Opinion ID: 1463727
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The Admission of the Prior Testimony

Text: When hearings were begun on Johnson's petitions, Dr. Ira Stockwell testified before the first commissioner who took the case. Before making any findings of fact, that commissioner retired and Johnson's case was transferred to a second commissioner. Although the latter heard testimony from other medical witnesses, he also admitted over S. D. Warren's objection a transcript of Dr. Stockwell's testimony. S. D. Warren is correct in its assertion that admission of the transcript was error. By Commission regulation, the Maine Rules of Evidence apply in all hearings before the Commission. See Workers' Compensation Commission, Rules and Regulations, Rule 15. Because the transcript was offered for the truth of the matter asserted, it was hearsay. M.R.Evid. 801(c). Because there was neither an inquiry nor a showing that Dr. Stockwell was unavailable to re-testify before the second commissioner, the former testimony exception to our hearsay rule did not apply. M.R.Evid. 804(b)(1). We do not agree, however, that the error in admitting the transcript justifies remand or reversal. The substance of Dr. Stockwell's testimony was that Johnson injured his back in 1975 by pulling a heavy bucket, that he injured it again in 1977 by twisting a jammed valve, and that, while both injuries contributed to his present incapacity, he was unable to apportion causal responsibility between them. S. D. Warren's efforts at the hearings were primarily focused on attempting to show that there was no valve-twisting incident in 1977, or, if there was, that it did not amount to a new injury contributing to Johnson's current disability. To these ends, S. D. Warren introduced testimony that Johnson did not mention a valve-twisting incident to two doctors and a nurse who, as Dr. Stockwell, had seen him shortly after December 14, 1977. However, examination of the entire record reveals that the substance of Dr. Stockwell's testimony was corroborated by Johnson's own account of what happened on December 14, 1977, [2] by the deposition of the orthopedic doctor who subsequently operated on Johnson, [3] and by several medical reports, including Dr. Stockwell's own, which were admitted without S. D. Warren's objection. [4] Although it appears from the decree that the commissioner considered Dr. Stockwell's transcript along with all the other evidence in the case, it is impossible to tell what weight, if any, he accorded that transcript in reaching his ultimate decision. S. D. Warren did not move for specific findings of fact and conclusions of law pursuant to 39 M.R.S.A. § 99 in order to determine the question of weight. See Sutherland v. Pepsi-Cola Bottling Co., Me., 402 A.2d 50, 52 (1979). In the absence of a section 99 motion, we do not hesitate to follow our past practice of deleting the offending hearsay and examining the remaining evidence to see if it can rationally support the commissioner's decree. See Prescott v. Old Town Furniture Co., 151 Me. 11, 16, 116 A.2d 413, 415 (1955); Larrabee's Case, 120 Me. 242, 244, 113 A. 268, 269 (1921). On the record before us, admission of Dr. Stockwell's testimony was harmless error. The entry will be: Johnson's appeal sustained. S. D. Warren's cross appeal denied. The pro forma decree of the Superior Court is set aside with directions that the case be remanded to the Commission in order to amend the amount of Johnson's compensation. Johnson should be paid 100% total compensation based solely on his average weekly wage at the time of his most recent injury. His compensation should therefore equal 2/3 of $330.51, as adjusted, with liability to be apportioned thus: (1) S. D. Warren/Employers Insurance of Wausau to pay 50% of 2/3 of Johnson's average weekly wage at the time of his earlier injury, or 50% of 2/3 of $241.10 and (2) S. D. Warren/Self Insured to pay the remainder. So ordered. It is further ordered that the employer pay to the employee an allowance of $550.00 for his counsel fees, plus his reasonable out-of-pocket expenses for this appeal. All concurring.