Court Opinion

ID: 6374062
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-06-24 23:51:13.624293+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T15:50:06.128185
License: Public Domain

SILVESTRI, Senior Judge,
dissenting.
Because I believe Claimant’s fatal claim petition should be dismissed, I respectfully dissent from the majority. In support thereof, I submit the following.
Mathies Coal Company (Employer) petitioned for review of an order of the Workmen’s Compensation Appeal Board (Board) which affirmed the decision of the referee and granted the fatal claim petition of Vickie Lynn Tau (Claimant).
Claimant’s deceased spouse, William P. Tau (Tau), worked for Employer as a utility man in the underground mine of the Employer. The utility man does all the odd jobs and gets “cuts” ready for the other miners. Upon arrival at work on October 10, 1984, Tau was advised that there was going to be a need for some fan cable for the fan used in the next cut. Tau was requested to get the cable so that the fan could be moved up to the next cut to mine coal.
To get the cable, Tau had to go back about three hundred feet from the cut site. Thus, the cable had to be dragged by hand about 300 feet. The cable was 800 feet in length, 1 to IV2 inches thick, and had five smaller insulated wires inside with an encompassing thick rubber coating insulation.
While Tau was getting the cable, a co-worker, Robert Troup (Troup) mined coal and completed a cut which took about 30 minutes. After completion of the cut, Troup turned around and saw a light on the floor about 100 feet away. Troup ran to the light and found Tau lying on his back, unconscious. His legs were in a puddle of water a couple inches deep. He was not in contact with the cable. Troup dragged Tau out of the water to a drier spot about ten feet away. While dragging Tau, Troup saw a tape job *35or splice on one of the loops of the cable Tau had dragged to the fan.
Tau was taken to Canonsburg Hospital where he was pronounced dead. The death certificate, dated the following day, indicated death attributable to ventricular fibrillation; coronary insufficiency; and coronary arteriosclerosis and hypoplasia.
The coroner indicated that the pathologist found no indication that Tau had in any way come in contact with any electrical power source. The possibility of death by electrocution had been closely monitored when Tau’s examination was performed because the coroner knew of a past case that was considered a heart attack until it was determined to be electrocution.1 The coroner’s report stated that the “deceased was closely examined for any trauma or electrical shock and none was found.” 2 Death was indicated to be due to natural causes.
Despite those- findings, Claimant filed a fatal claim petition on June 28, 19863 alleging Tau’s death was due to cardiac arrhythmia produced by electric shock.4
After hearings, at which all the testimony, except the Claimant’s testimony, was presented by depositions and exhibits, the referee concluded that Tau “died by virtue of an electrocution injury suffered within the scope and course of his employment which activated an arrhythmia in his *36heart already having a coronary heart disease called coronary hypoplasia” and awarded benefits.
Employer filed an appeal of the referee’s decision and a petition for supersedeas to the Board. The Board affirmed the decision of the referee and dismissed the appeal of the Employer.5
The Employer filed a timely petition for review. Employer presents several arguments for consideration.6 First, Employer asserts the medical opinions of Dr. Joshua Perper and Dr. Jay M. Ziegler, relied upon by the referee, are not substantial competent evidence because those opinions are based upon facts not in evidence in the case. Second, Employer argues that the referee’s reliance upon the expressed opinions of Drs. Perper and Ziegler constitutes an error of law as the objections to their respective opinions were not sustained. Further, it is argued that the finding of “death by electrocution” was not supported by substantial competent evidence because the record contains no evidence of contact with electricity. An exhaustive review of the record in its entirety demonstrates the merit of Employer’s contentions.
In workmen's compensation cases, the claimant has the burden of proving that an injury arose in the course of employment and was causally connected with the claimant’s work (Tau, in the instant case). In short, the claimant has the burden to prove all the elements establishing eligibility for benefits. Northeastern Hospital v. Workmen’s Compensation Appeal Board, 134 Pa. Commonwealth Ct. 164, 578 A.2d 83 (1990); Westinghouse Electric Corporation v. Workmen’s Compensation Appeal Board, 129 Pa.Commonwealth Ct. 218, 565 A.2d 204 (1989); Karsaba v. Work*37men's Compensation Appeal Board (Bethlehem Steel Corporation), 71 Pa. Commonwealth Ct. 303, 454 A.2d 682 (1983). The only witnesses called by Claimant to meet her burden were herself; Troup, by way of deposition; Dr. Perper, by way of deposition; and Dr. Ziegler, by way of deposition. None of these individuals were witnesses to the performance of Tau’s work or working conditions at the time of his death. Although some of the physical circumstances of the workplace were testified to by Troup, Tau’s death and the events preceding it were unwitnessed.
Because there is no direct evidence in the record of this case, Claimant must prove her case by circumstantial evidence, as was accurately determined by the Board. To satisfy her burden of proof Claimant must establish that the cable in question was electrically “energized” and that electricity escaped from the cable in sufficient amount to cause an electric shock or electrocution. With circumstantial evidence, Claimant must produce evidence that so preponderates in favor of the conclusion reached that it outweighs any other evidence and reasonable inferences drawn from such evidence. Smith v. Bell Telephone Co. of Pa., 397 Pa. 134, 153 A.2d 477 (1959).
Furthermore, because of the technical nature of the facts involved in a case of death allegedly due to electrocution, expert testimony is necessary. An expert is defined as one who possesses knowledge not within the ordinary ken who, because of this knowledge, is qualified to testify about a particular topic. Hawthorne v. Dravo Corp., 352 Pa.Superior Ct. 359, 508 A.2d 298 (1986). Expert testimony is utilized to aid the trier of fact in his attempt to ascertain the truth.
An expert can express an opinion as to the cause of an accident only if his testimony is based upon a personal observation made of the scene of the accident or if he responds to hypothetical questions based upon certain assumptions. Such assumptions are to be based upon facts which the finder of fact would be warranted in finding from the evidence. Houston v. Canon Bowl Inc., 443 Pa. 383, 385, 278 A.2d 908, 910 (1971). Qualifications of an expert *38are reviewed with caution because though “it may appear that the scope of the witness’s experience and education may embrace the subject in a general way, ... the subject may be so specialized that even so, the witness will not be qualified to testify.” Dambacher v. Mollis, 336 Pa.Superior Ct. 22, 43, 485 A.2d 408, 418 (1984).
With these established premises in mind I first address the qualifications of Dr. Perper to express his opinion as to whether or not Tau was electrocuted or sustained electrical shock. Dr. Perper presented an impressive curriculum vitae which included formal education in medicine, specialized education in pathology, and forensic pathology and law. He then listed extensive academic appointments, memberships in medical societies, public offices held, medical committees on which he served, boards on which he served, certifications and awards received, titles of books of which he was either author or co-author, and lastly, 51 publications of which he was author or co-author. With one exception, there is nothing in his curriculum vitae which remotely suggests that he has special knowledge, either by training or experience, about the properties, characteristics and functioning of electricity in a given environment.
The one exception that Dr. Perper points to in his testimony is an article he authored in 1976 entitled, Electrical Injuries.7 The introduction to the article indicates that it is essential for all forensic pathologists “to have a basic understanding of electrical principles and concepts in order to apply them to biologic examinations of bodies and physical examinations of scenes.” 8 I note that Dr. Perper 1) was not identified as having a background in electrical principles, 2) did not do an examination of the body, and 3) did not conduct a physical examination of the scene. Hence, Dr. Perper was not qualified to render an opinion in this case.
In addition to finding that Dr. Perper was not qualified to render an opinion, an additional basis exists for exclusion of *39his testimony. In a report dated June 15, 1986, Dr. Perper concluded that Tau’s death was attributable to electrocution or electric shock which directly or indirectly produced a heart arrhythmia. Dr. Perper’s conclusion was based upon information he received via certain documents in the case. He testified that he reviewed the deposition of a co-worker, Robert J. Troup; medical reports; the autopsy report; the investigation of death by the United States Department of Labor.9,10
On the basis of these documents, Dr. Perper garnered and relied upon the following “facts” in reaching his conclusion. To Mr. Troup, the co-worker, he attributed the “fact” that Tau “was probably holding the cable where the tape was.” 11 Dr. Perper also relied upon the “fact” that there was “information that on another occasion when there would be a bad splice in the cable and somebody would pick the wet cable as far as 25 feet away with bare hands he would experience an electrical shock.” 12 Dr. Perper also referred to several statements of information from a Mr. Hamilton.13 He further took into consideration the “fact” that the cable had “an uninsulated area.” 14
*40In reality, not one of the above-referenced “facts” was ever established in this case. Mr. Troup’s testimony indicated he did not know if Tau had touched the spliced area.15 No witness named “Hamilton” ever testified or was even identified in the case. No witness ever testified regarding a person being shocked from 25 feet away. The above “facts” referenced by Dr. Perper, and relied upon in reaching his conclusion, are not evidenced in the record. As indicated earlier, no proof was submitted to prove that Tau ever came into contact with electricity.
Thus, the testimony of Dr. Perper was based not on fact, but upon assumptions and conjecture. It is a well-established and fundamental premise that courts of this Commonwealth do not permit experts to base their opinions on facts not in evidence. Neither is it permissible for an expert’s opinion to constitute proof of the facts necessary to support that opinion. Collins v. Hand, 431 Pa. 378, 246 A.2d 398 (1968).
The opinion must be an intelligent and reasonable conclusion based on a given state of facts, and be such as reason and experience have shown to be a resulting consequence of the facts proved. The basis of the conclusion cannot be deduced or inferred from the conclusion itself. In other words, the opinion of the expert does not constitute proof of the existence of the facts necessary to support the opinion.
Collins, 431 Pa. at 390, 246 A.2d at 404, quoting Dreher v. Order of United Commercial Travelers of America, 173 Wis. 173, 180 N.W. 815 (1921) (emphasis in original).
In contravention to the premise in Collins, Dr. Perper’s opinion was used to establish proof of the facts necessary to support the opinion itself. Employer objected to Dr. Perper’s expression of an opinion which relied upon information not established as proof in the case.16 The referee’s reliance upon objected to, unruled upon testimony was in error.
*41Referring again to the article on electrical injuries, I note that Dr. Perper concluded the publication as follows:
In the majority of cases, electrical injuries are easily recognized microscopically. In diagnosing doubtful electrical marks, however, the microscopic examination of electrocution injuries is indispensable. While the microscopic changes are not pathognomonic in most instances, their characteristics coupled with gross morphologic changes, the circumstantial evidence, and the clinical history are essential in confirming the diagnosis of electrocution. (Emphasis added).17,18
No tissue slides made from either internal or external tissue of Tau’s body were available for microscopic examination as none were made. Dr. Peeper’s conclusion of death attributable to electrocution or electric shock was made without an examination of microscopic slides. Thus, by his own standard for determination of electrical injuries, Dr. Perper vitiates his own conclusion.
The absence of any pretense to specialized knowledge of the behavioral characteristics of electricity or electrical conduction, the lack of a physical examination of either Tau’s body or the scene of the incident, the reliance upon facts not in evidence, combined with the absence of microscopic slides, the examination of which is “indispensable” according to the article, renders Dr. Perper’s opinion invalid.
Similarly, in formulating his opinion that Tau’s death was attributable to electric shock or electrocution, the testimony of Dr. Jay Ziegler, also introduced via deposition, relied upon the same evidence as Dr. Perper which was not established in the record. As in the case with Dr. Perper, I find no factual basis for Dr. Ziegler’s opinion.
*42Likewise, Dr. Ziegler was not qualified to express an opinion that Tau’s death was attributable to electrocution. Dr. Ziegler’s specialty was in family practice. He testified that he dealt with cardiology for two months during his three year residency and that he had no special training in pathology. Unlike Dr. Perper, Dr. Ziegler did not even attempt to demonstrate any special knowledge of electrical injuries; neither did he demonstrate any knowledge or experience in electrical engineering and/or the functioning of electrical energy. As has already been passed upon by this Court, “a witness who demonstrates by his own testimony that he has no experience or special knowledge of the matter at issue is incompetent as an expert.” Marlowe v. Lehigh Township, 64 Pa.Commonwealth Ct. 587, 593, 441 A.2d 497, 499-500 (1982) citing Steele v. Shepperd, 411 Pa. 481, 484, 192 A.2d 397, 398 (1963). As in the case with Dr. Perper, I find insufficient qualifications to allow Dr. Ziegler to render an opinion.
In addressing the referee’s failure to exclude the hearsay evidence relied upon by Drs. Perper and Ziegler I refer to the rules of administrative procedure. Section 35.151, 1 Pa.Code § 35.151, provides:
No part of a deposition may constitute a part of the record in the proceeding, unless received in evidence by the agency head or presiding officer. Objection may be made at the hearing in the proceeding to receiving in evidence a deposition or part thereof for a reason which would require the exclusion of the evidence if the witnesses were then present and testifying.
Section 131.45(a), 34 Pa.Code § 131.45(a), referring to admissibility of oral depositions, indicates that all objections must be made and the reasons for such objections stated at the time the depositions are taken.
During each of the respective depositions when Claimant’s counsel asked Drs. Perper and Ziegler what their opinions were as to the cause of Tau’s death, counsel for Employer objected to their expressing their opinions and stated the reasons for the objection. At the time of the *43depositions there was no presiding officer of the agency present to rule on the Employer’s objections. However, when the deposition of Dr. Perper was offered into evidence before the referee, Employer’s counsel stated that he was not waiving any of the objections raised at the deposition. While this was not specifically done at the time the deposition of Dr. Ziegler was admitted into evidence before the referee, it is clear that Dr. Ziegler relied on the same matters as did Dr. Perper.
Administrative practice and procedure provides that an officer shall rule upon the admissibility of evidence. 1 Pa.Code § 35.162. As a general rule, the use of the word shall is construed to mean that the subject action is imperative. Amalgamated Transit Union, Division 85 v. Port Authority of Allegheny County, 417 Pa. 299, 208 A.2d 271 (1965); Burrows v. State Employes’ Retirement Board, 76 Pa. Commonwealth Ct. 84, 463 A.2d 106 (1983). The referee in his adjudication did not rule on the objections in the depositions of Dr. Perper and Dr. Ziegler. In his findings of fact and conclusions of law, the referee accepted and relied upon the objected to testimony of Drs. Perper and Ziegler. It was error for the referee to do so. All of the critical facts and evidence upon which Drs. Perper and Ziegler relied was hearsay. Thus, the referee’s failure to comply with the above referenced section resulted in the admission of hearsay evidence into the record which was the only basis for establishing death due to electrocution or electric shock.
While cognizant of the fact that state agencies are not bound by technical rules of evidence at agency hearings, 2 Pa.C.S. § 505, this Court has previously determined that the hearsay rule is not a technical rule of evidence but a fundamental rule of law which ought to be followed by administrative agencies at those points in their hearings when facts crucial to issue are sought to be placed upon the record and objection is made thereto. Pennsylvania State Board of Medical Education and Licensure v. Contakos, 21 Pa.Commonwealth Ct. 422, 346 A.2d 850 (1975); Bleile*44vens v. State Civil Service Commission, 11 Pa.Commonwealth Ct. 1, 312 A.2d 109 (1973). As has been established, hearsay evidence admitted without objection may support a finding in an administrative agency proceeding only if corroborated by other competent evidence in the record. Hearsay evidence, properly objected to, is not competent to support a finding in an agency determination. Burks v. Department of Public Welfare, 48 Pa.Commonwealth Ct. 6, 408 A.2d 912 (1979). Further, this Court recently added the restriction that objected to hearsay evidence cannot be corroborated with unobjected to hearsay evidence. Fairfield Township Volunteer Fire Company v. Human Relations Commission, 133 Pa.Commonwealth Ct. 45, 575 A.2d 152 (1990).
I now turn to consideration of the substantial evidence argument posited by Employer. The record reveals no evidence, either direct or circumstantial, that the cable being dragged by Tau was “live”; that is, that it had an electrical current running through it. I reach this conclusion because there is no evidence that the cable was plugged into or attached to the fan. Indeed, Troup testified that the fan was not running. Neither is there evidence of the cable being plugged into a power source at its opposite end; nor is there evidence that there was electricity in the cable when it was being dragged by Tau. Drs. Perper and Ziegler assumed that there was electricity in the cable. Even assuming such information, there was no evidence from which one could conclude that electricity escaped the cable. Thus, there was no basis for the determination that Tau suffered an electrical shock or sustained electrocution from the cable or fan.
To the contrary, examination by the coroner as well as the autopsy report revealed Tau’s death was due to a heart condition (natural causes) and was not due to electrocution. I find no evidence, circumstantial or otherwise, which “so preponderates” in favor of a finding of death due to electrocution or electric shock. For all of the foregoing reasons, I *45would reverse the Board and dismiss the fatal claim petition of Claimant.

. Coroner’s letter dated October 11, 1984 indicates:
It has also been brought to our attention that he was hanging miner cable of the 500 volt type and I am not sure whether or not it was energized, but having this information and knowing of a past case which was considered a heart attack until we were able to determine it was electrocution, we examined Mr. Tau very closely for possible electrocution death. There was no indication found by the pathologist that he had in any way come in contact with any electric power source.
See Defendant’s Exhibit B, R.R. at 518a-520a.

. See Defendant’s Exhibit B, R.R. at 517a.

. The fatal claim petition was filed pursuant to provisions in The Pennsylvania Workmen’s Compensation Act, Act of June 2, 1915, P.L. 736, as amended, 77 P.S. §§ 1-1031.

. R.R. at 31.

. The record does not reveal disposition of the petition for supersede-as.

. In compensation cases of this kind, our scope of review is confined to a determination of whether errors of law were made, whether findings necessary to support the decision are supported by substantial evidence or whether constitutional rights have been violated. Estate of McGovern v. State Employee's Retirement Board, 512 Pa. 377, 517 A.2d 523 (1986).

. Published in the Medical-Legal Annual in 1976 at pp. 133-143. (Also Perper Deposition Exhibit 2.)

. R.R. at 164a-165a.

. R.R. at 90a-91a.

. Dr. Perper relied upon reports of James Bandish, a federal mine inspector. Claimant’s Exhibit 2. The orders and citations issued by Bandish are technical in nature and were never explained or related to Tau’s death by Dr. Perper.

. R.R. at 97a.

. R.R. at 99a.

. R.R. at 100a. Dr. Perper testified: "Mr. Hamilton mentioned that perhaps Mr. Tau was picking up the cable over his right shoulder and carrying it in various loops, which is the way in which most of the miners carry it. He also mentioned that Mr. Tau could have been in the water with his boots which, as mentioned before, had holes, when the electricity arced from the cable to his ear where the mark was.
“Mr. Hamilton also mentioned that Mr. Tau could have been shocked while pulling the cable and bumping into a supply car and/or the scoop, both of which there was DC voltage, and might have received a small shock. And he also mentioned the possibility to be shocked from a hot cable simply lying in the water.”

. R.R. at 106a.

. R.R. at 53a-54a, 66a.

. R.R. at 104a.

. Dr. Harvey Mendelow, Employer’s expert, agrees with Dr. Perper’s conclusion that examination of slides is indispensable. R.R. at 333a.

. Stedman’s Medical Dictionary, 25th edition, defines pathognomonic as ”[c]haracteristic or indicative of a disease” and morphology(ic) ás "[t]he science concerned with the configuration or the structure of animals and plants.”