Opinion ID: 1349673
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Haske

Text: In Haske, the WCAC found that the employee was still able to perform work within his qualifications and training and, therefore, did not suffer a loss in wage-earning capacity. Thus, the WCAC determined that Haske was not disabled, using an erroneous definition of disability. There is no dispute that he was unable to perform his previous position, but there were other positions he could perform, and, thereby, Haske established a partial disability. However, the WCAC found that he was not disabled because he suffered no loss in earning capacity, i.e., what he is able to earn after the personal injury, relying on plaintiff Haske's capacity to earn some wages within his qualifications and training. The proper standard for determining whether plaintiff Haske has proven a loss in wages caused by his disability is explained in part II of this opinion. In proving wage loss, plaintiff Haske must establish to the factfinder's satisfaction (1) a work-related injury, which he has done in proving a partial disability, (2) an actual loss in wages, and (3) that the injury caused the loss in wages. Because the magistrate applied the correct legal standard and found the causal link between plaintiff's injury and his postinjury loss in wages, we affirm the Court of Appeals decision to remand the case to the WCAC for further proceedings to determine if there was competent, substantial, and material evidence to support the magistrate's decision.