Court Opinion

ID: 9688947
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-24 18:14:10.606731+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:18:43.046838
License: Public Domain

YETKA, Justice
(dissenting).
I would reverse the Workers’ Compensation Court of Appeals. The record indicates that the employee undertook a reasonably diligent search for a job and is currently employed at a job within his capacity. The job is consistent with the type of employment recommended by the rehabilitation counselor. Under these circumstances, the employee’s admission that the job he chose pays less than he is able to earn should not serve as a reason to deny him all benefits. The employee, in my opinion, is entitled to temporary partial disability benefits measured by two-thirds of the difference between his pay at the time of injury and his current earning capacity. A calculation at this rate adequately accounts for employee’s decision to pursue a job with some potential of growth rather than to spend time looking for work which might pay more.