Court Opinion

ID: 4200042
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2017-08-30 16:08:52.63038+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:41:31.108415
License: Public Domain

IMPORTANT NOTICE
         NOT TO BE PUBLISHED OPINION

THIS OPINION IS DESIGNATED "NOT TO BE PUBLISHED."
PURSUANT TO THE RULES OF CIVIL PROCEDURE
PROMULGATED BY THE SUPREME COURT, CR 76.28(4)(C),
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                                              RENDERED: FEBRUARY 16, 2017
                                                     NOT TO BE PUBLISHED

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                              2016-SC-000072-WC

RIVER VIEW COAL, LLC                                                 APPELLANT

                    ON APPEAL FROM COURT OF APPEALS
                       CASE NO. 2015-CA-000821-WC
V.                   WORKERS' COMPENSATION BOARD
                            NO. 13-WC-92232

ANGELA WHITLOCK;                                                     APPELLEES
HON. WILLIAM J. RUDLOFF,
ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE; AND
WORKERS' COMPENSATION BOARD

                  MEMORANDUM OPINION OF THE COURT

                                  AFFIRMING

      An Administrative Law Judge (AW) found Angela Whitlock to be

permanently totally disabled as a result of work-related physical injuries. The

Workers' Compensation Board (the Board) and the Court of Appeals affirmed

the AW's finding of permanent total disability. River View Coal, LLC (River

View) argues on appeal to this Court that the AW's finding of total disability

was not supported by substantial evidence. Whitlock argues that this matter is

not final and appealable because the Board vacated the AW's award of

temporary total disability and medical expense benefits and remanded for

additional findings on those issues and for findings on an alleged psychological

claim. For the following reasons, we hold that the AW's opinion is final and

appealable, and we affirm the Court of Appeals.
                               I. BACKGROUND.

      Whitlock completed the 8th grade, earned her GED, and received

certification as an early childhood education instructional aide. She has

worked as an instructional aide with Head Start and in several Kentucky

county school systems and as an underground coal miner for River View.

      While employed at River View, Whitlock suffered injuries to her left leg

(February 3, 2012); to her nose (May 9, 2012 and December 18, 2012); to her

right hip and leg (May 18, 2012); and to her low back (March 4, 2013). On

April 3, 2014, Whitlock filed an Application for Resolution of Injury Claim

alleging that she suffered the preceding physical injuries as well as a work-

related psychological injury. River View timely filed a Notice of Claim Denial

and the parties proceeded to take proof, which we summarize below.

A.    Whitlock's testimony.

      Whitlock testified that her jobs as an instructional aide required her to

assist teachers with instruction, to lift children, and to clean classrooms. Her

job for River View as a "pinner" required her to work underground lifting and

maneuvering heavy items while often working in a bent, stooped, or kneeling

position.

      Whitlock testified that she had not missed any significant amount of

work as a result of her 2012 injuries. However, after her March 4, 2013 low-

back injury, Whitlock missed approximately two months of work, returning to

work in a different job category and working until July 11, 2013. After last

working for River View, Whitlock collected short-term disability and

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unemployment benefits. When her short-term disability benefits stopped,

Whitlock began working part-time as a cook, waitress, and cashier at her

sister's restaurant. According to Whitlock, she had no set schedule but worked

approximately 10 to 15 hours per week. In lieu of paying Whitlock any wages,

the sister helped pay Whitlock's bills. Whitlock admitted that she continued to

receive unemployment benefits while working at the restaurant and that she

had not reported this work activity to the Unemployment Compensation

Commission.

      In terms of her physical condition, Whitlock testified that she had

continuous low-back pain with radiation of pain into both legs and occasional

bilateral leg numbness/tingling. 1 According to Whitlock, her low back and

lower extremity symptoms disrupt her sleep and increase with activity, which

makes it difficult for her to maintain her house and yard. Based on her

physical limitations, Whitlock does not believe that she could return to work as

a coal miner or to any of her other pre-injury jobs. She also testified that she

could not perform restaurant work on any regular or sustained basis.

B.    Medical proof.

      Whitlock filed medical records from her treating physicians - Drs.

Wallace, Canlas, and Oropilla- and an independent medical evaluation report

      1 We note that Whitlock also complained of right shoulder and arm pain.
However, she did not allege a specific injury to her shoulder or arm and the AW did
not base his opinion on Whitlock's shoulder and arm complaints. Therefore, we do not
consider those complaints in this opinion.

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from Dr. Charles Barlow.2 Dr. Wallace, Whitlock's family physician, treated

Whitlock following the back injury, noted improvement in Whitlock's

symptoms, and released Whitlock to return to work on April 25, 2013.

However, Whitlock continued to complain of back pain, and Dr. Wallace

referred her to Dr. Canlas, a physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist, on

June 3, 2013. It appears that Dr. Canlas performed a series of trigger point

and SI joint injections and, when Whitlock failed to improve, Dr. Canlas

referred her to Dr. Oropilla, a pain management physician. Dr. Oropilla

performed several steroid injections, which provided only temporary relief of

Whitlock's symptoms. None of these physicians specifically addressed whether

Whitlock has any permanent impairment rating or permanent restrictions.

       Dr. Barlow examined Whitlock on June 11, 2014. Whitlock complained

to Dr. Barlow of low-back pain with radiation into both legs, right worse than

left. Dr. Barlow's examination revealed full range of motion, no loss of

sensation, no reflex deficits, and complaints of pain with straight leg raising.

Dr. Barlow reviewed Whitlock's medical records and noted MRI findings of

bulging discs at L2-3 and L3-4 with an annular tear and nominal protrusion at

L4-5 but no nerve root compression. Based on his examination and review of

the medical records, Dr. Barlow made pertinent diagnoses of right hip pain,

degenerative lumbar disc disease with a bulging disc, and bilateral

radiculopathy. He assigned Whitlock a 6% impairment rating for her low-back

       2 Whitlock also filed reports from physicians who treated her for her 2012
injuries. However, because the AW did not factor those injuries into his disability
award, we do not summarize them herein.

                                           4
injury and stated that she should avoid: bending and twisting at the waist;

lifting more than 40 pounds; and pushing/pulling more than 60 pounds. Dr.

Barlow did not assign Whitlock any impairment rating or impose any

restrictions for her other injuries.

       River View filed a letter dated December 10, 2013, from Dr. Canlas,

stating that Whitlock did not "meet the criteria for disability" and that she

should be able to "pursue some form of part-time or full-time employment."

River View also filed the independent medical report of Dr. Thomas Huhn.

Whitlock complained to Dr. Huhn of low-back pain with radiation into both

legs and occasional leg numbness. Whitlock reported that her symptoms were

aggravated by movement and lifting and relieved by use of a TENS unit and

heat. Dr. Huhn's examination revealed tenderness to palpation in the low back

but normal muscle tone, strength, and sensation in the back and lower

extremities. Based on his examination and review of Whitlock's medical

records, Dr. Huhn made a diagnosis of bulging lumbar discs with no nerve root

impingement, and he assigned Whitlock no impairment rating and imposed no

restrictions for any of her other injuries.

      We note that River View also filed an independent psychological

evaluation report from Dr. Ruth. However, the AW did ·not address Whitlock's

psychological claim, and the Board remanded this matter to the AW with

instructions to do so. Therefore, we do not further address Whitlock's alleged

psychological injury.

                                          5
      The AW rendered an opinion in which he summarized Whitlock's

testimony and records/reports from Drs. Barlow, Canlas, Ruth, and Huhn.

Based on his review, the AW stated that he found Dr. Barlow to be the most

"persuasive and compelling," and that Whitlock has a 6% impairment rating.

The AW also found Whitlock's testimony regarding her pain, her limitations,

and her inability to return to any of her past work to be "credible and

convincing." Based on that testimony and Dr. Barlow's report, the AW found

that Whitlock is permanently totally disabled.

      River View filed a petition for reconsideration asking the AW to make

additional findings, noting that the AW had not mentioned evidence favorable

to its position. Although the AW believed that River View was impermissibly

re-arguing the merits in its petition, he issued a second opinion and order. In

that opinion and order, the AW reiterated much of his original opinion and

order and reached the same conclusion.

      River View appealed to the Board, which affirmed the AW's finding of

permanent total disability. However, the Board found that the AW's award of

medical benefits was not sufficiently specific. The Board also noted that,

without any explanation, the AW awarded temporary total disability benefits

for a period after Whitlock had returned to work for River View. Finally, the

Board noted that the AW had not addressed Whitlock's psychological injury

claim. Therefore, the Board remanded those portions of Whitlock's claim to the

AW for additional findings of fact and conclusions of law. River View sought

                                       6
review by the Court of Appeals, which affirmed. We set forth additional

background information as necessary below.

                          II. STANDARD OF REVIEW.

      "Whether the Board's opinion is final and appealable is a question of law,

and we review questions of law de novo." Hampton v. Flav-0-Rich Dairies, 489

S.W.3d 230, 232 (Ky. 2016), reh'g denied (June 16, 2016). However, as to the

substance of the AW's opinion, if the party with the burden of proof is

successful before the AW, the question on appeal is whether that opinion is

supported by substantial evidence. Whittaker v. Rowland, 998 S.W.2d 479,

481 (Ky. 1999). "Substantial evidence has been defined as some evidence of

substance and relevant consequence, having the fitness to induce conviction in

the minds of reasonable men." Id. at 481-82.

                                III. ANALYSIS.

A.    Finality.

      Whitlock argues, albeit summarily, that the Board's opinion is not final

because it vacated and remanded, in part, this matter to the AW for additional

findings. As we recently held, when the Board fully vacates and remands, the

Board's opinion is final and appealable. Hampton, 489 S.W.3d at 234. This is

so because vacating and remanding either deprives a party of a vested right or

authorizes or directs the AW to reach a different conclusion. Id. We see no

difference when the Board only partially vacates and remands. Here, the Board

vacated, in part, Whitlock's entitlement to temporary total disability and

medical expense benefits, thereby divesting her of her right to those benefits.

                                        7
Furthermore, the board authorized the AW to reach a different conclusion

regarding Whitlock's entitlement to those benefits. Thus, the Board's opinion

was final and appealable.

B.    Finding of permanent total disability.

      The AW, as fact finder, has the sole authority to judge the weight,

credibility, substance, and inferences to be drawn from the evidence.

Paramount Foods, Inc. v. Burkhardt, 695 S.W.2d 418, 419 (Ky. 1985). In

drawing those inferences and reaching a decision, the AW is free to choose to

believe or disbelieve parts of the evidence from the total proof, no matter which

party offered it. Brockway v. Rockwell International, 907 S.W.2d 166, 169 (Ky.

App. 1995). While "a party may note evidence which would have supported a

conclusion contrary to the AW's decision, such evidence is not an adequate

basis for reversal on appeal." Ira A. Watson Dept. St~re v. Hamilton, 34 S.W.3d

48, 52 (Ky. 2000). Thus, a party seeking to reverse an AW's finding in favor of

an injured employee must establish that the decision was "so unreasonable

under the evidence that it must be viewed as erroneous as a matter of law." Id.

We analyze River View's argument that the AW's finding of p·ermanent total

disability is not supported by substantial evidence with the preceding

standards in mind.

      KRS 342.0011(1 l)(c) defines permanent total disability as "the condition.

of an employee who, due to an injury, has a permanent disab~lity rating and

has a complete and permanent inability to perform any type of work as a result

of an injury .... " Work is defined as "providing services to another in return

                                       8
for remuneration on a regular and sustained basis in a competitive economy."

KRS 342.0011(34). To determine if an employee meets the preceding criteria,

an AW must make

      an individualized determination of what the worker is and is not
      able to do after recovering from the work injury . . . . [That
      determination] necessarily includes a consideration of factors such
      as the worker's post-injury physical, emotional, intellectual, and
      vocational status and how those factors interact. It also includes a
      consideration of the likelihood that the particular worker would be
      able to find work consistently under normal employment
      conditions. A worker's ability to do so is affected by factors such
      as whether the individual will be able to work dependably and
      whether the worker's physical restrictions will interfere with
      vocational capabilities.

Hamilton, 34 S.W.3d at 51. In assessing an employee's ability to perform work,

the AW "must necessarily consider the [employee's] medical condition" but is

not required to rely on the opinions of the medical experts. Id. at 52. The AW

may also consider the employee's testimony which "is competent evidence of

[her] physical condition and of [her] ability to perform various activities both

before and after being injured." Id.

      The AW found that Whitlock suffered a work-related injury and, relying

on Dr. Barlow's opinion, that she has a 6% permanent impairment rating. The

AW took that impairment rating into consideration along with Whitlock's age,

education, work history, the restrictions imposed by Dr. Barlow, and Whitlock's

self-imposed restrictions and concluded that she is unable to perform any work

on a sustained basis. That is all he was required to do and, although we might

have reached a different conclusion, we cannot say that the AW's conclusion

was erroneous as a matter of law.

                                        9
      Although the preceding disposes of this appeal, for the sake of

completeness, we next address each of River View's specific arguments. First,

River View argues that Whitlock's employment at her sister's restaurant

indicates that she was abl~ to perform work as defined by the statute and

negates any entitlement to a total disability award. If Whitlock had been

performing that work on a regular and sustained basis, River View would have

a point. However, Whitlock testified that: she had no regular schedule and

only worked when she needed help paying a bill or when her sister needed

help; she could leave work whenever she felt the need; she only worked a few

hours on the days she worked; and she could not perform that work on a full-

time or regular basis. The AW, as he was entitled to do, believed Whitlock and

found that she could not perform any work, as defined by the statute, which

included the restaurant job. Furthermore, we note that "a worker is not

required to be homebound in order to be found to be totally occupationally

disabled." Id. at 51. Thus, the fact that Whitlock may have performed less

than regular work at her sister's restaurant in exchange for help paying her

bills does not, as a matter of law, negate Whitlock's entitlement to a permanent

total disability award.

      Second, River View argues that the AW erred as a matter of law because

Whitlock was 40 years of age at the time of the low-back injury and has

certification as an instructional aide, which would enable her to perform work

as defined by the Act. Certainly, the AW could have taken those factors into

consideration and cotn.e to that conclusion. However, he was not compelled to

                                      10
do so. We note that the totally disabled claimant in Hamilton was 39 years of

age and had a high school education, Id. at 50, as was the totally disabled

claimant in McNutt Construction/Fi.rst General Services v. Scott, 40 S.W.3d 854,

856 (Ky. 2001). Thus, while age and education are significant factors that an

AW must consider they are not dispositive, and this argument is not

persuasive.

      Third, River View argues that Whitlock's "medical restrictions" do not

prevent her from performing her past work. As the AW noted, Dr. Barlow

restricted Whitlock from bending and twisting, lifting more than 40 pounds,

and pushing/pulling more than 60 pounds. Whitlock testified that her job as a

coal miner required her to lift heavy items and to work at times in a bent,

stooped, or kneeling position. Dr. Barlow's restrictions would have prevented

her from performing this type of work. As to her work as an instructional aide,

Whitlock testified that she assisted classroom teachers, which required her to

lift children and clean classrooms. Dr. Barlow's restrictions against bending,

twisting, and lifting more than 40 pounds would preclude this type of work.

Arguably, Dr. Barlow's restrictions might not have precluded Whitlock from

performing restaurant work; however, as noted above, the AW was not

required to rely solely on the medical restrictions. He was permitted to rely on

Whitlock's testimony, which he did. Thus, this argument is not persuasive.

      Fourth, River View argues that the AW's opinion is erroneous because

even Whitlock did not believe she was totally disabled. As evidence of this,

River View notes Whitlock's testimony that she had applied for a number of

                                       11
jobs, some of which arguably would require exertion beyond her restrictions.

This argument ignores three important facts. First, it is the AW's belief

regarding the extent of disability that controls, not the claimant's. Second,

although she admitted applying for those jobs, Whitlock testified that she did

not believe she could actually perform them. Third, Whitlock admitted that she

had neither the training nor experience to perform several of the jobs for which

she applied. Thus, this argument is not persuasive.

      Finally, River View argues that the Court of Appeals ignored the "fact"

that Whitlock left her job in July 2013 and did not return because of alleged

sexual harassment, not because of her injury. As River View notes, there is

evidence in the record that Whitlock had been sexually harassed during the

time between her back injury and her last day of work. Furthermore, there is

evidence in the record that Whitlock suffered depression and anxiety because

of the alleged sexual harassment, and she admitted the sexual harassment was

part of the reason she did want to continue working at River View. However,

Whitlock also testified that the primary reason she did not continue working at

River View was because "I hurt every day .... My whole life has changed. I go

to bed at night in pain. I sleep on a heating pad and a stupid, big, old wedge

pillow and everything else. I don't ever sleep comfortable." The AW could have

chosen to believe that Whitlock left work at River View and did not return

because of the sexual harassment; however, he would have had to ignore

Whitlock's primary reason for doing so to make the choice. As noted above, an

AW is free to pick and choose what evidence to believe and nothing would have

                                       12
compelled him to pick Whitlock's secondary reason for leaving and not

returning rather than her primary one. Thus, the Court of Appeals did not err

by failing to recognize that the record contained evidence that Whitlock stopped

working at River View and did not return to work there for non-injury-related

reasons.

                              IV. CONCLUSION.

      For the foregoing reasons, we affirm the Court of Appeals.

      All sitting. Minton, C.J., Cunningham, Hughes, Keller, Venters and

Wright, JJ., concur. VanMeter, J., dissents without opinion.

COUNSEL FOR APPELLANT:

Brandy Hassman

COUNSEL FOR APPELLEE:

Lucius P. Hawes, Jr.

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