Opinion ID: 2322020
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Total or Partial Incapacity Benefits

Text: [¶ 35] Because the matter must be remanded for further consideration, we address briefly the total or partial incapacity benefits issue that could arise, depending upon the resolution, on remand, of the date of injury and mistake of fact issues. The hearing officer found that Jensen had partial earning capacity. With evidence of a work search, Jensen attempted to prove entitlement to 100% partial benefits, or total benefits pursuant to Adams v. Mt. Blue Health Center, 1999 ME 105, 735 A.2d 478. Imputing a forty-hour light duty work capacity, the hearing officer awarded partial incapacity benefits for the period from January 27, 2004, to September 28, 2006, because Jensen had not begun his work search until that date. The hearing officer awarded total incapacity benefits under § 213 from September 29, 2006, [4] reasoning as follows: As of September 29, 2006 the Employee began a work search. He provided evidence that he searched for work at over 300 potential employers. I am persuaded by the Employee's testimony and work search evidence that he made a reasonable search for work beginning September 29, 2006. Further, he provided persuasive testimony that, but for his injury, there were jobs that he could perform. I find that the Employee has carried his burden of proof that he is entitled to total incapacity benefits under § 213 of the Act from September 29, 2006 and ongoing. [¶ 36] Whether an injured employee receives total or partial incapacity benefits depends on the extent to which that employee retains the ability to earn income after a work injury. 39-A M.R.S. §§ 212, 213, 214 (2008). [I]n limited situations, an employee suffering only partial incapacity to earn may be entitled to total benefits pursuant to section 212 if the employee can establish both (1) the unavailability of work within the employee's local community, and (2) the physical inability to perform full-time work in the statewide labor market, regardless of availability. Monaghan v. Jordan's Meats, 2007 ME 100, ¶ 12, 928 A.2d 786, 791. A partially incapacitated employee may be entitled to '100% partial' incapacity benefits pursuant to section 213 based on the combination of a partially incapacitating work injury and the loss of employment opportunities that are attributable to that injury. Id. ¶ 13. In order to obtain the 100% partial benefit, the employee must establish, pursuant to the work search rule that work is unavailable within his local community as a result of the work injury. Id. [¶ 37] The hearing officer's findings are internally inconsistent and inadequate to support an award of 100% partial or total benefits. If the hearing officer intended to award 100% partial benefits pursuant to section 213, he should have stated his findings with respect to how he reached the conclusion that work is unavailable within the employee's local community as a result of the work injury, with reference to the factors outlined in Monaghan, 2007 ME 100, ¶ 21, 928 A.2d at 793. [5] If the hearing officer intended to award total benefits pursuant to section 212, he should have stated his findings with respect to (1) the unavailability of work within the employee's local community, and (2) the employee's physical inability to perform full-time work in the statewide labor market, regardless of availability. [6] He did neither. On remand, after the reopened hearing, if the hearing officer determines that the employee has proved a mistake of fact, waiving the notice and statute of limitations periods, the hearing officer should make appropriate findings on this total-partial issue. The entry is: The decision of the hearing officer is vacated and the case remanded for proceedings consistent with this opinion.