Court Opinion

ID: 9377109
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-03-06 22:10:55.29722+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:17:12.004429
License: Public Domain

IN THE INTERMEDIATE COURT OF APPEALS OF WEST VIRGINIA
WEST VIRGINIA DIVISION OF HIGHWAYS,                                           FILED
Employer below, Petitioner
                                                                           March 6, 2023
                                                                         EDYTHE NASH GAISER, CLERK
vs.)   No. 22-ICA-135       (JCN: 2019015684)                          INTERMEDIATE COURT OF APPEALS
                                                                             OF WEST VIRGINIA

LARRY D. SCOTT,
Claimant below, Respondent

                             MEMORANDUM DECISION
       Petitioner West Virginia Division of Highways (“DOH”) appeals the August 29,
2022, order of the West Virginia Workers’ Compensation Office of Judges (“OOJ”).
Respondent Larry D. Scott (“Mr. Scott”) filed a timely response. 1 Petitioner did not file a
reply.
      The issue on appeal is whether the OOJ erred in reversing the claim administrator’s
order denying Mr. Scott’s claim of compensability for the occupational disease of
Undifferentiated Pleomorphic Sarcoma (“UPS”). The OOJ found that Mr. Scott sustained
an occupational disease pursuant to the provisions of West Virginia Code § 23-4-1(f). The
DOH now appeals the OOJ’s order.
       This Court has jurisdiction over this appeal pursuant to West Virginia Code § 51-
11-4 (2022). After considering the parties’ briefs, the record on appeal, the oral arguments
of counsel and the applicable law, this Court finds no substantial question of law and no
prejudicial error. For these reasons, a memorandum decision affirming the OOJ’s August
29, 2022, order is appropriate under Rule 21 of the West Virginia Rules of Appellate
Procedure.

        Mr. Scott worked as a transportation engineering technician and radiation safety
officer for the DOH. According to his July 2, 2019, deposition testimony, Mr. Scott worked
for the DOH for ten years. In November of 2017, Mr. Scott sought treatment for a tumor in
his right leg below his knee which was found to be malignant. He filed a workers’
compensation claim alleging UPS, a rare type of cancer, was caused by his exposure to
radioactivity from a moisture sensor that he routinely used during his employment with the
DOH. William Grosh, M.D., an oncologist in Charlottesville, Virginia, diagnosed UPS and
treated Mr. Scott with chemotherapy and amputation of his leg.

       By order dated March 29, 2019, the claim administrator rejected Mr. Scott’s claim
on the basis that UPS was not received in the course of and resulting from employment.
The order stated that no medical evidence had been submitted to support that the disease

       1
         West Virginia Division of Highways is represented by James W. Helsep, Esq. Mr.
Scott is represented by James R. Fox, Esq.
                                             1
was causally related to work activities. Mr. Scott protested the claim’s denial to the OOJ.
On August 12, 2019, Mr. Scott died, at age 46, as a result of UPS.

       In a decision dated August 29, 2022, the OOJ held Mr. Scott’s claim compensable.
The OOJ noted that Mr. Scott used a Troxler 3420 Moisture Density Gauge (“gauge”), that
emitted radiation, in conjunction with his work. In an Incident Report dated January 24,
2019, Mr. Scott stated that he carried the gauge on his right side at his leg, and he used the
device at all district eight construction projects. On his chest, Mr. Scott wore a dosimetry
badge that collected radiation emission data.

        The OOJ found the October 25, 2019, report by Dr. Grosh to be persuasive. In that
report, Dr. Grosh established that he treated Mr. Scott for UPS associated with radiation
exposure. He said that only 20% of soft tissue sarcomas occur in the legs below the knee,
but this was the area where Mr. Scott received radiation exposure from a gauge used in his
work. Dr. Grosh noted that Mr. Scott’s dosimetry badge was located on his chest, away
from the strongest radiation emissions. He opined that Mr. Scott’s UPS developed as a
direct and proximate result of Mr. Scott’s occupational radiation exposure. According to
Dr. Grosh’s testimony, there was strong evidence of radiation exposure and “powerful
evidence” that Mr. Scott’s UPS was radiation induced.

        Reports of Mr. Michael Gossman, M.S., DABR, FAAPM, FACR, Chief Medical
Physicist and Radiation Safety Officer, and board-certified medical physicist, were also
deemed to be persuasive by the OOJ. Mr. Gossman is the lead medical physicist in the
Department of Radiation Oncology at Baptist Health Floyd in New Albany, IN. In reports
dated September 23, 2020, October 1, 2020, and October 11, 2021, Mr. Gossman determined
that Mr. Scott’s cumulative radiation exposure at his leg was not well represented by the
dosimeter he wore on his chest. According to calculations made by Mr. Gossman, the
radiation exposure at Mr. Scott’s leg was at least 16.83 mrems/hr., and his cumulative
exposure was at least 183,000 to 330,000 millirem (“mrem”). 2 Mr. Gossman stated that his
calculations were based on the data listed in the manufacturer’s manual with consideration
given to the distance from the gauge to Mr. Scott’s leg. Further, Mr. Gossman noted that the
manufacturer’s data confirmed the gauge constantly emitted radiation. According to Mr.
Gossman, his calculations matched the data provided in the user’s manual.
        The OOJ reviewed a report dated February 2, 2021, by David Randolph, M.D., a
specialist in occupational medicine who also holds a Ph.D. in epidemiology and a Master of
Public Health. According to Dr. Randolph, Mr. Scott’s cancer did not arise as a consequence
of his occupational exposure. Dr. Randolph reviewed the records under the “Bradford-Hill”
methodology and concluded that Mr. Scott’s UPS was not caused by radiation emitted by
the gauge. The testimony of Dr. Randolph was taken on June 25, 2021. Dr. Randolph
testified that he had formal training in radiation but was not a radiation expert and had not
conducted any tests of the radiation emitted from the gauge. He acknowledged he had no
expertise in the area of radiation oncology and had not treated anyone with UPS. Dr.
Randolph testified that Dr. Grosh’s evaluation failed to address the Bradford-Hill criteria.

       2
           Millirem is the unit used in measuring radiation dosage.
                                               2
Further, Dr. Randolph opined there was no evidence of radiation damage. The OOJ did not
find Dr. Randolph’s report to be persuasive.
        The May 18, 2021, report by P. Andrew Karam, Ph.D. was also deemed to be
unpersuasive. Dr. Karam is a radiation safety professional certified by the American Board
of Health Physics, however he is not a physician. Dr. Karam teaches radiation safety, is a
published author on the subject of radiation safety, and has previously qualified as an expert
on radiation in federal court. Dr. Karam reviewed the exposure data related to Mr. Scott,
the manufacturer’s specifications on the nuclear gauge, Mr. Scott’s medical records, and
the various reports from Dr. Grosh, Dr. Randolph, and Mr. Gossman. Dr. Karam opined as
to the likely radiation exposure sustained by Mr. Scott. He concluded that it was unlikely
that Mr. Scott developed UPS as a result of occupational radiation exposure. Dr. Karam
utilized an assessment tool particular to claims arising under the Energy Employees
Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act (“EEOICPA”). 3 Dr. Karam concluded
that Mr. Scott’s claim fell below the “more likely than not” standard used in EEOICPA
claims.

       However, the OOJ did find an October 8, 2021, report by Michael Kaufman, M.D.,
an oncologist pathologist, to be persuasive. Dr. Kaufman determined that Mr. Scott did not
have neurofibromatosis or an NF-1 mutation. According to Dr. Kaufman, tumors may rise
in individuals with an NF-1 mutation, and they may also arise spontaneously. However, he
found that Mr. Scott did not demonstrate indicia of an NF-1 mutation or neurofibromatosis.
Further, because Mr. Scott’s identical twin brother underwent genetic testing indicating he
did not carry the NF-1 mutation or have neurofibromatosis, Dr. Kaufman felt that Mr.
Scott’s cancer was unrelated to a genetic abnormality. Dr. Kaufman opined that there was
ample evidence that chronic exposure to radiation in a given area can give rise to
malignancies, particularly sarcomas. He explained that Mr. Scott’s rare form of cancer was
known to be primarily caused by radiation and he linked it to the gauge used by Mr. Scott
at work. Dr. Kaufman agreed with Dr. Grosh’s report, but he disagreed with Dr. Randolph’s
assessment.
        In rendering its decision, the OOJ reviewed the six factors for compensability as set
forth at West Virginia Code § 23-41(f) and determined that all six factors necessary to
establish an occupational disease were met. First, the OOJ concluded that there was a direct
causal connection between Mr. Scott’s employment and the UPS, as the gauge Mr. Scott was
required to wear emitted radiation. Second, the OOJ noted that Mr. Scott’s cancer was in the
area most exposed to the radiation from the device and the disease followed as a natural
incident of his work exposure based upon Mr. Gossman’s data calculated directly from the
manufacturer’s operator’s manual. Third, the OOJ found the disease could be fairly traced
to Mr. Scott’s employment as the proximate cause as determined by Drs. Grosh and
Kaufman. Fourth, the OOJ reasoned that the UPS did not come from a hazard to which
workmen would have been equally exposed outside of the employment, and Mr. Scott’s
exposure was sufficient to cause cancer. The fifth factor, that the disease was incidental to
the character of the business and not independent of the relationship between an employer

       3
         EEOICPA is intended to compensate current and former energy workers for
illnesses contracted as a result of radiation exposure.
                                              3
and employee, was found in Mr. Scott’s favor since he was assigned the gauge to use for his
work at the DOH. The sixth factor, that the disease had its origin in the risk connected with
the employment and followed from that source as a natural consequence, was also found in
Mr. Scott’s favor. The OOJ concluded that the cancerous tumor on Mr. Scott’s leg was an
unusual type that arose in the area where he carried the gauge. Further, the OOJ observed
that Dr. Grosh opined that radiation emitted by the gauge caused the UPS. It is from the
OOJ’s August 28, 2022, decision that the DOH now appeals.
        Our standard of review is set forth in West Virginia Code § 23-5-12a(b) (2022), in
part, as follows:
       The Intermediate Court of Appeals may affirm the order or decision of the
       Workers’ Compensation Board of Review or remand the case for further
       proceedings. It shall reverse, vacate, or modify the order or decision of the
       Workers’ Compensation Board of Review, if the substantial rights of the
       petitioner or petitioners have been prejudiced because the Board of Review’s
       findings are:
       (1)    In violation of statutory provisions;
       (2)    In excess of the statutory authority or jurisdiction of the Board of
       Review;
       (3)    Made upon unlawful procedures;
       (4)    Affected by other error of law;
       (5)    Clearly wrong in view of the reliable, probative, and substantial
       evidence on the whole record; or
       (6)    Arbitrary or capricious or characterized by abuse of discretion or
       clearly unwarranted exercise of discretion.
Duff v. Kanawha Cnty. Comm’n, No. 22-ICA-10, ____ W. Va. ____, ____, ____ S.E. 2d
____, _____, 2022 WL 17546598, at *4 (W. Va. Ct. App. 2022).
       On appeal, the DOH alleges four points of error. First, the DOH asserts the OOJ’s
order is in violation of statutory provisions regarding the compensability of occupational
diseases and is clearly wrong in view of the reliable, probative, and substantial evidence of
the whole record. Second, the DOH argues that the OOJ erroneously concluded that Mr.
Scott’s UPS was causally connected to his employment activities with the DOH. Third,
that the OOJ failed to address dosimetry data collected while Mr. Scott worked for the
DOH that established his exposure was far below federally mandated exposure limits.
Fourth, that the radiation analysis of Dr. Karam and the epidemiological study of Dr.
Randolph agree with the dosimetry data and testing of the nuclear moisture gauges used by
Mr. Scott during his employment with the DOH, which should be determinative on this
matter. After a review of the record, we find no error. The OOJ was not clearly wrong in
reversing the claim administrator’s denial for compensability.
       West Virginia Code § 23-4-1(f), provides that:

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       For the purposes of this chapter, occupational disease means a disease
       incurred in the course of and resulting from employment. No ordinary
       disease of life to which the general public is exposed outside of the
       employment is compensable except when it follows as an incident of
       occupational disease as defined in this chapter. Except in the case of
       occupational pneumoconiosis, a disease is considered to have been incurred
       in the course of or to have resulted from the employment only if it is apparent
       to the rational mind, upon consideration of all the circumstances: (1) That
       there is a direct causal connection between the conditions under which work
       is performed and the occupational disease; (2) that it can be seen to have
       followed as a natural incident of the work as a result of the exposure
       occasioned by the nature of the employment; (3) that it can be fairly traced
       to the employment as the proximate cause; (4) that it does not come from a
       hazard to which workmen would have been equally exposed outside of the
       employment; (5) that it is incidental to the character of the business and not
       independent of the relation of employer and employee; and (6) that it appears
       to have had its origin in a risk connected with the employment and to have
       flowed from that source as a natural consequence, though it need not have
       been foreseen or expected before its contraction: Provided, That
       compensation is not payable for an occupational disease or death resulting
       from the disease unless the employee has been exposed to the hazards of the
       disease in the State of West Virginia over a continuous period that is
       determined to be sufficient, by rule of the board of managers, for the disease
       to have occurred in the course of and resulting from the employee’s
       employment. An application for benefits on account of an occupational
       disease shall set forth the name of the employer or employers and the time
       worked for each. The commission may allocate to and divide any charges
       resulting from the claim among the employers by whom the claimant was
       employed. The allocation shall be based upon the time and degree of
       exposure with each employer.
“W. Va. Code § 23-4-1 does not require a claimant to prove that the conditions of his
employment were the exclusive or sole cause of the disease, nor does it require the claimant
to show that the disease is peculiar to one industry, work environment, or occupation.” Syl.
Pt. 3, Powell v. State Workmen's Comp. Comm'r, 166 W. Va. 327, 273 S.E.2d 832, (1980).

       When establishing an occupational disease, Mr. Scott had to show, by a
preponderance of the evidence, that he contracted the disease in the course of and as a result
of his employment with the DOH. After weighing the evidence and testimony in this
matter, the OOJ determined that Mr. Scott exceeded that burden. We are not in a position
to reweigh said evidence at the appellate stage.

                                              5
        In reviewing decisions by administrative agencies, “[t]he ‘clearly wrong’ and the
‘arbitrary and capricious’ standards of review are deferential ones which presume an
agency’s actions are valid as long as the decision is supported by substantial evidence or
by a rational basis.” Duff v. Kanawha Cnty. Comm’n, No. 22-ICA-10, ____ W. Va. ____,
____, ____ S.E. 2d ____, _____, 2022 WL 17546598, at *11 (W. Va. Ct. App. 2022)(citing
Syl Pt. 3, In Re Queen, 196 W.Va. 442, 473 S.E. 2d 483 (1996)). “This Court will not
reverse a finding of fact made by the Workmen's Compensation Appeal Board unless it
appears from the proof upon which the appeal board acted that the finding is plainly
wrong.” Plummer v. Workers Comp. Div., 209 W. Va. 710, 712, 551 S.E.2d 46, 48
(2001)(citing Syl. Pt., Rushman v. Lewis, 173 W.Va. 149, 313 S.E.2d 426 (1984)). Upon a
thorough review of the record, the OOJ’s decision that Mr. Scott’s occupational disease
was causally connected to his employment is supported by substantial evidence and is not
clearly wrong.

      Accordingly, we affirm the OOJ’s August 29, 2022, order.
                                                                                Affirmed.
ISSUED: March 6, 2023

CONCURRED IN BY:

Chief Judge Daniel W. Greear
Judge Charles O. Lorensen
Judge Gregory L. Howard, Jr., sitting by temporary assignment

Judge Thomas E. Scarr, voluntarily recused

                                             6