Page v. McCain Foods, Inc.

179 P.3d 265, 145 Idaho 302, 2008 Ida. LEXIS 21
CourtIdaho Supreme Court
DecidedJanuary 31, 2008
Docket33158
StatusPublished
Cited by12 cases

This text of 179 P.3d 265 (Page v. McCain Foods, Inc.) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Idaho Supreme Court primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Page v. McCain Foods, Inc., 179 P.3d 265, 145 Idaho 302, 2008 Ida. LEXIS 21 (Idaho 2008).

Opinion

BURDICK, Justice.

This is an appeal from a decision by the Industrial Commission on a workers’ compensation claim. The claimant asks the Court to decide whether the determinations are supported by substantial and competent evidence, whether her motion to reconsider was timely filed, and whether she is entitled to attorney fees. We affirm in part, reverse in part, and remand.

I. FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

Appellant VerDene Page was employed by McCain Foods, Inc. (McCain). On August 17, 2001,

Page felt her left knee “grab” and experienced pain in the knee as she rose from a chair in the break room at work. She *305 rubbed the knee and the pain went away. A couple hours later, Page was seated at a table engaged in doing a “key report.” She rose from her seat, her left leg “grabbed” again and she experienced pain in her knee.

Page v. McCain Foods, Inc., 141 Idaho 342, 344, 109 P.3d 1084, 1086 (2005).

Page filed a claim for workers’ compensation benefits. The Idaho Industrial Commission (the Commission) determined that Page sustained a torn meniscus in her left knee, on which Dr. Joseph R. Petersen performed surgery, and that Page suffered from several preexisting conditions including degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease. The factual conclusions also showed that since August 17, 2001, Page has been treated for several conditions including back pain, knee pain, a panic attack, and depression. Ultimately, however, the Commission denied Page’s claim. Page appealed, and subsequently this Court reversed and remanded the claim holding the Commission erred in concluding Page’s claim was barred for lack of proper notice and in concluding Page did not experience an “accident.” Page, 141 Idaho at 349,109 P.3d at 1091.

On remand, the Commission awarded Page total disability and related medical care benefits through November 26, 2001, awarded Page a “1% whole person” permanent impairment, and awarded Page a 5% permanent partial disability resulting from the accident. The Commission also determined Page failed to show she qualified for “odd-lot” status and determined she was not entitled to attorney fees for the first appeal.

Page made two motions to reconsider, a motion for additional findings, a motion to reopen the record, and a motion to review the record to correct a manifest injustice. The Commission denied these motions. Page once again appeals.

II. STANDARD OF REVIEW

The Court may set aside an order or award by the Industrial Commission if: (1) the commission’s findings of fact are not based on any substantial competent evidence; (2) the commission has acted without jurisdiction or in excess of its powers; (3) the findings of fact, order or award were procured by fraud; or (4) the findings of fact do not as a matter of law support the order or award. I.C. § 72-732; Ewins v. Allied Sec., 138 Idaho 343, 345-46, 63 P.3d 469, 471-72 (2003). This Court exercises free review over the Commission’s legal conclusions but does not disturb factual findings that are supported by substantial and competent evidence. Ewins, 138 Idaho at 346, 63 P.3d at 472. “Substantial evidence is relevant evidence that a reasonable mind might accept as adequate to support a conclusion.” Id. This Court views all facts and inferences “in the light most favorable to the party who prevailed before the Commission.” Taylor v. Soran Rest., Inc., 131 Idaho 525, 527, 960 P.2d 1254, 1256 (1998) (internal quotations and citation omitted).

III. ANALYSIS

On appeal, Page argues that she should have been awarded benefits beyond November 26, 2001, that the Commission should have reviewed its order to correct a manifest injustice, that she suffered more than a 1% whole person permanent impairment and more than a 5% permanent partial disability, and that she is totally and permanently disabled pursuant to “odd-lot” theories. Page also asserts her motion to reconsider was timely filed and that the Commission’s failure to address the merits of the motion was error. Finally, she contends the Commission erred when it failed to award Page attorney fees for the first appeal and that Page is entitled to an award of attorney fees for the present appeal.

A. Manifest Injustice

The Commission concluded Page was entitled to income benefits and medical benefits for her knee injury from August 18, 2001, through November 26, 2001. Page argues the Commission erred by terminating Page’s income and medical benefits on November 26, 2001, and that the Commission should have reopened the case to correct a manifest injustice. We agree the Commission should have granted Page’s motion to reopen the case to correct a manifest injustice and re *306 mand the case so the Commission can reconsider the date of medical stability in light of Page’s motion.

A claimant is entitled to income benefits for total and partial disability “during the period of recovery.” I.C. § 72-408. The statute does not define “period of recovery,” but this Court has said the period of recovery ends when the worker is medically stable. Hernandez v. Phillips, 141 Idaho 779, 781, 118 P.3d 111, 113 (2005). Additionally, an employer must provide reasonable medical care for an injured employee “as may be reasonably required by the employee’s physician or needed immediately after an injury ... and for a reasonable time thereafter.” I.C. § 72-432(1).

The Commission concluded Page was in a period of recovery from August 18, 2001, through November 26, 2001. Dr. Petersen, who performed surgery to repair Page’s meniscus tear initially, opined Page was medically stable as to her knee on November 26, 2001. The parties agree that Page was scheduled to see Dr. Petersen on November 26, 2001, but did not show up for the appointment. In its order denying Page’s second motion for reconsideration, the Commission indicates it “gave greater weight and credibility to the evidence presented by Dr. Petersen.”

Page moved the Commission to review its order to correct a manifest injustice. In her motion, Page argues that it was a manifest injustice to terminate Page’s income and medical benefits on November 26, 2001, because the only evidence supporting that determination is testimony by Dr. Petersen revealing he did not actually examine Page on that date. Additionally, Page supported her motion with a letter written by Dr. Petersen stating Page was not medically stable on November 26, 2001, that he was not previously aware that Page had followed up with Dr. Hicks after missing her November 26, 2001, appointment with Dr. Petersen, and furthermore, that Page has since followed up with Dr. Petersen and currently needs additional treatment which is partially attributable to Page’s accident.

The Commission may review any order to correct a manifest injustice. I.C. § 72-719(3). The fact that I.C.

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Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
179 P.3d 265, 145 Idaho 302, 2008 Ida. LEXIS 21, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/page-v-mccain-foods-inc-idaho-2008.