Opinion ID: 2774145
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: standard of review

Text: [¶8] When we consider an appeal from a district court’s review of an administrative agency’s decision, we review the case as though it had come directly from the administrative agency. CalCon Mut. Mortg. Corp. v. State ex rel. Wyo. Dep’t of Audit, 2014 WY 56, ¶ 6, 323 P.3d 1098, 1101 (Wyo. 2014) (citing State ex rel. Dep’t of Family Services v. Kisling, 2013 WY 91, ¶ 8, 305 P.3d 1157, 1159 (Wyo. 2013)). Review of an administrative agency’s action is governed by the Wyoming Administrative Procedure Act, which provides that we hold unlawful and set aside agency action, findings and conclusions found to be: 1 At the hearing, Ms. Newman’s counsel argued that her surgery expenses might be compensable under the ancillary treatment rule. In her order, the hearing examiner explained why that rule does not apply: It is noted that during that second surgery there was some additional treatment to the work related injury, i.e., the L5-S1 fusion[;] however that was ancillary to the treatment of the non work related injury and does not make the surgery compensable. While [Ms.] Newman’s counsel referred to the ancillary treatment rule set forth in In the Matter of the Worker’s Compensation Claim of Palmer, 2008 WY 105, 192 P.3d 125, that rule applies when treatment of a compensable injury requires ancillary treatment of non work related injuries, not the reverse which is the case here. On appeal, Ms. Newman has not challenged this aspect of the hearing examiner’s decision. 2 (A) Arbitrary, capricious, an abuse of discretion or otherwise not in accordance with law; (B) Contrary to constitutional right, power, privilege or immunity; (C) In excess of statutory jurisdiction, authority or limitations or lacking statutory right; (D) Without observance of procedure required by law; or (E) Unsupported by substantial evidence in a case reviewed on the record of an agency hearing provided by statute. Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 16-3-114(c)(ii) (LexisNexis 2013). [¶9] Pursuant to this statute, we review an administrative agency’s findings of fact using the substantial evidence test. Dale v. S & S Builders, LLC, 2008 WY 84, ¶ 22, 188 P.3d 554, 561 (Wyo. 2008). Substantial evidence is relevant evidence which a reasonable mind might accept in support of the agency’s decision. Id., ¶ 11, 188 P.3d at 558. Findings of fact are supported by substantial evidence if, from the evidence in the record, this Court can discern a rational premise for the agency’s findings. Middlemass v. State ex rel. Wyo. Workers’ Safety & Comp. Div., 2011 WY 118, ¶ 11, 259 P.3d 1161, 1164 (Wyo. 2011). We defer to the hearing examiner’s determination of witness credibility unless it is clearly contrary to the overwhelming weight of the evidence. Leavitt v. State ex rel. Wyo. Workers’ Safety & Comp. Div., 2013 WY 95, ¶ 18, 307 P.3d 835, 840 (Wyo. 2013). As always, we review an agency’s conclusions of law de novo, and “‘[w]e will affirm an agency’s legal conclusion only if it is in accordance with the law.’” Dale, ¶ 26, 188 P.3d at 561-62 (quoting Diamond B Services, Inc. v. Rohde, 2005 WY 130, ¶ 12, 120 P.3d 1031, 1038 (Wyo. 2005)).