Case Name: Bruce GARDNER v. NABORS OFFSHORE CORPORATION
Court: Louisiana Court of Appeal
Jurisdiction: Louisiana
Decision Date: 2001-11-21
Citations: 800 So. 2d 412
Docket Number: No. 01-0773
Parties: Bruce GARDNER v. NABORS OFFSHORE CORPORATION.
Judges: Court composed of JOHN D. SAUNDERS, BILLIE COLOMBARO WOODARD and MARC T. AMY, Judges.
Reporter: Southern Reporter, Second Series
Volume: 800
Pages: 412–427

Head Matter:
Bruce GARDNER v. NABORS OFFSHORE CORPORATION.
No. 01-0773.
Court of Appeal of Louisiana, Third Circuit.
Nov. 21, 2001.
Thomas E. Dunn, Dunn Law Firm, Mandeville, LA, Counsel for Bruce Gardner.
Brian M. LeCompte, Kevin Andrew Marks, Galloway, Johnson, Tompkins, New Orleans, LA, Counsel for Nabors Offshore Corporation.
Court composed of JOHN D. SAUNDERS, BILLIE COLOMBARO WOODARD and MARC T. AMY, Judges.

Opinion:
hAMY, Judge.
The claimant alleged injury as the result of a work-related accident. Although the employer initially provided treatment and workers' compensation benefits, the employer ultimately denied a diagnostic procedure recommended by the claimant's physician and, subsequently, terminated payment of benefits. The employer asserted that the benefits were terminated due to misrepresentations made by the claimant. The Office of Workers' Compensation found in favor of the employer. Included in its ruling was a determination that the claimant made representations sufficient for the defense of La.R.S. 23:1208. The claimant appeals. For the following reasons, we affirm.
Factual and Procedural Background
The claimant, Bruce Gardner, was an employee of Nabors Offshore Corporation at the time of the incident from which this workers' compensation matter arises. The parties stipulated that Mr. Gardner was in the course and scope of his employment at the time of the May 3, 2000 accident, which involved Mr. Gardner jumping to the ground from a tractor. He alleges that he began to suffer back pain, and reported the incident. He was sent to the employer's choice of physician, Dr. Michael Duval, an orthopedic surgeon. Dr. Duval diagnosed a strain, and returned the claimant to light-duty work. Mr. Gardner returned to a light-duty position. He continued in this position until he complained he could no longer function due to pain. At some point, according to the claimant's testimony, he could no longer perform the light-duty work assigned and began to stay home rather than report to work.
On June 12, 2000, the claimant's employment with Nabors was terminated. Na-bors contends that his employment was terminated due to his failure to report to | j>a Transitional Educational Program (TEP) in Houma, Louisiana. Sue Duplan-tis, a program manager with F.A. Richard and Associates, who manages the workers' compensation account for Nabors, testified that she spoke with the claimant and informed him that he would be terminated for failure to report. Mr. Gardner denied that he was informed of this possibility. After the termination, Nabors provided workers' compensation benefits.
In July 2000, when the claimant's complaints of pain continued, he sought treatment from his choice of treating physician, Dr. John Cobb, an orthopedic surgeon. Dr. Cobb reported that he reviewed x-rays which revealed congenital defects at L5-S1 and an MRI which revealed small bulges at L3-4 and L4-5. He made similar observations on a myelogram and CT scan that were taken. Dr. Cobb's conclusion at that time was that the claimant suffered from post-traumatic lumbar pain syndrome. His second impression was that the claimant suffered from an anterior column injury. According to his deposition testimony, he found nothing that was compatible with a diagnosis of a herniated disc. Ultimately, Dr. Cobb recommended both steroid injections and that the claimant undergo a diskogram. The steroid injections prescribed by Dr. Cobb were approved by the insurance provider. However, the disko-gram, recommended due to what Dr. Cobb described as inconclusive results, was denied by the insurer. Dr. Cobb explained that he felt the diskogram was necessary to confirm the condition and see whether the injury was significant enough to warrant doing something about.
Dr. Duval's deposition testimony indicates that he did not feel that the disko-gram was warranted. Instead, Dr. Duval recommended that the claimant undergo a functional capacity evaluation due to issues of validity of complaints and, ^perhaps, a psychological overlay. He explained that, only after an FCE that revealed no symptom magnification, would he then proceed with a further work-up, including a disko-gram. After a report indicated the existence of inconsistency with some physical maneuvers, Dr. Duval indicated that he no longer felt the claimant was a surgical candidate. He stated that he no longer had anything to offer the claimant other than rehabilitation.
This claim was filed in June 2000, after Mr. Gardner's employment was terminated. The claimant contended that the termination was due to his compensation claim. During the course of litigation, the claimant's deposition was taken in February 2001. Following the deposition, the claimant's workers' compensation benefits were terminated, with the employer alleging a La.R.S. 23:1208 defense due to what it contends were the claimant's inaccurate denials of prior injuries and work-related accidents. Sue Duplantis, the manager handling the compensation claim, stated that following the deposition, she relied on advice of counsel and terminated the benefits.
At the hearing on this matter, the parties put at issue whether the employer was arbitrary and capricious in terminating the claimant's benefits and in denying the dis-kogram and future surgery. Penalties and attorney's fees were sought in this regard. Further, whether an emergency room visit on September 19, 2000 was work-related. Finally, the parties contested whether the claimant violated La.R.S. 28:1208, thus forfeiting any workers' compensation benefits.
The workers' compensation judge found in favor of the employer, concluding that the claimant violated La.R.S. 23:1208, forfeiting his right to workers' compensation benefits. Despite the finding of forfeiture, the workers' compensation | Judge decided the remaining issues. The workers' compensation judge concluded that the employer was not arbitrary, capricious, or without cause in refusing to approve a diskogram or future surgery, determined that the claimant failed to prove that the emergency room treatment received on September 19 was work-related and, finally, found that the termination of the claimant's employment was not due to his compensation claim.
The claimant assigns the following as error:
1. The trial court's judgment that the employer was not arbitrary and capricious in its termination of the claimant's benefits and/or its refusal to authorize a diskogram is contrary to the weight of the law and evidence; hence, the judgment in this respect was clearly wrong and should be reversed.
2. The trial court erred in holding that the employer's termination of the claimant from employment was not related to his workers' compensation claim.
3. The trial court erred in holding that the claimant violated LSA R.S. 23:1208 and thereby forfeited any rights to workers' compensation benefits.
4. The trial court erred in finding that the claimant was able to perform light to sedentary work.
5. The trial court erred in allowing the FCE to be admitted into evidence.
6. The trial court erred in allowing the Occupational Therapist to testify and/or erred in giving the testimony credible weight.
Discussion
La.R.S. 23:1208
Due to the statute's preclusive nature, we turn first to the workers' compensation judge's finding that the claimant's entitlement to benefits under the | Bworkers' compensation provisions was forfeited due to operation of La.R.S. 23:1208. The statute provides, in part:
A. It shall be unlawful for any person, for the purpose of obtaining or defeating any benefit or payment under the provisions of this Chapter, either for himself or for any other person, to willfully make a false statement or representation.
E. Any employee violating this Section shall, upon determination by workers' compensation judge, forfeit any right to compensation benefits under this Chapter.
The Louisiana Supreme Court has determined that the plain wording of Section 1208 requires only that: "1) the claimant make a false statement or representation, 2) the statement or representation be willfully made, and 3) the statement or representation be made for the purpose of obtaining workers' compensation benefits." Resweber v. Haroil Const. Co., 94-2708, p. 14 (La.9/5/95); 660 So.2d 7, 16. In considering this standard, however, we are mindful that the forfeiture remedy is a harsh one and, thus, "statutory forfeiture must be strictly construed." Wise v. J.E. Merit Constructors, Inc., 97-0684, p. 7 (La.1/21/98); 707 So.2d 1214, 1218. Furthermore, the determination of whether an employee forfeited benefits is factual in nature and, accordingly, is one that will not be reversed on appeal, absent manifest error. KLLM, Inc. v. Reed, 00-295 (La.App. 3 Cir. 10/11/00); 771 So.2d 728.
Regarding the forfeiture argument, the workers' compensation judge was presented with evidence that, at visits with the physicians, in his response to interrogatories, and at his pre-trial deposition, the claimant consistently denied prior injury or incidents potentially relevant to his work-related condition. However, evidence revealed prior complaints, hospitalizations, a previous altercation, and an | ^assignment to light-duty with a previous employer, an employer the claimant had not previously revealed. At the time of trial, however, his memory was refreshed as to these events. In finding La.R.S. 23:1208 applicable in this case, the workers' compensation judge reviewed the evidence of failure to report prior injuries and ultimately rendered lengthy reasons for ruling, explaining:
The claimant's deposition was taken February 2, 2001, wherein he repeatedly made material misrepresentations under oath about prior injuries and treatment for the same. Following the claimant's deposition, the defendant obtained medical records from Iberia Medical Center which revealed two prior instances wherein he was treated for work-related low back injuries and a treatment for a shoulder injury he sustained in a physical altercation. The claimant denied any prior back injuries and stated he had never injured his shoulder. The claimant denied any prior on-the-job injuries, or even hurting himself in a fight. The claimant further testified he had never sought treatment for such injuries.... He testified he understood he was under oath, and that he was testifying in an effort to obtain workers' compensation benefits. At trial, the claimant again testified he had understood at the time of the deposition that he was testifying in an effort to obtain workers' compensation benefits. The claimant also made false statements about his medical history to both Dr. Duval and Dr. Cobb. Again, the claimant testified at trial he understood representations made to those physicians were made in an attempt to obtain workers' compensation benefits. Once the defendant learned of the claimant's testimony, the defendant terminated his benefits.
This Court finds the claimant's trial testimony shows he understood representations made to his treating physicians, in answers to the defendant's interrogatories and during his deposition were made for the purpose of obtaining workers' compensation benefits. The claimant testified he understood he was under oath while answering his interrogatories and during his deposition. The claimant tried to justify his number of misrepresentations by stating he had forgotten about his prior injuries, illnesses, and treatment for the same. This Court finds the claimant's testimony to be incredible.
On direct examination, the claimant had no problems recalling details of his prior work history including working for Breaux Brothers. While working for Breaux Brothers the claimant received a back injury which prompted him to seek medical attention and be placed on light duty for one week. However, the claimant did not recall this work-related injury or his week of light duty. Additionally, he did not recall |7even being employed for Breaux Brothers in his deposition. The claimant recalled several other instances at trial which he did not recall at his deposition, answering interrogatories, or making representations to his physicians. The claimant also sustained another work-related back injury while employed with his father's janitorial service. He again sought medical treatment, which resulted in being hospitalized for three days with gastrointestinal problems. The claimant was also hospitalized as the result of a fight. The claimant testified he was jumped by three individuals and beat to the point of hospitalization. When confronted with these significant events at trial, the claimant testified he did not remember the events at the respective instances of inquiry, but when reminded of the events, it came back to him.
Despite the foregoing alleged lapses in memory concerning significant events, the claimant testified that his memory with respect to the substance of a telephonic conversation with Ms. Duplantis was clear. Ms. Duplantis testified she informed the claimant that failure to report to TEP would result in termination. The claimant not only testified that no represen[ta]tive for the defendant informed him of such, but following Mr. Duplantis' testimony, the claimant took the stand again to state under oath that Ms. Duplantis never told him the consequences of failing to report to TEP. The claimant's memory cannot be justified by coincidence, but rather gives rise to the inferences he has been making false statements to obtain workers' compensation benefits.
This Court finds the defendant has met its burden of proof that the claimant willfully made false statements or representations. Following the defendant's prima facie showing claimant's violation of LSA-R.S. 23:1208, the burden shifted to the claimant. This Court finds the claimant has failed to respond with adequate justification for his misrepresentations, and therefore, this Court finds that the claimant is in violation of LSA-R.S. 23:1208 and thus forfeits any right to workers' compensation benefits.
After considering these reasons in light of the evidence contained in the record, we find no manifest error in the result reached by the workers' compensation judge.
Indeed, in his deposition, the plaintiff denied prior injuries, workers' compensation claims, or hospitalization. According to medical records and the defendant's testimony at trial, however, these denials were clearly untrue. Furthermore, the credibility determination made regarding the claimant's inability to recall until the time of the hearing is clearly supported as several of the events the |sclaimant could not recall were significant in nature. For instance, the claimant denied back injuries or workers' compensation claims, but had previously been assigned to light duty for a back injury in 1993 and had sought medical attention for complaints of back pain in 1990. He denied any hospitalization, but records reveal three days of hospitalization in 1985, at which time he underwent a battery of tests. Also, he denied any prior physical altercations, but at trial admitted that he could, in fact, recall an altercation which apparently involved injuries significant enough to prompt medical attention. Clearly, evidence of these statements/misstatements regarding what must have been memorable events, permits the workers' compensation judge to find the claimant's testimony lacked credibility and were willfully made. Finally, the nature of events that were not disclosed upon specific question ing, support a finding that the representations were made for the purpose of obtaining benefits. As the record reveals no error in the determination that the elements of. La.R.S. 23:1208 were satisfied, we find this assignment to be without merit.
We further observe that the workers' compensation judge rendered extensive written reasons, addressing each of the issues presented for consideration. The claimant assigns as error and briefs these issues. However, it is clear that these remaining issues of entitlement to benefits, refusal of services, and the reasonableness of the employer's action no longer merit consideration. In KLLM, Inc., 00-295; 771 So.2d 728, a panel of this court explained that, after La.R.S. 23:1208 is found to be applicable and benefits are forfeited, any remaining controversy as to arbitrary and | flcapricious denial of benefits or the untimely paying of benefits is rendered moot. Accordingly, we do not address the remaining assignments of error.
DECREE
For the foregoing reasons, the decision of the Office of Workers' Compensation is affirmed. All costs of this appeal are assigned to the claimant, Bruce E. Gardner.
AFFIRMED.
SAUNDERS, J., concurs and assigns written reasons.
WOODARD, J., concurs.
. La.R.S. 23:1208(E) requires the forfeiture of "any right to compensation benefits under this Chapter." (Emphasis added.) The limited jurisprudence in the area is clear that that the term "benefits" is comprehensive and is not limited to forfeiture of indemnity benefits. See Tuminello v. Girling Health Care Inc., 98-977 (La.App. 5 Cir. 1/26/99); 731 So.2d 316; Ard v. Orleans Material & Equipment, 98-0312 (La.App. 4 Cir. 12/29/98); 727 So.2d 1183.
. Neither is this a case in which the misrepresentation leads to forfeiture of only certain benefits as in Ledet v. Burger King/Sydran, 99-1380 (La.App. 3 Cir. 4/26/00); 763 So.2d 27, writ denied, 00-1512 (La.6/30/00); 766 So.2d 546, wherein a claimant was determined to have only forfeited benefits resulting from a misrepresentation of mileage. Rather, in this case, the misrepresentations found to exist by the workers' compensation judge relate to the existence or continuation of any work-related injury.