Court Opinion

ID: 9377009
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-03-06 17:07:14.809524+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:17:11.182458
License: Public Domain

[Cite as Dunn v. Devco Holdings, Inc., 2023-Ohio-680.]

                      IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO
                          THIRD APPELLATE DISTRICT
                               UNION COUNTY

DELYNDA A. DUNN,
                                                         CASE NO. 14-22-18
       PLAINTIFF-APPELLEE,

       v.

DEVCO HOLDINGS, INC.,

       DEFENDANT-APPELLANT,
       -And-
                                                         OPINION
BUREAU OF WORKERS’
COMPENSATION,

       DEFENDANT-APPELLEE.

                  Appeal from Union County Common Pleas Court
                           Trial Court No. 2020-CV-0111

                                     Judgment Affirmed

                             Date of Decision: March 6, 2023

APPEARANCES:

        Samuel J. Warden for Appellant

        John H. Goodman for Appellee, Delynda Dunn
Case No. 14-22-18

WILLAMOWSKI, J.

       {¶1} Defendant-appellant Devco Holdings, Inc. (“Devco”) appeals the

judgment of the Union County Court of Common Pleas, alleging that the trial

court’s judgment was against the manifest weight of the evidence. For the reasons

set forth below, the judgment of the trial court is affirmed.

                           Facts and Procedural History

       {¶2} Delynda A. Dunn (“Dunn”) worked in auto body repair and painting for

Devco. Tr. 8. On August 2, 2017, while she was painting a car at work, she “felt

and heard a pop with immediate pain” in the area of her right hip and groin. Tr. 9.

She reported her injury but returned to work the next day. Tr. 10. However, the

condition of her right hip continued to worsen until she was no longer able to

perform the responsibilities associated with her job. Tr. 10. Dunn then filed a claim

with the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation. Doc. 6. Devco was a self-insured

employer. Doc. 2, Ex. A. This claim was allowed on the basis of several physical

injuries to the area surrounding her hip. Doc. 2, Ex. A.

       {¶3} On October 30, 2019, Dunn was evaluated by a licensed psychologist,

Dr. Princess Black (“Dr. Black”). Doc. 25, Ex. A. The purpose of this evaluation

was to determine whether Dunn “suffer[ed] from any psychological conditions, and

whether it can be directly or causally related to the physical conditions recognized

in her claim.” Doc. 25, Ex. A. As part of this evaluation, Dr. Black had Dunn

complete the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (“MMPI-2”). Prior to

                                         -2-
Case No. 14-22-18

her consultation with Dr. Black, Dunn had sought mental health treatment in 2015

and 2016 after one of her supervisors had been stalking and threatening her. Tr. 21-

22. This resulted in her receiving treatment for anxiety and depression. Tr. 22.

       {¶4} On November 22, 2019, Dunn filed for an additional allowance based

on her experience of “persistent depressive disorder, with anxious distress,” and

“persistent major depressive episode, moderate.” Doc. 1, Ex. A. On December 19,

2019, Dr. Donald J. Tosi (“Dr. Tosi”) performed an examination of Dunn as part of

the process of evaluating whether a psychological condition should be allowed with

her workers’ compensation claim. Tosi Depo. Tr. 12. Dr. Tosi later sat for a

deposition to discuss the conclusions he drew from this evaluation. Id.

       {¶5} On February 3, 2020, this matter was presented to a district hearing

officer with the Ohio Industrial Commission. Doc. 1, Ex. A. On February 7, 2020,

the hearing officer issued a decision that allowed Dunn’s claim for “persistent

depressive disorder with anxious distress and persistent major depressive episode

moderate.” Doc. 1, Ex. A. Based on the findings of Dr. Black, the district hearing

officer found that the evidence supports the conclusion that Dunn had the named

“conditions as a result of the industrial injury.” Doc. 1, Ex. A.

       {¶6} On February 12, 2020, Devco appealed this decision to a staff hearing

officer at the Ohio Industrial Commission. Doc. 1, Ex. B. This matter was heard

on May 13, 2020. Doc. 1, Ex. B. On May 16, 2020, the staff hearing officer issued

a decision that modified the February 7, 2020 decision. Doc. 1, Ex. B. This decision

                                         -3-
Case No. 14-22-18

concluded that Dunn’s claim would be “allowed for substantial aggravation of

persistent depressive disorder, with anxious distress, late onset, with persistent

major depressive disorder, moderate.” Doc. 1, Ex. B. On May 19, 2020, Devco

appealed the decision to the Ohio Industrial Commission. Doc. 1, Ex. C. However,

the Ohio Industrial Commission released a decision on June 4, 2020 that refused

this appeal. Doc. 1, Ex. C.

       {¶7} On August 7, 2020, Devco filed an appeal with the Union County Court

of Common Pleas. Doc. 1, 2. On February 25, 2021, Devco filed a motion for

summary judgment, arguing that Dunn’s claim must fail as a matter of law because

she failed to substantiate her claim with objective evidence of a substantial

aggravation. Doc. 25. On May 13, 2021, the trial court denied Devco’s motion for

summary judgment. Doc. 36.

       {¶8} On May 25, 2021, this matter came to a bench trial before a magistrate

at which Dunn and Dr. Black testified. Tr. 3, 5. On December 1, 2021, the

magistrate released a decision that recommended a judgment in favor of Devco.

Doc. 42. The magistrate had noted that Dr. Black had indicated that “the MMPI 2

test * * * elicits subjective answers regarding the patient’s likes/dislikes, ways of

thinking, and preferences” but that “the results and scoring of the MMPI are

objective.” Doc. 42. However, the magistrate concluded that Dunn had “fail[ed] to

set forth objective evidence of the substantial aggravation as required by R.C.

4123.01(C).” Doc. 42.

                                         -4-
Case No. 14-22-18

       {¶9} On January 31, 2022, Dunn filed objections to the trial court’s

decisions. Doc. 48. On July 5, 2022, the trial court issued a judgment entry that

found in favor of Dunn. Doc. 50. The trial court stated that

       the testimony of Dr. Black [is] persuasive in that her diagnosis is
       based upon objective diagnostic findings, objective clinical
       findings, or objective test results as required by R.C. 4123.01(C).
       The Court further finds that Plaintiff’s psychiatric condition
       arose from the injury based upon the correlation of Plaintiff’s
       persistent and increasing physical symptoms from the injury and
       onset of Plaintiff’s psychiatric symptoms.

Doc. 50. The trial court then stated that Dunn “has the right to participate in the

workers’ compensation system for the additional condition of substantial

aggravation of persistent depressive disorder, with anxious distress, late onset, with

persistent major depressive disorder, moderate.” Doc. 50.

                                Assignment of Error

       {¶10} Devco filed its notice of appeal on July 28, 2022. Doc. 53. On appeal,

it raises the following assignment of error:

       The trial court’s decision is against the manifest weight of the
       evidence, as appellee did not present any evidence of objective
       diagnostic findings, objective clinical findings, or objective test
       results that demonstrated a substantial aggravation of appellee’s
       persistent depressive disorder, with anxious distress, late onset,
       with persistent major depressive disorder, moderate.

Devco argues that the MMPI-2 is not an objective test and that the MMPI-2 test

results do not show substantial aggravation.

                                         -5-
Case No. 14-22-18

                                  Legal Standard

       {¶11} “The purpose of Ohio’s workers’ compensation system is to provide

compensation to employees and their dependents for injuries or death that occur in

the course of employment.” Johnson v. Conti Tech USA, Inc., 3d Dist. Union No.

14-21-23, 2022-Ohio-1552, ¶ 13. “A claimant must establish an injury to participate

in Ohio’s workers’ compensation system.” Cassens Transport Co. v. Bohl, 3d Dist.

Seneca No. 13-11-36, 2012-Ohio-2248, ¶ 15.            See R.C. 4123.54(A).     R.C.

4123.01(C) defines “injury” and reads, in its relevant part, as follows:

       (C) ‘Injury’ includes any injury, whether caused by external
       accidental means or accidental in character and result, received
       in the course of, and arising out of, the injured employee’s
       employment. ‘Injury’ does not include:

       ***

       (5) A condition that pre-existed an injury unless that pre-existing
       condition is substantially aggravated by the injury. Such a
       substantial aggravation must be documented by objective
       diagnostic findings, objective clinical findings, or objective test
       results. Subjective complaints may be evidence of such a
       substantial aggravation. However, subjective complaints without
       objective diagnostic findings, objective clinical findings, or
       objective test results are insufficient to substantiate a substantial
       aggravation.

R.C. 4123.01(C)(5). “A plaintiff does not necessarily need to present pre-injury

medical documentation to establish a substantial aggravation, but there must be

some objective medical evidence that establishes that the accident substantially

aggravated a preexisting condition.” Salyers v. Buehrer, 1st Dist. Hamilton No. C-

                                         -6-
Case No. 14-22-18

140756, 2015-Ohio-4507, ¶ 7. This provision is to “be liberally construed in favor

of employees * * *.” R.C. 4123.95.

       {¶12} “In civil cases, as in criminal cases, the sufficiency of the evidence is

quantitatively and qualitatively different from the weight of the evidence.” Eastley

v. Volkman, 132 Ohio St.3d 328, 2012-Ohio-2179, 972 N.E.2d 517, second

paragraph of the syllabus.

       [i]n a civil case, in which the burden of persuasion is only by a
       preponderance of the evidence, rather than beyond a reasonable
       doubt, evidence must still exist on each element (sufficiency) and
       the evidence on each element must satisfy the burden of
       persuasion (weight).

Cullen v. State Farm Mut. Auto. Ins. Co., 137 Ohio St.3d 373, 2013-Ohio-4733, 999

N.E.2d 614, ¶ 20, quoting Eastley at ¶ 19.

       When reviewing a civil matter under the manifest weight of the
       evidence ‘[t]he [reviewing] court * * * weighs the evidence and all
       reasonable inferences, considers the credibility of witnesses and
       determines whether in resolving conflicts in the evidence, the
       [finder of fact] clearly lost its way and created such a manifest
       miscarriage of justice that the [judgment] must be reversed and a
       new trial ordered.’

Johnson v. Stone, 2019-Ohio-318, 129 N.E.3d 1030, ¶ 13 (3d Dist.), quoting Eastley

at ¶ 20, quoting State v. Thompkins, 78 Ohio St.3d 380, 387, 1997-Ohio-52, 678

N.E.2d 541 (1997), quoting State v. Martin, 20 Ohio App.3d 172, 175, 485 N.E.2d

717 (1st Dist. 1983).

       Moreover, when weighing the evidence, ‘the court of appeals must
       always be mindful of the presumption in favor of the finder of
       fact.’ [Eastley] at ¶ 21. More specifically, ‘every reasonable

                                         -7-
Case No. 14-22-18

       intendment and every reasonable presumption must be made in
       favor of the judgment[.]’ Id. quoting Seasons Coal Co., Inc. v.
       [City of] Cleveland, 10 Ohio St.3d 77, 80, 461 N.E.2d 1273 (1984),
       fn. 3, quoting 5 Ohio Jurisprudence 3d, Appellate Review, Section
       60, at 191-192 (1978). ‘If the evidence is susceptible of more than
       one construction, the reviewing court is bound to give it that
       interpretation which is consistent with the verdict and
       judgment[.]’ Id.

Johnson at ¶ 14. “Judgments supported by some competent, credible evidence will

not be reversed on appeal as being against the manifest weight of the evidence.”

University of Findlay v. Martin, 2017-Ohio-7016, 95 N.E.3d 715, ¶ 10 (3d Dist.).

“A judgment should be reversed as being against the manifest weight of the

evidence ‘only in the exceptional case in which the evidence weighs heavily against

the [judgment].’” State v. Hill, 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 25172, 2013-Ohio-717, ¶

8, quoting Martin at 175.

                                   Legal Analysis

       {¶13} Under this assignment of error, Devco advances two main arguments.

In its first argument, Devco asserts that the MMPI-2 is not an objective test. In this

case, Dunn underwent mental health evaluations from Dr. Black on October 30,

2019 and from Dr. Tosi on December 19, 2019. During the course of these

evaluations, Dunn took the MMPI-2, the Beck Depression Inventory, and the Beck

Anxiety Inventory. Tr. 45. Dr. Black and Dr. Tosi both indicated that the Beck

Depression Inventory and the Beck Anxiety Inventory were subjective tests. Tr. 75.

Tosi Depo. Tr. 34-35. Doc. 25, Ex. D, Tr. 30-31.

                                         -8-
Case No. 14-22-18

       {¶14} However, Dr. Black and Dr. Tosi provided additional testimony about

the nature of the MMPI-2. At the bench trial, Dr. Black testified that

       [t]he MMPI-2 is a standardized objective test. It’s one of the most
       popular ones and researched ones. It’s often given, as you
       probably see in BWC evaluations and psych evaluations. It gives
       you the idea of the person’s personality characteristics and helps
       with your diagnosis formulation. It’s a—the full test is 567 true
       and false questions. And then those are combined together and
       scored to give you kind of a concrete and quantifiable results.

Tr. 41. She was later asked how this test could be considered objective:

       The MMPI-2 was developed out of standardized testing. It was
       kind of norm with the population. I think they used 2,600
       participants. And then with that, they came up with different
       scales than what those scales might mean or the combination
       scales might mean for an individual. So it provides a concrete and
       quantifiable result. So although * * * the person’s answers are
       subjective, the actual results and (Inaudible) scoring it makes it
       objective.

Tr. 59. During a deposition, Dr. Black affirmed that, “when you’re talking about

objective versus subjective between the MMPI-2 and the Beck Depression

Inventory, you’re really focusing in on the amount of statistical analyses that has

gone into comparing results[.]” Doc. 25, Ex. D, Tr. 33. See also Id. at 21, 30, 32.

Dr. Black further affirmed that “the objectivity of the test” should not be “confuse[d]

with the subjective responses of the testee[.]” Tr. 88.

       {¶15} In his deposition, Dr. Tosi also discussed the MMPI-2. Tosi Depo. Tr.

9, 22, 33-34, 54. He stated the following:

       Well, I performed the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality
       Inventory 2, which is a measure of classic clinical pathology, and

                                         -9-
Case No. 14-22-18

      the test is an excellent measure of whether or not people are
      suffering from mental disorders and, also, it allows us to assess
      the extent to which people may be faking symptoms, minimizing
      symptoms, and overall gives us a pretty good picture of how these
      individuals are functioning in their psychological lives.

Tosi Depo. Tr. 22. He further stated that the MMPI-2 is “a very subtly constructed

test that seems to do its job of picking up whether an individual suffers from some

degree of psychopathology.” Id. at 34.

      {¶16} Dr. Tosi testified that the questions in the MMPI-2 elicit subjective

responses from the person taking the test. Tosi Depo. Tr. 34. Subsequently, the

following exchange occurred about the quality of the information produced by the

MMPI-2:

      [Attorney:] So despite the fact that the test relies upon
      information provided by the testee, the test is actually designed to
      provide insights as to what those responses mean and provide you
      with a hypothesis from which to work and correlate from your
      other findings; is that correct?

      [Dr. Tosi:] Yes. That’s said quite well, yes.

      ***

      [Attorney:] Okay. So it’s safe to say then that this test was
      specifically designed to provide an element of objectivity to these
      subjective responses from the individual; is that right?

      [Dr. Tosi:] In this sense, because the individual—when we utilize
      such a test such as the MMPI, that it’s really between the
      individual taking the test—the examiner is out of the room—the
      test itself, and the computer which scores the tests and offers the
      interpretation. Then I get the report. See, in that sense, I would
      say that we could talk of objectivity.

                                         -10-
Case No. 14-22-18

        ***

        [Attorney:] So when you get the report after it’s interpreted, then
        you consider that an objective measure which you have to then
        correlate with all of your other findings to arrive at an opinion; is
        that right?

        [Dr. Tosi:] I consider it a source of information, as I said earlier,
        that is between the test, the person, the computer. In that sense,
        it’s independent of me being personally involved in that process.

Id. at 55-56. He then affirmed that the MMPI-2 “is a test that [he] * * * routinely

will perform and utilize in arriving at an opinion in a case[.]” Id. at 56.

        {¶17} In response to this testimony, Devco points to Little v. Dayton Pub.

Schools, 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 25970, 2015-Ohio-197, ¶ 37-39. In Little, the

Second District concluded that there was an “absence of objective evidence” in this

case and “disagree[d] with Little’s assertion that the DSM–IV, her history, and the

psychological tests that Reynolds administered satisfy the requirements of R.C.

4123.01(C)(4).”1 Id. at ¶ 37. However, in Little, the only tests mentioned were a

mood disorder questionnaire and a Beck Depression Inventory. Id. at ¶ 12. There

was no mention of Little having taken the MMPI-2. The Second District did not

conclude that no psychological examination could satisfy the conditions set forth in

what is now R.C. 4123.01(C)(5) but only that the examinations presented as

1
  Am. H.B. No. 447 moved the location of the provision that discusses the substantial aggravation of
preexisting injuries from R.C. 4123.01(C)(4) to R.C. 4123.01(C)(5). This provision became effective on
September 23, 2022. Since Little, supra, was decided on January 23, 2015, the prior statutory code section
is quoted therein. Little, supra, at ¶ 37.

                                                  -11-
Case No. 14-22-18

evidence by Little could not satisfy the requisite conditions in that particular case.

Thus, this citation does not ultimately support the assertion made herein by Devco.

         {¶18} Devco also asserts that a test that incorporates subjective responses

cannot be objective but does not offer any supporting evidence or arguments that

could establish this claim. The testimony presented by the parties provided evidence

from which the trial court could conclude that the MMPI-2 provided objective

results.2 Thus, with its first argument under this assignment of error, Devco has not

established that the trial court’s conclusion in this case is against the manifest weight

of the evidence.

         {¶19} In its second argument, Devco argues that, even if the MMPI-2 is an

objective test, the results of this test do not show substantial aggravation in this case.

In this case, Dunn testified at the bench trial about the mental health history and the

circumstances surrounding her injury. She stated that, in 2015 and 2016, she sought

mental health treatment, visiting several doctors and taking prescription medications

to help her address anxiety and depression. Tr. 21-23, 28-29. Dunn explained that,

during this timeframe, she had a supervisor at work who was stalking and

threatening her. Tr. 22. She stated that this situation came to an end when this

supervisor was fired in 2015 and then moved to Arizona. Tr. 23, 32.

2
  In passing, a number of courts have referred to the MMPI-2 as an objective personality inventory. State v.
Ream, 3d Dist. Allen No. 1-12-39, 2013-Ohio-4319, ¶ 18; State v. Hardie, 141 Ohio App.3d 1, 2, 2000-Ohio-
2044, 749 N.E.2d 792, 793 (4th Dist. 2001); Kurfess v. Gibbs, 6th Dist. Lucas No. L-09-1295, 2011-Ohio-
2698, ¶ 43; Stitt v. Stitt, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 47606, 1984 WL 3576, *2 (Nov. 8, 1984); State ex rel. Castle
v. State Teachers Retirement Sys., 2016-Ohio-1245, 63 N.E.3d 484, ¶ 23 (10th Dist.). See also State ex rel.
Calhoun v. Industrial Commission of Ohio, 10th Dist. Franklin No. 17AP-820, 2019-Ohio-720, ¶ 25.

                                                    -12-
Case No. 14-22-18

       {¶20} Dunn testified that she received the injury that led to her workers’

compensation claim on August 2, 2017. Tr. 9. She said, “I was painting a car and

I did my sidestep, side lunge squat, and I felt and heard a pop with immediate pain

in my right groin and my right hip area.” Tr. 9. The condition of the area around

her hip continued to deteriorate until she was no longer able to perform her job with

Devco. Tr. 10-11. She testified that, in 2018, she had a total hip replacement but

that this procedure was not successful in stopping her pain. Tr. 14. Dunn also stated

that, before her injury, she worked forty to fifty hours a week at her job; was an avid

golfer; and enjoyed hiking in her free time. Tr. 12. She then indicated that she has

not been able to participate in these activities since her injury. Tr. 11-12.

       {¶21} After her hip replacement, Dunn sought counseling and scheduled a

consultation with Dr. Black. Tr. 17. When asked how her mental health struggles

in 2015 contrasted with those she was addressing with Dr. Black, Dunn stated,

       [t]hey’re totally different. I know I have anxiety and panic
       attacks now. But the anxiety and panic attacks then, I mean,
       somebody was basically trying to take my life and hurt me. No. I
       don’t think any—nobody’s trying to hurt me here. It’s just—it’s
       a different—it’s—it’s different. When I have panic attacks now
       when I wake up at two o’clock in the morning, it’s usually about—
       and it’s going to sound weird—it’s about I don’t know how to do
       anything. That’s what I’m thinking is I don’t know how to do
       anything any more and I panic.

                                         -13-
Case No. 14-22-18

Tr. 23. Dunn further testified that, in 2019, her knee was replaced to facilitate the

physical therapy that she was receiving for her hip.3 Tr. 33.

        {¶22} Dr. Black testified that she conducted several evaluations to assess the

state of Dunn’s mental health at a consultation on October 30, 2019. Tr. 45-47. Dr.

Black stated her conclusions as follows:

        In my initial evaluation with the records that I had, I concluded
        that she had persistent depressive disorder with anxious distress
        with a persistent major depressive episode. And she also had
        panic disorder, but that was not related to the injury.

        ***

        Prior to her injury, she was not receiving any treatment. She was
        not symptomatic as far as depression. The last treatment she
        received was in 2016. And since then she had been fully
        functioning, successful, everything.       Following her injury,
        especially after her hip surgery, she started to present with a
        number of depressive symptoms—depressed mood, loss of
        interest, crying spells, loss of motivation, helplessness and
        worthlessness, and difficulty sleeping. And there were no other
        reasons that would cause this except for her—the pain her injury
        was causing her.

Tr. 46, 47. In support of this conclusion, Dr. Black pointed to a cognitive assessment

that had been performed on Dunn in April of 2018. Tr. 53. The results of this

assessment were normal. Tr. 53. This prior assessment was also taken before Dunn

had undergone the hip replacement surgery that did not correct all of the issues that

Dunn had experienced since her injury. Tr. 53. Dr. Black testified:

3
  Her testimony indicates that the knee replacement surgery was not a part of her workers’ compensation
claim. Tr. 37.

                                                -14-
Case No. 14-22-18

       [W]hen I first met with her, she still had some hope that maybe
       treatment would get her back to, you know, at least able to get
       back to work and do what she loved. And then as time went on,
       she began to lose that hope and then that really impacted her
       mentally, obviously.

Tr. 52. Dr. Black indicated that Dunn received “a poor prognosis” and that this

caused a “kind of transition * * *.” Tr. 54.

       {¶23} In his deposition, Dr. Tosi testified that he performed a mental

evaluation of Dunn on December 19, 2019 and reached the following conclusion:

       I opined that the individual would have this disorder, this
       depression—persistent depressive disorder, or this alleged
       condition, in the absence of the injury, given her history, as I’ve
       come to know it.

Tosi Depo. Tr. 20, 25. He stated that the reason for this conclusion was that Dunn

had “been dealing with these issues—psychological issues * * * over the course of

years before the injury.” Id. at 25. See also Id. at 27.

       {¶24} On cross-examination, Dr. Black testified that, at the time of her initial

diagnosis, the records that she received that documented Dunn’s mental health

history were incomplete. Tr. 64-65. She was aware of several of the issues that

Dunn had sought treatment for previously based on disclosures from Dunn at their

consultation. Tr. 64. However, Dr. Black admitted that she became aware of a

portion of Dunn’s mental health history only when she was able to review a report

authored by Dr. Tosi. Tr. 64-65. In response to this information in Dr. Tosi’s report,

Dr. Black modified her diagnosis, adding that Dunn had experienced a “substantial

                                         -15-
Case No. 14-22-18

aggravation” to reflect the fact that “she had a history of past depression.” Tr. 65.

See Doc. 25, Ex. C. In the addendum to her diagnosis, she also stated the following:

       Recall that the claimant [Dunn] had not received any mental
       health treatment for approximately one year prior to her injury.
       Additionally, the main issues addressed in her prior mental health
       treatment were anxiety and panic in response to a specific,
       threatening circumstance and then the lingering effects of that
       issue. * * * While she did have a prior history of depression, it was
       limited and finite. The claimant never had to cope with the loss of
       her physical capabilities, chronic physical pain, loss of her job,
       constant need for medical care, and loss of independence, until she
       was injured at work on 08/02/2017.

Doc. 25, Ex. C. During her deposition, Dr. Black affirmed that Dunn’s prior history

of medical treatment indicated that, “after the injury in this case to her hip, she—at

some point thereafter her depression and anxiety was substantially aggravated” and

that this was true “[e]specially after her surgery.” Doc. 25, Ex. D. Tr. 46. See also

Id. at 43-44. She further stated that the depression that Dunn was facing after her

injury was different in “type, severity * * *.” Tr. 48.

       {¶25} Dr. Tosi examined Dunn on December 19, 2019. Tosi Depo. Tr. 41.

At a deposition, he testified that he believed that Dunn would have had “persistent

depressive disorder * * * in the absence of the injury, given her history * * *.” Id.

at 25. Dr. Tosi testified that he had reviewed Dr. Black’s report and believed that

her “conclusions were based primarily on subjective information.” Id. at 36. He

further stated “the alleged psychological condition was not substantially aggravated

by the initial injury * * *.” Id. at 32.

                                           -16-
Case No. 14-22-18

       {¶26} In this case, Dr. Black and Dr. Tosi presented different conclusions of

whether Dunn’s injury substantially aggravated a preexisting condition. The trial

court, as the finder of fact, was free to resolve this conflict by making a credibility

determination. After considering the evidence presented by the parties, the trial

court “f[ound] the testimony of Dr. Black persuasive in that her diagnosis is based

upon objective diagnostic findings, objective clinical findings, or objective test

results as required by R.C. 4123.01(C).” Doc. 36. A review of the record indicates

that this conclusion is based upon some competent, credible evidence. Thus, Devco

has not demonstrated that the trial court rendered a judgment that was against the

manifest weight of the evidence. For this reason, Devco’s second assignment of

error is overruled.

                                     Conclusion

       {¶27} Having found no error prejudicial to the appellant in the particulars

assigned and argued, the judgment of Union County Court of Common Pleas is

affirmed.

                                                                 Judgment Affirmed

MILLER, P.J. and ZIMMERMAN, J., concur.

/hls

                                         -17-