Background

• Rondie Loveless began experiencing right-foot pain around July 1, 2014, while working twelve-hour shifts at Cooper Tire; she did not report it immediately because the pain developed gradually and she could not identify a specific cause.
• Initial evaluation (July–Sept 2014) included x‑rays and MRI showing edema and a stress fracture of the fourth and fifth proximal metatarsals; conservative treatment and a series of interventions followed, culminating in surgery (April 25, 2015) by Dr. Thorderson and later a second surgery (Jan. 8, 2016) by Dr. Gallagher.
• Dr. Gallagher ultimately assigned permanent restrictions limiting standing/walking to four hours per day; Loveless was terminated from Cooper Tire on August 29, 2015.
• Loveless filed a petition to controvert on June 8, 2015; an Administrative Judge (AJ) found Loveless made a prima facie showing of a compensable, work‑related foot injury and reserved the issue of extent of permanent disability for further proceedings.
• The Workers’ Compensation Commission affirmed the AJ’s finding of compensability but remanded for further proceedings; Cooper Tire appealed the compensability finding.
• The Court of Appeals dismissed Cooper Tire’s appeal for lack of jurisdiction because the Commission’s order was not final (issues of extent of disability remained reserved).

Issues

Key Cases Cited

• Hamilton v. Southwire Co., 191 So. 3d 1275 (Miss. Ct. App. 2016) (appellate courts must address jurisdictional issues sua sponte)
• Superior Mfg. Grp., Inc. v. Crabtree, 62 So. 3d 992 (Miss. Ct. App. 2011) (Commission’s order must be final to permit appeal)
• G & S Auto Sales v. Walton, 180 So. 3d 778 (Miss. Ct. App. 2015) (final judgment defined as one disposing of all issues between parties)
• Mayfield v. Advanced Disposal Servs. Miss. LLC, 119 So. 3d 1125 (Miss. Ct. App. 2013) (interlocutory orders of Commission are not appealable)