Court Opinion

ID: 1076959
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2013-10-09 20:21:06.347189+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:57:27.154735
License: Public Domain

COURT OF APPEALS OF VIRGINIA

Present:    Judges Bray, Annunziata and Overton

HENRY A. REED T/A REED CONSTRUCTION

v.   Record No. 2663-96-2                         MEMORANDUM OPINION *
                                                      PER CURIAM
ROGER DALE FISHER, SR.,                              APRIL 1, 1997
 TIM LAMBERT T/A LAMBERT CONSTRUCTION,
 AUTO OWNERS INSURANCE COMPANY AND
 CRITTENDEN ADJUSTMENT COMPANY

         FROM THE VIRGINIA WORKERS' COMPENSATION COMMISSION
            (William T. Fitzhugh; Beddow, Marley &
            Associates, on briefs), for appellant.

            (B. Mayes Marks, Jr., on brief), for appellee
            Roger Dale Fisher, Sr.

            (Mark M. Caldwell, III; Sands, Anderson,
            Marks & Miller, on brief), for appellees Tim
            Lambert t/a Lambert Construction, Auto Owners
            Insurance Company and Crittenden Adjustment
            Company.

     Henry A. Reed t/a Reed Construction (employer) contends that

the Workers' Compensation Commission (commission) erred in

finding Roger D. Fisher, Sr. (claimant) proved he was totally

disabled from August 8, 1995 through September 1, 1995 and from
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September 14, 1995 and continuing.       Upon reviewing the record

and the briefs of the parties, we conclude that this appeal is

without merit.   Accordingly, we summarily affirm the commission's

decision.   Rule 5A:27.
     *
      Pursuant to Code § 17-116.010 this opinion is not
designated for publication.
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      Claimant conceded before the commission that he attempted
to work during the first two weeks in September 1995, and he
waived his claim for benefits for these two weeks.
      On appeal, we view the evidence in the light most favorable

to the prevailing party below.    R.G. Moore Bldg. Corp. v.

Mullins, 10 Va. App. 211, 212, 390 S.E.2d 788, 788 (1990).

Factual findings made by the commission will be upheld on appeal

if supported by credible evidence.    James v. Capitol Steel

Constr. Co., 8 Va. App. 512, 515, 382 S.E.2d 487, 488 (1989).

     Dr. Mohamed Tawfick's medical records and his February 28,

1996 responses to claimant's counsel's written questions provide

ample credible evidence to support the commission's decision.

Dr. Tawfick treated claimant from August 8, 1995, the date of his

work-related accident, through December 7, 1995.   In responding

to counsel's questions on February 28, 1996, Dr. Tawfick stated

that he had taken claimant out of work during the course of his

treatment.   In addition, Dr. Tawfick stated that as of February

28, 1996, he had not released claimant to return to work.

Employer presented no medical evidence to dispute Dr. Tawfick's

opinions.    In addition, based upon claimant's testimony, the

commission could infer that claimant did not return to Dr.

Tawfick after December 7, 1995 because employer had denied the

claim, and claimant had no resources with which to seek medical

treatment.
     Because Dr. Tawfick's undisputed medical records and

opinions provide credible evidence to support the commission's

finding that claimant was totally disabled from August 8, 1995

through September 1, 1995 and from September 14, 1995 and

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continuing, this finding is binding and conclusive upon us on

appeal.

     Claimant's request for an award of attorney's fees and costs

pursuant to Code § 65.2-713 is denied.   For the reasons stated,

we affirm the commission's decision.

                                                        Affirmed.

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