Opinion ID: 1349673
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Haske and Bailey

Text: In Haske, I agree with the majority that the WCAC applied the wrong definition of disability in reversing the magistrate's grant of benefits for a partial disability. However, the WCAC did find that the employee suffered no loss in earning capacity. Hence, by this finding, the employee would have suffered no wage loss as measured by the reduction of his earning capacity. Nevertheless, the WCAC's finding did not consider whether the jobs that the employee was performing were equally well paying or whether there were available jobs at his previous wage that the employee could perform when it determined that he suffered no loss of wage-earning capacity. Hence, I would also affirm the Court of Appeals decision to remand to the WCAC. In Bailey, I agree with the majority that the WCAC wrongly concluded that the magistrate found a partial disability. Nevertheless, I would not remand. The magistrate found that Bailey had never testified that he could not find employment as an electrician or that he even sought such employment. As a self-employed professional, this kind of testimony would be critical for establishing a prima facie case that the injury impaired his earning capacity. Bailey has failed to provide evidence that he suffered a loss in what he is able to earn after the personal injury as an electrical contractor. Therefore, the magistrate properly denied him benefits. I believe the WCAC erred on a legal question by failing to consider whether Bailey had proven a wage loss. The Court of Appeals also erred in affirming this decision. I would reverse the WCAC and the Court of Appeals and reinstate the magistrate's refusal to grant benefits.