Court Opinion

ID: 2744208
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2014-10-21 18:07:32.633656+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:53:43.517331
License: Public Domain

STATE OF WEST VIRGINIA

                                                                                   FILED
                          SUPREME COURT OF APPEALS                             October 21, 2014
                                                                            RORY L. PERRY II, CLERK
                                                                          SUPREME COURT OF APPEALS
BETH DALEY,                                                                   OF WEST VIRGINIA

Claimant Below, Petitioner

vs.)   No. 13-0866 (BOR Appeal No. 2048159)
                   (Claim No. 2012014076)

PROCAREERS, INC.,
Employer Below, Respondent

                             MEMORANDUM DECISION
        Petitioner Beth Daley, pro se, appeals the decision of the West Virginia Workers’
Compensation Board of Review. ProCareers, Inc., by Steven K. Wellman, its attorney, filed a
timely response.

        This appeal arises from the Board of Review’s Final Order dated July 26, 2013, in which
the Board affirmed a January 29, 2013, Order of the Workers’ Compensation Office of Judges.
In its Order, the Office of Judges affirmed the claims administrator’s July 14, 2011, decision
closing the claim for temporary total disability benefits. 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 no substantial question of law and no prejudicial error. For these
reasons, a memorandum decision is appropriate under Rule 21 of the Rules of Appellate
Procedure.

         Ms. Daley worked as a homemaker for ProCareers, Inc. On December 28, 2010, Ms.
Daley injured her lower back while assisting a client. The claims administrator held the claim
compensable. Ms. Daley then came under the care of Robert Lowe, M.D., who diagnosed her
with a lumbar sprain. Ms. Daley was treated with physical therapy, and following this treatment,
Dr. Lowe determined that she could return to light duty work. Dr. Lowe found that she should be
restricted from lifting over twenty-five pounds and pushing or pulling over fifteen pounds. Dr.
Lowe then issued a second letter on June 22, 2011, in which he stated that Ms. Daley did not
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need any additional physical therapy. Dr. Lowe again stated that Ms. Daley could return to work.
Dr. Lowe also determined that Ms. Daley had 5% whole person impairment related to her lumbar
sprain. On July 14, 2011, the claims administrator closed the claim for temporary total disability
benefits based on Dr. Lowe’s June 22, 2011, opinion. The claims administrator’s decision stated
that Ms. Daley was offered light duty work that accommodated her restrictions, but she had
refused suitable employment offers. Following the decision, Teresa Jones, the service
coordinator for ProCareers, Inc., stated in an affidavit that she had contacted Ms. Daley on three
separate occasions about light duty employment opportunities. Ms. Jones stated that Ms. Daley
declined these job opportunities. On January 29, 2013, the Office of Judges affirmed the claims
administrator’s decision. The Board of Review affirmed the Order of the Office of Judges on
July 26, 2013, leading Ms. Daley to appeal.

       The Office of Judges concluded that Ms. Daley had reached her maximum degree of
medical improvement and was not entitled to any additional temporary total disability benefits.
In reaching this determination, the Office of Judges relied on the fact that Dr. Lowe had released
Ms. Daley to return to light duty work. The Office of Judges also found that Dr. Lowe’s
impairment recommendation indicated that he believed she had reached her maximum degree of
medical improvement. The Board of Review adopted the findings of the Office of Judges and
affirmed its Order.

        We agree with the conclusion of the Board of Review and the findings of the Office of
Judges. Ms. Daley has not presented any evidence that she continues to be temporarily and
totally disabled such that she is entitled to additional temporary total disability benefits. It was
disputed as to whether ProCareers, Inc., offered Ms. Daley employment which was consistent
with her work restrictions. Nevertheless, the records and letter of Dr. Lowe, Ms. Daley’s treating
physician, demonstrate that she had reached her maximum degree of medical improvement with
respect to her compensable lumbar sprain. Dr. Lowe’s opinion further shows that Ms. Daley was
capable of returning to work. Ms. Daley has not presented any evidence undermining Dr. Lowe’s
credibility or challenging his findings. The Office of Judges was within its discretion in relying
on his opinion.

        For the foregoing reasons, we find that the decision of the Board of Review is not in clear
violation of any constitutional or statutory provision, nor is it clearly the result of erroneous
conclusions of law, nor is it based upon a material misstatement or mischaracterization of the
evidentiary record. Therefore, the decision of the Board of Review is affirmed.
                                                                                        Affirmed.

ISSUED: October 21, 2014

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