Opinion ID: 900615
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: facts

Text: [¶ 2.] Belhassen began working for John Morrell & Company of Sioux Falls, South Dakota in April 1992. [1] In October 1993, Belhassen suffered a work-related injury to his back in the course of his employment with John Morrell. As a result of this injury, Belhassen was ordered off work from October 7, 1993 to March 6, 1995. [2] On May 26, 1994, Dr. Asfora performed arthroscopic surgery on Belhassen's back. [3] Despite the surgery, Belhassen continued to have problems with his back and was referred to Dr. Charles Burton. [¶ 3.] Dr. Burton, a neurosurgeon and Senior Medical Director for the Institute of Low Back and Neck Care in Minneapolis, Minnesota, examined Belhassen on October 5, 1994. Burton diagnosed Belhassen with a two-level degenerative disease and recommended further surgery on L3-4 Level of Belhassen's back. [¶ 4.] On December 7, 1994, John Morrell sent Belhassen to Dr. David Hoversten for an Independent Medical Evaluation. Hoversten found that Belhassen was uncooperative during the examination and was exaggerating his pain symptoms. Hoversten concluded that Belhassen was a poor candidate for surgery and that it would be `likely to result in several further surgeries with a total disability after he had been operated on enough times.' John Morrell then sent Belhassen to Dr. Frederick Entwistle on May 25, 1995. Entwistle recommended Belhassen undergo additional surgery, but referred Belhassen to Dr. Joseph Cass for a second opinion. On June 26, 1995, Dr. Cass examined Belhassen and recommended additional surgery was necessary. Belhassen underwent the surgery on July 15, 1995. [¶ 5.] Belhassen was released by Dr. Cass to return to work on October 23, 1995, with instructions that Belhassen work only four hours a day and perform only light duty. Within a month, Belhassen was reporting the same symptoms in his back that he had complained of prior to the July surgery. At a follow-up appointment with Dr. Cass, Cass was unable to determine the source of Belhassen's symptoms, but released him back to work with the same light duty work restrictions. [¶ 6.] On March 27, 1996, after further concerns had been raised about Belhassen's ability to perform his assigned work, Dr. Cass ordered a functional capacity assessment and re-examined Belhassen to formulate an impairment rating. Dr. Cass concluded that Belhassen had a ten percent impairment of the whole person under the AMA Guide to Impairment (Fourth Edition). Dr. Hoversten performed two examinations and found that under the AMA Guide (Fourth Edition) Belhassen had a fifteen percent impairment of the whole person, but under the AMA Guide (Third Edition) Belhassen had a ten percent impairment of the whole person. [¶ 7.] On June 7, 1996, John Morrell sent Dr. Cass a letter asking him to review a videotape depicting the retrial blade meat job and determine whether it would be appropriate for Belhassen. Registered nurse Linda Pudenz reviewed the videotape and subsequently spoke with Dr. Cass about her observations. Dr. Cass ultimately approved the retrim blade meat job for Belhassen, based upon Pudenz's observations, but provided that weight restrictions be maintained and Belhassen be allowed to sit or stand at his convenience. [¶ 8.] While Belhassen had initially been released back to work and required to work only four hours per day, after a brief period, Belhassen ultimately was allowed to return to work full-time, but would alternate between two job functions on an hourly basis: standing and trimming meat for one hour and sitting and assembling boxes for another hour. On August 1, 1996, Belhassen was informed that he would be expected to work the retrim blade meat position for an entire eight-hour shift and not just every other hour. Belhassen claims that he attempted to explain to his supervisor that an eight-hour shift on the retrim blade position would violate his medical restrictions from Dr. Cass. [4] Belhassen, therefore, refused to perform the eight-hour shift. After subsequent meetings between Belhassen, Belhassen's union representative, an interpreter, two of Belhassen's supervisors and John Morrell's personnel director, Belhassen still refused to perform the job and he was discharged for refusing the assignment. [¶ 9.] After his termination, Belhassen attempted to find work by registering with Job Service. Belhassen filled out one application with Carlisle Plastics, but was not hired. Further, Belhassen never contacted or was contacted by Job Service regarding any potential job openings. Belhassen did not apply for any other jobs. [¶ 10.] Belhassen brought a workers' compensation action before Department to determine whether he was entitled to odd lot benefits and  Cozine benefits. On December 16, 1998, the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) for the Department rejected Belhassen's expert, Rick Ostrander's opinion and denied Belhassen's request for odd lot and Cozine benefits. Belhassen appealed the decision to the circuit court which affirmed the denial of benefits to Belhassen. Belhassen subsequently filed a Motion for Reconsideration and a Motion for Order Allowing for Additional Evidence, but the motions were both denied. Belhassen appeals, raising the following issues: 1. Whether Belhassen is entitled to odd-lot benefits. 2. Whether Belhassen is entitled to Cozine benefits. John Morrell filed a Notice of Review, raising the following issues: 3. Whether Cozine benefits should be denied due to Belhassen's failure to look for work. 4. Whether Cozine benefits should be denied due to Belhassen's ability to return to his usual and customary line of employment.