Opinion ID: 901298
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Entitlement to Temporary Total Disability

Text: [¶ 12.] We review the trial court's findings of fact under the clearly erroneous standard. Capital Motors, LLC v. Schied, 2003 SD 33, ¶ 10, 660 N.W.2d 242, 245. When reviewing findings, we will reverse, only if, after careful review of the entire record, we are definitely and firmly convinced a mistake has been made. St. Luke's Midland Reg. Med. Center v. Kennedy, 2002 SD 137, 138, 653 N.W.2d 880, 883. [¶ 13.] At trial, Jennifer's physician was asked if he advised her not to return to work after the injury and he said yes. When asked about the length of time Jennifer should not work, he responded, [t]urned out to be a 2-month period of time after follow-up. He continued, ... this is a much more significant injury than just having an asthma attack because of the collection of air, you have to be very comfortable that that's healed completely and that she's not at excessive risk when she goes back to a job environment of having this reoccur. So she has to have a lot of airway stability, and that healing process usually takes 2 to 3 months to take place. The physicians testimony was uncontroverted and therefore the calculations accepted by the trial court based on SDCL 62-4-3 are not clearly erroneous. [8] The award of temporary total disability is affirmed.