Opinion ID: 1842266
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Alternatively, should Stamps's case be reversed and remanded for a new hearing because the report of the Functional Capacity Examination was hearsay?

Text: ¶ 38. In her brief, Stamps correctly states that the Rules of Hearing Practice and Procedure for PERS hearings provides that formal rules of evidence shall not apply. PERS Regulation 42. ¶ 39. Stamps also contends, as she did in the proceedings below, that the report of the FCE that she was ordered to undergo is a report of a procedure not performed or interpreted by a physician. It was administered and written by Lisa Poe, who did not appear at the hearing for cross-examination as requested by Stamps. However, since PERS does not have subpoena power for its administrative hearings, it can only request that a person appear. Stamps is not entitled to a cross examination of Poe. ¶ 40. Stamps further argues that according to Georgia-Pacific Corp. v. McLaurin, 370 So.2d 1359 (Miss.1979), this Court condemned the introduction of unsworn medical reports of physicians in workers' compensation cases. However, in 1998, the Court of Appeals stated that the PERS law is separate and distinct from workers' compensation law. Brinston v. Pub. Employees' Ret. Sys., 706 So.2d 258, 260 (Miss.Ct.App.1998). Therefore, a workers' compensation case should not be considered precedent for a PERS case. Moreover, to hold that Stamps's right to due process has been violated, in the manner described, would render every PERS hearing unconstitutional, as mentioned previously, because PERS does not have the power to subpoena witnesses. Similarly, it would also place a great burden on the claimants, as they would have to produce doctors, therapists, and any other person who produced a document the claimant introduces so that PERS would be able to cross-examine the named person. ¶ 41. Further, if the report of the therapist who conducted the FCE is hearsay, then the reports offered by Stamps are hearsay as well. This issue is without merit.