Opinion ID: 1816435
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Workers' Compensation Law: A General Overview

Text: In a workers' compensation action in which a disability is alleged, the claimant bears the burden to prove by a clear preponderance each element of the claim. See Bracey v. Packard Elec. Div., Gen. Motors Co., 476 So.2d 28, 29 (Miss. 1985) (Commission's inartfully-drawn statement, that claimant was required to prove her claim by a fair preponderance of the evidence and to a legal certainty, simply restates the requirement that a recovery must be based upon reasonable probabilities and not mere possibilities); El Patio Motor Court, Inc. v. Long's Dependents, 242 Miss. 294, 134 So.2d 437 (1961); see also Narkeeta, Inc. v. McCoy, 247 Miss. 65, 153 So.2d 798 (Miss. 1963) (claimant cannot leave any questions which may be answered through speculation only). These elements include: (1) an injury, (2) occurrence within the scope of the claimant's employment, (3) a disability, (4) causal relationship between the injury and disability. See Potts v. Lowery, 242 Miss. 300, 134 So.2d 474 (Miss. 1961); see also American Potash & Chemical Corp. v. Rea, 228 So.2d 867 (Miss. 1969) (claimant must establish extent of disability); Wiggins v. Knox Glass, Inc., 219 So.2d 154 (Miss. 1969) (question of degree and duration of disability is one of fact). Circumstantial evidence may be used to establish the elements. L.B. Priester & Son, Inc. v. Bynum's Dependents, 247 Miss. 664, 157 So.2d 399 (1963). However, medical testimony is generally necessary to secure an award for any degree of disability. Davis v. Scotch Plywood Co. of Miss., 505 So.2d 1192 (Miss. 1987) (burden of proof is not often met through the claimant's testimony alone); see also Penrod Drilling Co. v. Etheridge, 487 So.2d 1330 (Miss. 1986) (Medical testimony does not go to liability; rather, it goes to the extent of the disability.). Medical testimony need not actually prove disability; it may merely be supportive. Marshall Durbin, Inc. v. Hall, 490 So.2d 877 (Miss. 1986); Delta Drilling Co. v. Cannette, 489 So.2d 1378 (Miss. 1986); Hall of Miss., Inc. v. Green, 467 So.2d 935 (Miss. 1985); see also MISS. CODE ANN. § 71-3-3(i) (1972 & Supp. 1988). Lay testimony may be presented as proof supplemental to medical testimony. Medart Lockers, Inc. v. Yarbrough, 251 Miss. 124, 168 So.2d 660 (1964). The probative value of any witness' testimony is for the fact-finder to determine. Johnson v. Gulfport Laundry & Cleaning Co., 249 Miss. 11, 162 So.2d 859 (1964); see, e.g., McManus v. Southern United Ice Co., 243 Miss. 576, 138 So.2d 899 (1962) (case in which Supreme Court upheld a finding of 100% loss of use of hand on basis of lay testimony even though medical testimony indicated only a 20% loss). In workers' compensation cases, the Commission is the ultimate fact-finder. Olen Burrage Trucking Co. v. Chandler, 475 So.2d 437 (Miss. 1985); Valley Dry Goods Co. v. Odom, 244 Miss. 125, 141 So.2d 254 (1962). Thus, the Commission is empowered to accept or reject the Administrative Judge's findings. Day-Brite Lighting Div., Emerson Elec. Co. v. Cummings, 419 So.2d 211 (Miss. 1982). The circuit court is the intermediate appellate court in an appeal of the Commission's fact-finding. Bynum's Dependents, 247 Miss. at 664, 157 So.2d at 399; see also Sonford Prods. Corp. v. Freels, 495 So.2d 468 (Miss. 1986) (to avoid unnecessary expense and delay, Supreme Court may grant an appeal from Commission interlocutory order); Ingalls Shipbuilding Corp. v. Neuman, 322 F. Supp. 1229 (S.D.Miss. 1970), aff'd, 448 F.2d 773 (5th Cir.1971) (issues presented to circuit court for disposition must have been raised before Commission or they will be deemed waived); Sawyer v. Head, 510 So.2d 472 (Miss. 1987). The court may review questions of law or fact. Roberts v. Jr. Food Mart, 308 So.2d 232 (Miss. 1975); MISS. CODE ANN. § 71-3-51 (1972); but see Sam Jones Casing Crews v. Skipper's Dependents, 199 So.2d 436 (Miss. 1967) (court review limited to question of law). A considerable body of authority supports the proposition that the Commission's fact-finding, if supported by substantial evidence, must remain undisturbed by the reviewing court. Myles v. Rockwell Int'l, 445 So.2d 528, 536 (Miss. 1983); see, e.g., Robinson v. Packard Elec. Div., Gen. Motors Corp., 523 So.2d 329 (Miss. 1988); Penrod Drilling Co. v. Etheridge, 487 So.2d 1330 (Miss. 1986); Charles N. Clark Assocs., Ltd. v. Robinson's Dependents, 357 So.2d 924 (Miss. 1978); Nassar v. Latex Constr. Co. of Ga., 256 So.2d 204 (Miss. 1971); Miller Transporters, Ltd. v. Dean, 254 Miss. 1, 179 So.2d 552 (1965); Malley v. Over the Top, Inc., 229 Miss. 347, 90 So.2d 678 (1956) (a seminal case in which the substantial evidence rule was espoused). Of utmost importance, if th[e fact-finding is] based on substantial ... evidence[, the reviewing court] lack[s] the power to disturb them, even though that evidence would not convince [the court] were [it] the factfinder [sic]. Chandler, 475 So.2d at 439 (citing South Cent. Bell Tel. Co. v. Aden, 474 So.2d 584, 589, 590 (Miss. 1985) (emphasis added)). To reiterate, if the fact-finding is based on substantial evidence, the reviewing court lacks the power to reverse  even though that evidence would not convince the court were it the fact-finder. See Chandler, 475 So.2d at 439 (citing South Cent. Bell Tel. Co., 474 So.2d 584, 589, 590 (Miss. 1985)).