Opinion ID: 2077841
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Kotch v. American Protective Services

Text: [¶ 2] Arthur W. Kotch suffered a work-related back injury on March 23, 1994, while employed as a security guard for American Protective Services. Kotch had a pre-existing left knee injury stemming from his military training with the Marine Corps in 1981. Both injuries were significant and required surgeries. [¶ 3] In a 1996 decree, a hearing officer of the Board found Kotch eligible for 25% partial incapacity benefits for his 1994 work injury. American Protective sought to discontinue benefits in 1999, contending that Kotch's entitlement to benefits had expired pursuant to the 260-week limitation of section 213. Kotch filed a petition to determine the extent of his permanent impairment and to establish that his permanent whole body impairment exceeds 11.8%. [¶ 4] The hearing officer found that, although Kotch suffers a 10% whole body impairment related to his work injury, Kotch's permanent whole body impairment is 20% based on the combination of his pre-existing nonwork injury and his work injury. The hearing officer found that [a]lthough Mr. Kotch's work injury did not aggravate or accelerate his knee condition, it is clear ... that it combines with the preexisting knee condition to contribute to Mr. Kotch's resulting disability in a significant manner. Because Kotch's whole body impairment exceeded 11.8%, the hearing officer granted his petition and concluded that Kotch is not subject to the 260-week limitation of section 213.