Court Opinion

ID: 9793878
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-31 02:54:41.212813+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:06:16.320347
License: Public Domain

ADAMS, Judge,
specially concurring:
Although I concur in the majority opinion, I write separately to make it clear that, at least in this writer’s opinion, Lummus Construction v. Vancourt, 838 P.2d 43 (Okla.App.1992) does not prohibit an apportionment of liability which coincides with the length of service for each employer, if there is proper medical evidence to support such an apportionment. In that connection, Lummus noted that the trial court did not err in refusing to so apportion when the medical evidence was admittedly based on the expert’s concept of fairness and not any applicable scientific or medical principles.
In this case, it appears the expert attempted to base apportionment on the amount of trouble with these injuries which Claimant experienced while working for each employer. Even if that evidence was sufficient, the trial court did not follow it. The trial court’s method of apportionment is not based on any medical evidence, and therefore that portion of the order must be vacated.