Opinion ID: 558990
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Suderman Stevedores v. Green.

Text: 11 Respondent Godfrey Green filed for compensation under the LHWCA for a lower back injury he sustained on June 13, 1983, in the course of his employment with petitioner Suderman Stevedores (Suderman). A hearing was held before the ALJ on June 2, 1987, and over a year later he found that Green was entitled to temporary total disability from June 13, 1983, through October 5, 1985, based upon an average weekly wage of $169.83, and permanent total disability from October 5, 1985, and continuing, based upon the same average rate. 12 Green's inability to perform his usual longshore work was not disputed, and the ALJ found that Suderman failed to establish the availability of suitable alternative employment. The ALJ held that three of the four specific jobs found by Suderman's expert, William Quintanilla, were not suitable. 6 Quintanilla mistakenly failed to inform the prospective employers of Green's prescribed medication, which decreased his concentration and made him groggy, a fact the expert concedes. Although Quintanilla did discuss, with Green, general employment as a bookkeeper, manager, paralegal, bank teller and customer service representative, 7 such a discussion was initiated by Green, and Quintanilla made no inquiries into the availability of such jobs in the local community. 13 The ALJ then relied upon Lentz and concluded that, without more, the existence of the sole remaining position could not constitute suitable alternate employment. Suderman appealed to the BRB, which, in a decision and order dated April 26, 1990, affirmed the ALJ's decision, holding that the ALJ's reliance upon Lentz was proper.