Opinion ID: 2585272
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: Did the Industrial Commission err in failing to retain jurisdiction?

Text: Jarvis contends that the Industrial Commission erred in refusing to retain jurisdiction. She argues that it should be required to retain jurisdiction so that it can monitor her future medical treatment. In Reynolds v. Browning Ferris Indus., 113 Idaho 965, 969-70, 751 P.2d 113, 117-18 (1988), we stated: Although it was entirely appropriate for the Commission to retain jurisdiction of Reynolds' case, there is also another possible approach the Commission may appropriately utilize in order to determine his permanent partial disability rating. The authority for this alternative approach is found in I.C. § 72 425: Permanent disability evaluation. Evaluation (rating) of permanent disability is an appraisal of the injured employee's present and probable future ability to engage in gainful activity as it is affected by the medical factor of permanent impairment and by pertinent nonmedical factors provided in section 72-430, Idaho Code. (Emphasis added). Under I.C. § 72-425, the Commission can presently make an award for permanent disability based upon the injured employee's present and probable future ability to engage in gainful activity. The Commission may thus estimate a claimant's probable future disability and reduce it to present value for the purpose of making a final award which takes into account probable future changes in impairment. Thus, when the Commission estimates what the claimant's future disability might be, it will in a sense be functioning much like any jury or trier-of-fact in a personal injury action. Jarvis has not argued that her condition is progressive, nor has she argued that the Commission failed to take into account factors that may impact her probable future ability to engage in gainful activity. Although Jarvis may disagree with the Commission's conclusions regarding the extent of her disability, she has not shown that the Commission abused its discretion in failing to retain jurisdiction.