Kimbell v. Association of Rehab Industry & Business Companion Property & Casualty

235 S.W.3d 499, 366 Ark. 297

• Court: Supreme Court of Arkansas
• Decided: May 11, 2006
• Docket: 05-1319
• Status: Published

Opinions

Jim Hannah, Chief Justice.

Appellant Richard Kimbell sustained injuries when he fell off a porch at his workplace, Association of Rehab Industry & Business, following an alleged altercation with Stanley Minor. Kimbell submitted a claim for workers’ compensation, and the administrative law judge found that Kimbell had proved that he sustained a compensable injury and that he was entitled to all medical treatment reasonably necessary in connection with the compensable injury. In a 2-1 decision, the Workers’ Compensation Commission reversed the ALJ’s decision based on its finding that Kimbell did not sustain a compensable injury because he was not performing employment services at the time of his accident and because his injury was idiopathic in nature. In an unpublished opinion, the court of appeals affirmed the Commission. 2Kimbell v. Ass’n of Rehab Indus., CA05-212 (Ark. App. Nov. 16, 2005). Kimbell then filed a petition for review, which this court granted, pursuant to Ark. Sup. Ct. R. 1-2(e).

Upon a petition for review, we consider an appeal as though it has been originally filed in this court. See Wallace v. West Fraser South, Inc., 365 Ark. 68, 255 S.W.3d 361 (2006). On appeal, Kimbell argues that there is no substantial evidence to support the Commission’s conclusion that he was not performing employment services when he was injured. He further argues that there is no substantial evidence to support the Commission’s conclusion that his fall was idiopathic in nature. We agree and, accordingly, we reverse and remand.

As an employment specialist for Rehab Industry, Kimbell helped disabled people find jobs. On May 27, 2003, Kimbell was working out of an office at the Ross Center in Camden, when he stepped outside onto a porch to take a break and smoke a cigarette. While on the porch, Kimbell was approached by Stanley Minor, who had come to the Ross Center to get some information about social security disability benefits and to inquire about a “ticket to work” that he had received.

Kimbell and Minor agree that they discussed the “ticket to work,” but the two gave conflicting accounts of what happened during that discussion. Kimbell testified that when Minor approached him on the porch, he was “madder than hell.” Kimbell explained to Minor that the “ticket to work” meant that he would not receive his disability check. Minor repeatedly said “no” and became even more irritated. Kimbell testified that Minor kept stepping toward him, and then stepping away, and he was afraid of what Minor might do. Kimbell said that the third time Minor approached him, he stepped back and accidentally stepped off the porch and into a hole in the ground. Kimbell said that as he began to fall, he twisted his body to the right and landed on his right side, hitting his head, right shoulder, hip, and knee.

Robin Heard, who worked with Kimbell at the Ross Center, learned of the accident from a client. She went outside and saw Kimbell kneeling as if he were trying to pull himself up off the ground. Heard said that Minor had been in her office earlier that morning and had become angry at her because she could not help him. She said that Minor had been in such an agitated state that he threw some paperwork on her desk. Heard testified that, following the accident, Kimbell’s speech was slurred and that he mentioned that he had been talking to a man when the accident occurred.

Paige Davis, another one of Kimbell’s coworkers, testified that prior to the accident, Kimbell told her he was going outside to smoke a cigarette and would be back in a few minutes. After learning of the accident from Heard, Davis went outside to help Kimbell. Davis also said that Kimbell’s speech was slurred, but when she finally began to understand him, he said that he was talking to somebody and then fell.

Kimbell was transported by ambulance to Ouachita County Medical Center and admitted. Dr. Dan Martin’s medical records indicated that Kimbell had become “quite dizzy” prior to the fall. Based upon both his examination of Kimbell and information contained in radiology reports, Dr. Martin assessed Kimbell with “fall, possible TIA [transient ischemic attack], possible sleep apnea,” a right inferior pubic ramus fracture, high blood pressure, and hypothyroidism by history. Dr. Martin’s final diagnosis upon discharge identified a pelvic fracture and probable sleep apnea. Kimbell subsequently followed up with his regular physician, Dr. Patrick Antoon. Dr. Antoon diagnosed sleep apnea, but reported that Kimbell’s injury was accidental and due to tripping and falling and was not caused by a TIA or syncope.

In its opinion denying Kimbell’s claim, the Commission found that Kimbell’s injury did not occur while he was performing employment services, in that he was not engaged in an activity that carried out his employer’s interest when he chose to step outside for a smoke break. Further, the Commission found that even if Minor had asked Kimbell work-related questions, Minor did not have an appointment with Kimbell and was not Kimbell’s authorized client. The Commission determined that Minor imposed himself on Kimbell and that Kimbell responded by placating Minor, possibly out of fear and that, “[f]or whatever reason, [Kimbell] chose to address Minor’s issues while on break . . . .” The Commission found that, although Minor’s testimony was “somewhat difficult to follow,” he consistently denied being with Kimbell on the porch at the time of the fall. The Commission also noted that, while other testimony showed that Kimbell was confused and disoriented after the fall and that he mentioned having spoken to a man on the porch, he did not say that the man had caused the accident. In addition, the Commission gave little weight to the testimony of Heard and Davis because neither coworker witnessed the accident or the events leading up to it.

The Commission also found that Minor’s account of the accident was consistent with accounts contained in medical evidence. Specifically, the Commission noted that Kimbell never told Dr. Martin that, at the time of the accident, he was speaking to Minor, nor did he suggest that he was frightened off of the porch by anyone. In addressing the nature of the accident, the Commission gave greater weight to Dr. Martin’s opinion because his reports were prepared contemporaneously with Kimbell’s accident. In contrast, the Commission determined that Dr. Antoon’s opinion that Kimbell’s fall was not related to TIA was not supported by objective medical findings. Therefore, the Commission concluded that the weight of credible evidence supported a finding that Kimbell’s fall was idiopathic in nature and origin.

In appeals involving claims for workers’ compensation, this court views the evidence in a light most favorable to the Commission’s decision and affirms the decision if it is supported by substantial evidence. Arbaugh v. AG Processing, Inc., 360 Ark. 491, 202 S.W.3d 519 (2005). Substantial evidence is evidence that a reasonable mind might accept as adequate to support a conclusion. Williams v. Prostaff Temps., 336 Ark. 510, 988 S.W.2d 1 (1999). The issue is not whether the appellate court might have reached a different result from the Commission; if reasonable minds could reach the result found by the Commission, the appellate court must affirm the decision. Minnesota Mining & Mfg. v. Baker, 337 Ark. 94, 989 S.W.2d 151 (1999). Where the Commission denies a claim because of the claimant’s failure to meet his burden of proof, the substantial-evidence standard of review requires that we affirm if the Commission’s decision displays a substantial basis for the denial of relief. Wallace, supra; Davis v. Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc., 341 Ark. 751, 20 S.W.3d 326 (2000).

A compensable injury is defined, in part, as an accidental injury “arising out of and in the course of employment.” Ark. Code Ann. § 11-9-102(4)(A)(i) (Repl. 2002). A compensable injury does not include an “[ijnjury which was inflicted upon the employee at a time when employment services were not being performed.” Ark. Code Ann. § 11 — 9—102(4)(B)(iii) (Repl. 2002). This court has held that an employee is performing “employment services” when he or she “is doing something that is generally required by his or her employer.” Wallace, supra; Pifer v. Single Source Trans., 347 Ark. 851, 69 S.W.3d 1 (2002); Collins v. Excel Specialty Prods., 347 Ark. 811, 69 S.W.3d 14 (2002); White v. Georgia-Pacific Corp., 339 Ark. 474, 6 S.W.3d 98 (1999); Olsen Kimberly Quality Care v. Pettey, 328 Ark. 381, 944 S.W.2d 524 (1997). We must determine whether the injury occurred “within the time and space boundaries of the employment, when the employee [was] carrying out the employer’s purpose or advancing the employer’s interest directly or indirectly.” Wallace, 365 Ark. at 72, 225 S.W.3d at 365 (quoting White, 339 Ark. at 478, 6 S.W.3d at 100).

Clearly, Kimbell’s injuries occurred within the “time and space boundaries of his employment.” The question is whether he was “carrying out the employer’s interest or advancing the employer’s interest directly or indirectly.” As noted above, the Commission concluded that, at the time of his injury, Kimbell was on a break and not engaged in an activity that carried out his employer’s interest when he chose to step outside and away from his desk for a smoke break. In support of its decision, the Commission relied upon a prior Commission opinion, McCool v. Disabled American Veterans, E410491 (June 3, 1996), and a prior court of appeals decision, McKinney v. Trane Co., 84 Ark. App. 424, 143 S.W.3d 581 (2004). Both of those cases are distinguishable from the instant case.

In McCool, the claimant was injured when she was returning to her work area after going outside to smoke. The Commission found that McCool’s injury was not compensable, stating:

In the present claim, the claimant testified that she was not working at the time of the incident and that she had gone outside to smoke a cigarette. In fact, the evidence reflects that she went to smoke shortly after 8:00 a.m. Her own testimony is that she had to arrive at work only before the vans arrived, and that the vans usually started arriving from 8:30 to 8:45 a.m. each day. In addition, her testimony is that she wanted to make sure she had a cigarette before she “got real busy.” Therefore, at the time the claimant went outside to smoke on February 3, 1994, she had not even begun to perform employment services.

Furthermore, the claimant testified that her sole reason for going down the hall past the offices and outside was to smoke. Her testimony is that the area in which she smoked is almost a football field away from her office. In addition, she testified that after she walked out of her office and passed the next office, there were no other offices which dealt with DAV on her way down the hall in which she fell. The evidence clearly reflects that the area in which the claimant fell is not an area which she commonly uses in her everyday work-related activities. Therefore, based on the foregoing analysis, we find that when the accident occurred, the claimant was not engaged in any activity that carried out the employer’s purpose or advanced the employer’s interest.

In contrast to the facts in the instant case, in McCool, it was clear from the claimant’s own testimony that she was not carrying out her employer’s interest or advancing the employer’s interest, either directly or indirectly. Her sole purpose for going outside was to smoke a cigarette, and while on her smoke break, she did not engage in any employment services. In fact, the evidence in that case indicates that the claimant had not even begun working when she was injured.

In the instant case, Kimbell left his immediate duties and stepped outside to take a break. There is no evidence that he was not allowed or was not expected to take a rest period as part of his duties owed to his employer. Certainly, there is an obvious benefit to an employer in granting and even requiring rest periods, as evidenced by the universal practice of employers’ providing such breaks for their employees. As an employment specialist, it was Kimbell’s job to discuss disability benefits with clients. While outside, Kimbell spoke to Minor about his “ticket to work.” While explaining to Minor how he would be affected by the “ticket to work,” Kimbell was advancing his employer’s interest. At the time of the injury, Kimbell was at work directly advancing his employer’s interest. Thus, the Commission’s reliance on McCool is misplaced.

Likewise, McKinney is distinguishable from the instant case. In McKinney, the claimant, a sheet-metal fabricator, was injured when he jumped over some tube sheeting to retrieve his soda so that he could go on his smoke break. The court of appeals affirmed the Commission’s denial of benefits and held that McKinney, on his way to his smoke break, was involved in nothing generally required by his employer and was doing nothing to carry out the employer’s purpose; thus, the employer gleaned no benefit from his activities on break. The instant case is not analogous to McKinney. In this case, Kimbell was on a smoke break when he was approached by Minor, who asked about his “ticket to work.” Clearly, Kimbell’s employer gleaned some benefit from Kimbell’s conversation with Minor. However, our inquiry does not end here. Next, we turn to the Commission’s second basis for denial of relief. The Commission determined that, although it was evident that Kimbell had spoken to Minor at some point during his break, it was “questionable” that Kimbell was speaking to Minor about work-related matters, or even at all, at the time of his fall. We disagree. Both Minor and Kimbell testified that they discussed Minor’s “ticket to work” while on the porch, a matter that is clearly related to Kimbell’s job as an employment specialist. Furthermore, although the Commission concluded that Minor “consistently denied being on the porch with [Kimbell] at the time of the fall,” the record reveals no such consistency. Rather, Minor first testified that, at the time of the fall, he “was coming from the car” when he “heard something,” and noticed that Kimbell had fallen. Later, Minor testified that he was “on the porch” with Kimbell at the time of the fall.

Appellate courts defer to the Commission on issues involving the weight of evidence and the credibility of witnesses.¹ Freeman v. Con-Agra Frozen Foods, 344 Ark. 296, 40 S.W.3d 760 (2001). However, while the Commission may be insulated to a certain degree, it is not so insulated to render appellate review meaningless. Id. (citing Jordan v. J.C. Penney Co., 57 Ark. App. 174, 944 S.W.2d 547 (1997)). Likewise, the Commission may not arbitrarily disregard evidence in support of a claim. Freeman, supra. Here, in concluding that Minor consistently denied being on the porch at the time of the fall, when in fact, Minor testified at one point that he was on the porch with Kimbell at the time of the fall, the Commission has arbitrarily disregarded evidence in support of Kimbell’s claim. Moreover, Kimbell was clearly on call and working during his smoke break, as evidenced by his conversation with Minor. In sum, the Commission’s conclusion that Kimbell was not performing employment services when he was injured is not supported by substantial evidence.

Finally, in his second point on appeal, Kimbell argues that there was no substantial evidence to show that his fall was an idiopathic injury. An idiopathic fall is one whose cause is personal in nature, or peculiar to the individual. ERC Contractor Yard & Sales v. Robertson, 335 Ark. 63, 977 S.W.2d 212 (1998) (citing 1 Larson, Workers’ Compensation Law, § 12.11 (1998)). Because an idiopathic fall is not related to employment, it is generally not compensable unless conditions related to employment contribute to risk by placing the employee in a position which increases the dangerous effect of the fall. Robertson, supra. As previously noted, Dr. Martin assessed Kimbell with “fall, possible TIA, possible sleep apnea,” a right pubic ramus fracture, high blood pressure, and hypothyroidism by history. Then, when Kimbell was discharged four days later, Dr. Martin’s diagnosis identified a pelvic fracture, probable sleep apnea, high blood pressure, and hypothyroidism. What caused the fall, other than Kimbell’s description of dizziness and light-headedness, is impossible to determine. What is beyond dispute is that Kimbell and Minor had a heated, work-related exchange, and at some point, Kimbell fell. We hold that there is no substantial evidence to support the Commission’s finding that Kimbell’s injury was idiopathic in nature.

We do not believe that fair-minded persons with the same facts before them could have reached the conclusion arrived at by the Commission. The Commission’s decision does not display a substantial basis for the denial of relief. Therefore, we reverse and remand this matter to the Commission for a determination of benefits resulting from Kimbell’s injury.

Reversed and remanded.

Glaze, J., concurs. Imber and Dickey, JJ., dissent.

1 In the instant case, the ALJ found that Minor’s testimony was not reliable. However, the Commission found credible Minor’s testimony that he was not on the porch at the time of the fall. Kimbell does not raise the issue of whether the Commission erred by substituting its opinion regarding the credibility of the testimony for that of the ALJ, who was present at the hearing.

Previously, we have expressed our willingness to address the issue of whether a constitutional violation may result when the Workers’ Compensation Commission and a reviewing court are permitted to ignore the findings of an ALJ, the only adjudicator to see and hear the witnesses. See Scarbrough v. Cherokee Enters., 306 Ark. 641, 816 S.W.2d 876 (1991) (citing Webb v. Workers' Compensation Comm’n, 292 Ark. 349, 352, 733 S.W.2d 726, 730 (1987) (Newbern, J., concurring), and Hamby v. Everett, 4 Ark. App. 52, 55, 627 S.W.2d 266, 267 (1982) (Glaze, J., dissenting)). In Scarbrough,-we did not address the constitutional question as it relates to credibility issues, because in that case, there was no disagreement among the ALJ and the Commission with respect to the credibility of witnesses. See also Penter v. Baldwin Piano and Organ Co., 309 Ark. 487, 832 S.W.2d 215 (1992). Here, there is a disagreement among theALJ and the Commission; however, we are again unable to reach the issue because Kimbell failed to raise the issue below. We take this opportunity to once again express our willingness to address this issue in the future.