Goodson v. MAFCO HOLDINGS, INC.

674 S.E.2d 478, 196 N.C. App. 176, 2009 N.C. App. LEXIS 2148
CourtCourt of Appeals of North Carolina
DecidedApril 7, 2009
DocketCOA08-415
StatusPublished

This text of 674 S.E.2d 478 (Goodson v. MAFCO HOLDINGS, INC.) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Court of Appeals of North Carolina primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Goodson v. MAFCO HOLDINGS, INC., 674 S.E.2d 478, 196 N.C. App. 176, 2009 N.C. App. LEXIS 2148 (N.C. Ct. App. 2009).

Opinion

WAYNE GOODSON, Employee, Plaintiff,
v.
MAFCO HOLDINGS, INC. d/b/a REVLON CONSUMER PRODUCTS, Employer, RSKCO, Carrier, Defendants.

No. COA08-415.

Court of Appeals of North Carolina.

Filed April 7, 2009.
This case not for publication

Scudder & Hedrick, PLLC, by John A. Hedrick, for plaintiff.

Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, P.L.L.C., by Clayton M. Custer and Julie B. Bradburn, for defendants.

GEER, Judge.

Defendant employer Mafco Holdings, Inc. d/b/a Revlon Consumer Products ("Revlon") and defendant carrier RSKCO appeal from the Full Commission's opinion and award, entered on remand from this Court, see Goodson v. Mafco Holdings, Inc., 178 N.C. App. 561, 631 S.E.2d 892, 2006 N.C. App. LEXIS 1579, 2006 WL 1984651 (July 18, 2006) (unpublished), determining that plaintiff Wayne Goodson is totally disabled and entitled to benefits. Defendants primarily argue that there is insufficient evidence to support the Commission's finding of disability under Russell v. Lowes Prod. Distrib., 108 N.C. App. 762, 425 S.E.2d 454 (1993). Although we agree that there is insufficient evidence under Russell's first method of proof, the record contains sufficient evidence of disability under Russell's third method of proof, and, therefore, we hold that the Commission did not err in determining that plaintiff is totally disabled.

Plaintiff has cross-appealed, arguing that the Commission erred in failing to rule on his motion to compel payment of the award affirmed on the prior appeal, interest, a 10% late payment penalty, and medical expenses. The Commission held the motion in abeyance pending entry of its opinion and award on remand. Because the Commission failed to rule on plaintiff's motion after entry of the opinion and award, we must remand to allow the Commission to decide the motion.

Facts

At the time of the hearing before the deputy commissioner, plaintiff was 42 years old, had graduated from high school, and had obtained a Class B commercial driver's license. Prior to working for Revlon, plaintiff had jobs as a dump truck driver, a machine operator, a cafeteria cook, and a warehouseman. Plaintiff began working for Revlon on 11 June 2001 as an inventory technician. The physical requirements of the job included lifting 40 to 75 pounds, moving 350 pound drums, and extended periods of standing.

On 16 August 2001, plaintiff had lifted or moved approximately 16 drums when he felt a "pop" in his back, tightness in his backand neck, and tingling in his left arm. Plaintiff notified his supervisor, who told him to rest for the remainder of the shift. The supervisor then filled out an accident report and instructed plaintiff to go to Granville Family Medicine to be seen by a doctor. Later the same day, plaintiff was examined by Dr. Meredith Kehrer at Granville Family Medicine. Based on her examination, she diagnosed plaintiff as having a lumbar strain and restricted him to light duty with no lifting over 10 pounds and limited bending, stooping, or reaching overhead until his return visit in five days.

Plaintiff returned to work in a light duty capacity the next day. Throughout the shift, however, plaintiff continued to have pain in his back and numbness in his left arm and hand. After finishing his shift on the morning of 18 August 2001, plaintiff went to the emergency room at Maria Parham Hospital complaining of back pain and numbness in his left arm and fingers. Plaintiff was given a wrist splint and restricted to light duty work with no lifting, no bending, and no repetitive motions.

On 20 August 2001, after finishing his shift, plaintiff went to Revlon's Occupational Health and Safety Office reporting that he had been treated at the emergency room for back pain and numbness in his arm. The nurse scheduled an appointment for plaintiff at Granville Family Medicine for later that day. Plaintiff was seen by Dr. Michael Mahan and diagnosed with a low back strain and possible overuse or carpal tunnel in his left arm and hand. Dr. Mahan continued plaintiff on light duty work with no lifting with his left hand and no lifting over five pounds with his right arm. From 20 August to 23 August 2001, plaintiff continued on light duty, but still experienced pain in his back while working. He told the nurse that he was concerned about his condition and wanted a second opinion. Without authorization from Revlon, plaintiff went to Dr. James Green on 23 August 2001. After examining plaintiff, Dr. Green wrote him out of work from 23 August 2001 to 9 September 2001 and referred him to Triangle Orthopedic Associates.

Without seeking authorization from Revlon, plaintiff went to Triangle Orthopedic Associates on 6 September 2001, where he was seen by Mr. Steve Abel, a physician's assistant. Examination of plaintiff's lumbar spine revealed a positive straight leg raise for the left leg, but no paraspinal muscle spasms or weakness were found. Mr. Abel prescribed a course of Prednisone and restricted plaintiff from work. Plaintiff returned to Mr. Abel on 20 September 2001 and reported severe pain in his lower back and left leg, although he indicated that the pain in his neck and left arm was intermittent. Mr. Abel kept plaintiff out of work and ordered an MRI.

The MRI showed a small left-side disc herniation at L5-S1. On 15 October 2001, plaintiff returned to Mr. Abel for a follow-up visit and reported that the pain in his arm had improved, but that he had intermittent tightness in his neck. Plaintiff was prescribed Percocet and injections and restricted from work until 26 November 2001. On 31 October 2001, plaintiff returned to Dr. Kehrer of Granville Family Medicine at Revlon's request. He told the doctor that he continued to have pain and described his recent medical treatment. Because plaintiff's MRI and medical notes were not available to Dr. Kehrer, she made no recommendations and did not request that plaintiff return. Dr. Kehrer noted that Revlon's nurse believed that plaintiff was malingering.

Plaintiff received an epidural steroid injection on 7 November 2001 from Dr. John Giusto. On 27 November 2001, plaintiff returned to Mr. Abel who continued to write him out of work, this time for three months, because Mr. Abel believed that surgery might be an option. Plaintiff completed a Revlon leave of absence form on 28 November 2001, requesting three months of leave due to his injury. Plaintiff saw Dr. Thomas Dimmig, an orthopedic surgeon, for the first time on 5 December 2001. Dr. Dimmig's examination of plaintiff revealed a positive straight leg raise on the left side. Plaintiff indicated that the steroid injection had been beneficial and did not complain of pain in his neck or upper extremities. They discussed surgery, but Dr. Dimmig recommended another injection prior to making any decision regarding surgery. Dr. Dimmig noted that any work would have to be modified, although he provided plaintiff with no specific restrictions, and his notes do not indicate that he discussed work status with plaintiff.

On 9 January 2002, plaintiff was seen at Triangle Orthopedic Associates by a physician's assistant, Kevin Lavery. Plaintiff reported that he had received a second epidural steroid injection, and his pain had improved. Mr. Lavery continued to keep plaintiff out of work. Plaintiff saw Mr. Lavery again on 24 January 2002, complaining of increased neck and back pain. Plaintiff displayed a positive straight leg raise in his left leg and was diagnosed with cervical pain.

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Bluebook (online)
674 S.E.2d 478, 196 N.C. App. 176, 2009 N.C. App. LEXIS 2148, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/goodson-v-mafco-holdings-inc-ncctapp-2009.