Opinion ID: 2608785
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Findings of Commission Supported by Record

Text: Aetna contends that the Commission erred in finding that Brooks suffered an accident as defined by I.C. § 72-102 during the summer of 1984 and consequently Aetna argues it cannot be held responsible for the injury. Aetna argues that where a preexisting compensable condition is exacerbated or aggravated by some subsequent minor event or incident, it will ordinarily be held that the subsequent reinjury is a direct, probable and compensable consequence of the original condition. See Larson, Law of Workmen's Compensation, § 13.11(a) (1986). Idaho Code § 72-102(14)(b) states: Accident means an unexpected, undesigned, and unlooked for mishap, or untoward event, connected with the industry in which it occurs and which can be reasonably located as to time when and place where it occurred, causing an injury. This Court has held that under the foregoing definition of an accident, a claimant does not need to show that he suffered an injury at a specific time and at a specific place. Hazen v. General Store, 111 Idaho 972, 729 P.2d 1035 (1986), reh. den. (1986); Wynn v. J.R. Simplot Co., 105 Idaho 102, 666 P.2d 629 (1983). In Wynn, this Court held that where a claimant is injured while working at his usual and ordinary labor and the stress of that work overcomes the resistance of his body, that injury is compensable even though claimant may have been predisposed to such injury. In the present case, Dr. Moss found that the stress fracture to Brooks' wrist was the result of a series of micro traumas which occurred while Brooks was loading and unloading trucks. There is sufficient competent, substantial evidence of claimant's second job related injury in the record to sustain the Commission's findings. It is well established in this jurisdiction that where findings of the Industrial Commission are supported by substantial, competent evidence, those findings will not be disturbed on appeal. Graham v. Larry Donohoe Logging, 103 Idaho 824, 654 P.2d 1377 (1982). If the Commission's findings are supported by substantial and competent evidence, it does not matter whether this Court would reach the same conclusion. Nigherbon v. Ralph E. Feller Trucking, Inc., 109 Idaho 233, 706 P.2d 1344 (1985); Lopez v. Amalgamated Sugar Co., 107 Idaho 590, 691 P.2d 1205 (1984). The evaluation of the evidence and the findings based on that evidence are matters for the Industrial Commission and will not be disturbed on appeal unless clearly erroneous. Nycum v. Triangle Dairy Co., 109 Idaho 858, 712 P.2d 559 (1985); Facer v. E.R. Steed Equip. Co., 95 Idaho 608, 514 P.2d 841 (1973); Martin Estate v. Woods, 94 Idaho 870, 499 P.2d 569 (1972); Lynskey v. Lind, 94 Idaho 788, 498 P.2d 1261 (1972). Aetna further argues that the responsibility for medical expenses and disability benefits should be apportioned between the parties in equal one-thirds based on Dr. Moss' testimony. The Commission must be presumed by its experience to be able to judge the causative factors in a particular case, and be allowed a degree of latitude in making an apportionment. Clark v. Brennan Construction Co., 84 Idaho 384, 372 P.2d 761 (1962). In Clark, the claimant suffered from a non-compensable pre-existing back injury, and two subsequent back injuries involving two separate employers and their respective sureties. Following the second injury, the Industrial Accident Board apportioned total temporary disability on the basis of fifty percent to each employer and surety, and one-third of the hospital and medical expenses to each employer, with the remaining one-third of such expenses to the claimant, finding it was related to the pre-existing back infirmity. In Clark this Court recognized that presentation of evidence of the cause, origin and extent of disability was dependent upon testimony from expert witnesses and that it was within the province of the Board to find the causes of disability and to apportion those causes between an industrial injury and a pre-existing injury as well as between successive industrial injuries. Likewise, this Court in Wilson v. Gardner Associated, Inc., 91 Idaho 496, 426 P.2d 567 (1967), held: Subsequent to enactment of this provision, [the predecessor to the current Idaho Code § 72-405] this Court has recognized the apportionment of compensation is to be made as between disability caused by or resulting from industrial accident and disability caused by or resulting from pre-existing injury, disease or condition residual from previous injury, and that the ratio of apportionment is for the Board's determination. 91 Idaho at 502, 426 P.2d at 573. Apportionment of disability is a factual issue, therefore the Commission is free to accept or reject medical evidence and testimony. Id. When apportionment is supported by substantial and competent, although conflicting evidence, it will not be overturned on appeal. Nigherbon v. Ralph E. Feller Trucking, Inc., 109 Idaho 233, 706 P.2d 1344 (1985); Lopez v. Amalgamated Sugar Co., 107 Idaho 590, 691 P.2d 1205 (1984); Earl v. Swift & Co., 93 Idaho 546, 467 P.2d 589 (1970). Our review of the record reveals sufficient competent, albeit conflicting, evidence to support the Commission's findings. The Commission weighed the conflicting testimony regarding the injury and concluded that a subsequent work-related injury or series of injuries did occur in the summer of 1984. The testimony of Brooks and his wife supports a finding that an injury occurred because his pain became worse in August of 1984. The Industrial Commission's decision expressly states that it found the injury to be work-related because of Brooks' testimony that he experienced severe pain in his wrist during the course of loading and unloading trucks. In addition, Dr. Moss testified that the fracture which had been previously united had suffered a stress fracture and had separated again at the previous fracture site. Dr. Moss also testified that the fracture separation occurred after claimant had returned to work and had suffered several minor injuries to the wrist while unloading trucks. The testimony of claimant, his wife, and Dr. Moss constitutes substantial, competent evidence of an injury in the summer of 1984, supporting the Commission's finding.