The case Dollar Tree Stores, Inc. v. Cindy Ates was an appeal by Dollar Tree Stores against a judgment from the Mobile Circuit Court awarding Cindy Ates, the employee, permanent total disability benefits pursuant to the Alabama Workers' Compensation Act. The trial court found that the employee had sustained a work-related left-knee injury leading to multiple surgeries, including a total knee replacement, hip pain, and back pain, causing permanent total disability.
The employer argued in their appeal that the trial court had wrongfully awarded the disability benefits partly based on its finding that the employer had violated the trial court’s mediation order. The court of appeals agreed with the employer, stating that the contempt findings should not influence the determination of liability and benefits due to the employee. The judgment of the trial court was reversed and remanded for a new judgment that separately addresses the workers’ compensation claim and any sanction imposed for the violation of the mediation order.
Injured Worker Wins Workers' Compensation for Chemical Exposure Exacerbating Preexisting Condition
Court Challenges Evidence Linking Knee Injury to Worsening of Pre-existing Back Condition
Employee Awarded Permanent Total Disability Benefits
Court Affirms Permanent Total Disability for Back Injury Despite Pre-Existing Injuries
Foot Injury Exacerbates Back Injury and Leads to Permanent Total Disability
Court Reverses Permanent Total Disability Award Resulting from Hand Injury
Foot injury's effects extended beyond the foot and interfered with the effective functioning of Plaintiff's body as a whole
Work-Related Injuries Lead to Permanent-Total-Disability Benefits
Permanent Total Disability Claim not Barred by Unemployment Benefits
Foot Injury Leads to Permanent Total Disability Award
Permanent Total Disability Reversed and Remanded for Further Review
Unintentional Violation of Safety Rules Wasn't Misconduct, but Negligence - Permanent Total Disability Affirmed
Ankle Injury Leads to Depression: Permanent Total Disability
Permanent Total Disability Reversed: Trial Court Erred by Considering Unrelated Injuries
Post-Judgment Discovery Allowed to Calculate Average Weekly Wage