Opinion ID: 891587
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Review of WCJ's Factual Determinations

Text: {12} We review factual findings of Workers' Compensation Administration judges under a whole record standard of review. Moya v. City of Albuquerque, 2008-NMSC-004, ¶ 6, 143 N.M. 258, 175 P.3d 926. On appeal, to determine whether a challenged finding is supported by substantial evidence, we have always given deference to the fact finder, even when we apply, as here, whole record review. Herman v. Miners' Hosp., 111 N.M. 550, 552, 807 P.2d 734, 736 (1991). We view the evidence in the light most favorable to the decision, but may not view favorable evidence with total disregard to contravening evidence. Id. (internal quotation marks and). Substantial evidence on the record as a whole is evidence demonstrating the reasonableness of an agency's decision, id., and we neither reweigh the evidence nor replace the fact finder's conclusions with our own. Id. at 553, 807 P.2d at 737; see Register v. Roberson Const. Co., Inc., 106 N.M. 243, 245, 741 P.2d 1364, 1367 (1987) (Substantial evidence is such relevant evidence as a reasonable mind might accept as adequate to support a conclusion.). To determine whether a finding of fact is amply supported by the whole record, we do not rely solely on one part of the evidence if to do so would be unreasonable. We must find evidence that is credible in light of the whole record and that is sufficient for a reasonable mind to accept as adequate to support the conclusion reached by the agency. Herman, 111 N.M. at 552, 807 P.2d at 736 (internal quotation marks and citation omitted).