Case Name: SHARON STEEL CORPORATION, Petitioner, v. WORKERS' COMPENSATION APPEAL BOARD (FRANTZ), Respondent
Court: Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania
Jurisdiction: Pennsylvania
Decision Date: 2002-01-15
Citations: 790 A.2d 1084
Docket Number: 
Parties: SHARON STEEL CORPORATION, Petitioner, v. WORKERS’ COMPENSATION APPEAL BOARD (FRANTZ), Respondent.
Judges: Before DOYLE, President Judge, FRIEDMAN, Judge, MIRARCHI, Jr., Senior Judge.
Reporter: West's Atlantic Reporter, Second Series
Volume: 790
Pages: 1084–1093

Head Matter:
SHARON STEEL CORPORATION, Petitioner, v. WORKERS’ COMPENSATION APPEAL BOARD (FRANTZ), Respondent.
Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania.
Submitted on Briefs Feb. 25, 2000.
Decided Jan. 15, 2002.
Robert A. Loch, Pittsburgh, for petitioner.
Susan Paczak, Pittsburgh, for respondent.
Before DOYLE, President Judge, FRIEDMAN, Judge, MIRARCHI, Jr., Senior Judge.
. The decision in this case was reached prior to the date that President Judge Doyle assumed the status of Senior Judge on December 31, 2001.

Opinion:
DOYLE, President Judge.
Sharon Steel Corporation (Employer) petitions for review of an order of the Workers' Compensation Appeal Board (Board), affirming, as modified, an order of a Workers' Compensation Judge (WCJ). The WCJ granted the petition of Ervin Frantz (Claimant) to review his compensation benefits, concluding that Claimant had established separate and distinct injuries to his left wrist, left hip, and back, along with traumatic amputations of his right leg and left foot, and awarded specific loss, partial disability and total disability benefits, including the concurrent payment of partial disability and specific loss benefits.
The Board essentially affirmed the WCJ's order in a December 19, 1997 decision, but modified the order because the Board concluded that partial disability benefits and specific loss benefits could not be paid concurrently. Following reargument, the Board determined that concurrent partial disability and specific loss benefits were available to Claimant and awarded Claimant total disability benefits from April 7, 1988 until August 19, 1989, specific loss and partial disability benefits from August 20, 1989 through October 10, 1992, and total disability benefits from October 11,1992 into the future.
Employer, on appeal, contends (1) that an award of specific loss benefits and partial disability benefits at the same time is prohibited under Sections 306(b) and (d) of the Workers' Compensation Act (Act); (2) that Claimant failed to carry his burden of showing that his additional injuries arose and were disabling during his brief return to work; and (3) that the Board exceeded its powers by granting relief beyond that requested.
On April 7, 1988, Claimant, who was employed as a "hook man," was seriously injured when he was run over by a train in the course of his employment. An April 19, 1988 Notice of Compensation Payable (NCP) was filed that indicates that Claimant sustained a "traumatic amputation of [the] right leg above [the] knee and left foot at [the] metatarsal area." Specific loss payments were determined to comprise the maximum rate of $377.00 per week commencing April 15, 1988, to run for 710 weeks (660 weeks for loss of his right leg and left foot and 50 weeks for Claimant's healing period). A supplemental agreement (SA) was executed on Janu ary 10, 1989, advancing Claimant $16,000 for the purchase of a vehicle and reducing his benefits to $827.00 per week for a limited period of 320 weeks, resuming at the $377.00 per week benefit rate thereafter. (WCJ's Decision, Finding of Fact No. 5.)
Claimant subsequently returned to modified work for Employer on August 20, 1989, in a light-duty capacity. He was initially assigned to a job operating a truck scale and later accepted a position with responsibility for entering numbers into a computer. Claimant was laid off on October 10, 1992, for economic reasons and has not worked since.
On February 22, 1993, Claimant filed a petition to review his compensation benefits alleging that erroneous information was contained in the NCP and SA, and further asserting that he was entitled to total disability benefits due to his lay-off because Employer's plant was shut down. Claimant maintained that he had suffered injuries which were separate and distinct from the work injury for which he had received specific loss benefits. He also asserted that he was entitled to total disability benefits from the date of his injury to his return to work, partial disability benefits during his period of modified employment, and total disability benefits as of the date of his lay-off. Employer filed a timely answer denying the allegations.
At the WCJ's hearing, Claimant testified that he sustained "a compound fracture of his left femur/hip, a broken left arm above the wrist, three broken ribs, and internal injuries" in addition to his work-related amputations. He stated that he underwent surgery for the fractures in his left hip and left arm, introducing hospital records in support of his statement. He also testified that he experiences "pain, burning and numbness in the bottom of his left leg; lower back pain; and cramps and constant stiffness in the left hand." Although he indicated that he no longer suffers from rib problems, he continues to undergo treatment and remains on medications. He testified that while he would welcome suitable work, his abilities are limited. He has particular difficulty during inclement weather, which affects his mobility. The WCJ accepted Claimant's testimony as credible and persuasive.
In further support of his petition, Claimant presented the deposition testimony of Mounir Awad, -M.D., board certified in general surgery, who testified that Claimant had extensive injuries above and beyond his amputations. He testified that Claimant had ' "intra-abdominal injury; bleeding; chest injuries; multiple rib fractures with lung contusion; . and multiple lacerations and contusions." (Finding of Fact No. 20.) Dr. Awad recounted an initial medical treatment history whereby Claimant was resuscitated, underwent the amputations and at least six additional surgeries for treatment of infections and installation of plates and screws in his hip. Dr. Awad also indicated that over the course of his treatment of Claimant, Claimant continued to complain of low back, leg, wrist and hip pain. Dr. Awad stated that, although Claimant should not lift anything over twenty-five pounds and should restrict the use of his arm and wrist, he had deferred a final analysis of Claimant's work restrictions pending evaluation by an orthopedic surgeon.
Also in support of his petition, Claimant presented the deposition testimony of Barry L. Riemer, M.D., board certified in orthopedic surgery, who performed an independent medical evaluation of Claimant on February 7, 1994. Dr. Riemer examined Claimant, took a history, reviewed medical records and ordered x-rays. He indicated that the x-rays revealed well-healed fractures of the wrist and hip, and a "healed LI compression fracture of the lumbar spine" thus indicating that Claimant's back had been broken in the accident. (Finding of Fact No. 39.) It was Dr. Riemer's opinion that Claimant was severely disabled based on his hip fracture alone. Dr. Riemer indicated that a bubble of bone has formed in the femur repair area, which is indicative of the amount of muscle damage that Claimant sustained. He opined that Claimant's hip condition causes him to fall easily and is evidenced by Claimant's low back, buttock, hip and leg pain. Dr. Riemer stated that Claimant's amputations were only marginally responsible for the extent of Claimant's back problems. He indicated that a patient can remain erect and stable after multiple amputations only if there was no hip injury. It was Dr. Riemer's opinion, to a reasonable degree of medical certainty, that Claimant should be restricted to sedentary work of limited duration because the bubble of bone is causing, and will continue to cause, him increasing difficulty. Dr. Riemer also opined that Claimant cannot stand as he "tips from side to side and cannot hold himself in a level position." (Finding of Fact No. 43.)
In opposition to Claimant's petition, Employer presented the deposition testimony of John W. Lehman, M.D., a board certified orthopedic surgeon, who conducted an independent medical evaluation of Claimant on September 22, 1993. The essence of Dr. Lehman's testimony was that Claimant's symptoms stemmed from his amputation and the adjustment that was required of Claimant in functioning with a prosthesis. However, the WCJ found that Dr. Lehman's testimony was equivocal and rejected it as unworthy of belief. The WCJ specifically referenced Claimant's numerous surgeries, other than the amputations, to indicate that Claimant sustained severe back, left hip and left wrist injuries, and concluded that those injuries were separate and distinct work-related injuries. The WCJ further found that, as the result of these separate and distinct injuries, Claimant could not return to his pre-injury job, but did return to a light-duty job (August 20, 1989 to October 10, 1992), and was still partially disabled when he was laid off from that job. The WCJ, therefore, granted Claimant's petition and amended the NCP to include injuries to Claimant's left wrist, left hip and back. The WCJ also directed Employer to pay Claimant partial disability benefits from August 20, 1989 through October 10, 1992, and total disability benefits from October 11, 1992 forward. Lastly, the WCJ suspended Claimant's specific loss benefits effective October 11, 1992, and directed that, at the end of the period of total disability, when Employer is required to resume payment of specific loss benefits, Employer would be entitled to a credit for specific loss benefits already paid.
Employer appealed to the Board, which first concluded that Claimant could not receive benefits for partial disability and specific loss at the same time, but on reconsideration concluded that both types of benefits were available to Claimant on a concurrent basis. Employer's appeal to this Court ensued.
It is well established that in matters involving specific loss claims, a claimant who sustains an injury that is compensable under Section 306(c) of the Act, 77 P.S. § 513 (relative to specific loss calculations), is not entitled to compensation beyond that specified in that section even though he may be totally disabled by the injury. Crucible, Inc. v. Workmen's Compensation Appeal Board (Pope), 120 Pa.Cmwlth. 564, 549 A.2d 258 (1988). The exception to this rule, found in Section 306(d), 77 P.S. § 513, is when a claimant may receive benefits for injuries which are separate and distinct from those which normally flow from the specific loss injury. Id. The Supreme Court in Killian v. Heintz Div. Kelsey Hayes, 468 Pa. 200, 360 A.2d 620 (1976), set the standard for this determination in stating:
'[Wjhere it is claimed that some other part of the body is affected, it must definitely and positively appear that it is so affected, as a direct result of the permanent injury; the causal connection must be complete, and, further the disability must be separate and distinct from that which normally follows an injury under [Section 306(d)], and must endure beyond the time therein mentioned. There must be a destruction, derangement or deficiency in the organs of the other parts of the body.'
Killian, 468 Pa. at 207, 360 A.2d at 624 (quoting Lente v. Luci, 275 Pa. 217, 221-22, 119 A. 132, 133 (1922)) (emphasis added). While injuries that flow from the specific loss injury are considered compensated under specific loss benefits, injuries that are separate and distinct from the specific loss injury are eligible for their own benefits. LaChina v. Workmen's Compensation Appeal Board (Dana Corp.), 664 A.2d 204 (Pa.Cmwlth.1995). See also, City of Scranton v. Workmen's Compensation Appeal Board (Rideski), 536 Pa. 161, 638 A.2d 944 (1994); BCNR Mining Corp. v. Workmen's Compensation Appeal Board (Hileman), 142 Pa.Cmwlth. 588, 597 A.2d 1268 (1991), petition for allowance of appeal denied, 530 Pa. 646, 607 A.2d 256 (1992).
In the instant matter, and where only one accident occurred, the WCJ correctly determined that the injuries to Claimant's left wrist, left hip and back were separate and distinct injuries. Substantial evidence for this conclusion is found in the testimony of Dr. Awad, credited by the WCJ, wherein he relates the various surgeries to repair Claimant's left hip and left wrist, as well as Claimant's extensive history of back pain and related problems. Dr. Riemer, also credited by the WCJ, testified unequivocally that Claimant "has a hip problem, not a prosthetics problem." (Finding of Fact No. 49.)
Employer avers that it is clear error for the Board to conclude that Claimant was entitled to receive partial disability and specific loss benefits simultaneously, citing Turner v. Jones & Laughlin Steel Corp., 479 Pa. 618, 389 A.2d 42 (1978), and argues that "where an employee is entitled to both specific loss and disability benefits for separate and distinct injuries, he or she is only entitled to receive specific loss benefits after the entitlement to total disability benefits ceases." (Employer's Brief, p. 15.) (Emphasis added.) But nothing in Section 306(d) of the Act specifically states that a claimant cannot receive specific loss benefits and partial disability benefits simultaneously.
Our Supreme Court interpreted Section 306(d), 77 P.S. § 513, and its Turner decision in City of Scranton by indicating:
Contrary to Appellee's arguments, Section 306(d) merely sets the timetable for when payments of specific loss benefits are to begin. The section does not explain or define when an injured employee is entitled to payments or when a period of temporary total disability "ends" but only requires that any additional payments for other injuries begin at the end of the temporary total disability. Appellee argues, however, that we determined in Tuner v. Jones and Laughlin Steel Corp., 479 Pa. 618, 389 A.2d 42 (1978), that the "end" of a temporary total disability can only occur by an eventual healing or natural termination and that, without such an "end" . the entitlement to specific loss benefits cannot ripen. This is a misreading of Turner.
City of Scranton, 536 Pa. at 165, 638 A.2d at 946 (emphasis added).
We also find our decision in Frank Irey, Jr., Inc. v. Workmen's Compensation Appeal Board (Klemencic), 67 Pa.Cmwlth. 512, 448 A.2d 647 (1982), instructive. There, the claimant was awarded specific loss benefits and partial disability benefits where he had sustained the loss of the use of his left hand and separate and distinct injuries to his face, mouth, left elbow and left leg. Similarly, we held in Acme Markets, Inc. v. Workmen's Compensation Appeal Board (Hopiak), 127 Pa.Cmwlth. 553, 562 A.2d 419 (1989), petition for allowance of appeal denied, 525 Pa. 648, 581 A.2d 574 (1990), that a claimant could receive specific loss benefits resulting from one accident concurrent with total disability benefits that were the result of another, separate accident. In the instant matter, Claimant underwent a period of temporary total disability, then subsequently returned to work. At the time he returned to work, Claimant was eligible for partial disability benefits, because his wages were below his pre-injury wages. Claimant's return to work "ended" his period of temporary total disability, and he was eligible for partial disability as well as specific loss benefits. This is consistent with Section 1903(a) of the Statutory Construction Act, 1 Pa.C.S. § 1903(a), and with current case law.
Accordingly, we affirm the order of the Board in this matter.
ORDER
NOW, January 15, 2002, the order of the Workers' Compensation Appeal Board in the above-captioned matter is hereby affirmed.
. Act of June 2, 1915, P.L. 736, as amended, 77 P.S. § 512,513.
. Dr. Riemer did concede on cross examination that no diagnosis of LI compression fracture had been made at the time of the incident.
. This Court's standard of review is limited to determining whether necessary findings of fact are supported by substantial evidence, whether constitutional rights were violated, or whether an error of law was committed. Morey v. Workmen's Compensation Appeal Board (Bethenergy Mines, Inc.), 684 A.2d 673 (Pa.Cmwlth.1996). It is the purpose of the reviewing board and/or appellate court to review the WCJ's conclusions of law, while at the same time ascertaining that the facts found by the WCJ are supported by substantial evidence.
. Section 306(d) states in pertinent part:
Where, at the time of the injury the employe receives other injuries, separate from these which result in permanent injuries enumerated in [Section 306(c)] of this section, the number of weeks for which compensation is specified for the permanent injuries shall begin at the end of the period of temporary total disability which results from the other separate injuries, but in that event the employe shall not receive compensation provided in [Section 306(c)] of this section for the specific healing period.
77 P.S. § 513(25).
. Even though there may be evidence which might indicate a contrary conclusion, the decision of the WCJ must be affirmed if substantial evidence is presented to support the WCJ's finding. Toth v. Workers' Compensation Appeal Board (USX Corp.), 737 A.2d 838 (Pa.Cmwlth.1999).
. Our attention has been directed to the decision in Vernon Sanders v. Irving Shoes, 12 PAWCLR (LRP) 1066 (WCAB A96-2005, 1997), which, while not precedential, resulted in an award of specific loss benefits, concurrent with partial disability benefits.