CLYDE NOVAK, Claimant and Respondent, v. MONTGOMERY WARD & CO., INC., Employer, and MONTGOMERY WARD & CO., INC., Defendant and Appellant.
No. 81-02
Supreme Court of Montana
Submitted on Briefs July 2, 1981. Decided Nov. 6, 1981.
Rehearing Denied Jan. 14, 1982.
638 P.2d 390
D. Pаtrick McKittrick, Great Falls, for claimant and respondent.
MR. JUSTICE DALY delivered the opinion of the Court.
Claimant Clyde Novak filed a petition in the Workers’ Compensation Court, against defendant-appellant, Montgomery Ward & Compаny, Inc., for a determination that he was entitled to continued benefits for temporary total disability after such benefits had been terminated by such employer. The Workers’ Compensation Cоurt found in favor of claimant. A petition for rehearing was filed and summarily denied. This appeal follows:
Claimant, a 55-year-old transport driver was working for Montgomery Ward & Co., Inc., when he suffered injuriеs to his right thumb and wrist. The injury occurred on December 7, 1976, when a refrigerator that Novak was lifting fell and smashed his hand and wrist.
Shortly thereafter a claim was filed for workers’ compensation benefits. Claimant received temporary total benеfits from December 7, 1976, until termination on May 2, 1979.
In February 1977 claimant suffered a heart attack which required open heart surgery. In November 1977, claimant‘s doctor felt that he could return to work, but he was not to lift anything heavier than seventy pounds. When claimant reported for work, he was told by his supervisor that he was unacceptable because of the lifting restriction.
On April 17, 1979, a letter was sent to claimant by his employer informing him that his benefits would be terminated as of May 2, 1979. The letter stated that the benefits would be terminated because, “...you [claimant] have not sustained any pеrmanent disability related to the thumb injury, and that all other medical problems are non-industrial related.”
Claimant filed a petition in the Workers’ Compensation Court on September 4, 1979, for reinstatement of the benefits. Trial was held on July 9, 1980. The Workers’ Compensation Court found in favor of claimant, with the court ordering the following:
“2. Claimant is entitled to be paid temporary total disability benefits frоm December 7, 1976, to September 27, 1979.
“3. Claimant is entitled to an increase in his temporary disability benefits from December 7, 1976, to September 27, 1979, of 20 percent.
“4. That the temporary total disability рlus the 20 percent additional award shall be immediately paid to the claimant in a lump sum.
“5. That claimant is entitled to be paid 198 weeks of benefits at his permanent partial rate, and this аmount shall be paid to claimant in a lump sum.
“6. That claimant is entitled to be paid attorney fees and costs in accordance with 39-71-612, MCA.”
The issues presented by appellant can be summarized as follows: Whether the Workers’ Compensation Court exceeded its authority and jurisdiction by improperly awarding the benefits, penalties and attorney fees.
This Court has repeatedly held that
In Pinion this Court reiterated the scope of review of a decision of the Workers’ Compensation Court by stating:
“In Dumont v. Wickens Bros. Const. Co. (1979), Mont. , 598 P.2d 1099, 1106, 36 St. Rep. 1471, we held that the scope of rеview of a decision of the Workers’ Compensation Court upon appeal has been stated many times. The rule is well summarized in Jensen v. Zook Bros. Const. Co. (1978), 178 Mont. 59, 61, 62, 582 P.2d 1191, 1193, in the following language:
“‘Our function in reviewing a decision of the Workers’ Compensation Court is to determine whether there is substantial evidence to support the findings and conclusions of that court. We cannot substitute our judgment for that of the trial court as to the weight of evidence on questions of fact. Where there is substantial evidence to support the findings of the Workers’ Compensation Court, this Court cannot overturn the decisiоn.’ Steffes v. 93 Leasing Co., Inc. (U.S.F.& G.) (1978), 177 Mont. 83, 86, 87, 580 P. 2d 440, 452.” 619 P.2d at 168.
This Court went on to hold in Pinion:
“There also exists a presumption of correctness for findings of fact and conclusions of law of the Workers’ Compensation Division, if supported by credible evidence, and the burden of proof is upon the party attacking them to show that they were clearly erroneous. Erhart v. Great Western Sugar Co. (1976), 169 Mont. 375, 546 P.2d 1055; Paartoll v. Anaconda Copper Mining Co. (1949), 122 Mont. 305, 203 P.2d 974.” 619 P.2d at 169.
The penalty of 20 percent was properly awarded by the court pursuant to
“When payment of compensation has been unreasonably delayed or refused by an insurer, either prior or subsequent to the issuance of an order by the workers’ compensation judge granting a claimant compensation benefits, the full amount of thе compensation benefits due a claimant, between the time compensation benefits were delayed or refused and the date of the order granting a claimant compеnsation benefits, may be increased by the workers’ compensation judge by 20%. The question of unreasonable delay or refusal shall be determined by the workers’ compensation judge, and suсh a finding constitutes good cause to rescind, alter or amend any order, decision, or award previously made in the cause for the purpose of making the increase provided herein.”
Here, appellant was found to have improperly terminated benefits to the claimant. The letter sent to claimant notifying him of the time and reason for termination was not suрported by the medical evidence available. The letter failed to mention any wrist-related injuries, despite the fact the doctor‘s report indicated there was wrist pain and а limitation of use. The wrist pain and limitation of use was the result of the initial injury and that injury had persisted despite the various doctors’ attempts to correct the problem. Finally, claimant testified that he did not receive the payments on time and that sometimes there had been delays for up to six months.
“In the event an insurer denies liability for a claim for compensation or terminated compensation benefits and the claim is later adjudged compensable by the workers’ compensation judge or on appeal, the insurer shall pay reasonable costs and attorneys’ fees as established by the workers’ compensation judge.”
It was found that the termination of benefits was im-
Appellant next alleges that because claimant failed to specifically plead for reclassification, the court cannot reclassify claimant and award a lump sum payment. In circumstances such as these, when a сlaimant makes a general claim for review of his status, the Workers’ Compensation Court has the power to review a claimant‘s status and to determine a proper and fair solutiоn.
Finally, appellant contends that claimant should not havе been given a 90% disability rating and that claimant should not receive 198 weeks of benefits. Appellant bases its contention on an attending physician‘s medical impairment rating.
The rule in this state сoncerning impairment ratings has been set out in several recent decisions. In Ramsey v. Duncan & Baier (1977), 174 Mont. 438, 440-441, 571 P.2d 384, 385, this Court held:
“Many factors in addition to medical impairment ratings may be properly considered by the court in determining a claimant‘s disability. For this reason, impairment ratings do not conclusively establish limits on compensation awards in all cases; rather, such medical impairment ratings by physicians are simply exрert opinion evidence constituting but one item of evidence to be considered along with other evidence presented...”
Also in Jensen v. Zook Brothers Construction Co. (1978), 178 Mont. 59, 64, 582 P.2d 1191, 1194, this Court, in discussing what еffect should be given to medical impairment ratings stated:
“Here, the Workers’ Compensation Court considered the rating along with other medical evidence and claimant‘s
testimony abоut his pain and inability to do the same kind of work since the injury, and found claimant‘s testimony more weighty and credible than the impairment rating. The question of credibility of witnesses and the weight to be given their tеstimony is exclusively for the trier of fact, the Workers’ Compensation Court, and we will not reverse its finding based on substantial, though conflicting, evidence. Crittendon v. City of Butte (1977), 171 Mont. 470, 559 P.2d 816.”
In the instant case the Workers’ Compensation Court determined from the claimant‘s testimony and the medical reports that the claimant is permanently partially disabled as a result of his industrial accident. This Court, in line with the above authority, will not second-guess the Workers’ Compensation Court ruling.
Affirmed.
MR. JUSTICES HARRISON, WEBER, MORRISON and SHEEHY concur.