Opinion ID: 1906254
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: regardless of the law applied, was the commission's decision a proper one supported by substantial evidence?

Text: Container urges that regardless of whether the Commission applied an erroneous view of Mississippi law in deciding this case, it nonetheless reached the proper decision and that this finding should be upheld as it is supported by substantial evidence. They further assert that Pearly failed to show an industrial injury and that the Commission's order which is supported by substantial evidence should be affirmed. The record reveals conflicting medical testimony regarding the extent of Pearly's disability and whether this alleged disability resulted from the fall at work. For example, Dr. Quigley testified by deposition that the physical injuries sustained by Pearly in the fall would have only required several days of hospitalization and that the disability from the fracture of the neck and right humerus would only limit his activity from four to six weeks. He said that full work could have taken place from six to eight weeks from the fall and that Pearly would not have suffered permanent disability from the physical injuries sustained in the fall. On the other hand, Dr. Collins testified that there was a sixteen percent (16%) impairment of Pearly's upper right extremity based upon loss of range and motion of the right shoulder joint and based on the AMA tables in their estimation in reference to whole man impairment, the sixteen percent (16%) would be the equivalent whole man value to ten percent (10%). He also admitted that Pearly would have more trouble with his left elbow and with his lung condition than he would from the right shoulder injury sustained in the fall. By his own admission, Pearly stated that emphysema was preventing him from returning to his previous job duties at Container. The medical evidence supports each side's position. However, because the findings of fact as adopted by the Administrative Judge (and subsequently by the Full Commission and Circuit Court) were based upon an erroneous view of our law, the conflicting medical views were left dangling. Upon remand, the Full Commission, as the trier of fact, would be well advised to specifically resolve this conflict in its findings of fact. Furthermore, should the issue of apportionment arise on remand, the Full Commission is directed to Miller Transporters, Inc., et al. v. Guthrie, 554 So.2d 917 (Miss. 1989); Stuart's, Inc. v. Brown, 543 So.2d 649 (Miss. 1989), and Chapman, 495 So.2d at 1361 (Miss. 1986), for guidance.