Court Opinion

ID: 1033890
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2013-07-16 00:03:48.926754+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T15:37:35.779741
License: Public Domain

STATE OF WEST VIRGINIA                                FILED
                                                                                 July 15, 2013
                                                                            RORY L. PERRY II, CLERK
                                                                          SUPREME COURT OF APPEALS
                          SUPREME COURT OF APPEALS                            OF WEST VIRGINIA

CHARLES E. KEENE,
Claimant Below, Petitioner

vs.)   No. 11-1198	 (BOR Appeal No. 2045324)
                    (Claim No. 2005038635)

WEST VIRGINIA OFFICE OF
INSURANCE COMMISSIONER
Commissioner Below, Respondent

and

CPC LOGISTICS, INC.,
Employer Below, Respondent

                             MEMORANDUM DECISION

      Petitioner Charles E. Keene, by Robert Stultz, his attorney, appeals the decision of the
West Virginia Workers’ Compensation Board of Review. The West Virginia Office of Insurance
Commissioner, by David Stuart, its attorney, filed a timely response.

         This appeal arises from the Board of Review’s Final Order dated July 19, 2011, in which
the Board reversed an October 27, 2010, Order of the Workers’ Compensation Office of Judges.
In its Order, the Office of Judges reversed the claims administrator’s August 21, 2009, decision
granting Mr. Keene no additional permanent partial disability award for his left ankle injury. The
Court has carefully reviewed the records, written arguments, and appendices contained in the
briefs, and the case is mature for consideration.

       This Court has considered the parties’ briefs and the record on appeal. The facts and legal
arguments are adequately presented, and the decisional process would not be significantly aided
by oral argument. Upon consideration of the standard of review, the briefs, and the record
presented, the Court finds that the Board of Review’s decision is based upon a material
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misstatement or mischaracterization of the evidentiary record. This case satisfies the “limited
circumstances” requirement of Rule 21(d) of the Revised Rules of Appellate Procedure and is
appropriate for a memorandum decision rather than an opinion.

         Mr. Keene injured his left ankle and leg on March 22, 2005, when he fell while working
in the back of a truck. On May 12, 2005, the claim was held compensable for phlebitis veins,
cellulitis/abscess of the leg, Achilles bursitis/tendonitis, and sprain/strain of the ankle. Mr. Keene
has sustained at least three previous ankle injuries, and has received a prior 15% permanent
partial disability award for his left ankle.

        In its Order reversing the October 27, 2010, Office of Judges’ Order and reinstating the
August 21, 2009, claims administrator’s decision, the Board of Review held that Mr. Keene had
been fully compensated for the March 22, 2005, injury through the prior 15% permanent partial
disability award. Mr. Keene disputes this finding and asserts that the evidence of record
demonstrates that he is entitled to an additional 15% permanent partial disability award, for a
total award of 30%.

        The Office of Judges pointed to Dr. Gerbo’s opinion that Mr. Keene has 30% whole
person impairment as a result of his left ankle injuries. The Office of Judges then found that Mr.
Keene is entitled to an additional 15% permanent partial disability award, for a total award of
30% for his left ankle injury. We find that the reasoning of the Office of Judges was sound, and
that the Board of Review’s reversal of the decision of the Office of Judges was not supported by
the evidence of record.

        For the foregoing reasons, we find that the decision of the Board of Review is based upon
a material misstatement or mischaracterization of the evidentiary record. Therefore, the decision
of the Board of Review is reversed and the claim is remanded with the instruction to reinstate the
October 27, 2010, decision of the Office of Judges.

                                                                           Reversed and remanded.

ISSUED: July 15, 2013

CONCURRED IN BY:
Chief Justice Brent D. Benjamin
Justice Robin J. Davis
Justice Margaret L. Workman
Justice Menis E. Ketchum
Justice Allen H. Loughry II

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