Court Opinion

ID: 4995302
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2021-09-28 17:15:44.031582+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:16:50.766632
License: Public Domain

[Cite as State ex rel. Coltrane v. Indus. Comm., 2021-Ohio-3421.]

                             IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO

                                   TENTH APPELLATE DISTRICT

State ex rel. Robert Coltrane,                         :

                 Relator,                              :

v.                                                     :               No. 20AP-338

Industrial Commission of Ohio et al.,                  :            (REGULAR CALENDAR)

                 Respondents.                          :

                                           D E C I S I O N

                                  Rendered on September 28, 2021

                 On brief: Becker & Cade, and Dennis A. Becker, for relator.

                 On brief: Dave Yost, Attorney General, and Cindy Albrecht,
                 for respondent Industrial Commission of Ohio.

                 On brief: Sybert, Rhoad, Lackey & Swisher, LLC, Brant K.
                 Rhoad, and Matthew S. Goff, for respondent Sorenson
                 Communications, LLC.

                                            IN MANDAMUS

JAMISON, J.
        {¶ 1} In this original action, relator Robert Coltrane, seeks a writ of mandamus
compelling respondent, the Industrial Commission of Ohio, to vacate its order finding that
relator is not entitled to working wage loss compensation, and enter an order granting such
compensation.
        {¶ 2} This matter was referred to a magistrate of this court pursuant to Civ.R. 53
and Loc.R. 13(M) of the Tenth District Court of Appeals. The magistrate issued a decision
that included findings of fact and conclusions of law, then recommended that this court
deny the requested writ of mandamus (attached as appendix). Relator did not file an
objection to the magistrate's decision.
No. 20AP-338                                                                               2

       {¶ 3} Pursuant to Civ.R. 53(D)(4), the court conducted a full review of the
magistrate's decision. The court finds that there is no error of law or other defect upon the
face of the decision. Therefore, the court adopts the magistrate's decision as its own,
including the findings of fact and conclusions of law contained therein, and denies the
requested writ of mandamus.
                                                                Writ of mandamus denied.

                           SADLER and MENTEL, JJ., concur.
No. 20AP-338                                                                           3

                                        APPENDIX

                         IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO

                             TENTH APPELLATE DISTRICT

State ex rel. Robert Coltrane,               :

              Relator,                        :

v.                                            :                   No. 20AP-338

Industrial Commission of Ohio et al.,        :                (REGULAR CALENDAR)

              Respondents.                   :

                         MAGISTRATE'S DECISION

                                 Rendered on April 29, 2021

              Becker & Cade, and Dennis A. Becker, for relator.

              Dave Yost, Attorney General, and Cindy Albrecht, for
              respondent Industrial Commission of Ohio.

              Sybert, Rhoad, Lackey & Swisher, LLC, Brant K. Rhoad, and
              Matthew S. Goff, for respondent Sorenson Communications,
              LLC.

                                      IN MANDAMUS

       {¶ 4} Relator, Robert Coltrane, seeks a writ of mandamus ordering respondent,
Industrial Commission of Ohio ("commission"), to vacate its order finding that relator is
not entitled to working wage loss compensation ("WWLC"), and enter an order granting
such compensation.
Findings of Fact:
       {¶ 5} 1. Relator, a professional sign-language interpreter, sustained an injury
classified as an occupational disease arising in the course and scope of his employment
with Sorenson Communications, LLC.
No. 20AP-338                                                                             4

       {¶ 6} 2. Relator's claim was allowed with a date of injury of November 2, 2016 for
stenosis, tenosynovitis of right ring finger.
       {¶ 7} 3. At the time of injury, relator performed part-time work as an interpreter
for Sorenson Communications, and also worked full time with his own company, Deaf
Choice, Inc.
       {¶ 8} 4. The Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation ("BWC") allowed the
condition by order mailed November 9, 2016 designating Sorenson Communications as
the responsible employer. Sorenson Communications filed an appeal. (Stip. at 10.)
       {¶ 9} 5. Relator's treating physician Edward A. Marcheschi, M.D., completed a
series of BWC Medco-14 ("Physician's Report of Work Ability") forms indicating that
relator was unable to perform his prior job and should be off work entirely. (Stip. at 18,
22, 28, 34.)
       {¶ 10} 6. Successive district hearing officer ("DHO") and staff hearing officer
("SHO") orders on May 10 and August 24, 2017 overruled Sorenson Communications'
appeal and allowed the claim as granted by BWC. (Stip. at 40, 43.)
       {¶ 11} 7. Relator was referred to Mark Yuhas, M.D., for evaluation and possible
surgery. (Stip. at 58-59.) Dr. Yuhas performed surgery on November 14, 2017. (Stip. at
91.) Dr. Yuhas released relator to perform full job duties effective December 18, 2017.
(Stip. at 60, 62.)
       {¶ 12} 8. Relator applied for WWLC on June 22, 2018, requesting compensation
paid from November 1, 2016 through December 18, 2017.             (Stip. at 73.)   With his
application, relator included an affidavit indicating that his medical restrictions
prevented his return to work for Sorenson Communications, while he continued to
perform "ownership duties" for his own company, Deaf Choice:
               This Affidavit is being given to provide information in support
               of the Application for Wage Loss Benefits for the period of
               November 1, 2016 through December 5, 2017.

               At the time of injury, November 1, 2016, I was employed
               working two jobs as set forth in the previous Wage Affidavit as
               an owner operator of Deaf Choice and as an employee of
               Sorenson Communications.
No. 20AP-338                                                                       5

                 At the time of injury, I was no longer permitted to do signing
                 activities and thus performed no services for Sorenson
                 Communications during the period of November 1, 2016 to
                 December 5, 2017; at which time I was released to perform full
                 duty activities, i.e. with no further medical restrictions.

                 During the period of November 1, 2016 through December 5,
                 2017 I continued to perform ownership duties with Deaf Choice
                 but performed no signing interpretive services for Deaf Choice.

                 Because of the restrictions, my earnings were reduced as
                 reflected in the attached statement from Deaf Choice,
                 indicating my earnings for the period in question.

(Stip. at 75.)

       {¶ 13} 9. Dr. Marcheschi submitted a Medco-14 dated November 21, 2017, again
certifying relator as unable to return to work.
       {¶ 14} 10. Relator submitted his pay records from Deaf Choice and Sorenson
Communications for 2016 and 2017, including W2s from both companies. (Stip. at 77,
80-90.) Relator reported $45,405.21 in wages in 2016 and $38,833.17 in wages in 2017
from Deaf Choice. (Stip. at 77-78, 84.) Relator reported $12,108.51 in wages from
Sorenson Communications in             2016 and $738.68 in wages from Sorenson
Communications in 2017. (Stip. at 87, 89.)
       {¶ 15} 11. A DHO issued an order on November 16, 2018, denying the requested
WWLC from November 1, 2016 through December 18, 2017. (Stip. at 96.)
       {¶ 16} 12. On further appeal, an SHO heard the matter on October 10, 2019 and
issued an order on October 16, 2019 upholding the DHO's order as follows:
                 It is the finding of the Hearing Officer that the order of the
                 District Hearing Officer, issued 11/16/2018, is affirmed with
                 additional reasoning.

                 It is the order of the Staff Hearing Officer that the Injured
                 Worker's C-140 initial Application for Wage Loss
                 Compensation, filed 06/22/2018 be denied.

                 The Injured Worker's C-140, filed 06/22/2018 requests
                 payment of working wage loss compensation for the period of
                 11/02/2016 through 12/18/2017.
No. 20AP-338                                                                  6

           The Hearing Officer finds that the Injured Worker has failed
           to meet his burden of proof of demonstrating that he has
           complied with the wage loss rules as set forth in Ohio
           Adm.Code 4125-1-01. Therefore, the Hearing Officer denies
           the Injured Worker's request for payment of working wage
           loss compensation.

           The Hearing Officer finds that prior to the Injured Worker
           contracting an occupational disease in this claim, the Injured
           Worker worked two jobs, one as an owner/operator of Deaf
           Choice and a second job with the employer of record,
           Sorenson Communications, as a sign language interpreter.
           The Injured Worker's employment as the owner/operator of
           Death [sic] Choice required the Injured Worker to work as a
           sign language interpreter as well as engage in administrative
           functions including training and evaluating interpreters and
           completing paperwork. Following the occupational disease in
           this claim, the Injured Worker testified that he continued to
           work as an owner/operator of Death [sic] Choice but was
           unable to continue as a sign language interpreter. Further,
           following the occupational disease, the Injured Worker was
           unable to return to his employment with the employer of
           record Sorenson Communications as a sign language
           interpreter. The Injured Worker's inability to return to his
           position of employment as a sign language interpreter with
           Sorenson Communications was based upon the medical
           documents from Edward Marcheschi, M.D. dated 11/02/2016
           and 11/21/2017.

           The Injured Worker is requesting payment of working wage
           loss compensation based upon his inability to return to his
           position of employment as a sign language interpreter with
           Sorenson Communications.

           ***

           In the present case, the Hearing Officer finds that there is no
           evidence that the Injured Worker engaged in a good faith job
           search for suitable employment. The Hearing Officer finds
           that there is no record of a job search or any evidence that the
           Injured Worker attempted to find employment that would
           eliminate his loss in wages.

           ***
No. 20AP-338                                                                             7

              The Hearing Officer finds that the Injured Worker has failed
              to meet his burden of proof of demonstrating that he has
              complied with the wage loss rules as set forth in Ohio
              Adm.Code 4125-1-01 as he has failed to engage in a good faith
              effort to search for suitable employment which is required of
              individuals seeking working wage loss compensation.
              Therefore, the Hearing Officer denies the Injured Worker's
              request for payment of working wage loss compensation from
              11/02/2016 through 12/18/2017.

(Stip. at 100.)
       {¶ 17} 13. The commission refused relator's appeal from the SHO's order. (Stip.
at 104.)
       {¶ 18} 14. Relator filed his complaint for writ of mandamus on July 2, 2020.

Discussion and Conclusions of Law:
       {¶ 19} In order for this court to issue a writ of mandamus as a remedy from a
determination of the commission, relator must show a clear legal right to the relief sought
and that the commission has a clear legal duty to provide such relief. State ex rel.
Pressley v. Indus. Comm., 11 Ohio St.2d 141 (1967). A clear legal right to a writ of
mandamus exists where the relator shows that the commission abused its discretion by
entering an order which is not supported by any evidence in the record. State ex rel.
Elliott v. Indus. Comm., 26 Ohio St.3d 76 (1986). On the other hand, where the record
contains some evidence to support the commission's findings, there has been no abuse of
discretion and mandamus is not appropriate. State ex rel. Lewis v. Diamond Foundry
Co., 29 Ohio St.3d 56 (1987). Furthermore, questions of credibility and the weight to be
given evidence are clearly within the discretion of the commission as fact finder. State ex
rel. Teece v. Indus. Comm., 68 Ohio St.2d 165 (1981).
       {¶ 20} Relator asserts he has a clear legal right to a writ of mandamus because the
commission abused its discretion when it found that relator had not met his burden of
proof to establish that he had either engaged in a good-faith effort to find suitable
employment or complied with wage loss rules as set forth in Ohio Adm.Code 4125-1-01,
and that he was therefore not entitled to WWLC. Relator asserts that the commission
applied the incorrect standard to his application, and further asserts that Ohio Adm.Code
No. 20AP-338                                                                               8

4125-1-01 as amended effective June 26, 2017 is deficient because it fails to define specific
guidance for WWLC applicants with dual employment.
       {¶ 21} Wage loss compensation is provided under R.C. 4123.56(B) to compensate
for the wage loss of persons who are unable to return to a former position of employment
due to an allowed condition. State ex rel. Oldaker v. Indus. Comm., 143 Ohio St.3d 405,
2015-Ohio-2569, ¶ 8. Entitlement to wage loss compensation first requires the claimant
to demonstrate that the allowed conditions actually caused a wage loss. Id. The claimant
must also demonstrate that the claimant has made a search for suitable employment to
mitigate the loss of income caused by the allowed conditions. Id. Such compensation may
be classified as either WWLC or non-working wage loss compensation, with
correspondingly different requirements and benefits. Ohio Adm.Code 4125-1-01(A)(8)
and (15); Ohio Adm.Code 4125-1-01(C) and (D). WWLC applies to claimants who, like
relator here, suffer a wage loss but are still able to work on a limited basis. Oldaker at ¶
8.
       {¶ 22} The Administrative Code defines the requisite wage loss as follows:
              "Non-working wage loss" means the dollar amount of the
              diminishment in wages sustained by an injured worker who
              has not returned to work because he or she has been unable to
              find suitable employment despite a good faith job search (as
              described in paragraph (E)(1)(c) of this rule). However, the
              extent of the diminishment must be the direct result of
              physical and/or psychiatric restrictions caused by the
              impairment that is causally related to an industrial injury or
              occupational disease in a claim allowed under Chapter 4123.
              of the Revised Code.

       {¶ 23} The Administrative Code further defines suitable employment as follows:
              "Non-working wage loss" means the dollar amount of the
              diminishment in wages sustained by an injured worker who
              has not returned to work because he or she has been unable to
              find suitable employment despite a good faith job search (as
              described in paragraph (E)(1)(c) of this rule). However, the
              extent of the diminishment must be the direct result of
              physical and/or psychiatric restrictions caused by the
              impairment that is causally related to an industrial injury or
              occupational disease in a claim allowed under Chapter 4123.
              of the Revised Code.
No. 20AP-338                                                                      9

      {¶ 24} Finally, the Administrative Code defines comparably paying work as
follows:
             "Comparably paying work" means suitable employment in
             which the injured worker’s weekly rate of pay is equal to or
             greater than the average weekly wage of the injured worker.

      {¶ 25} Current Ohio Adm.Code 4125-1-01(D), as amended effective June 26, 2017,
governs applications for WWLC and specifies the steps an applicant must take to
substantiate the applicant's attempts to mitigate the claimed wage loss:
             (D) Working wage loss compensation. —
             Except as otherwise provided in paragraphs (D)(4) and (D)(5)
             of this rule, an injured worker applying for or receiving
             working wage loss compensation shall supplement his or her
             wage loss application with a job search statement describing
             the injured worker’s search for comparably paying work
             unless excused by the bureau of workers’ compensation, the
             industrial commission, or the self-insuring employer in self-
             insured employer claims.

             (1) Unless a job search has been excused by the bureau of
             workers’ compensation, the industrial commission, or the
             self-insuring employer in self-insured employer claims, the
             job search statements shall comply with the following
             requirements:

             (a) Job search statements shall be submitted for every week
             where working wage loss compensation is sought;

             (b) The completed job search statements shall be submitted
             with any subsequent request for working wage loss
             compensation;

             (c) An injured worker who receives working wage loss
             compensation for periods after the filing of the application for
             wage loss compensation shall submit the job search
             statements completed pursuant to this rule, at a minimum,
             every four weeks to the bureau of workers’ compensation or
             the self-insuring employer in self-insured employer claims
             during the period when working wage loss compensation is
             requested;

             (d) Job search statements shall include the name and address
             of each employer contacted, the employer’s telephone
No. 20AP-338                                                                   10

           number, the position sought, a reasonable identification by
           name or position of the person contacted, the date and
           method of contact, for on-line job searches, a copy of the on-
           line posting and verification of the application submission,
           the result of the contact, and any other information required
           by the bureau of workers’ compensation job search statement;

           (2) Job search statements shall be submitted on forms
           provided by the bureau of workers’ compensation or
           equivalent forms.

           (3) Failure to perform a job search as required by
           paragraph (D) of this rule will be construed as a voluntary
           limitation of income in accordance with paragraph (G)(2) of
           this rule.
           Further requirements are specified at Ohio Adm.Code 4125-1-01(E):
           In considering an injured worker’s eligibility for wage loss
           compensation the adjudicator shall give consideration to, and
           base the determinations on, evidence in the file, or presented
           at hearing, relating to:

           (1) The injured worker’s search for suitable employment when
           required under the provisions of this rule.

           (a) As a prerequisite to receiving * * * working wage loss
           compensation * * * for any period during which such
           compensation is requested, the injured worker shall
           demonstrate that he or she has:

           (i) Complied with paragraph (B)(2) of this rule and, if
           applicable, with paragraph (B)(3) of this rule;

           (ii) Sought suitable employment with the employer of record at
           the onset of the first period for which wage loss compensation
           is requested unless the injured worker establishes that it would
           be futile to seek suitable employment with the employer of
           record. (e.g. The injured worker was discharged or the
           employer of record is out of business.); and

           (iii) In the case of non-working wage loss, the injured worker
           must register with the Ohio department of job and family
           services or, if the injured worker is an out-of-state resident,
           must register with the equivalent of the Ohio department of job
           and family services in the state of residence and begin or
           continue a job search if no suitable employment is available
No. 20AP-338                                                                          11

             with the employer of record. Proof of registration with the
             applicable agency is required for both in-state and out-of-state
             residents to demonstrate compliance with this rule.

             (b) An injured worker may first search for suitable employment
             which is within his or her skills, prior employment history, and
             educational background. If within sixty days from the
             commencement of the injured worker’s job search, he or she is
             unable to find such employment, the injured worker shall
             expand his or her job search to include entry level and/or
             unskilled employment opportunities.

             (c) A good faith effort to search for suitable employment that is
             comparably paying work is required of those seeking non-
             working wage loss compensation pursuant to paragraph (C) of
             this rule and of those seeking working-wage loss compensation
             pursuant to paragraph (D) of this rule, who have not returned
             to suitable employment that is comparably paying work, except
             for those injured workers who are receiving public relief and
             are defined as work relief employees in Chapter 4127. of the
             Revised Code. A good faith effort necessitates the injured
             worker’s consistent, sincere, and best attempts to obtain
             suitable employment that will eliminate the wage loss.

      {¶ 26} The general thrust of these provisions is to ensure that the claimant has
made a " 'good faith effort to search for suitable employment which is comparably paying
work.' " State ex rel. Roberts v. Indus. Comm., 10th Dist. No. 15AP-892, 2016-Ohio-7570,
¶ 6, quoting former Ohio Adm.Code 4125-1-01(D)(1)(c).
      {¶ 27} Relator first argues that the commission applied the wrong standard to his
application because his period of lost wages extends from November 1, 2016 through
December 18, 2017, and the latest amendments to Ohio Adm.Code 4125-1-01 intervened
in June 2017. Relator appears to argue that any regulatory changes would be prospective
only, and that the former version of Ohio Adm.Code 4125-1-01 should govern the first
months of his application period.      Without disagreeing with relator's view on the
presumptively prospective effect of such amendments, the magistrate must note that
relator does not point out any substantive changes to the pertinent WWLC sections that
would impact his application, nor does an independent review of the former and current
versions reveal any meaningful variation. The commission therefore did not err in its
application of the standard of review for relator's WWLC application.
No. 20AP-338                                                                              12

       {¶ 28} Moreover, in the present case, relator does not argue that he in fact fulfilled
the precise and extensive documentation requirements of Ohio Adm.Code 4125-1-01, but
rather that the unique factual circumstances of his position as an employee with dual
employment, and the Administrative Code's complete failure to address WWLC under
such circumstances, excuses him in some manner from the documentation and good faith
job search requirements. Factually, it is undisputed that relator worked for both his own
company, Deaf Choice, and Sorenson Communications.                Relator's affidavits, and
apparently his testimony before the DHO and SHO, which is not available in the record,
state that relator continued to work for Deaf Choice performing administrative functions
but not working as a sign-language interpreter, and worked not at all for Sorenson
Communications. What relator does not articulate is how continued work, in a lesser
capacity, for one of his dual employers would excuse a job search to replace the lost wages
from the second position (and to a lesser extent, a reduction in wages from the first). The
Ohio Administrative Code is explicit and detailed regarding the documentary
requirements needed to establish a qualifying job search. While relator has indisputably
suffered a reduction in wages, the fact that this reduction is spread across two former
employers does not excuse compliance with the documentation requirements to establish
his job search for replacement income.
       {¶ 29} The Ohio Administrative Code requires an applicant for WWLC to provide
specific documentation to prove the applicant's search for comparably paying work to
eliminate the loss of wages.      Relator does not dispute that he furnished no such
documentation, but asserts that as long as he remained working with Deaf Choice, he was
not required to demonstrate such entitlement to compensation for the loss of his
Sorenson Communications wages. The commission applied the proper legal standard
when it stated that relator had not undertaken the required search for replacement
comparable work. This court may not read an exception into the code that does not exist.
The commission in this case stated its rationale and explained the evidence ─ undisputed,
as relator admits in this action ─ upon which it relied when it correctly applied the wage
loss rules to relator's request. Relator did not fulfill his burden of proof to demonstrate
entitlement to WWLC, and the commission did not abuse its discretion in denying that
No. 20AP-338                                                                        13

application. For those reasons, it is the magistrate's decision and recommendation that
no writ shall issue in this case.
                                           /S/ MAGISTRATE
                                           MARTIN L. DAVIS