Opinion ID: 2625740
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Did the Commission Err in Failing to Retain Jurisdiction in this Matter?

Text: Claimant contends that the Commission erred in failing to retain jurisdiction in this matter. In a situation where the claimant's impairment is progressive and, therefore, cannot adequately be determined for purposes of establishing a permanent disability rating, it is entirely appropriate for the Industrial Commission to retain jurisdiction until such time as the claimant's condition is nonprogressive. Reynolds v. Browning Ferris Industries, 113 Idaho 965, 969, 751 P.2d 113, 117 (1988). Under Idaho Code § 72-425, the Commission may instead estimate a claimant's probable future disability and reduce it to present value for the purpose of making a final award which takes into account probable future changes in impairment. Id. Either option is dependent upon a factual finding that the claimant's impairment is progressive. If a claimant contends that his or her impairment is progressive and that the Commission should either retain jurisdiction or make an award that takes into account probable future changes in impairment, the claimant needs to raise that issue in the proceedings below. In this case, Claimant did not do so. In his prehearing requests for calendaring, Claimant did not list as an issue that his impairment was progressive and that the Commission should either retain jurisdiction or award impairment that takes into account probable future changes. Likewise, when the referee stated the issues at the beginning of the hearing, Claimant did not raise this issue. In his post-hearing memorandum, Claimant listed the issues to be decided, and the alleged progressive nature of his impairment was not one of them. After the Commission issued its decision, Claimant did not request a rehearing asking the Commission to address the issue. Although he did ask in his post-hearing memorandum that the record remain open to accommodate any ongoing and future questions concerning impairment, disability and medical care, that was not sufficient to preserve the issue for appeal. Phinney v. Shoshone Med. Ctr., 131 Idaho 529, 532, 960 P.2d 1258, 1261 (1998) (Because [claimant] did not indicate to the referee prior to the hearing that her benefits calculation was a disputed issue, or move for reconsideration or rehearing under I.C. § 72-718, she is bound by the Commission's findings and cannot now challenge them on appeal). Because Claimant did not raise below the issue of whether the Commission should have retained jurisdiction, we will not consider it on appeal.