Opinion ID: 1181006
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: facts

Text: On February 9, 1983, Oscar Kinter, a welder working for Alaska International, injured his back while on the job. [1] As a result of this injury, Kinter underwent back surgery and has been unable to work since. After the accident, Kinter was classified as temporarily totally disabled, and he began receiving workers' compensation benefits of $638.91 per week from Alaska International. [2] On August 31, 1984, Kinter filed an Application for Adjustment of Claim with the Board and requested a hearing in order to change his status to permanent total disability. In depositions prior to the Board hearing, Kinter's doctor stated that Kinter is 50% disabled. The doctor also stated that he is not going to be able to work in this welder capacity any more, and he would obviously live a sedentary life. Another doctor, who is an expert in rehabilitative medicine, stated in his deposition that Kinter's lumbar disc disease will be permanent. After the hearing, the Board found that Kinter is extremely limited in his ability to read and write, has little experience in nonphysical labor, and cannot sit or stand for prolonged periods. It further found that he could not perform even non-demanding work. The Board ruled that Kinter is permanently totally disabled, and Alaska International appealed. On February 11, 1987, the superior court affirmed the Board, and Alaska International appeals the court's judgment.