting from his work injuries, and found the amount of such wage loss 

described therein to be payable to Claimant. Id. Finally, WCJ Harris awarded 

Claimant litigation costs in the amount of $5,547.49. Id.

Employer appealed to the Board, which affirmed the decision and order 

of WCJ Harris. The Board rejected an argument from Employer that any finding of 

a left ulnar nerve injury was barred by res judicata or collateral estoppel because 

WCJ Pletcher had rejected the opinion of Dr. Randall Culp (Dr. Culp) that 

Claimant’s symptoms were the result of an injury to Claimant’s left ulnar nerve.2 

RR at 285a. As the Board explained, Dr. Culp opined that Claimant had a subluxable 

2

It appears that Dr. Culp performed an IME of Claimant on April 13, 2017 and testified 

on behalf of Employer before WCJ Pletcher. RR at 251a-52a. 
6

ulnar nerve3 at both elbows, which was a congenital problem; Dr. Culp did not opine 

as to a work-related ulnar nerve condition. Id. at 286a. Therefore, the Board 

concluded that the ulnar nerve issue was not litigated previously or essential to the 

original decision, so res judicata and collateral estoppel did not apply. Id.

The Board also rejected Employer’s argument that Claimant’s 

description of his fall at work was contrary to his previous testimony before WCJ 

Pletcher, noting that WCJ Harris was aware of the prior decision and that Employer 

was essentially attempting to challenge WCJ Harris’s credibility determination with 

respect to Claimant’s testimony. RR at 286a. Further, the Board rejected Employer’s

argument that WCJ Harris erred in failing to grant its termination petition. Id. In 

this regard, the Board rejected Employer’s premise that the addition of left brachial 

plexopathy and left ulnar neuritis was in error. Id. Finally, because Claimant was 

successful before WCJ Harris and the Board affirmed that decision, the Board 

rejected Employer’s argument that WCJ Harris erred in awarding litigation costs. 

Id. at 287a. 

Employer then filed its Petition for Review with this Court.4 

3 Ulnar nerve subluxation is a condition where the ulnar nerve slides 

back and forth from its normal position behind the medial 

epicondyle (the bony prominence on the inside of the elbow) to in 

front of it. Snapping of the nerve with motion of the arm is 

uncomfortable along the inside of the elbow and forearm. It often 

causes numbness and tingling that radiates into the fourth and fifth 

fingers. . . .

Dr. David Geier, Ulnar Nerve Subluxation, https://www.drdavidgeier.com/ask-dr-geier-ulnar-nervesubluxation/#:~:text=Ulnar%20nerve%20subluxation%20is%20a%20condition%20where%20th

e,along%20the%20inside%20of%20the%20elbow%20and%20forearm (last visited Apr. 20, 2022).

4 Our scope of review in a workers’ compensation appeal is limited to determining whether 

necessary findings of fact are supported by substantial evidence, whether an error of law was 

committed, or whether constitutional rights were violated. City of Scranton v. Workers’ Comp. 

Appeal Bd. (Roche), 909 A.2d 485 (Pa. Cmwlth. 2006).
7

II. Issues

In its Petition for Review, Employer argues that the Board erred in 

affirming the decision and order of WCJ Harris granting Claimant’s review and 

reinstatement petitions, because the opinion of Dr. Talsania was contrary to facts 

previously found by WCJ Pletcher. Petition for Review ¶ 9(a). Employer also 

asserts that the Board erred in affirming the decision and order of WCJ Harris 

denying its termination petition with respect to the work-related injuries for which 

benefits were previously awarded, because the medical evidence established that 

Claimant was fully recovered from those injuries. Id., ¶ 9(b). Employer further 

contends that because the Board erred as set forth above, Claimant was not entitled 

to litigation costs. Id., ¶9(c).

III. Discussion

A. Res Judicata and Collateral Estoppel

In its first argument, Employer challenges the testimony of Dr. Talsania

that Claimant’s work accident caused left ulnar neuritis, which WCJ Harris 

specifically found to be credible and which, together with the credible testimony of 

Claimant, supported the grant of Claimant’s review and reinstatement petitions. 

Employer points to a finding of fact by WCJ Harris that “[WCJ] Pletcher specifically 

rejected the opinion of Dr. [] Culp that Claimant’s symptoms were due to an injury 

to the left ulnar nerve . . . .” RR at 263a. Employer contends WCJ Harris could not 

credit evidence that directly contradicted a previous finding of fact by WCJ Pletcher.

The Board addressed and rejected Employer’s argument that the 

testimony of Dr. Talsania was contrary to facts previously found by WCJ Pletcher. 

The Board explained:
8

[Employer] contends that although both Dr. Talsania and

Dr. Mandel opined that Claimant sustained a work-related

left ulnar nerve injury when he fell in July 2016, 

Claimant’s [r]eview [p]etition to add a left ulnar nerve 

injury is barred because WCJ Pletcher rejected Dr. Culp’s 

opinion that Claimant’s symptoms were the result of an 

injury to his left ulnar nerve. The doctrines of res judicata

and collateral estoppel foreclose relitigation of an issue of 

fact or law which was litigated and necessary to the 

original judgment . . . . According to WCJ[] Pletcher’s 

Decision, what Dr. Culp opined that was that Claimant had 

a subluxable ulnar nerve at both elbows which was a 

congenital problem. He did not, from our review of WCJ 

Pletcher’s Decision, opine as to a work-related ulnar nerve 

condition. Further, WCJ Pletcher specifically rejected 

[Dr. Culp’s] testimony that Claimant sustained only a 

work-related wrist contusion and contusion of the elbow 

and had fully recovered. There is no indication that the 

issue litigated here was litigated previously and essential 

to the original judgement or was, as [Employer] contends, 

contrary to WCJ[] Pletcher’s determination.

RR at 285a-86a (citing Weney v. Workers’ Comp. Appeal Bd. (Mac Sprinkler Sys.,

Inc.), 960 A.2d 949, 953-55 (Pa. Cmwlth. 2008); Henion v. Workers’ Comp. Appeal 

Bd. (Firpo & Sons, Inc.), 776 A.2d 362, 365-67 (Pa. Cmwlth. 2001)). We agree.

Previously, in the litigation of the claim petition before WCJ Pletcher, 

Claimant’s treating physician, Dr. William Prebola (Dr. Prebola), testified that 

Claimant’s 2016 work injuries included “left wrist and elbow sprain/strain 

contusion, bruising of the left wrist and post-traumatic carpal tunnel syndrome.” RR 

at 251a. Employer’s medical expert, Dr. Culp, agreed that Claimant sustained a 

work-related wrist contusion or a sprain and strain and contusion of the elbow. Id.

at 252a. Dr. Culp further opined that Claimant was suffering from a subluxable ulnar 

nerve in both elbows which was congenital. Id. at 251a-52a. WCJ Pletcher found 
9

Dr. Culp’s testimony not credible and rejected it to the extent that it was inconsistent 

with Dr. Prebola’s testimony. Id. at 253a. 

Subsequently, in connection with Claimant’s review petition, his 

treating physician, Dr. Talsania, testified that he diagnosed Claimant’s medical 

conditions as including mild ulnar nerve subluxation and left ulnar neuritis, both of 

which he connected with Claimant’s fall in 2016. RR at 264a-65a. Employer’s 

medical expert, Dr. Mandel, opined that Claimant suffered from an ulnar nerve 

irritation. RR at 265a.

The judicial doctrine of res judicata “bars actions on a claim, or any 

part of a claim, which was the subject of a prior action, or could have been raised in 

that action.” Appeal of Coatesville Area Sch. Dist., 244 A.3d 373, 378 (Pa. 2021). 

For the bar of res judicata to apply, both actions must have “an identity of issues, an 

identity of causes of action, identity of persons and parties to the action, and identity 

of the quality or capacity of the parties suing or being sued.” Id. at 379 (citations 

and internal quotation marks omitted). Here, there was not an identity of issues 

between the claim and review petitions. In the claim petition, Claimant alleged 

different injuries from those he sought to add by means of the review petition filed 

in light of subsequent medical developments. Therefore, res judicata does not apply.

Collateral estoppel bars re-litigation of an issue decided in a prior 

action. Coatesville Area Sch. Dist., 244 A.3d at 379. Collateral estoppel may be 

applied only if both cases involve the same issue, the prior action was litigated to a 

final judgment on the merits, the party to be estopped was a party or was in privity 

with a party to the prior action and had a full and fair opportunity to litigate the issue 

in the prior action, and “resolution of the issue in the prior proceeding was essential 

to the judgment.” Id. Here, ulnar nerve subluxation was not raised as an issue in the 
10

claim petition. Accordingly, it cannot be said that Claimant had a full and fair 

opportunity to litigate that issue, and similarly, it was not essential to the judgment. 

Therefore, collateral estoppel is inapplicable.

B. Claimant’s Recovery from Previously Recognized Injuries

As Employer correctly observes, the uncontradicted evidence indicated

that Claimant had fully recovered from the injuries recognized in the WCJ Pletcher 

Decision. Employer asserts that in light of that recovery, WCJ Harris erred in 

denying the termination petition. We disagree. As discussed in the previous section, 

this Court concludes that the Board properly affirmed WCJ Harris’s determination 

adding left brachial plexopathy to Claimant’s description of his work-related injuries

and finding that Claimant continues to be disabled from those injuries.

A partial grant of a termination petition is improper, as a termination 

requires that all disability has ceased. See Mitoulis v. Workers’ Comp. Appeal Bd. 

(Sunrise Senior Living Mgmt., Inc.) (Pa. Cmwlth., No. 991 C.D. 2018, filed Apr. 27, 

2020)5(citing Lewis v. Workers’ Comp. Appeal Bd. (Giles & Ransome, Inc.), 919 

A.2d 922, 926 (Pa. 2007); Daniels v. Workers’ Comp. Appeal Bd. (Tristate Transp.), 

753 A.2d 293, 297 (Pa. Cmwlth. 2000)). Accordingly, in light of Claimant’s 

ongoing disability relating to left brachial plexopathy, this Court affirms the denial 

of Employer’s termination petition based on Claimant’s purported recovery from his 

previously recognized injuries.

5

 Section 414(a) of this Court’s Internal Operating Procedures provides that an unreported 

panel decision issued after January 15, 2008, may be cited for its persuasive value, but not as 

binding precedent. 210 Pa. Code § 69.414(a).
11

C. Award of Costs

Finally, Employer asserts that because the Board erred in granting the 

review petition and in denying Employer’s termination petition, there was no basis 

for an award of litigation costs against Employer. This argument lacks merit.

A workers’ compensation claimant who succeeds “in whole or in part” 

in a contested case is entitled to an award of reasonable litigation costs pursuant to 

Section 440(a) of the Workers’ Compensation Act.6 77 P.S. § 996(a).

Because we affirm the Board’s conclusions on the merits, we discern 

no error in the award of costs.

IV. Conclusion

Based on the foregoing discussion, the order of the Board is affirmed.

__________________________________

CHRISTINE FIZZANO CANNON, Judge

6 Act of June 2, 1915, P.L. 736, as amended, added by the Act of February 8, 1972, P.L. 

25, 77 P.S. §§ 1-1041.4, 2501-2710.
IN THE COMMONWEALTH COURT OF PENNSYLVANIA

Pocono Mountain School District, :

 Petitioner :

:

v. :

:

Jeffrey Kojeszewski (Workers’ :

Compensation Appeal Board), : No. 1002 C.D. 2021

Respondent :

O R D E R

AND NOW, this 21st day of April, 2022, the August 18, 2021 order of 

the Workers’ Compensation Appeal Board is AFFIRMED.

__________________________________

CHRISTINE FIZZANO CANNON, Judge