Court Opinion

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Opinions of the United
2009 Decisions                                                                                                             States Court of Appeals
                                                                                                                              for the Third Circuit

2-10-2009

Greenwich Term v. OWCP
Precedential or Non-Precedential: Non-Precedential

Docket No. 07-4732

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                                                          NOT PRECEDENTIAL

                    UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
                         FOR THE THIRD CIRCUIT
                              _____________

                                 No. 07-4732
                                _____________

                   GREENWICH TERMINALS, LLC;
          AMERICAN MOTORIST/EAGLE INSURANCE COMPANIES,
                             Petitioners

                                       v.

            OFFICE OF WORKERS' COMPENSATION PROGRAMS,
                UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR;
                         THOMAS REDFIELD,
                               Respondents

                       Petition for Review of an Order of the
                        United States Department of Labor
             Office of Workers’ Compensation Benefits Review Board
                           (Agency No. BRB-1: 07-0313)
             Administrative Law Judge: Honorable Ralph A. Romano

                   Submitted Under Third Circuit LAR 34.1(a)
                               February 2, 2009

             Before: RENDELL, JORDAN and ROTH, Circuit Judges.

                           (Filed: February 10, 2009)

                          OPINION OF THE COURT

RENDELL, Circuit Judge.

     Greenwich Terminals, LLC and American Motorist/Eagle Insurance Companies
(collectively “Greenwich”) seek review of the Administrative Law Judge’s final

determination granting the Respondent Redfield Thomas’ claim for benefits under the

Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (“LHWCA”), 33 U.S.C. § 901 et

seq., following Thomas’ injury in a workplace accident. The Benefits Review Board

affirmed,1 and Greenwich filed this appeal.2 Greenwich contends that the Administrative

Law Judge (“ALJ”) improperly applied the “true-doubt” rule to resolve factual issues,

improperly excluded evidence, discredited credible testimony from vocational and

medical experts, and determined, without evidentiary support, that Thomas diligently

pursued employment. Finding substantial evidence for each of the ALJ’s determinations,

we will deny the Petition for Review.

                                            I.

      In May of 2003, Respondent Redfield Thomas sustained serious, permanent

injuries to his spine and neck while working at Greenwich’s Packer Avenue Marine

Terminal, when a 200-pound flipper detached from a crane and crashed on top of him. A.

13a. The impact fractured multiple vertebrae in Thomas’ spine, requiring his temporary

placement in a body cast, six months of 24-hour supervision, and intensive physical

      1
         The Benefits Review Board (“BRB”) affirmed the ALJ’s grant of relief under the
Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act but vacated the award of attorney’s
fees. A. 9a. Greenwich does not challenge the attorney’s fee award and, therefore, we do
not address the issue here.
      2
        33 U.S.C. § 901 confers appellate jurisdiction over appeals from the decisions of
the Benefits Review Board.

                                            2
rehabilitation. A. 14a.

       Approximately eighteen months after the accident, in January of 2005, Greenwich

approached Thomas about returning to work, offering him two positions at the company:

top pick operator and yard horse operator. A. 16a-17a. Against his doctor’s advice,

Thomas accepted the former position. A. 15a-16a. On April 4, 2005, his first day of

work, Thomas aggravated the nerves in his neck while attempting to operate the top pick,

and was immediately hospitalized, suited with a temporary neck brace, and prescribed

pain and anti-inflammation medication. A. 16a.

       In evaluating Thomas’ ability to serve as a top pick operator, the ALJ considered,

but ultimately discredited, a video demonstration of that position proffered by Greenwich.

Thomas testified, and Burleson acknowledged on cross-examination, that the video

omitted certain physical maneuvers operators must perform. A. 15a-18a. Accordingly,

the ALJ concluded that the video did not completely and accurately represent the duties of

a top pick operator. A. 15a, 27a-29a.

       Crediting Thomas’ testimony, and the opinion of his treating orthopedist, Dr. Roy

Lefkoe, the ALJ concluded that Thomas could not physically perform the top pick or yard

horse operator positions. A. 20a-21a. After careful analysis, the ALJ rejected the medical

and vocational evidence proffered by Greenwich. This included testimony and medical

reports prepared by two orthopedists, Dr. Alexander Vacarro and Dr. Richard Mandel,

two physical therapists, Thomas Cantwell and Deborah Shore, and Greenwich’s

                                            3
vocational consultant, Sonya Mocarski. The ALJ also excluded video surveillance of

Thomas climbing stairs and driving his car, urged by Greenwich to be relevant to his

ability to perform the job of top pick operator. A. 19a.

       After his failed attempt to return to work, Thomas began vocational training with

Dr. Robert Chaiken, a vocational rehabilitation specialist with the Department of Labor.

A. 14a. Dr. Chaiken identified, and Thomas applied for, positions at six local companies.

A. 24a. Despite his complete cooperation with Dr. Chaiken, Thomas was unable to

obtain a job. A. 14a. Concurrently, a second vocational consultant, Sonya Mocarski,

prepared a survey of local employment opportunities at Greenwich’s request. A. 14a. Ms.

Mocarski identified twelve positions; however, the ALJ determined that Thomas’

physical restrictions would only allow him to perform four of these, the first of which

became available on April 10, 2005. A. 14a-15a, 20a-21a. Because April 10, 2005,

marked the earliest date on which suitable alternate employment became available to

Thomas, the ALJ determined, and the Benefits Review Board affirmed, that Thomas was

totally disabled prior to April 10, 2005, and partially disabled after that date. A. 21a.

                                              II.

       To establish a prima facie case of total disability under the LHWCA, the claimant

must show that he is unable to return to his usual employment due to the injury. McCabe

v. Sun Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Co., 602 F.2d 59, 62 n.7 (3d Cir. 1979). Once the

claimant establishes a prima facie case, the burden shifts to the employer, who must show

                                               4
that suitable alternate employment exists. Id. The employer meets the burden of

establishing suitable alternate employment by identifying specific jobs at the claimant’s

current place of employment or in the local community that are available to the claimant,

given his particular physical restrictions. Id.; American Stevedores, Inc. v. Salzano, 538
F.2d 933, 935-36 (2d Cir. 1976). The fact finder is to determine the claimant’s

restrictions based on the medical evidence and decide whether the claimant is capable of

performing the jobs identified by the employer. If the employer meets this burden, the

claimant must then prove that he has made a diligent attempt to secure employment.

Palombo v. Director, OWCP, 937 F.2d 70, 73 (2d Cir. 1991). If the claimant

demonstrates that he diligently tried to obtain employment, without success, he prevails.

See Hairston v. Todd Shipyards Corp, 849 F.2d 1194, 1196 (9th Cir. 1988). If, on the

other hand, the claimant is unable to prove he diligently pursued suitable jobs identified

by the employer, but those jobs pay wages less than the claimant’s pre-disability

employment, then the claimant is deemed partially, rather than totally, disabled. See

Louisiana Ins. Guar. Ass’n v. Bunol, 211 F.3d 294, 297 (5th Cir. 2000); New Orleans

(Gulfwide) Stevedores v. Turner, 661 F.2d 1031, 1042 (Former 5th Cir. Nov. 1981).

       An ALJ’s findings of fact are treated as conclusive if supported by substantial

evidence in the record considered as a whole. 33 U.S.C. § 921(b)(3). Substantial

evidence is “such relevant evidence as a reasonable mind might accept as adequate to

support a conclusion.” Del. River Stevedores, Inc. v. Director, OWCP, 279 F.3d 233, 241

                                             5
(3d Cir. 2002) (quoting Universal Camera Corp. v. NLRB, 340 U.S. 474, 477 (1951)).

Here, Greenwich alleges errors of fact and law.

       Greenwich assigns a single error of law – the ALJ applied the “true doubt rule” to

resolve factual issues, in violation of the Administrative Procedures Act. Under the “true

doubt rule,” fact issues are resolved in the claimant’s favor when the evidence is evenly

balanced. The Supreme Court has held that the rule violates the Administrative

Procedures Act. Director, OWCP v. Greenwich Collieries, 512 U.S. 267, 281 (1994).

Here, the ALJ, citing Greenwich Collieries, expressly rejected the “true doubt rule”;

nonetheless, Greenwich maintains that the ALJ implicitly invoked the rule in its fact-

finding. Greenwich’s argument collapses by its own admission. The “true doubt rule,” a

decisional “tiebreaker,” applies only where the evidence is in equipoise. However,

Greenwich concedes in its brief that the ALJ found the evidence was not evenly balanced,

but rather decisively favored Thomas’ position. Petitioners’ Br. at 23. Hence, the ALJ,

who found no evidentiary “tie” to exist here, did not implicitly rely on the “true doubt

rule” for its fact-finding.3

       Greenwich next contends that the ALJ’s factual determinations were unsupported.

First, Greenwich maintains that the ALJ misapprehended the physical demands imposed

by the top pick operator position. Greenwich complains that the ALJ improperly credited

       3
        To the extent Greenwich is contending that the ALJ improperly weighed the
evidence in the record, we reject that argument for the reasons set forth below.

                                             6
Thomas’ testimony over a video demonstration depicting a top pick operator’s duties. We

find that the ALJ reasonably rejected the video demonstration proffered by Greenwich.

Thomas testified, and Greenwich’s assistant terminal manager, John Burleson,

acknowledged on cross-examination, that the video demonstration was deficient, omitting

five activities top pick operators regularly perform: (1) neck- and torso-twisting to view

traffic behind the machine; (2) ascending and descending two flights of stairs to enter and

exit the machine; (3) using both hands simultaneously to steer the machine and

manipulate control levers; (4) looking upwards and downwards to stack containers; and

(5) sitting continuously for over four hours. A. 15a, 27a-29a. Thomas and Burleson’s

testimony about the video’s shortcomings was uncontroverted. Thus, the ALJ’s

determination of the physical requirements of the position was supported by substantial

evidence.

       Next, Greenwich contends that, after the accident, it offered Thomas suitable

employment as a top pick operator or yard horse operator. The ALJ reasonably

concluded that both positions exceeded Thomas’ physical capabilities, and that his

participation in either activity could exacerbate his injuries. A. 27a-28a. Thomas and

Burleson identified specific activities that a top pick operator must regularly perform,

including twisting his neck and torso, ascending and descending stairs, looking upwards

and downwards, sitting continuously for several hours, and simultaneously using both

hands. A. 21a, 27a-29a. Dr. Lefkoe opined that Thomas’ injuries precluded his

                                             7
repeatedly performing these activities on a daily basis. A. 27a-28a.

       The ALJ’s conclusion that Thomas could not perform either job offered to him

was also supported by Thomas’ own testimony, which the ALJ found credible. Thomas

testified that he was physically incapable of twisting his torso, looking up and down,

sitting continuously for several hours, using both hands simultaneously, and climbing in

and out of the vehicle, on a regular basis. A. 15a. Practical experience confirmed these

limitations: attempting to operate the top pick machine on his first day of work, Thomas

struggled to manipulate levers while steering the vehicle, and was ultimately hospitalized

with neck injuries. A. 16a. Thus, we find substantial evidence to support the ALJ’s

determination that Thomas was unable to operate the top pick machine.4

       Greenwich, in turn, contends that the ALJ failed adequately to consider the

opinions of Drs. Vacarro and Mandel, as well as Thomas’ physical therapists, Mr.

Cantwell and Ms. Shore. Greenwich contends, moreover, that the ALJ erroneously

excluded video surveillance of Thomas driving his car and climbing stairs – tasks

       4
        Likewise, substantial evidence supports Thomas’ inability to perform the job of
yard horse operator. Thomas testified, and Burleson concurred, that the position, which
required using a “hustle truck” to move containers around a yard filled with potholes,
imposed greater physical demands on the operator than the top pick position. A. 15a, 29a.
Because a yard horse operator must slam the hustle truck into a container to make a
connection, he must engage in a “lot of bending and being thrown around.” A. 15a. Dr.
Lefkoe specifically proscribed such activities, noting that frequent twisting and jostling
would exacerbate Thomas’ injuries. A. 21a-22a. Thus, the ALJ’s determination that
Thomas could not perform the job of yard horse operator finds substantial support in the
record.

                                             8
purportedly relevant to his ability to perform the jobs offered to him.

       An Administrative Law Judge is entitled to weigh the evidence and draw his own

inferences, and is not required to accept the opinion or theory of a particular medical

examiner. Avondale Shipyards v. Kennel, 914 F.2d 88, 91 (5th Cir. 1988). Although the

ALJ may not employ his own expertise against that of a physician who presents

competent medical evidence, he may choose whom to credit, provided he articulates a

rational explanation for doing so. See Plummer v. Apfel, 186 F.3d 422, 429 (3d Cir. 1999)

(citing Stewart v. Secretary of H.E.W., 714 F.2d 287, 290 (3d Cir. 1983)). Here, Dr.

Vacarro, who treated Thomas until March 2004, concluded that Thomas’ physical

restrictions did not preclude employment as a top pick operator. We find that the ALJ

rationally credited Dr. Lefkoe’s opinion over that of Dr. Vacarro. Dr. Vacarro formulated

his recommendation based on physical restrictions placed on Thomas in November of

2003 – over two years before his disability hearing. As the ALJ observed, Dr. Vacarro’s

opinion failed to reflect the subsequent deterioration in Thomas’ condition.5 A. 28a. Dr.

Lefkoe, by contrast, based his opinion on monthly examinations of the claimant

conducted since June of 2004. A. 21a. See Plummer, 186 F.3d at 429 (quoting Rocco v.

       5
         Thomas aggravated his injuries when he attempted to operate the top pick
machine in April of 2004, and an MRI completed in November 2005 revealed
deterioration of Thomas’ spine, including degenerative disc disease and a bulging disk. A.
22a. Indeed, Thomas’ doctors agreed that he attained MMI, i.e., a state in which his
condition would not improve, several months after Dr. Vacarro’s initial determination of
Thomas’ physical restrictions in November of 2003. A. 19a, 22a.

                                              9
Heckler, 886 F.2d 1348, 1350 (3d Cir. 1987) (noting that “treating physicians’ reports

should be accorded great weight, especially ‘when their opinions reflect expert judgment

based on a continuing observation of the patient’s condition over a prolonged period of

time.’”). We find that the ALJ articulated a reasonable basis for adopting Dr. Lefkoe’s

opinion over that of Dr. Vacarro and, therefore, discern no error. See id. (citing Stewart,

714 F.2d at 290) (noting that ALJ must articulate “some reason for discounting the

evidence she rejects”).

       Greenwich also cites the opinion of a second orthopedist, Dr. Mandel, who

examined Thomas at Greenwich’s request, but did not treat him. We find that Dr.

Mandel’s testimony undermines rather than aids Greenwich’s position. After Thomas

described the duties of a top pick operator to Dr. Mandel, he concluded that Thomas

could not perform the job. A. 20a. Only after reviewing the video demonstration of the

job – which we find the ALJ properly rejected -- did Dr. Mandel modify his conclusion.

A. 20a. Because Dr. Mandel predicated his revised opinion on erroneous assumptions

about the position, the ALJ correctly discredited it.

       Greenwich also contends that the ALJ erred in rejecting the opinions of Mr.

Cantwell and Ms. Shore, Thomas’ physical therapists, who concluded that Thomas could

perform the job of top pick operator. Like Dr. Mandel, Mr. Cantwell relied on the video

demonstration of the position to formulate his opinion and, therefore, the ALJ properly

rejected his opinion. A. 29a. The ALJ identified a separate defect in the opinion of Ms.

                                             10
Shore, who formulated her conclusions without consulting Thomas’ medical restrictions.

A. 29a. Accordingly, we find that the ALJ articulated a rational basis for discrediting

each of the medical and vocational opinions upon which Greenwich relies.

       Lastly, Greenwich contends that the ALJ improperly excluded video surveillance

of Thomas occasionally climbing the stairs in his home and driving his car – activities

purportedly relevant to his ability to perform the job of top pick operator and yard horse

operator. We need not decide whether exclusion of the video was error, for even if it

was, it was harmless. On cross-examination, Thomas acknowledged his occasional use of

a car and the stairs in his home – the primary activities depicted in the surveillance

footage. Further, the ALJ rationally determined that whether Thomas could climb stairs

occasionally, or drive his car, was irrelevant to his ability to operate a top pick, a piece of

heavy machinery imposing unique physical demands on its operator. As discussed earlier,

the ALJ identified several specific tasks that top pick operators must regularly perform,

but which Thomas’ physical restrictions prohibited his doing frequently.6 The ALJ

reasonably determined that Thomas’ occasional use of his car or the stairs in his home

had no bearing on his ability to perform these five tasks on a frequent basis. Accordingly,

the ALJ’s exclusion of the surveillance video, even if it was admissible, was harmless.

       Greenwich complains that Thomas did not diligently pursue employment after his

       6
           Frequently is characterized as 1/3 to 2/3 of the time.

                                               11
accident.7 As evidence of Thomas’ inadequate efforts, Greenwich cites his refusal to

submit to personal examination by Ms. Mocarski, a vocational consultant retained by

Greenwich; the attachment of his functional capacity evaluation, detailing his physical

limitations, to his job applications; and finally, Greenwich’s purported offer of any

position at the company to Thomas. Rejecting each of these arguments, the ALJ

concluded that Thomas pursued employment with Greenwich and other companies in

good-faith after the accident. Substantial evidence supports the ALJ’s determination.

Thomas was eager to return to work after his accident. Against Dr. Lefkoe’s advice, he

accepted a position as a top pick operator in April of 2005, but sustained neck injuries on

his first day of work. A. 16a. Greenwich responds that it was eager to “accommodate him

[Thomas] as necessary if these positions [top pick operator or yard horse operator] proved

to be too difficult”, but that its overtures were met by inaction on the part of Thomas.

Petitioners’ Br. at 29. Greenwich’s assertion is unsupported. Greenwich offered Thomas

only two positions at the company -- top pick operator and yard horse operator. A. 17a.

Even after Thomas expressed interest in a job as a crane operator, a less strenuous

position, and even after Thomas strained his neck while operating the top pick,

       7
         Although diligence is directly relevant to Thomas’ claim for total disability,
Palombo, 937 F.2d at 73, it is also relevant to the ALJ’s award of partial disability. Had
Thomas obtained alternative employment, even at lesser pay, it would be significant
evidence of his residual earning capacity. See 33 U.S.C. § 908 (allowing determination of
partial disability to be based on “any other factors or circumstances in the case which may
affect [the claimant’s] capacity to earn wages in his disabled condition).

                                             12
Greenwich offered him no other position. A. 15a. We decline to interpret Greenwich’s

failure to offer Thomas suitable employment as evidence of Thomas’ bad-faith in

returning to work.

       We also find that Thomas displayed vigilance in seeking employment outside his

current place of employment. Dr. Chaiken testified that Thomas was highly cooperative

during the placement process, applying for positions at six different companies. A. 24a.

Contrary to Greenwich’s contention, Thomas appended his functional capacity evaluation

to job applications at Dr. Chaiken’s suggestion in order to provide an accurate picture of

his physical capabilities – not to sabotage his employment prospects. A. 24a.

       Finally, Greenwich makes much of Thomas’ refusal to submit to a personal

examination by Ms. Mocarski. Whether or not Thomas should have done so, Greenwich

suffered no prejudice by his refusal. Using Thomas’ extensive medical records, Ms.

Mocarski prepared a comprehensive survey of suitable employment opportunities in the

area. A. 24a-25a. The ALJ determined that four of the positions identified were within

Thomas’ job restrictions. Greenwich does not explain why Ms. Mocarski had to examine

Thomas to prepare the survey, or identify material information that such an examination

of Thomas would have produced, which could not be gleaned from Thomas’ detailed

medical records. Thus, Thomas’ refusal to submit to a personal examination did not

                                            13
prejudice Greenwich.8

                                            III.

       For the foregoing reasons, we will DENY the Petition for Review.

       8
          Alternatively, Greenwich argues that the ALJ employed an improper
methodology to calculate the reduction in Thomas’ wages resulting from his disability. To
determine Thomas’ post-injury, wage-earning capacity, the ALJ averaged the salary
ranges of the four suitable positions identified by Ms. Mocarski. Greenwich maintains
that this was error. The ALJ, Greenwich contends, should have used the salary of the
highest-paying position identified by Ms. Mocarski, rather than the average salary of all
suitable positions identified. Greenwich offers no authority or analysis for its position, to
which it devotes a single sentence of its brief. Petitioners’ Br. at 39. We conclude, as the
BRB did, that the ALJ’s method for calculating Thomas’ post-injury, wage-earning
capacity was reasonable and within the administrative law judge’s substantial discretion
on the issue. See Avondale Industries, Inc. v. Pulliam, 137 F.3d 326, 328 (5th Cir. 1998);
Shell Offshore, Inc. v. Director, OWCP, 122 F.3d 312, 318 (5th Cir. 1997), cert. denied,
523 U.S. 1095 (1998).

                                             14