AP-00-0484-057 |
CS-00-0470-162 |
AP-00-0484-057 Nelson v. Nano LLC.pdf |
08/30/2024 |
1. Was dismissal of this claim pursuant to K.S.A. 44-523(f)(2) appropriate? 2. Did the claimant prove he contracted work-related COVID? |
The ALJ found the claimant did not offer a good faith reason for delay and delaying the claim would only serve to permit more preliminary hearings with the same lacking evidence. The ALJ dismissed the claim with prejudice pursuant to K.S.A. 44-523(f)(2). The Board affirmed. |
AP-00-0482-451 |
CS-00-0475-001 |
AP-00-0482-451 Shaffer v. The Unified School District 368.pdf |
08/30/2024 |
Nature and extent of disability; future medical. |
Claimant suffered a compensable injury by accident on January 12, 2023. An MRI performed by respondent's authorized physician showed a disc herniation at L5-S1 with some nerve compression on the right at S1. Claimant underwent a single-level discectomy. The ALJ found the opinions of Drs. Ciccarelli and Pohl equally credible and awarded Claimant 19 percent whole person permanent partial impairment. The ALJ also awarded future medical treatment. The Board found Dr. Pohl's rating excessive and lowered the ALJ's award to 14 percent, and affirmed the ALJ on all other issues. |
AP-00-0483-224 |
CS-00-0473-111 |
AP-00-0483-224 Stotts v. Kansas Star Casino LLC.pdf |
08/29/2024 |
Dos the Board have jurisdiction to hear an appeal from an order authorizing medical treatment? |
The Board does not have jurisdiction to consider an appeal from an order authorizing medical treatment. Respondent argued the authorized surgery was for a condition where the work accident was not prevailing factor causing the condition. Prevailing factor does not apply to authorizing medical treatment. |
AP-00-0482-495 |
CS-00-0470-558 |
AP-00-0482-495 Funk V. Masonite Corp..pdf |
08/27/2024 |
Nature & Extent and Future Medical Benefits. |
The Board modified Claimant’s functional impairment to 5.5% to the hand based on a split of the two ratings. The Board reversed the ALJ’s denial of future medical benefits finding the opinions of Dr. Murati to be more credible and noting Dr. Walker noted Claimant may need future medical treatment. |
AP-00-0481-526 |
CS-00-0469-628 |
AP-00-0481-526 Cummings-Lewis v. USD 500.pdf |
08/27/2024 |
Prevailing factor; nature and extent of disability; future medical. |
The ALJ found Claimant sustained a back strain as a result of the May 19, 2022, work accident, noting the structural changes shown on MRI were the result of natural aging. The ALJ found 0 percent impairment related to the work-related injury. The ALJ found Claimant not entitled to future medical treatment. The Board agreed Claimant suffered an aggravation of a preexisting condition and affirmed the ALJ on all issues. |
AP-00-0483-877 |
CS-00-0471-271 |
AP-00-0483-877 Tobin v. L and W Repair LLC.pdf |
08/21/2024 |
Timely Application for Benefits (E1); Jurisdiction |
A single Board Member denied the request for benefits after concluding the record did not establish a timely E1 was filed. Under the plain language of K.S.A. 44-534, the employee must prove the E1 was filed within three years of the date of accident or within two years from the date compensation was last paid. The date of the appointment is not the date compensation was paid, and the record did not establish when the appointment constituting compensation was paid. |
AP-00-0483-763 |
CS-00-0480-241 |
AP-00-0483-763 Pruitt v. Hurricane Services.pdf |
08/20/2024 |
Did the claimant recklessly violate the respondent's workplace safety rules and regulations? |
The ALJ found the respondent failed to prove by a preponderance of the evidence the claimant recklessly violated the respondent's workplace safety rules or regulations. The ALJ further concluded even if the respondent's workplace safety rules or regulations were violated, such violations have not been shown to be reckless and such rules have not been shown to be rigidly enforced by the respondent. A single Board Member affirmed. |
AP-00-0483-323 |
CS-00-0477-526 |
AP-00-0483-323 Dewick v. H F Rubber Machinery Inc..pdf |
08/19/2024 |
Compensability, TTD |
A single Board Member reversed the ALJ’s determination of noncompensability, and concluded Claimant proved he sustained an injury by accident arising out of and in the course of employment with Respondent. The matter was remanded for proceedings on Claimant’s request for TTD. |
AP-00-0483-645 |
CS-00-0470-315 |
AP-00-0483-645 Guzman v. Potter's Plumbing Inc.pdf |
08/16/2024 |
Did the Board have jurisdiction to review Claimant’s Appeal and did the ALJ err by issuing an order for an IME with Dr. David Hufford. |
Claimant appealed arguing the ALJ’s order for an IME ignored the Board’s previous order finding Claimant entitled to medical treatment for psychological symptoms. The Board dismissed Claimant’s appeal noting an order for an IME is an interlocutory order within the authority of the ALJ and not subject to Board review. |
AP-00-0481-781 |
CS-00-0460-886 |
AP-00-0481-781 Zelaya v. Summit Roofing and Remodeling LLC Luis Soria and Jesus Garcia.pdf |
08/13/2024 |
1. Did Claimant’s injuries arise out of and in the course of his employment with Respondent? 2. Did the relationship of employer/employee exist on the date of injury? 3. Claimant’s average weekly wage. 4. TTD. 5. Nature and extent. 6. Future medical benefits. 7. Payment of outstanding medical bills. 8. Is the Fund responsible for payment of claimant’s benefits? |
The ALJ found the claim compensable and awarded Claimant 26% functional impairment to the right arm, future medical benefits, TTD for 9.86 weeks, 5.5% to the right leg and ordered the Fund to pay all benefits. The Board rejected Respondent’s argument Claimant failed to prove his identity and found he was an employee of Soria, who was uninsured. The Board modified Claimant’s average weekly wage to $600 and awarded Claimant TTD from the date of accident for 9.86 weeks, The Board affirmed the ALJ’s split of the physician’s ratings and award of future medical benefits, due primarily to the possibility of hardware removal. |
AP-00-0481-271 |
CS-00-0458-752 |
AP-00-0458-752 Coberley v. Southern Winds Equine Rescue and Recovery Center.pdf |
08/13/2024 |
Was Claimant an independent contractor or employee; was Respondent engaged in an agricultural pursuit; did Respondent have sufficient payroll to be covered by the Act; did Claimant's injury arise out and in the course of Claimant's employment; did Claimant provide timely/proper notice; what is the nature and extent of Claimant's impairment; is Claimant entitled to future medical benefits; should the Board take judicial notice of a default judgment that was not part of the record before the ALJ; and did the ALJ have jurisdiction to order the Fund to pay benefits. |
The Board found Claimant’s accidental injury was covered by the Act because Claimant was an employee, Respondent had a payroll of over $20,000 and Respondent was not engaged in an agricultural pursuit. The Board further found Claimant’s accidental injury arose out of and in the course of employment. Claimant provided timely/proper notice. Claimant’s impairment is 35 percent to the right hand. Claimant is not entitled to future medical benefits. The Board does not have authority to take judicial notice of default judgment that was not part of the record before the ALJ because the Board is bound by the record made before the ALJ. The ALJ has jurisdiction to order the Fund to pay benefits because Respondent is uninsured and no ability to pay has been proven. |
AP-00-0482-499 |
CS-00-0476-054 |
AP-00-0482-499 Adden v. TMT KC LLC.pdf |
08/01/2024 |
Kansas jurisdiction; Arising out of and the course of employment; Notice; Appeals Board jurisdiction |
A single Board Member concluded the Act applied because the state of hire and principal place of employment were Kansas. The ALJ’s conclusion Claimant sustained an injury arising out of and in the course of employment was affirmed. The ALJ’s conclusion the employee was excused from providing notice because the employer had actual knowledge was reversed. The record did not establish the employer was given sufficient information about a possible work-related injury to create a duty to investigate. The request to review the issue of TTD separately was dismissed for lack of jurisdiction under K.S.A. 44-534a. |