Opinion ID: 1131510
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: The claimant's evidence.

Text: The deposition of York's doctor was submitted at trial. The trial court found that York did not sustain an accidental injury arising out of and in the course of his employment with the respondent. The trial court further found that York's medical evidence was not competent, and that he had failed to meet his burden of proof as set forth at Section 3.4 of Title 85. Generally, [t]he burden of proof in workers compensation cases rests upon the claimant seeking benefits to establish all the essential elements of his claim. Armco, Inc. v. Holcomb, 694 P.2d 937, 939 (Okla. 1985). Our review of the claimant's evidence shows that he met that burden. The employer stipulated that York was an employee at the time of the alleged injury and York testified as to his employment conditions. York testified that during his employment he was exposed to carbon dust and asbestos and explained the manner in which he was exposed. York testified that he had never smoked cigarettes but was exposed to the cigarette smoke of other employees. York also testified that he was exposed to fumes from a solvent mixed with kerosene. He stated that the fumes irritated his throat and nose and that he started noticing mucous buildup in my throat. He sought medical attention from the company doctor and that doctor was of the opinion that the mucous was from an ulcer. York testified that there was a ventilation fan: ... but it never worked. We asked the supervisor to fix it. We never could get it fixed. York's doctor, Dr. C., said that York had partial permanent impairment of 25 percent impairment to the body as a whole secondary to Class 2 respiratory impairment and damage to his lungs and 10 percent partial permanent impairment secondary to obstruction in the upper airway respiratory system. Dr. C.'s opinion concerning York's exposure to certain substances at Burgess Norton was summarized: It's my medical opinion that these [substances] have caused some marked respiratory impairment to this gentleman. The doctor testified that York listed the substances he was exposed to at his employment and the amount of time he spent in the various positions of employment. Dr. C. explained the particular medical problems associated with exposure to kerosene and its fumes and that such problems were experienced by York. Dr. C. also explained that exposure to natural gas was consistent with the pulmonary edema experienced by York. Dr. C. testified that he did not find any evidence of pulmonary problems as would occur from exposure to particulate matter such as dust, carbide, or asbestos. He explained that his opinion was based upon York's description of the substances he was exposed to at employment, his medical knowledge of the consequences to exposure to those substances York listed, and York's manifestation of symptoms consistent with exposure to those substances while working for his employer. We find this opinion to be in compliance with the Guides and consistent with our reasoning in Gaines v. Sun Refinery and Marketing, 790 P.2d 1073 (Okla. 1990). In Gaines we explained that a report on impairment due to exposure to toxic substances should be based upon information regarding the period or extent of exposure ... [and an] estimate [of] the hazard posed by the toxic chemicals and fumes. Id. 790 P.2d at 1078. Dr. C. explained that he had an estimate of the hazard posed by the substances York was exposed to at employment. Dr. C. also explained that York had informed him of the duration of his exposure to the substances. Dr. C. testified that he did not need to know the exact amount of exposure in making his conclusions regarding the substances involved because we know as physicians that the individuals have different responses to certain levels and length of exposure. Dr. C. essentially testified that the extent of York's exposure was of sufficient duration and had the temporal relationship to a type of impairment known to be caused by such exposure. The Guides provide that an assessment of impairment due to exposure to noxious gases, fumes, or particulate matter is based upon: 1. The year a claimant was first exposed to an agent [gas, fume or particulate matter]; 2. The extent of exposure 3. The total number of years of exposure 4. The claimant's estimate of the hazard the agent posed and 5. The number of years since the exposure ceased. Guides at 86. We find that Dr. C.'s opinion was based upon these considerations and complies with the Guides. We have said that the cause and extent of disability must be proved by the testimony of skilled professional people. Chromalloy-American, Okla. Div. v. Wright, 567 P.2d 71 (Okla. 1977) Groendyke Transport, Inc. v. Willson, 527 P.2d 1364 (Okla. 1974) and Independent School Dist. No. 1 of Tulsa County v. Albus, 572 P.2d 554 (Okla. 1977). Dr. C's deposition discloses the presence and extent of permanent impairment resulting from accidental injury sufficient to meet York's burden of proof.