Once Respondents admit to an open period of temporary total disability (“TTD”) benefits, Respondents must ensure such benefits are properly terminated upon a statutory triggering event, such as return to modified or regular employment, physician release to return to modified or regular employment, or placement at maximum medical improvement. See C.R.S. § 8-42-105(3). In Aguilera, [...]
In a claim successfully defended by this firm, the claimant appealed a denial of temporary total disability benefits (“TTD”) and penalties for failure to pay said payments. The Industrial Claim Appeals Office (the “Panel”) affirmed the ALJ’s decision. In Sullivan, the claimant was a delivery driver who had a long history of symptomatic pre-existing cervical [...]
In Corley, the claimant sustained an admitted injury to his lower back in 2015. The claimant’s authorized treating provider (“ATP”) placed him at maximum medical improvement (“MMI”) in January, 2016 and assigned a 7% whole person rating. Respondent employer filed a Final Admission of Liability based on the report. Claimant timely objected to the admission [...]
In Mest, the applicant injured his low back in 1982. The claim was closed in 1984 with admitted ongoing supportive medical care of leg braces, custom shoes, and four annual examinations per year. In February 2018, an amended notice of supportive care was filed changing the maintenance treatment to three office visits per year to [...]
In Phoenix Union, the applicant sustained an admitted shoulder injury in 2012 when she fell while working as a custodian. In February 2013, the attending orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Lederman, opined the applicant was incapable of returning to her previous job. A loss of earning capacity recommendation in April 2013 opined the applicant was capable of [...]
In Foust, a hearing was held to determine whether Claimant had demonstrated that a left total shoulder replacement, as recommended by his surgeon, was reasonably medically necessary to cure and relieve his work injury. Following hearing, the administrative law judge (“ALJ”) found the surgery necessary and ordered respondent pay for the replacement. Respondent sought a [...]
In Stanfield, the administrative law judge (“ALJ”) issued an order that assessed penalties against Respondent for failure to deposit money with the Trustee of Colorado Division of Workers’ Compensation or post a bond in the same amount. In this case, Claimant’s injury was found compensable and Respondent was required to pay Claimant benefits and pay [...]
In Muramatsu, an administrative law judge (“ALJ”) ordered that Claimant be able to change his authorized treating physician (“ATP”) after he had already been treating elsewhere. Respondents sought review of this order with the Industrial Claim Appeals Office (“Panel”). Respondents argued that Claimant should not be able to change his ATP, because Claimant had been [...]
In Fremont, Claimant worked as a patrol sergeant, and was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (“PTSD”) following exposure to several disturbing and traumatic events in the course and scope of his work between 2008 and 2018. Claimant went to hearing seeking benefits for this PTSD. Following hearing, the administrative law judge (“ALJ”) found that the [...]
In Hothan, Applicant worked as a guard at the Mohave County Jail. In 2009, Applicant was injured when an inmate slipped out of his shacks and used the shackles to beat applicant in the face and neck. Applicant sustained a mild head injury, broken noise, and contusions. Applicant did not miss any time for work [...]
