Opinion ID: 2261317
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Bangor Roof's Petition for Review of Incapacity

Text: After the accident, Madore complained of pain in his left shoulder, neck and back. Surgery was performed on January 20, 1978 Dr. Pritchard performed a resection of the left clavicle designed to relieve shoulder pain. Dr. McGinn examined Madore in June and September, 1978. On both occasions, after examination, Dr. McGinn concluded that Madore could probably return to his regular work. Dr. Pritchard testified that in September of 1978 he advised Madore that he could do light duty work such as driving a light pick-up truck, something of that nature; but I didn't think that he should go back to his original job with the roofing company.... Madore testified in July, 1979, that he had not looked for work. The Commissioner found that Madore was 30% partially disabled and had not made a reasonable effort to obtain work within the tolerance of his physical condition. The extent of an employee's incapacity is a question of fact. DeRoche v. Bangor Roofing and Sheet Metal Co., Me., 411 A.2d 1026, 1027 (1980). Where total incapacity has been established through a Commission-approved compensation agreement, the employer has the burden of showing, on a petition for review of incapacity, that the employee's incapacity has diminished since the time the agreement was executed. Hafford v. Kelly, Me., 421 A.2d 51, 53 (1980). The employer is required to establish, by comparative medical evidence, that since the time an approved agreement was executed, the condition of total incapacity has diminished or ended. The requirement of comparative medical testimony to show a change in condition is met by a showing that after execution of the compensation agreement the employee has undergone serious remedial surgery followed by a new medical appraisal of his condition. Hamilton v. Dexter Shoe Co., Me., 402 A.2d 854, 855-56 (1979). Here, the agreement for compensation for total incapacity was executed on September 23, 1977. Serious remedial surgery took place on January 20, 1978, which was followed by medical appraisals by Dr. McGinn and Dr. Pritchard. Their testimony provides competent evidence to support a finding that Bangor Roof met its burden to show that it is more probable than not that Madore has recovered some ability to perform a kind of work ordinarily available for remuneration in the competitive labor market. See Ibbitson v. Sheridan Corp. Me., 422 A.2d 1005, 1008 (1980). Since Madore produced no evidence that he engaged in any work search, Bangor Roof has met its burden of proving that Madore's incapacity is no longer total. Id. The Commissioner's finding that Madore is 30% partially disabled is not clearly erroneous.