NOT FOR PUBLICATION WITHOUT THE APPROVAL OF THE APPELLATE DIVISION This opinion shall not "constitute precedent or be binding upon any court." Although it is posted on the internet, this opinion is binding only on the parties in the case and its use in other cases is limited. R. 1:36-3.
SUPERIOR COURT OF NEW JERSEY APPELLATE DIVISION DOCKET NO. A-3431-18T2
JOSEPH RILEY,
Petitioner-Respondent,
v.
THOMAS COMPANY, INC.,
Respondent-Appellant. ____________________________
Submitted October 2, 2019 – Decided November 1, 2019
Before Judges Vernoia and Susswein.
On appeal from the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Division of Workers' Compensation, Claim Petition No. 2015-22698.
Burns White LLC, attorneys for appellant (Thomas Crean Kelly, on the briefs).
Kotlar, Hernandez & Cohen LLC, attorneys for respondent (Norman L. Ginsberg and Matthew Joseph Solin, on the brief).
PER CURIAM In this workers' compensation action, Thomas Company, Inc. (Thomas)
appeals from a March 1, 2019 order denying Thomas's motion to dismiss Joseph
Riley's (Riley) claim petition; requiring that Thomas provide medical benefits
for Riley's March 30, 2018 left ankle replacement surgery and an additional
surgery recommended by Riley's treating physician, Dr. D. Scot Malay;
directing that Thomas continue to provide temporary disability benefits; and
designating Dr. Malay as Riley's authorized physician. We vacate the court's
order and remand for further proceedings.
I.
The Workers' Compensation Petition and Answer
On June 30, 2015, Riley was injured performing roofing work while
employed by Thomas. He filed a workers' compensation petition claiming, in
pertinent part, that he suffered injuries to his left foot and ankle. 1 In its
September 18, 2015 answer to the petition, Thomas denied Riley suffered the
claimed injuries during the course of his employment and noted "medical
records indicate that [Riley] may have needed surgery prior to the alleged date
1 Riley also claimed injuries to his right leg and knee. We limit our discussion of the alleged injuries to Riley's left foot and ankle because the order challenged on appeal pertains solely to the medical benefits and temporary disability benefits related to those injuries. A-3431-18T2 2 of injury." Thomas further asserted that it "provided benefits without an
admission of liability pending a [need for treatment] exam . . . with Dr. James
Lamprakos."
The 2016 Motions
In June 2016, Thomas filed a motion to dismiss the claim or, in the
alternative, to terminate Riley's temporary disability benefits. Thomas relied on
two reports from Dr. Lamprakos, who opined there was significant disability to
Riley's left foot and ankle prior to the June 30, 2015 accident and "a significant
and severe past medical/past surgical history with regard to the left foot/ankle "
as a result of a prior motor vehicle accident, and that in November 2014, seven
months before the work-related accident, Riley and Dr. Malay had "a plan to
surgically address . . . Riley's ongoing problems with his left foot/ankle." Dr.
Lamprakos determined there was a seventeen and one-half percent disability
"associated with the sprain/strain mechanism to the left ankle," two percent of
which he attributed to the June 30, 2015 accident. Dr. Lamprakos concluded the
accident resulted in a sprain or strain of Riley's left foot or ankle, and no further
medically necessary treatment was required for any injury to the left foot and
ankle "associated with" the accident.
A-3431-18T2 3 Riley opposed Thomas's motion, arguing that although Thomas utilized
Dr. Lamprakos to "determine the causal relationship of [Riley's] new injury,"
Dr. Malay's medical records established the treatment he provided to Riley "is
causally related to the current injury date of June 30, 2015." Riley submitted a
letter from Dr. Malay explaining that the treatment to Riley's left foot and ankle
was medically necessary.
On July 13, 2016, a workers' compensation judge entered a consent order
(the July 2016 order) dismissing Thomas's motion, requiring that Thomas
authorize a brace prescribed by Dr. Malay, directing Riley to return to work once
the brace was received, and providing as follows: "MMI [maximum medical
improvement] to be determined by Dr. Malay. In [the] event Dr. Malay cannot
determine MMI and/or report is not received as to MMI, judge can determine
prior to next scheduled court date." The order was entered without any
proceedings conducted on the record.
The 2017 Motions
Eleven months later, in June 2017, Riley filed a motion for temporary
disability benefits from April 19, 2017. 2 Thomas opposed the motion, claiming
2 It appears Thomas had stopped providing temporary disability benefits on April 19, 2017. A-3431-18T2 4 Dr. Malay provided inconsistent medical opinions, including opinions regarding
Riley's fitness for work, that resulted in Riley receiving treatment for injuries
that pre-existed the June 30, 2015 accident. Thomas reprised its assertions, set
forth in its answer to the petition, that it provided treatment to Riley without any
admission of liability and that Riley's injuries were "causally related to a pre-
existing disability resulting from an unrelated motor vehicle accident."
On July 5, 2017, the same workers' compensation judge entered an order
stating that Riley's motion "is CLOSED" because Thomas paid temporary
disability benefits from April 19, 2017 through June 27, 2017. Again, the order
was entered without any proceedings on the record.
The 2018 Motions
On March 30, 2018, Dr. Malay performed a total ankle arthroplasty 3 on
Riley's left ankle. The procedure was the fourth surgical procedure Dr. Malay
3 A total ankle arthroplasty is defined as a "total ankle replacement": "An operation for replacement of the ankle joint with artificial parts. The talus (the bone of the ankle that forms a joint with the lower end of the tibia) and the damaged portion of the tibia (the larger of the two bones of the lower leg) are removed and replaced with prosthetic parts." Total Ankle Arthroplasty, Attorneys' Dictionary of Medicine (53rd ed. 2019).
A-3431-18T2 5 performed on Riley's left ankle following the June 30, 2015 accident.4 Thomas's
workers' compensation insurance carrier initially authorized the procedure, as it
had the first three surgeries, but retracted its authorization and did not pay for
the fourth procedure.
On April 12, 2018, Riley filed a motion which, in pertinent part, sought
payment of temporary disability payments and medical treatment, payment for
the March 30, 2018 surgery, and continued treatment with Dr. Malay. 5 One
week later, Thomas filed a motion requesting dismissal of the petition with out
prejudice, asserting Dr. Steven Raikin evaluated Riley on March 14, 2018, and
opined that Riley's surgeries were not causally related to the June 30, 2015
accident.
Riley opposed Thomas's motion, arguing that Thomas made the same
causation argument in its June 2016 motion to dismiss based on Dr. Lamprakos's
reports, and that Thomas's position was rejected by the first workers'
compensation judge in the July 2016 order. Riley's counsel described an off-
4 Dr. Malay also performed surgical procedures on July 10, 2015, September 16, 2016 and August 25, 2017. Thomas provided medical benefits for those procedures. 5 The motion also sought enforcement of the June 16, 2016 order, but the record is unclear as to the precise provision of the order Riley sought to enforce. A-3431-18T2 6 the-record conference with the first workers' compensation judge, and asserted
the judge dismissed Thomas's 2016 motion because Dr. Lamprakos's reports
indicated two percent of Riley's disability for the left foot was attributable to the
work-related accident. Thus, Riley asserted the issue of causation had already
been decided by the first workers' compensation judge and that Thomas
improperly sought to relitigate the causation issue.
On June 27, 2018, a second workers' compensation judge entered a
consent order (the June 2018 order), signed by the parties' counsel, directing that
Thomas "provide physical therapy without prejudice" and "select [an]
authorized physician." The order did not address Riley's request for payment
for the March 30, 2018 surgery or for his continued treatment by Dr. Malay.
Nor did it address Thomas's motion to dismiss the petition. The order was
entered without any proceedings on the record.
The 2019 Motions
Six months later, Thomas filed a motion seeking authorization for a
medical examination and a "judicial determination . . . that any and all medical
treatment in connection with [Riley's] claim should be based upon the . . .
medical opinion of Dr. Steven [Raikin,]" whose report stated Riley's claimed
injuries were not causally related to the June 30, 2015 work-related accident.
A-3431-18T2 7 Riley then moved for medical and temporary disability benefits, seeking
payment for the March 30, 2018 surgery and authorization for a fifth surgery
recommended by Dr. Malay. 6 Thomas opposed Riley's motion, again asserting
the March 30, 2018 surgery, and proposed fifth surgery were for injuries not
causally related to the work-related accident. Riley submitted January 8, 2019
progress and narrative reports from Dr. Malay, explaining the medical necessity
for the past surgeries and prescribed fifth surgery.
The February 13, 2019 Motion Hearing
On February 13, 2019, a third workers' compensation judge held a hearing
on the motions. The judge attempted to review the history of the proceeding
and the prior orders. The court confirmed with Thomas's counsel that the March
30, 2018 surgery had been initially authorized by Thomas's workers'
compensation insurance carrier, but that the carrier subsequently revoked the
authorization. Thomas's counsel advised the court that based on Dr. Raikin's
report, the March 30, 2018 surgery and fifth surgery prescribed by Dr. Malay
were for injuries not causally related to the June 2015 work-related accident,
and, for that reason, Thomas denied liability for payment for the surgeries.
6 The prescribed fifth surgery is described as a "revision surgery" related to an Achilles tendon issue resulting from the March 30, 2018 total ankle arthroplasty. A-3431-18T2 8 Riley's counsel argued that under the July 2016 order, Dr. Malay was the
authorized physician for determining Riley's treatment, and that Dr. Malay
determined the March 30, 2018 surgery and the proposed fifth surgery were
causally related to the work-related accident and medically necessary.
The judge noted there was confusion over the meaning of the July 2016
and June 2018 orders, the first providing that Dr. Malay would determine MMI
and the second authorizing Thomas to designate the authorized physician and
allowing Thomas to continue to provide treatment "without prejudice." Thomas
argued that it sought the court's approval of Dr. Raikin as the authorized
physician.
The judge observed that it was "hard . . . to determine what happened" in
connection with the entry of the June 2018 order. The judge said "there was no
motion pending" when the June 2018 order was entered, but was informed there
was a motion pending at that time. While Thomas's counsel looked for the
motion papers to provide the judge, the judge questioned Riley under oath,
asking about Riley's injuries, the proposed fifth surgery, and his conversations
with Dr. Malay and Dr. Raikin. At the conclusion of the judge's brief
questioning, he stated, "[a]t this point I'm just going to limit it to the [c]ourt's
questions," and added, "I'll give counsel an opportunity to have more direct and
A-3431-18T2 9 cross at a later date." Thomas's counsel then confirmed he had located the
motion papers that had been presented to the second judge prior to the entry of
the June 2018 order, and that they supported a motion to dismiss that included
"several requests."
Riley's counsel asserted the June 2018 motion "was just [a] renewal of
[the] motion" that was presented in 2016 and resulted in the July 2016 order.
Thomas's counsel argued the June 2018 motion addressed the "causal relation of
the surgery in March of 2018" and claimed "that's what" the June 2018 order
"addressed." The court noted there were no transcripts of the proceedings
related to the entry of the orders and observed that the June 2018 order allowing
Thomas to designate the authorized physician was "directly opposite" of what
the July 2016 order provided—that Dr. Malay would determine MMI. The judge
then stated he would "make a reasonable assumption" that the July 2016 order
"is still in effect until such point in time . . . that [Dr. Malay] determined MMI
or not MMI."7
7 Although recognizing the conflict between the orders, the judge did not explain the rationale for his assumption that the first order was "still in effect," or make any findings supporting it. Nor could the court have made any findings supporting the assumption since there were no record proceedings concerning the entry of the orders. A-3431-18T2 10 Thomas's counsel explained that he did not have a report from Dr. Raikin
concerning the medical necessity for the March 30, 2018 total ankle arthroplasty
because Dr. Raikin's March 14, 2018 report was issued prior to the surgery and
Dr. Raikin opined Riley did not suffer from any left ankle injuries causally
related to the June 30, 2015 accident. Thomas's counsel said he did not have a
report from Dr. Raikin in response to Dr. Malay's report supporting the proposed
fifth surgery because counsel had "just [received Dr. Malay's report] within the
last few days."
Thomas's counsel stated that Thomas challenged only its obligation to pay
for the March 30, 2018 surgery and any subsequent surgeries. The court ordered
that if Thomas continued its challenge to payment for the March 30, 2018
surgery, it must, within ten days, produce for a hearing the insurance adjuster
and her supervisors who authorized, then revoked authorization for, the surgery.
The judge also directed that Thomas obtain within ten days a report from Dr.
Raikin limited to the medical necessity of the prescribed fifth surgery, and make
Dr. Raikin available to testify within ten days. The judge said he would permit
Dr. Raikin to testify via Skype or by phone if the attorneys consented. Thomas's
counsel said he was uncertain if Dr. Raikin would be available within ten days
A-3431-18T2 11 and requested twenty days to make him available. The judge denied the request
because the "case ha[d] been going on for . . . a while."
The judge ordered the continuation of temporary disability benefits and
"reserved on the issue of [the July 2016] order." The judge also stated that the
July 2016 order "may or may not be inconsistent" with the June 2018 order, and
that he would have to "wait and see until [the second judge who entered the June
2018 order] returns from vacation." The judge also said, "[t]roubling in this
case . . . is that there were several orders that were entered and there was
confusion . . . certainly on [Thomas's] side, as to what those orders actually
meant." The court noted Dr. Raikin should be prepared to testify concerning
medical causation and the medical necessity for the fifth surgery, and the court
would "make the decision ultimately on the causation issue."
The judge ended the hearing by noting that the ten-day requirement he
imposed was "tough" and a "difficult thing to do," but he did not want Riley
"waiting any longer" because he was "in a lot of pain" and "wants to be relieved
of that pain." In response to a question from the judge, Riley said he was "ready"
for the prescribed fifth surgery, and the judge stated, "[a]ll right. We're going
to give them ten days."
A-3431-18T2 12 The March 1, 2019 Motion Hearing and Order
Two weeks later, the court held a hearing. By that time, Thomas had
authorized payment for the March 30, 2018 surgery. Thus, the only issue before
the judge was Thomas's obligation to pay for the proposed fifth surgery. The
judge then explained there had been efforts to arrange for Dr. Raikin to testify
at the hearing, but Dr. Raikin imposed conditions for his testimon y that were
unacceptable. More particularly, Dr. Raikin indicated he would testify only
after 4:30 p.m., and he would respond only to questioning by the judge. The
judge noted that Dr. Raikin's conditions for testifying were not the fault of
Thomas's counsel, who acknowledged that he "couldn't even get Dr. Raikin on
the phone."
The judge rejected Dr. Raikin's conditions, explaining workers'
compensation court proceedings ended at 4:30 p.m. and it would be improper to
limit the questioning of Dr. Raikin to only those queries posed by the judge.
Riley's counsel objected to permitting Dr. Raikin to testify only in response to
the judge's questions. Thomas's counsel explained that he advised Dr. Raikin's
administrative assistant of the anticipated and proper mode of questioning, and
that the objectionable conditions for the testimony were Dr. Raikin's. The judge
noted that Dr. Raikin "should have listened" to Thomas's counsel and found "Dr.
A-3431-18T2 13 Raikin's idea of participating in the . . . proceedings is not going to control this
[c]ourt and, unfortunately, we're not going to be able to take any further
testimony."
Thomas's counsel did not argue that the ten-day time limitation the court
imposed at the first hearing interfered with Thomas's ability to produce Dr.
Raikin or should be extended to permit Dr. Raikin to testify under different, but
acceptable, conditions. Nor did counsel request additional time to obtain a
different doctor or produce Dr. Raikin under different conditions. Thomas's
counsel did not request that he be permitted to question and cross-examine Riley
in response to the court's brief questioning of Riley at the first hearing, and
counsel did not argue that the judge should not decide whether Thomas should
pay for the fifth surgery until after Riley was cross-examined.
The court explained that all of the treatment of Riley's left ankle, including
the first four surgeries, were authorized and paid for by Thomas, and the
prescribed fifth revision surgery was "more than reasonable under these
circumstances." The judge noted that Thomas did not provide any testimony
from Dr. Raikin and ordered that Dr. Malay "remain the authorized physician
until further order." The court entered an order continuing temporary disability
benefits; directing that, in accordance with Thomas's counsel's representation,
A-3431-18T2 14 Thomas pay for the March 30, 2018 surgery; and requiring that Thomas
authorize the prescribed fifth "revision surgery on the ankle immediately." The
court did not make any findings or render a decision on Thomas 's claim the
injuries for which the fifth surgery was prescribed are not causally related to the
work-related accident. This appeal followed. 8
II.
Our review of workers' compensation cases is limited. Hersh v. Cty. of
Morris, 217 N.J. 236, 242 (2014). We must determine "whether the findings
made could reasonably have been reached on sufficient credible evidence
present in the record, considering the proofs as a whole, . . . with due regard also
to the agency's expertise where such expertise is a pertinent factor." Sager v.
O.A. Peterson Constr. Co., 182 N.J. 156, 164 (2004) (quoting Close v. Kordulak
Bros., 44 N.J. 589, 599 (1965)). We must defer to the factual findings and legal
determinations made by the judge of compensation "unless they are 'manifestly
unsupported by or inconsistent with competent, relevant and reasonably credible
evidence as to offend the interests of justice.'" Lindquist v. City of Jersey City
Fire Dep't, 175 N.J. 244, 262 (2003) (quoting Perez v. Monmouth Cable Vision,
278 N.J. Super. 275, 282 (App. Div. 1994)). We will "appraise the record as if
8 The third judge denied Thomas's motion for a stay of the order pending appeal. A-3431-18T2 15 we were deciding the matter at inception and make our own findings and
conclusions" only if the judge of compensation "went so wide of the mark that
a mistake must have been made[.]" Manzo v. Amalgamated Indus. Union Local
76B, 241 N.J. Super. 604, 609 (App. Div. 1990) (citation omitted). However,
we afford no deference to a judge of compensation's interpretation of the law
and review legal questions de novo. Renner v. AT&T, 218 N.J. 435, 448 (2014).
Thomas argues the judge erred by not addressing the issue of the causal
relationship between Riley's alleged injuries and the work-related accident.
Thomas asserts that from the outset of the matter—in its answer to the petition
and in the various motions—it reserved its right to authorize treatment without
admitting liability. See N.J.S.A. 34:15-15 (providing "[t]he mere furnishing of
medical treatment or the payment thereof by the employer shall not be construed
to be an admission of liability"). It contends Dr. Lamprakos's 2016 reports and
Dr. Raikin's 2018 report provide competent evidence there is no causal
relationship between Riley's left ankle injuries, for which the fifth surgery was
prescribed, and the work-related accident. Thomas also claims that, despite its
authorization of the medical treatment provided by Dr. Malay through the March
30, 2018 surgery, the third judge erred by failing to address or decide the
causation issue. Thomas further notes the third judge recognized Thomas raised
A-3431-18T2 16 the causation issue, but nonetheless stated he "want[ed] to address" only whether
Dr. Raikin agreed with Dr. Malay that the fifth surgery was medically necessary.
In part, Thomas's arguments ignore the record. To be sure, Thomas
reserved its right to contest its liability throughout the matter, but from the outset
it authorized and paid for the treatment Dr. Malay provided without obtaining a
determination on the issue of causation. Indeed, although Thomas had Dr.
Lamprakos's reports in 2016, it consented to the July 2016 order directing that
Dr. Malay determine when Riley attained MMI. In other words, Thomas agreed
to allow Dr. Malay to continue to provide medical treatment even though it
possessed reports from Dr. Lamprakos stating that any injuries beyond a sprain
or strain of Riley's left ankle were not causally related to the June 30, 2015
In 2018, Thomas again raised the causation issue in response to Riley's
motion for payment for the March 30, 2018 surgery and in support of its motion
to dismiss the petition with prejudice. But the record does not show the
causation issue was decided by the second workers' compensation judge,
because the parties entered into the June 2018 consent order that, in relevant
part, allowed Thomas to select an authorized physician.
A-3431-18T2 17 We agree with Thomas that it continually raised the causation issue, and
there is no record that either the first or second workers' compensation judge
decided the issue on the merits. Thus, we find no basis in the record permitting
the conclusion that the July 2016 or June 2018 orders, which neither party
appealed, constitute determinations by the workers' compensation court on the
causation issue. 9 We appreciate that the July 2016 and June 2018 orders
seemingly conflict, with the first suggesting that Dr. Malay is the authorized
physician10 and the second permitting Thomas to appoint an authorized
physician, but we need not address the conflict because Thomas's authorization
of Dr. Malay's treatment, even through the March 30, 2018 fourth surgery, was
9 We also implore the parties and the workers' compensation court that resolution of dispositive motions by consent order without any proceedings on the record is not an advisable or acceptable practice because, in most instances, it deprives this court of a necessary record upon which to determine what occurred, the meaning of the court's orders and whether issues were addressed, considered or decided in the first instance. See, e.g., Klier v. Sordoni Skanska Constr. Co., 337 N.J. Super. 76, 86 (App. Div. 2001) (explaining that when an important issue is discussed in chambers, "a record must be made or a summary placed on the record as to what transpired in chambers. Only then is effective appellate review insured[]"). 10 As noted by Thomas, the July 2016 order does not expressly designate Dr. Malay as Riley's authorized physician. It instead provides that Dr. Malay will determine Riley's MMI, a role generally filled by an authorized physician, and the record shows Thomas approved and paid for Dr. Malay's treatment for Riley's left ankle and foot from the occurrence of the June 30, 2015 work-related accident through the March 30, 2018 fourth surgery. A-3431-18T2 18 without prejudice to its ongoing reservation of its right to contest liability based
on the issue of causation. See N.J.S.A. 34:15-15.
Confronted with the conflicting medical opinions of Dr. Raikin and Dr.
Malay concerning the issue of causation, the third workers' compensation judge
ordered that Dr. Raikin testify about the medical necessity for the fifth surgery,
as well as the issue of causation. When Dr. Raikin did not make himself
available to testify on conditions the judge properly required, the judge
expressly determined the medical necessity issue in Riley's favor, did not make
any findings on causation, and ordered that Thomas authorize and pay for the
fifth surgical procedure.
We find no error in the judge's decision rejecting Dr. Raikin's
requirements that he testify after the close of the court day and onl y in response
to the judge's questions. A contrary conclusion would have denied both parties'
due process right to question the witnesses presented. See Paco v. Am. Leather
Mfg. Co., 213 N.J. Super. 90, 95-96 (App. Div. 1986) ("While the technical rules
of evidence may be relaxed at workmen's compensation proceedings, they may
not be relaxed to the point of infringing on the parties' due process rights or
other fundamental rights[,]" including the right of cross-examination). The
court erred, however, by shifting the burden to Thomas to first produce
A-3431-18T2 19 evidence, in the form of Dr. Raikin's testimony, supporting its defense that
Riley's injuries were not causally related to the June 30, 2015 accident.
Under the Workers' Compensation Act (the Act), N.J.S.A. 34:15-1
to -146, an employer must furnish an injured worker with medical treatment and
services necessary "to cure and relieve the worker of the effects of the injury
and to restore the functions of the injured member or organ" if possible. N.J.S.A.
34:15-15. The Act is to be liberally construed in favor of employees. Squeo v.
Comfort Control Corp., 99 N.J. 588, 596 (1985).
Although an employer is liable to an employee for disabling injuries
sustained "by accident arising out of and in the course of employment," N.J.S.A.
34:15-7, a petitioner for workers' compensation benefits has "the burden of proof
to establish all elements of [the] case," Bird v. Somerset Hills Country Club,
309 N.J. Super. 517, 521 (App. Div. 1998). A petitioner is required to pro ve
medical and legal causation. Lindquist, 175 N.J. at 259. "[P]roof of medical
causation means proof that the disability was actually caused by the work-
related event. Proof of legal causation means proof that the injury is work
connected." Ibid. (citations omitted). Where a petitioner proves medical and
legal causation, "the burden to defeat [petitioner's] claim and establish contrary
A-3431-18T2 20 facts and legal conclusions exonerating the employer or mitigating liability
shift[s] to the employer." Bird, 309 N.J. Super. at 521 (citation omitted).
Once Thomas raised the causation issue by submitting Dr. Lamprakos's
and Dr. Raikin's reports—both of which conflicted with Dr. Malay's reports—
the burden fell on Riley to establish causation. Riley's motion for medical
benefits for the fifth surgery was required to include evidence that he "is
currently temporarily totally disabled and/or in need of current medical
treatment." N.J.A.C. 12:235-3.2(a). Under the regulations,
[a]ffidavits, certifications and medical reports submitted . . . may constitute a prima facie case and may be sufficient basis for the issuance of an order compelling the respondent to provide the relief sought unless respondent files supporting affidavits or certifications to oppose said motion on a legal or factual basis, or files medical reports if there is a medical basis to oppose said motion.
[N.J.A.C. 12:235-3.2(f) (emphasis added).]
We have determined under a similar regulation that "a motion for
temporary disability or medical benefits accompanied by supporting
documentation can prevail without plenary hearing only if opposing documents
are facially insufficient to fairly meet, contradict or oppose the material
allegations of the documents in support of the motion." Hogan v. Garden State
A-3431-18T2 21 Sausage Co., 223 N.J. Super. 364, 367 (App. Div. 1988). 11 Where an employee's
"documents are not sufficient basis for an order in [his or her] favor" the
employee "must produce persuasive live testimony to prevail." Id. at 366.
Here, Thomas reserved its right to contest its liability based on a lack of
causation, asserted the lack of causation defense in its opposition to Riley 's
motion for medical benefits for the fifth surgery, and supported the defense with
appropriate physicians' reports. Thus, Dr. Malay's reports supporting a finding
of causation were insufficient to support a finding of causation in his favor, and
11 In Hogan, we considered N.J.A.C. 12:235-5.2(e), which, at the time, provided:
Affidavits, certifications and medical reports in support of the motion shall constitute a prima facie case, and unless rebutted by reports or testimony or affidavits or certifications by the respondent or his attorney setting forth the factual or legal basis of the denial, shall be sufficient basis for the issuance of an order compelling the respondent to provide the relief sought.
[Id. at 366.]
N.J.A.C. 12:235-5.2(e) was modified in 1991, 23 N.J.R. 2642(a) (Sept. 3, 1991), and again in 1997, 29 N.J.R. 799(a) (Mar. 3, 1997), when it was recodified in subsection (f) of N.J.A.C. 12:235-5.2. As a result of a restructuring of the regulations in 2002, the 1997 version of subsection (f) was recodified in N.J.A.C. 12:235-3.2, again as subsection (f). 34 N.J.R. 3641(d) (Oct. 21, 2002). In all pertinent respects, the language of the regulation has remained unchanged since our decision in Hogan. A-3431-18T2 22 it was Riley's burden to establish causation, Bird, 309 N.J. Super. at 521, by
producing live testimony, Hogan, 223 N.J. Super. at 366. Nonetheless, the court
required that Thomas first produce Dr. Raikin and found that Thomas's failure
to present evidence demonstrating a lack of causation required that Thomas
authorize and pay for the fifth surgery and continue temporary disability
benefits. By doing so, the judge incorrectly relieved Riley of his burden of
presenting testimony establishing an essential elements of his claim—medical
and legal causation. See Hogan, 223 N.J. Super. at 366.
Moreover, although the judge made no express findings on the issue of
causation, by directing that Thomas authorize and pay for the fifth surgery and
continue temporary disability benefits, the judge implicitly determined Riley
established causation even though the hearing record lacks any competent
evidence presented by Riley supporting that finding. Id. at 367. We are
therefore constrained to vacate the judge's order and remand for a hearing on the
issue of causation 12 at which plaintiff shall have the burden of proving medical
12 We observe that neither Dr. Lamprakos's nor Dr. Raikin's reports challenged the medical necessity of the proposed fifth surgery, and thus Thomas did not sufficiently challenge Dr. Malay's determination as to medical necessity to require a hearing on that issue. Dr. Lamprakos's and Dr. Raikin's reports challenged Dr. Malay's opinion that further surgeries were required based only on their position that Riley's injuries, for which the surgeries were to be performed, were not causally related to the work-related accident. A-3431-18T2 23 and legal causation with respect to the injuries for which the fifth surgery was
performed. Lindquist, 175 N.J. at 259.
We offer no opinion on the merits of Riley's causation claim or on
Thomas's assertion the injuries are not causally related to the June 30, 2015
accident. We also do not limit on remand the evidence that may be submitted
in support of the respective parties' positions or the legal arguments that may be
made in support of the parties' positions. In addition, we do not offer any
opinion on the meaning, interpretation or import of the prior orders entered in
the matter, or whether those orders affect the determination of causation. We
note only that any pertinent interpretation of the orders shall not be based on
assumptions or off-the-record conversations with the judges who entered them.
Resolution of the issues in this case was made difficult before the third judge,
and on appeal, by the lack of any record proceedings related to the entry of July
2016 and June 2018 orders. The remand proceeding shall not be infected with
the same issues.
Vacated and remanded for further proceedings. We do not retain
jurisdiction.
A-3431-18T2 24