Court Opinion

ID: 9788915
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-31 01:22:00.454406+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:37:17.449933
License: Public Domain

HILL, Justice, dissenting.
dissenting.
[¶28] I dissent because my close reading of the record on appeal establishes that the Medical Commission and the Division committed many of the same errors we have pointed out to them, in more than a dozen cases in the last several years. See Camilleri v. State ex rel. Wyo. Workers' Safety & Comp. Div., 2010 WY 156, ¶ 31, 244 P.3d 52, 62-63 (Wyo.2010) (citing Judd v. State ex rel. Wyo. Workers' Safety & Comp. Div. (Medical Commission), 2010 WY 85, ¶¶ 36-40, 233 P.3d 956, 970-71 (Wyo.2010); In re Worker's Comp. Claim of Glaze v. State ex rel. Wyo. Workers' Safety & Comp. Div., 2009 WY 102, ¶¶ 27-30, 214 P.3d 228, 235 (Wyo.2009); In re Worker's Comp. Claim v. State ex rel. Wyo. Workers' Safety & Comp. Div., 2009 WY 66, ¶¶ 16-18, 208 P.3d 41, 48 (Wyo.2009); Decker v. State ex rel. Wyo. Med. Comm'n, 2008 WY 100, ¶¶ 30-36, 191 P.3d 105, 121-22 (Wyo.2008); Nagle v. State ex rel. Wyo. Worker's Safety & Comp. Div. (In re Worker's Comp. Claim of Nagle), 2008 WY 99, ¶¶ 13-39, 190 P.3d 159, 166-74 (Wyo.2008); Walton v. State ex rel. Wyo. Workers' Safety & Comp. Div. (Medical Commission), 2007 WY 46, ¶ 39, 153 P.3d 932, 941 (Wyo.2007); Rodgers v. State ex rel. Wyo. Workers' Safety & Comp. Div. (Medical Commission), 2006 WY 65, ¶ 53, 135 P.3d 568, 585 (Wyo.2006); Decker v. State ex rel. Wyo. Med. Comm'n, 2005 WY 160, 124 P.3d 686, ¶¶ 38-42, 124 P.3d 686, 698-99 (Wyo.2005); Tarraferro v. State ex rel. Wyo. Med. Comm'n, 2005 WY 155, ¶¶ 18-21, 123 P.3d 912, 920 (Wyo.2005); Vaughan v. State ex rel. Wyo. Workers' Comp. Div. (Medical Commission), 2002 WY 131, ¶¶ 33-36, 53 P.3d 559, 567 (Wyo.2002); Keck v. State ex rel. Workers' Safety & Comp. Div., 985 P.2d 430, 433 (Wyo.1999)).
[¶29] The Division's video surveillance evidence in this case served to strengthen Watkins' case, and weaken that presented by *1092the Division. The only significant evidence that supported the Medical Commission's ultimate findings was an IME done by an expert witness imported from Oregon to Colorado (he was not licensed in Wyoming, so Watkins went to Denver for the IME). The record reflects that the Division appeared to know the outcome of the IME, even before it was done. An internal memorandum that was probably inadvertently left in the file that reached this Court revealed:
Above trans is a letter from his [Watking'] attorney. I did the redetermination and the resp date for the employer is not till 5/15. His appt with Dr. Williams in Denver is 5/21. The IME is very important as he has not yet had surgery. Can we pay him in advance for the travel so he [Watkins] pretty much has to go? The employer is trying to decide if he wants to object, so I really don't want to release any TTD before he has a chance to object. Any suggestions?
[¶30] The Medical Commission also found all of Watkins' physicians not to be credible on the basis that they had a financial interest in treating Watkins. My sense is just the opposite; the only physician (compensated expert witness only, no treatment goal) with what amounted to a financial stake in this case was the physician who produced an IME that was tailored to the Division's needs.
[¶31] I conclude that when this Court deletes from consideration what amounts to idle speculation on the part of the hearing panel, as well as inaccurate, incomplete and/or insubstantial findings, the denial of benefits in this case cannot stand. For these reasons I would reverse the order of the district court affirming the Medical Commission's order, and remand the case to the district court with further directions that it be remanded to the Medical Commission for the purpose of it directing the Division to award Watkins any and all medical benefits and disability awards that are due him for the work-related injury that occurred on January 2, 2007.