STATE OF LOUISIANA COURT OF APPEAL, THIRD CIRCUIT
23-48
BRANDON BROUSSARD
VERSUS
STRUCTURAL PRESERVATION SYSTEMS, LLC NEW HAMPSHIRE INSURANCE COMPANY
**********
APPEAL FROM THE OFFICE OF WORKERS’ COMPENSATION - # 3 PARISH OF CALCASIEU, NO. 19-02126 MELISSA A. ST. MARY, WORKERS’ COMPENSATION JUDGE
WILBUR L. STILES JUDGE
Court composed of Elizabeth A. Pickett, Ledricka J. Thierry, and Wilbur L. Stiles, Judges.
AFFIRMED IN PART; REVERSED IN PART. Marcus M. Zimmerman Attorney at Law 949 Ryan St., Suite 110 Lake Charles, LA 70601 (337) 474-1644 COUNSEL FOR CLAIMANT/APPELLEE: Brandon Broussard
Jeffrey C. Napolitano Juge, Napolitano, Guilbeau, Ruli & Frieman 3320 West Esplanade Avenue North Metairie, LA 70002 (504) 831-7270 COUNSEL FOR DEFENDANTS/APPELLANTS: Structural Preservation Systems, LLC New Hampshire Insurance Company STILES, Judge.
Structural Preservation Systems, LLC appeals the workers’ compensation
judge’s reinstatement of indemnity benefits to its employee, Claimant Brandon
Broussard, as it maintains that it terminated Mr. Broussard’s employment for cause.
Structural further questions the workers’ compensation judge’s award of an
arthroscopic debridement of the right knee as recommended by Mr. Broussard’s
purported choice orthopedic surgeon. Structural finally challenges the workers’
compensation judge’s award of penalties and attorney fees due to a finding that it failed
to reasonably controvert the claim for indemnity benefits and for the recommended
surgery. For the following reasons, we affirm the award of indemnity benefits and the
award of medical treatment but reverse the award of penalties and attorney fees.
FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY
The underlying work-related accident occurred when Mr. Broussard injured his
right knee while stepping down from scaffolding on Structural’s construction site on
September 26, 2018. Initially diagnosed with a possible right knee strain, Mr. Broussard
was returned to his regular duties but was later placed on light duty by a family
practitioner.
Structural accommodated Mr. Broussard’s return to work, providing him with
modified work in the office. Henry Leger, Structural’s equipment manager, was
assigned to “look out” for Mr. Broussard and “keep him busy” in the office. Assigned
tasks initially included sweeping and “straightening” in the company’s “shop.” Mr.
Broussard, however, complained that the work exacerbated his pain. Structural
accordingly assigned Mr. Broussard to a seated position, counting inventory, such as
nuts and bolts. The position allowed Mr. Broussard to elevate his leg as required. Given Mr. Broussard’s continued complaints of pain, an MRI was performed in
October 2018, revealing characteristics of bone bruising. 1 Dr. Jonathan Foret, an
orthopedic surgeon with whom Claimant began treating, determined that the bone
bruising demonstrated on the MRI was consistent with a lateral patellar dislocation.2
Dr. Foret explained that the MRI revealed no meniscal tear or intra articular loose body.
Dr. Foret limited Mr. Broussard to sedentary work and treated Mr. Broussard’s
condition with conservative measures, including physical therapy, anti-inflammatory
medication, and an intra-articular steroid injection.
Mr. Broussard continued to report persistent pain in his knee over the next several
months. He further complained regarding his job assignments at Structural, maintaining
that he was confined to token office work that left him idle and with no distraction.
Structural asserted that Mr. Broussard’s behavior became a disruptive element as he
boasted to other employees that he was allowed to work in the office while they were
not. Structural also cited Mr. Broussard’s tardiness and absenteeism.
Friction ultimately arose between Mr. Broussard and his supervisors due to Mr.
Broussard’s continued use of his personal telephone during office hours. Mr. Leger
explained that although he was initially lenient in Mr. Broussard’s phone use in the
office, he and Mr. Broussard’s supervisors began to more strongly advise that Mr.
Broussard leave his phone in his vehicle. Conversely, Mr. Broussard explained that he
had been permitted to use his phone, but only with headphones.
In any event, the parties’ conflict over phone use culminated in a verbal
confrontation between Mr. Broussard and Structural’s Project Manager, Phillip Burley.
When Mr. Burley advised Mr. Broussard to leave his phone in the vehicle, Mr.
1 The October 22, 2018 radiology report lists an impression of: “Bone marrow edema is present in the lateral femoral condyle consistent with bone bruising in this region.” 2 Dr. Foret explained in his deposition that a “pattern of bone bruising is typical and representative of a dislocation, meaning that the kneecap went out of place to the outside. The medial or inside part of the kneecap bangs into the outside part of the thigh bone and leaves sort of these kissing contusions in those parts. The kneecap comes back in place.” 2 Broussard retorted that he would be left with nothing to do. After Mr. Burley advised
Mr. Broussard to “watch his tone,” Mr. Broussard responded that he would “have to get
a lawyer for you not treating me right[.]” Mr. Broussard was sent home following the
disruption.
Structural terminated Mr. Broussard’s employment later that day, informing him
by letter that: “This letter is to confirm that your employment with Structural Group has
been terminated for cause due to insubordination and threatening behavior. Your last
day of work will be today, January 17, 2019.”
Mr. Broussard instituted this disputed claim against Structural and its insurer,
New Hampshire Insurance Company (referred to collectively as “Structural”), in March
2019, asserting that he was “no longer accommodated” and that Structural had paid no
wage benefits. Mr. Broussard sought wage benefits3 as well as penalties, attorney fees,
interest, and costs.
With litigation ongoing, Structural continued to provide for Mr. Broussard’s
medical care, including a second MRI in March 2019. Dr. Foret again found no
evidence of a meniscal tear. He instead determined that the bone bruise had resolved
and that Mr. Broussard’s continued symptoms could be due to softening or irritation of
the cartilage under the kneecap. Dr. Foret provided an intra-articular steroid injection
at that time.
Dr. Foret explained in his deposition that when he last saw Mr. Broussard in April
2019, only Mr. Broussard’s subjective complaints remained. Dr. Foret further stated
that he was unclear why Mr. Broussard continued to have pain and that he found no
basis for restrictions on Mr. Broussard’s work. At the time of the last visit, Dr. Foret
advised that a second opinion would be reasonable.
3 Although Mr. Broussard initially sought indemnity benefits from the date of accident, the parties later stipulated that Mr. Broussard had no claim for benefits in the period before the termination of employment. 3 Structural approved the referral to Dr. Brett Cascio for “evaluation” alone. Dr.
Cascio performed the exam in June 2019, noting a small effusion on exam4 as well as
tenderness to palpation over the medial and lateral joint line. Dr. Cascio reported Mr.
Broussard to be “neurovascularly intact in the right lower extremity, all dermatomes
and myotomes.” Dr. Cascio discussed both operative and non-operative options, noting
that he had discussed the possibility of an arthroscopic procedure with Mr. Broussard.
Although Structural earlier approved the referral for evaluation to Dr. Cascio, it
denied Dr. Cascio’s recommendation of arthroscopy. Following Dr. Cascio’s evaluation,
Dr. Foret did not further treat Mr. Broussard, with an inscription on records from his
practice citing the referral to Dr. Cascio. Dr. Foret opined in his February 2020
deposition that arthroscopy was not indicated.5
Over a year later, in July 2020, Mr. Broussard sought treatment with Dr. Paul
Fenn, an orthopedic surgeon and amended his disputed claim form at that time seeking
designation of Dr. Fenn as his “choice of physician.” Mr. Broussard sought associated
penalties and attorney fees associated with the denial of his choice of physician.
Despite the denial, Mr. Broussard began treatment with Dr. Fenn that same
month. Like Dr. Foret, Dr. Fenn concluded that Mr. Broussard’s bone bruise had
resolved. Dr. Fenn similarly found no evidence on the MRI of a meniscus tear. Given
the failure of the conservative treatment, however, Dr. Fenn offered arthroscopic
debridement of the right knee to address what he suspected was chondromalacia and
potentially a meniscus tear. He explained that the surgery was, at least in part, diagnostic
in nature.
4 Dr. Cascio’s medical file is included in the record but is slender, offering little insight due to Dr. Cascio’s limited second opinion evaluation. While Dr. Cascio reported that Mr. Broussard had an “MRI done at Southwest Imaging,” the medical file includes only the report from Mr. Broussard’s initial, October 2018 MRI and does not indicate that Dr. Cascio reviewed Mr. Broussard’s second, March 2019 MRI. 5 Dr. Foret recognized that he indicated in a September 13, 2019 narrative report that he suggested to Mr. Broussard that diagnostic arthroscopy was a consideration. Dr. Foret stated in his deposition, however, that Mr. Broussard’s “level and type of symptoms” kept him from ultimately offering the surgery to Mr. Broussard. 4 Structural denied the request for surgery, claiming that such arthroscopic
debridement was not recommended under the Louisiana Medical Treatment Guidelines
absent an earlier identified meniscal or cruciate pathology. The Office of Workers’
Compensation twice denied appeals from Structural’s refusal to approve the surgery. In
February 2021, Mr. Broussard again amended his claim, seeking a reversal of the Office
of Workers’ Compensation’s denial of the arthroscopic debridement as recommended
by Dr. Fenn as well as associated penalties and attorney fees.
When the matter proceeded to an August 2022 hearing, the parties stipulated to
Mr. Broussard’s employment, his wages, and the occurrence of the work-related
accident. The parties further stipulated that Structural had not paid indemnity benefits
since the termination of employment but that it had paid medical expenses other than
those arising from Dr. Fenn’s treatment.
Structural maintained that its refusal to provide indemnity benefits was justified
as it offered a suitable modified position paying at least ninety percent of Mr.
Broussard’s pre-accident wages and that it thereafter terminated his employment for
cause. Structural continued to contend that it reasonably refused to provide for Dr.
Fenn’s treatment as it constituted Mr. Broussard’s “third choice of orthopedic surgeon.”
Structural further cited its reliance on Dr. Foret’s opinion for its refusal to provide the
surgery offered by Dr. Fenn.
Although she did not offer reasons for ruling, the workers’ compensation judge
entered judgment in favor of Mr. Broussard, finding that Structural’s termination of
employment was not for cause and that Structural failed to rebut Mr. Broussard’s
evidence that he was unable to earn at least ninety percent of his pre-accident wages
due to his work injury. The workers’ compensation judge therefore awarded
Supplemental Earnings Benefits (SEB) from the date of termination until Mr. Broussard
is able to earn the requisite wages. The workers’ compensation judge further granted
Mr. Broussard’s request that Dr. Fenn be considered his choice of physician in the field
5 of orthopedics. The workers’ compensation judge found Mr. Broussard “entitled to
receive the treatment recommended by Dr. Fenn, particularly the Right Knee
Arthroscopy/Debridement/Synovectomy/Chondroplasty of the PFJ and Possible
Lateral Retinacular Release, as well as any other treatment reasonable and necessary
with regard to Claimant’s work-related injuries.”
Finally, the workers’ compensation judge found Structural failed to reasonably
controvert Claimant’s claim for SEB and surgery, awarding $4,000 in penalties as well
as attorney fees in the amount of $24,000.
Defendants appeal, assigning the following as error:
1) The trial court erred in overturning the decision of the OWC Medical Director and finding that the exploratory surgery suggested by Dr. Fenn met the criteria of the LA Medical Treatment Guidelines.
2) The trial court erred in allowing claimant a third choice of orthopedic surgeon without the consent of the employer, and without any testimony or evidence to support a change in treating physician.
3) The trial court erred in finding that appellant did not have good cause in terminating the employment of claimant.
4) The trial court erred in finding that claimant met his burden of proof that he had a disability resulting in a wage loss justifying an award of SEB.
5) The trial court erred in finding that appellant failed to reasonably controvert claimant’s claim for SEB and surgery and awarding penalties and attorney fees.
Mr. Broussard answered the appeal, seeking additional attorney fees for work
performed on appeal.
DISCUSSION
Louisiana Medical Treatment Guidelines
Structural first questions the workers’ compensation judge’s award of the
requested arthroscopic procedure and asserts that the decision was contrary to the
Medical Treatment Guidelines as reflected by the Medical Director’s denial of Mr.
6 Broussard’s request for approval. Structural primarily maintains that the surgery as
recommended is exploratory in nature and, therefore, unavailable under the Medical
Treatment Guidelines absent certain conditions.
Louisiana Revised Statutes 23:1203 and 23:1203.1 provide the framework for
the workers’ compensation judge’s consideration of the surgery request. The former
section requires an employer to provide necessary medical care, services, and treatment
to employees injured in a work-related accident whereas the latter section states
“medical care, services, and treatment due, pursuant to R.S. 23:1203 et seq., by the
employer to the employee shall mean care, service, and treatment in accordance with
the medical treatment schedule.” La.R.S. 23:1203.1(I).
After an injured employee’s medical provider requests authorization for medical
services, as did Dr. Fenn in this case, the payor must act on the request within five days.
See La.R.S. 23:1203.1(J)(1). A party aggrieved by that action may then file an appeal
with the Medical Director assigned by the Office of Workers’ Compensation. Id. After
the Medical Director issues a decision, a party disagreeing with that decision may bring
the matter before a workers’ compensation judge by filing a disputed claim for
compensation. See La.R.S. 23:1203.1(K). The workers’ compensation judge is
authorized to overturn the Medical Director’s decision “when it is shown, by clear and
convincing evidence, the decision … was not in accordance with the provisions of
[La.R.S. 23:1203.1].” La.R.S. 23:1203.1(K).
On review, an appellate court considers the workers’ compensation judge’s
determination under the manifest error standard of review as the workers’ compensation
judge’s inquiry is necessarily fact intensive. Guidry v. Am. Legion Hosp., 14-1285
(La.App. 3 Cir. 4/1/15), 162 So.3d 728. An appellate court will therefore not overturn
the finding of the workers’ compensation judge unless there is no reasonable basis to
support the decision. Id.
7 The Medical Director assigned to this matter twice denied the appeal of
Structural’s refusal to provide the arthroscopic debridement, first on February 8, 2021
and by a second decision of April 8, 2021. The decisions were largely similar with the
latter report listing a decision that: “All records submitted were reviewed. The
documentation submitted does not support the approval of the requested services in
review for compliance with the Medical Treatment Guidelines.” (Emphasis original).
The Medical Director pointed out that “[T]here is no discussion of the amount of
therapy attempted prior to the procedure as per the guidelines. There is no MRI included
as per the guidelines.”
Structural suggests that the Medical Director’s decision “was the correct decision
based upon what was (and was not) submitted to him” and cites Matthews v. La. Home
Builder’s Ass’n Self Insurers Fund, 13-1260 (La.App. 3 Cir. 3/12/14), 133 So.3d 1280
for the proposition that a claimant’s failure to submit proper documentation to the
Medical Director is proper grounds to deny the request. The workers’ compensation
judge in Matthews, however, denied the request to overturn the Medical Director’s
ruling. Id. In contrast, the workers’ compensation judge in this case overturned the
Medical Director’s ruling upon consideration of the totality of the medical evidence
presented at the workers’ compensation hearing. Like the Matthews panel, we undertake
a discretionary review of the workers’ compensation judge’s determination.6
Moreover, Structural points to neither positive nor jurisprudential law supporting
its suggestion that a claimant is unable to present medical evidence beyond what a
health care provider submitted to the Medical Director. We point out that La.R.S.
23:1203.1(K) informs a claimant that he or she may have a decision overturned upon
6 Reference to Matthews further indicates that the parties, the Medical Director, and the workers’ compensation judge were focused on the health care provider’s repeated failure to supplement the request for diagnostic testing with appropriate documentation. In this case, neither party was focused on Dr. Fenn’s submission to the Medical Director. Both Mr. Broussard and Structural were instead focused on their respective evidentiary offerings including Dr. Fenn’s and Dr. Foret’s depositions and treatment files. 8 showing “by clear and convincing evidence” that the Medical Director’s decision “was
not in accordance with the provisions of this Section.” The statute does not limit either
a claimant or a workers’ compensation judge to the health care provider’s submission
to the Medical Director.
Reviewing the totality of the evidence, the workers’ compensation judge in this
case found error in the Medical Director’s denial of the arthroscopic procedure. The
workers’ compensation judge instead found clear and convincing evidence in the
medical documentation introduced at the hearing that Mr. Broussard “attempted therapy,
which failed, and had two (2) MRIs performed, all of the which occurred prior to the
first request for the Knee Surgery, and all of which the Defendants were well aware.”
(Emphasis added.) The workers’ compensation judge thus found that Mr. Broussard
“satisfied the requisites as required under the MTG for the requested Knee Surgery.”
Such reasoning, which recognizes the reality of Mr. Broussard’s history and condition,
prevents Structural from opportunistically relying on Dr. Fenn’s inadequate submission
to the Medical Director to the detriment of the claimant. Allowing it to rely on the
artifice of the medical provider’s submission, or lack thereof, would deprive Mr.
Broussard of the ability to rebut the Medical Director’s decision by the introduction of
clear and convincing evidence. Structural’s argument is thus at odds to the intent of
both La.R.S. 23:1203 and the procedural review process of La.R.S. 23:1203.1.
In fact, Structural does not question that Mr. Broussard underwent multiple
weeks of therapy or that MRIs were performed. Structural instead suggests that the
Medical Treatment Guidelines requires that a “lesion” be identified prior to proceeding
9 with surgery. Titled “Chondral and Osteochondral Defects,” La.Admin.Code tit. 40,
§2309(A)(2)(d), provides for surgical intervention as follows:
vi. Surgical Indications/Considerations: Surgery for isolated chondral defects may be indicated when functional deficits interfere with activities of daily living and/or job duties after 6 to 12 weeks of active patient participation in non-operative therapy. Identification of the lesion should have been accomplished by diagnostic testing procedures which describe the size of the lesion and stability of the joint. If a lesion is detached or has fluid underlying the bone on MRI, surgery may be necessary before a trial of conservative therapy is completed. Early surgery may consist of fixation and microfracture.
Structural argues to this court that the above guideline indicates that “[t]he only
purpose for performing surgery is to correct a lesion that exists that is causing
dysfunction or pain.” It asserts that the guideline further makes it “clear that such lesion
needs to be identified prior to proceeding with surgery” and that diagnostic testing must
describe the size of the lesion and stability of the joint. Structural maintains that contrary
to the guideline, the MRIs in this case did not identify a lesion.
Having reviewed both the guideline and the medical evidence submitted, we find
no manifest error in the workers’ compensation judge’s determination that “Claimant
has carried his burden of proving by clear and convincing evidence that the requested
Knee Surgery is medically necessary.” First, as a “guideline,” La.Admin.Code tit. 40,
§2309(A)(2)(d)(vi) does not definitively set forth prerequisites as suggested by
Structural. It stops short of Structural’s contention that a lesion must be identified. It
instead more generally addresses when surgical intervention “may” be indicated and
how identification of a lesion “should” have been accomplished.
Further, it is unquestioned that Mr. Broussard had observable injury from the
work-related accident both as reported by Dr. Foret and as revealed by the MRIs
performed in October 2018 and March 2019. Although no meniscal tear was observed,
Mr. Broussard continued to complain of pain and failed to improve after months of
physical therapy. The workers’ compensation judge specifically remarked that she
found his testimony “regarding his injury and current condition credible[.]”
10 While Dr. Foret found that Mr. Broussard’s condition had resolved, Dr. Fenn
testified that Dr. Foret’s diagnosis of a right lateral patella dislocation was only the
“acute” phase of the chondromalacia pathology that Dr. Fenn continued to treat well
over two years after the accident. Dr. Fenn recognized that Mr. Broussard’s MRIs were
not “that impressive,” but he explained that the MRI neither ruled in nor ruled out the
possibility of a meniscal tear. Dr. Fenn described the MRI as just one of the many
diagnostic tools available. He specifically remarked that medical history and physical
exam were important in Mr. Broussard’s case.
On exam, Dr. Fenn found tenderness, swelling, and crepitus in the front of the
knee. Dr. Fenn stated that, like Dr. Foret, he would not have recommended surgery
shortly after the injury. Dr. Fenn explained, however, that he was treating Mr. Broussard
two years post-injury and that conservative care had failed to resolve Mr. Broussard’s
complaints. Presented with that background, Dr. Fenn felt that the recommended
arthroscopic procedure would likely identify “synovitis scarring and, more probable
than not, a meniscus tear.”
The workers’ compensation judge’s consideration of Dr. Fenn’s position,
notwithstanding the “unremarkable” MRIs, is in keeping with the supreme court’s
pronouncement that medical necessity as expressed by La.R.S. 23:1203 is a
foundational consideration and that La.R.S. 23:1203.1, along with its medical treatment
schedule of preauthorized procedures act “as the guidepost for assessing whether the
medical care required to be provided by La.R.S. 23:1203 is necessary.” Church Mut.
Ins. Co. v. Dardar, 13-2351, p. 19 (La. 5/7/14), 145 So.3d 271, 284. Louisiana Revised
Statutes 23:1203.1 and the medical treatment schedule do not exclude any particular
medical care but “create rebuttable presumptions as to the necessary treatment required
by La.R.S. 23:1203(A).” Id. at 284-85. See also McCain v. Motel 6, 19-653 (La.App. 3
Cir. 3/4/20), 297 So.3d 136, writ denied, 20-764 (La. 10/6/20), 302 So.3d 535; Ardoin
11 v. Calcasieu Par. Sch. Bd., 15-814 (La.App. 3 Cir. 2/3/16), 184 So.3d 896, writ denied,
16-641 (La. 5/27/16), 192 So.3d 738.
In addition to Dr. Fenn’s recommendation of the arthroscopic procedure, it is
noteworthy that following Mr. Broussard’s evaluation with Dr. Cascio in June 2019,
Dr. Foret did not see Mr. Broussard again. However, a subsequent narrative report
completed by Dr. Foret on September 13, 2019 indicates that: “As of my last visit on
April 24, 2019 his only symptom that was an objective finding that would support a
diagnosis of a meniscus tear was tenderness around medical aspect of his joint.” Dr.
Foret explained in the report that, although he did not see evidence of a meniscal tear
on either of his MRI scans, Mr. Broussard “does have some documented symptoms of
pain on the medial aspect of the knee that could be consistent with a meniscal tear.” Dr.
Foret thus suggested that, “[a]t this time I would recommend he undergo a diagnostic
arthroscopy of his knee if he is having persistent symptoms and if at that time a meniscal
tear or other pathology could be addressed.” As discussed below, Dr. Foret discounted
the potential benefit of an arthroscopic procedure during his deposition. Nonetheless, it
was a view available for the workers’ compensation judge’s consideration.
In the least, the medical evidence indicates that Dr. Cascio, Dr. Fenn, and even
at one point Dr. Foret, advised that the arthroscopic procedure sought by Mr. Broussard
was warranted given his continued complaints of pain. The workers’ compensation
judge specifically accepted those complaints as credible. Accordingly, we find no
manifest error in the workers’ compensation judge’s determination that Mr. Broussard
demonstrated, by clear and convincing evidence, that the Office of Workers’
Compensation Medical Director’s denial of the arthroscopic procedure was not
consistent with La.R.S. 23:1203.1. See also La.R.S. 23:1203.
Choice of Orthopedic Surgeon
Structural next asserts that the workers’ compensation judge erred in recognizing
Dr. Fenn as Mr. Broussard’s choice of physician in the field of orthopedics. Structural
12 points out that Mr. Broussard first saw Dr. Foret as his choice of orthopedic surgeon
and argues that Mr. Broussard later selected Dr. Cascio as his second choice of
orthopedic surgeon. Structural thus contends that Dr. Fenn could only be considered as
Mr. Broussard’s third choice of orthopedic surgeon. Such a selection, Structural
maintains, contravenes La.R.S. 23:1121(B)(1), which provides that an “employee shall
have the right to select one treating physician in any field or specialty . . . . After his
initial choice the employee shall obtain prior consent from the employer or his workers’
compensation carrier for a change of treating physician within the same field or
specialty.”
Following review, we find that the record supports the workers’ compensation
judge’s ruling. It is undisputed that Mr. Broussard chose Dr. Foret as his choice of
physician in orthopedic surgery. Contrary to Structural’s position, Dr. Cascio was not
Mr. Broussard’s second choice of orthopedic surgeon. Rather, Structural’s insurance
adjuster approved the referral to Dr. Cascio for “Evaluation Only.” The record contains
no indication that Mr. Broussard saw Dr. Cascio beyond that single evaluation.
Moreover, following the referral to Dr. Cascio, Dr. Foret did not see Mr. Broussard
again. Dr. Foret instead explained in his deposition that he had nothing left to offer Mr.
Broussard. The record thus supports the view that Mr. Broussard was left without a
choice of orthopedic surgeon. 7 Only after that time did Mr. Broussard seek treatment
with Dr. Fenn, most notably seeking treatment by Dr. Fenn by amendment of his
7 Plaintiff’s Exhibit 8 is comprised of selected records from Dr. Foret’s practice at Imperial Health Center for Orthopaedics and indicates that, at one time, Structural asked Dr. Foret to perform the arthroscopic procedure which it ultimately denied following Dr. Fenn’s request.
The exhibit includes defense counsel’s October 3, 2019 correspondence to Dr. Foret noting it had approved Dr. Foret’s recommendation of a second medical opinion, performed by Dr. Cascio. Structural’s counsel remarked that, subsequent to Dr. Cascio’s examination, “in your 9/16/2019 report, you recommended that Mr. Broussard undergo an arthroscopic examination to determine if the MRI scans missed the existence of any torn meniscus or other pathology. My client has approved this recommendation also”. Given his status as treating physician, Structural asked Dr. Foret to perform the “scope, along with any procedure you see fit, depending upon what is revealed during the scope.” However, a handwritten inscription atop the correspondence in Dr. Foret’s file indicates “Not taking case Pt was referred to Dr. Cascio.” Structural made no comment at the hearing regarding the notation on the correspondence nor does it refer to that notation in its brief to this court. 13 disputed claim for compensation on July 10, 2020. In its answer to the amendment,
Structural responded that “plaintiff already exercised his choice of physician and is not
entitled to a new choice.”
In light of this series of events, we find no merit in Structural’s characterization
of Dr. Fenn as Mr. Broussard’s “third choice of orthopedic surgeon.” We leave the
workers’ compensation judge’s ruling regarding choice of physician undisturbed.
Indemnity Benefits
In its third and fourth assignments of error, Structural addresses the workers’
compensation judge’s order that it reinstate SEB from the date of termination. Structural
instead asserts that it terminated Mr. Broussard’s employment for cause and, it further
insists, that no objective medical evidence supports the finding of a disability.
Termination for Cause
Structural first asserts that, although it accommodated Mr. Broussard’s need for
modified duty employment, Mr. Broussard complained of those tasks and further
became disruptive and disrespectful in the workplace. Structural maintains that
throughout four months of modified work, Mr. Broussard cited his pain in taking
advantage of the employer and that he failed to abide by workplace hours and flouted
his ability to work in with office to fellow employees. His conduct, Structural maintains,
negatively affected workplace morale. As set forth above, the culminating event before
Structural terminated Mr. Broussard’s employment was a verbal exchange between Mr.
Broussard and Mr. Burley regarding Mr. Broussard’s use of his personal phone during
work hours. Structural contends that Mr. Broussard became defiant and argumentative
14 during the exchange, crossing the line into insubordination and giving it no alternative
to termination of employment.8
Structural notes that this court has previously explained that “it is a claimant’s
refusal to accept employment that fits within his abilities and/or disabilities which is
made available to him that precludes an award of SEBs.” Palmer v. Schooner Petroleum
Servs., 02-397, p. 12 (La.App. 3 Cir. 12/27/02), 834 So.2d 642, 650, writ denied, 03-
367 (La. 4/21/03), 841 So.2d 802. A claimant is similarly precluded from receiving
SEB if an employer provides suitable modified employment but later terminates a
claimant’s employment due to insubordinate behavior. See, e.g., Synigal v. Vanguard
Car Rental, 06-761 (La.App. 5 Cir. 1/30/07), 951 So.2d 1197.
It is clear both that Structural attempted to accommodate Mr. Broussard’s return
to work and that Mr. Broussard attempted to perform those tasks, at least to some extent.
The workers’ compensation judge’s ruling demonstrates a finding in favor of Mr.
Broussard’s testimony regarding his inability to perform the tasks due to pain, swelling,
and the need to elevate his leg at times. The workers’ compensation judge specifically
found “Claimant’s testimony regarding his injury and current condition credible[.]”
Further, all who testified agreed that Mr. Broussard’s condition and the limitations of
the construction company’s work environment left Mr. Broussard without meaningful
work at times. At other times, he was simply left idle in the office. It was in that charged
atmosphere that Mr. Broussard and Mr. Burley were involved in the verbal dispute
leading to the termination of employment.
8 Structural’s personnel file commemorates the January 17, 2019 encounter as follows:
January 17, 2019 – was told that he was no longer able to use his phone in the shop. He barked back “What do you want me to do for 8 hrs. a day.” We then reminded him politely that we asked him to do multiple tasks when he claimed it bothered his knee even more (including counting screws). He then was rude and disrespectful to Henry and Philip and began questioning their religious belief and told they were no longer to talk to him that we needed to talk to his Lawyer. He was then asked to leave the shop due to threatening[.] 15 While Structural characterizes Mr. Broussard’s behavior as defiant and,
ultimately, insubordinate, Mr. Broussard testified that it was Mr. Burley who had
“threatened him,” although he conceded that he could not recall the “exact words.” Mr.
Broussard explained that the exchange occurred even though he felt that he was
complying with the employer’s requests. Given the workers’ compensation judge’s
preferred position in assessing credibility, we find that the record supports the rejection
of Structural’s suggestion that employment was appropriately terminated for cause.
Instead, the workers’ compensation judge was provided with sufficient evidence that
Mr. Broussard attempted to perform the limited tasks assigned him and otherwise tried,
within reason, to comply with Structural’s demands.
Objective Medical Evidence
In its fourth assignment of error, Structural argues that the workers’
compensation judge erred in awarding indemnity benefits as Dr. Foret, who Structural
characterizes as the treating physician, found no medical basis for restricting Mr.
Broussard’s return to work. In support, Structural cites jurisprudence for the proposition
that objective evidence of injury is required for a finding of disability, not merely
subjective complaints of pain. Citing Fassitt v. Jefferson Par. Hosp. Serv., 07-695
(La.App. 5 Cir. 12/27/07), 974 So.2d 757; Babin v. Lafayette Par. Sch. Bd., 534 So.2d
124 (La.App. 3 Cir. 1988).
Above, however, we have maintained the workers’ compensation judge’s
determination that Dr. Fenn, not Dr. Foret, must be considered as Mr. Broussard’s
choice of orthopedic surgeon. Further, Dr. Fenn testified in his deposition that, although
the MRI reports did not reveal a meniscal tear, physical exam revealed that Mr.
Broussard continued to display positive, objective signs of injury on physical exam, i.e.,
crepitus, inflammation, and tenderness to palpation. Dr. Fenn explained that Mr.
Broussard’s symptoms are consistent with the pathology of the knee problems that he
16 suspects he will discover in the arthroscopic procedure. Dr. Fenn reasoned that Mr.
Broussard’s return to sedentary work would be reasonable.
Given Dr. Fenn’s position as the treating physician, along with his findings on
physical exam, we find no merit in Structural’s position that Mr. Broussard failed to
establish a disability by sufficient medical evidence.
Penalties and Attorney Fees – Failure to Reasonably Controvert
In its final assignment of error, Structural questions the workers’ compensation
judge’s assessment of penalties and attorney fees, maintaining that it had several bases
to reasonably controvert both the claim for continued indemnity benefits and the
necessity of Dr. Fenn’s treatment.
The supreme court has explained that the purpose of penalties and attorney fees,
which are penal in nature, is to discourage an employer’s indifference. Authement v.
Shappert Eng’g, 02-1631 (La. 2/25/03), 840 So.2d 1181. “The crucial inquiry in
determining whether to impose penalties and attorney fees on an employer is whether
the employer had an articulable and objective reason to deny benefits at the time it took
action.” Id. at 1188 (citing Williams v. Rush Masonry, Inc., 98-2271 (La. 6/29/99), 737
So.2d 41).
Notably, the workers’ compensation judge offered no articulation of the reasons
for its award of penalties and attorney fees. The judgment instead merely indicated that
“Claimant is entitled to penalties and attorney fees for Defendants’ failure to reasonably
controvert Claimant’s claim for SEB” and the claim for the arthroscopic procedure.
Despite this failure to provide a basis for the award, we review the underlying factual
determination of whether penalties and attorney fees should be assessed under the
manifest error standard of review. Id.
Mindful of that standard, we find that the record demonstrates that Structural
articulated an objective reason for refusing to provide indemnity benefits after its
termination of Mr. Broussard’s employment. We above affirm the award of indemnity
17 benefits. We point out, however, that the parties’ accounts of Mr. Broussard’s attempts
to work in the modified position and his attitude in responding to his superiors’
requirements differ only in a slight, subjective sense. Both Structural and Mr. Broussard
concede that there were times when Mr. Broussard was left without meaningful work
to fill the workday, causing frustrations to all concerned. Only in the final days did Mr.
Broussard’s use of his personal cell phone become the flashpoint for his heated
exchange with Mr. Burley. The fact of the occurrence is unquestioned. Structural
viewed Mr. Broussard as disrespectful in his behavior whereas Mr. Broussard found
Mr. Burley’s demands were threatening in nature and inappropriate. Structural’s
version of events cannot be construed as unreasonable given the obvious disfunction of
the work environment. We conclude that this type of minimal difference of perception
renders penalties and attorney fees inappropriate in this case. See J.E. Merit
Constructors, Inc. v. Hickman, 00-0943 (La. 1/17/01), 776 So.2d 435; Quave v. Airtrol,
Inc., 11-1182 (La.App. 1 Cir. 6/8/12), 93 So.3d 733.
Neither do we find that Structural acted unreasonably in denying the surgery
recommended by Dr. Fenn. First, Mr. Broussard did not begin to treat with Dr. Fenn
until July 2020, more than a year and half after the termination of Mr. Broussard’s
employment and well over a year after Mr. Broussard’s last visit to Dr. Foret. Both
doctors came to similar conclusions based on the examination and MRI evidence, i.e.,
no objective evidence from the diagnostic testing to indicate that an exploratory surgery
would prove effective. Dr. Fenn only departed from Dr. Foret’s recommendations to
the extent that he found that an arthroscopic procedure would likely reveal further injury
that could be addressed. Further, Structural was aware that the Office of Workers’
Compensation Medical Director twice denied the requested procedure. Thus, while we
have maintained the determination that the arthroscopic procedure has been proven to
be medically necessary in following this proceeding, we find that Structural had an
articulable and objective basis for its denial thereof.
18 Accordingly, by decree below, we reverse the judgment to the penalties and
attorney fees for the failure to reasonably controvert Mr. Broussard’s claims for both
indemnity benefits and the arthroscopic procedure.
Answer to the Appeal
The above reversal of the trial court’s award for penalties and attorney fees
pretermits consideration of Mr. Broussard’s request for additional attorney fees for
work performed in defense of this appeal.
DECREE
For the foregoing reasons, the workers’ compensation judge’s November 1, 2022
ruling is affirmed in the awards of indemnity and medical treatment. The ruling is
reversed to the extent it cast Defendants/Appellants Structural Preservation Group, Inc.
and New Hampshire Insurance Company in judgment for $4,000 in penalties and
$24,000 in attorney fees. Costs of this proceeding are assessed equally between
Claimant/Appellee Brandon Broussard and Defendants/Appellants Structural
Preservation Group, Inc. and New Hampshire Insurance Company.
AFFIRMED IN PART; REVERSED IN PART.