Opinion ID: 1660516
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Evidence With Respect to Medical and Hospital Bills Ordered Paid.

Text: In its findings of fact the commission found: ... that applicant required medical treatment and incurred reasonable expense to Dr. Gale Mendeloff in the sum of $333.75; to Dr. N. F. Gordon, $375.00; to Laabs, Inc., $44.18; to Universal Ambulance, $35.00; to Dr. John Temple, $60.00; to Dr. Roger Hepperla, $50.00, and to Columbia Hospital, $1,309.76; that from the record it is not clear what additional expense incurred to Columbia Hospital is attributable to this injury and reservation is made as to such question .... Since the foregoing follows the finding that Brasted on July 4, 1964, sustained accidental injury in the course of and incidental to his employment, the commission must have concluded that Brasted required such medical treatment as a result of his accidental injury. Appellants contend that many of these medical and hospital expenses were for unconnected ailments not medically or otherwise related to Brasted's foot injury. They concede that, if the foot injury is compensable and there was evidence that these other ailments were aggravated thereby, appellants would be liable for such expenses. [5] Their position is that evidence of aggravation is lacking. Our review of the record discloses that the following medical expenses are properly attributable to the foot injury: Dr. Mendeloff $333.75 (the surgeon who treated the foot injury and performed two skin graft operations), Dr. Temple $60 (anesthesiologist who assisted in one operation), Dr. Hepperla $50 (anesthesiologist who assisted in other operation), Laabs, Inc., $44.18 (supplied bandages used in care of injured foot), Universal Ambulance $35 (provided ambulance which transferred Brasted from one hospital to another). Two items remain in disputeDr. Gordon $375 and Columbia Hospital $1,309.76. Dr. Gordon did not testify. However, his one page medical report to an attorney was received in evidence. He had Brasted under his care at Columbia Hospital and treated him for his diabetes. His report, however, does not state that the diabetes was aggravated by the foot injury. The sole evidence bearing thereon was Dr. Mendeloff's testimony ... that at least the diabetes would be more difficult to treat and control in face of an infection than if the man did not have an infection. We deem this insufficient to support allowance of Dr. Gordon's $375 bill. There is entirely lacking any proof to what extent Brasted's diabetic complications, for which he was treated by Dr. Gordon, stemmed from the foot injury. Most of the Columbia Hospital bill of $1,309.76, is attributable to room service and treatment of the foot. Dr. Mendeloff testified that, disregarding any other causes or ailments that the patient might have had at the time, the condition of his foot warranted this period of stay at Columbia Hospital. However, the hospital statements show charges for X rays and laboratory fees incurred in exploring Brasted's other ailments such as polyneuropathy, toxic confusional state, and hypoalbuminemia. Dr. Millin was called into consultation by Dr. Gordon because of the polyneuropathy and toxic confusional state. Both Dr. Millin and Dr. Evans testified that there was no connection between the alleged accidental injury and respondent's toxic confusional state, polyneuropathy, and vascular disease. (Dr. Evans was the physician who examined Brasted in behalf of appellants.) There is no testimony that the ailments, other than the diabetes, were caused by or aggravated by the foot injury. Dr. Millin testified that the hospital charges were separable. The evidence in the record does not support the allowance of the entire bills of Dr. Gordon and Columbia Hospital. Upon remand the commission may desire to take further testimony with respect to these bills.