Fab Arc Steel Supply, Inc. appealed a Calhoun Circuit Court verdict favoring Timothy Michael Dodd, who was deemed permanently disabled from a 2010 workplace accident. Dodd claimed that while working as a structural-steel-fabricator fitter, a 1,500-pound steel beam with a "C-clamp" injured him, causing damage to various body parts, including his lower back and cervical spine, which the employer initially denied. Multiple medical examinations post-accident revealed Dodd's deteriorating health, especially concerning a herniated disk and spinal degeneration.
Expert testimonies linked these injuries to the accident, with Dr. White emphasizing that trauma from the accident likely triggered these ailments. The Court of Civil Appeals, examining the case's entirety, found substantial evidence supporting Dodd's claims, though it took issue with the trial court's determination of the Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI) date for Dodd. The appeals court corrected this error, affirmed parts of the initial judgment, reversed others, and remanded the case for additional proceedings.
Court Upholds Ruling: 2019 Injury an Aggravation, Not Recurrence, Making Employer Liable
Court Affirms Worker's Compensation Award for Injured Worker, Dismisses Employer's Last-Injurious-Exposure Rule Claim
Appellate Court Reverses Order Directing Employer to Provide Pain Management Treatment
Court Denies Worker's Compensation Claim, Ruling Work Did Not Cause Spinal Condition.
Lowe's Appeals Court Decision on Worker's Back Injury Claim
Sheriff Appeals Court's Expansion of Medical Expense Liability Beyond Initial Agreement
Opting Out of Coverage Remains in Effect Until Revocation
The Court of Civil Appeals rejected the defendant’s claim that the plaintiff’s back injury was not related to a previous work accident.
Court Affirms Permanent Total Disability for Back Injury Despite Pre-Existing Injuries
Foot Injury Exacerbates Back Injury and Leads to Permanent Total Disability
Work-Related Injuries Lead to Permanent-Total-Disability Benefits
Preexisting Condition Prevents Recovery of Permanent Total Disability Award
Permanent Partial Benefits Affirmed in Back Injury Case
Benefits for Back Injury Affirmed from Date of Notice and not Date of Injury
Plaintiff's Doctor Ordered as Authorized Treating Physician
Back Injury Leads to Permanent Total Disability for Nurse