Opinion ID: 2504328
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Admissibility of Evidence under section 42-1-172

Text: Employer contends that South Carolina Code section 42-1-172 does not govern the admissibility of evidence in a workers' compensation claim involving a repetitive trauma injury. S.C.Code Ann. § 42-1-172 (Supp.2010). We disagree. Specifically, Employer argues that admissibility of evidence in this case is governed solely by section 1-23-330, which provides that in contested cases ... [i]rrelevant, immaterial or unduly repetitious evidence shall be excluded. S.C.Code Ann. § 1-23-330 (2005). However, Employer cites no supporting authority for this interpretation. In our view, section 1-23-330 establishes a minimum standard that applies generally, but not exclusively. On the other hand, section 42-1-172(C) expressly creates an additional heightened standard for repetitive trauma injury cases. Specifically, it requires medical evidence, in the form of expert opinion or testimony [to be] stated to a reasonable degree of medical certainty. S.C.Code Ann. § 42-1-172(C). Indeed, section 42-1-172(C) commands that the [c]ompensability of a repetitive trauma injury must be determined only under the provisions of this statute. Id. (emphasis added); see also Murphy v. Corning, 393 S.C. 77, 84, 710 S.E.2d 454, 458 (Ct.App.2011) ([T]he compensability of a repetitive trauma injury must be determined by the Commission under the provisions of [section] 42-1-172 .... [and] the Commission erred by failing to address [section] 42-1-172.). Thus, in repetitive trauma injury cases such as this, section 42-1-172 governs the admissibility of medical evidence.