Ark. Methodist Med. Ctr. v. Blansett

2013 Ark. App. 480

Opinion

Cite as 2013 Ark. App. 480

ARKANSAS COURT OF APPEALS DIVISION I

No. CV-13-59

ARKANSAS METHODIST MEDICAL Opinion Delivered September 11, 2013 CENTER and RISK MANAGEMENT RESOURCES APPEAL FROM THE ARKANSAS APPELLANTS WORKERS’ COMPENSATION COMMISSION

V. [NO. G108093]

AFFIRMED

DON-ANDRE BLANSETT APPELLEE

RITA W. GRUBER, Judge

Arkansas Methodist Medical Center Memorial Hospital and its insurer, Risk Management Resources, appeal the November 30, 2012 decision of the Arkansas Workers’ Compensation Commission awarding appellee Don-Andre Blansett additional medical treatment and temporary total-disability benefits for a compensable injury to his neck. Mr. Blansett, who had previously undergone neck surgery and lower-back surgery, sustained the injury on June 7, 2011, while working for the hospital as an EMT and loading an obese woman onto a stretcher. In rendering its decision, the Commission specifically found that the medical treatment controverted by appellants was causally related to Mr. Blansett’s compensable injury rather than a preexisting condition in his neck or cervical spine. Appellants contend on appeal that the Commission’s determination is not supported by substantial evidence because Mr. Blansett’s latest neck problems were related to preexisting problems rather than his compensable work injury.

Cite as 2013 Ark. App. 480 Here, the Commission exercised its duty to make determinations of credibility, to weigh the evidence, and to resolve conflicts in medical testimony and evidence. Martin Charcoal, Inc. v. Britt, 102 Ark. App. 252, 284 S.W.3d 91 (2008). Because the sole issue before us concerns the sufficiency of the evidence to support the Commission’s findings, and because the Commission’s opinion adequately explains the decision, we affirm by memorandum opinion. In re Memorandum Opinions, 16 Ark. App. 301, 700 S.W.2d 63 (1985).

Affirmed.

PITTMAN and WYNNE, JJ., agree.

Friday, Eldredge & Clark, LLP, by: Guy Alton Wade and Travis J. Fowler, for appellants.

Brazil, Adlong & Mickel, PLC, by: Thomas W. Mickel, for appellee.