Court Opinion

ID: 4356369
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2019-01-07 08:13:54.280863+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:46:24.445538
License: Public Domain

Cite as 2013 Ark. App. 523

Susan Williams           ARKANSAS COURT OF APPEALS
2019.01.03                                      DIVISION II
12:51:10 -06'00'                               No. CV-12-688

                                                          OPINION DELIVERED SEPTEMBER 25, 2013
        THOMAS B. QUEEN
                                       APPELLANT          APPEAL FROM THE ARKANSAS
                                                          WORKERS’ COMPENSATION
        V.                                                COMMISSION
                                                          [NO.F213364]

        NORTEL NETWORKS; TRAVELERS
        PROPERTY & CASUALTY CO.
                            APPELLEES                     AFFIRMED

                                 ROBERT J. GLADWIN, Chief Judge

               This workers’ compensation case concerns an injury that appellant, Thomas Queen,

        suffered on February 18, 2001.       The Arkansas Workers’ Compensation Commission

        ultimately found on remand, in its April 20, 2012 opinion, that Queen’s injury was

        compensable, that Queen’s medical treatment for the period from February 19, 2001,

        through January 29, 2003, was compensable, and that temporary total-disability (TTD)

        benefits were awarded from February 19, 2001, through July 30, 2002, but that medical

        treatment following January 29, 2003, was not reasonably necessary for treatment of his

        compensable injury, and also awarded attorney’s fees.1 Appellant contends on appeal that no

        substantial evidence supports the denial of additional medical treatment.

               1
               This is the second time that this case is before this court. In the original appeal, the
        Commission found that Queen did not suffer a compensable injury, but this court reversed
        and remanded for additional factual findings in Queen v. Nortel Networks, Inc., 2012 Ark. App.
188.
                                Cite as 2013 Ark. App. 523

       We review a decision of the Workers’ Compensation Commission to determine

whether there is substantial evidence to support it. Crosby v. Eaton Corp., 2012 Ark. App.
565. We review the evidence and all reasonable inferences deducible therefrom in the light

most favorable to the Commission’s findings. Id. It is the Commission’s province to weigh

the evidence and determine what is most credible. Id. The issue on appeal is not whether

we would have reached a different result or whether the evidence would have supported a

contrary conclusion; we will affirm if reasonable minds could reach the Commission’s

conclusion. Id.

       It is the Commission’s duty, not ours, to make credibility determinations, to weigh

the evidence, and to resolve conflicts in the medical opinions, evidence, and testimony.

Adams v. Bemis Co., 2010 Ark. App. 859, at 2. Where the Commission has denied a claim

because of the claimant’s failure to meet his or her burden of proof, the substantial-evidence

standard of review requires that we affirm if the Commission’s opinion displays a substantial

basis for the denial of relief. Parson v. Ark. Methodist Hosp., 103 Ark. App. 178, 287 S.W.3d
645 (2008). Because this is the sole issue now before us, and because the Commission’s

opinion adequately explains the decision, we affirm by memorandum opinion. In re

Memorandum Opinions, 16 Ark. App. 301, 700 S.W.2d 63 (1985) (per curiam).

       Affirmed.

       GLOVER and WHITEAKER , JJ., agree.

       H. Oscar Hirby and Robert S. Tschiemer, for appellant.

       Phillip Cuffman, for appellee.

                                              2