Soto v. Hickory Springs Manufact.

CourtNorth Carolina Industrial Commission
DecidedNovember 3, 2010
DocketI.C. NO. 668106.
StatusPublished

This text of Soto v. Hickory Springs Manufact. (Soto v. Hickory Springs Manufact.) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering North Carolina Industrial Commission primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Soto v. Hickory Springs Manufact., (N.C. Super. Ct. 2010).

Opinion

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Upon review of the competent evidence of record, with reference to the errors assigned, and considering the briefs and oral arguments of the parties, the Full Commission finds good grounds to receive further evidence, but not to rehear the parties or their representatives. Upon reconsideration of the evidence, the Full Commission affirms in part and reverses in part the Opinion and Award of the Deputy Commissioner, and enters the following Opinion and Award.

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DEFENDANTS' MOTION TO ADMIT NEW EVIDENCE
Defendants moved, pursuant to Rule 609 and Rule 701 of the Workers' Compensation Rules of the North Carolina Industrial Commission and other applicable law, for an Order allowing the re-opening of the record in this matter to include additional evidence in the form of *Page 2 Plaintiff's payroll records for the pay dates from October 2, 2008 through November 6, 2008. Plaintiff did not submit a written response to Defendants' Motion. After consideration of the written and oral arguments of the parties, Defendants' Motion to Admit New Evidence is hereby GRANTED. Accordingly, Plaintiff's payroll records for the pay dates from October 2, 2008 through November 6, 2008, attached as exhibits to Defendants' Motion, shall be attached to the end of the stipulated exhibits.

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The Full Commission finds as fact and concludes as matters of law the following, which the parties entered into at the hearing as:

STIPULATIONS
1. The parties are subject to the provisions of the North Carolina Workers' Compensation Act, and the North Carolina Industrial Commission has jurisdiction over the parties and of the subject matter of these proceedings.

2. An employment relationship existed between the parties at all times relevant to these proceedings.

3. Defendant-Carrier provided workers' compensation insurance coverage to Defendant-Employer at all times relevant to these proceedings, and is correctly named above.

4. There is no question as to the mis-joinder or the non-joinder of any party.

5. Plaintiff's average weekly wage is $390.38, yielding a compensation rate of $259.99.

6. On or about April 7, 2005, Plaintiff sustained an injury (or started missing time from work because of disease), with the exact date to be determined by the North Carolina Industrial Commission. *Page 3

7. Plaintiff's injury/disease arose out of and in the course of her employment and is compensable.

8. Defendants paid Plaintiff only some medical compensation.

9. At the hearing before the Deputy Commissioner, the parties stipulated that on February 4, 2008, Defendant-Employer transferred Plaintiff from the upholstery sewer position to the ETON line position.

10. At the hearing before the Deputy Commissioner, the parties stipulated that Plaintiff developed right carpal tunnel syndrome as a result of her upholstery sewer position.

11. The parties stipulated to the following documents being admitted into evidence as stipulated exhibits:

a. Stipulated Exhibit One: Pre-Trial Agreement;

b. Stipulated Exhibit Two: Various documents, including:

i. North Carolina Industrial Commission forms and filings;

ii. Correspondence from Defendant-Carrier to Dr. Timothy Hugh Kirkland and Plaintiff dated April 20, 2006;

iii. Plaintiff's medical records;

iv. Job description for the ETON line position;

v. Correspondence from Plaintiff's counsel to Defendants' counsel dated October 27, 2008;

c. Stipulated Exhibit Three: Video of the upholstery sewer position;

d. Stipulated Exhibit Four: Video of the ETON line position.

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ISSUES *Page 4
The issues to be determined are:

1. Whether Plaintiff's carpal tunnel syndrome and shoulder conditions are compensable?

2. Whether Plaintiff is entitled to any further workers' compensation benefits?

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Based upon the competent and credible evidence of record, the Full Commission makes the following:

FINDINGS OF FACT
1. Plaintiff is 37 years old, with a date of birth of May 16, 1973. Plaintiff's primary language is Spanish, and an interpreter assisted with her testimony at the hearing before the Deputy Commissioner. Plaintiff worked as an upholstery sewer for Defendant-Employer from 1999 through February 3, 2008. The upholstery sewer position involves repetitive use of both hands and arms in sewing upholstery fabrics.

2. In 1995, Plaintiff developed bilateral hand pain and weakness. In June 2005, Defendants authorized Plaintiff to see Dr. Allen Richard Edwards, a family medicine and occupational medicine specialist, who diagnosed her with tendonitis and/or carpal tunnel syndrome. Dr. Edwards ordered physical therapy, which provided some relief to Plaintiff.

3. Beginning October 11, 2005, Defendants authorized Plaintiff to see Dr. Timothy Hugh Kirkland, an orthopaedist with a specialty in hand surgery, who diagnosed bilateral hand and right wrist tendonitis. A March 22, 2006 nerve conduction study revealed right carpal tunnel syndrome. On May 8, 2006, Dr. Kirkland performed right carpal tunnel syndrome release surgery. On May 23, 2006, Dr. Kirkland allowed Plaintiff to return to her upholstery sewer position with no restrictions. *Page 5

4. On October 23, 2006, Defendants authorized Plaintiff to see Dr. William Martin Pekman, an orthopaedist with a specialty in hand surgery. Plaintiff was continuing to complain of hand numbness. Dr. Pekman felt that Plaintiff could have an underlying issue explaining her pain such as thyroid disease or chronic inflammatory problems, and so recommended a repeat nerve conduction study. However, Defendants would not authorize the nerve conduction study recommended by Dr. Pekman.

5. On November 29, 2007, Plaintiff presented to Dr. Anthony John DeFranzo, a plastic surgeon, for a second opinion. Dr. DeFranzo's physical examination of Plaintiff revealed a positive Phalen's test and a positive Tinel's test, which is indicative of carpal tunnel syndrome. Dr. DeFranzo diagnosed Plaintiff with bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, issued work restrictions of light-duty with no repetitive work, no sewing, and a 10 pound weight limit, and recommended a repeat nerve conduction study.

6. On January 7, 2008, Defendants' counsel, with the consent of Plaintiff's counsel, sent correspondence to Dr. DeFranzo regarding Plaintiff being transferred to an ETON line position with Defendant-Employer. Working on the ETON line would require Plaintiff to pick up a piece of material weighing less than one pound, place it on a material holder which would move it down an automated line to the next employee, and continue this process until completion of an order. In response, Dr. DeFranzo replied that he thought that Plaintiff could perform the duties described for the ETON line position as long as she could proceed at her own pace. At the time, however, Dr. DeFranzo did not have the video of the ETON line position later entered into evidence. On February 3, 2008, Plaintiff began working on Defendant-Employer's ETON line. Plaintiff had opportunities to take breaks. *Page 6

7.

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Soto v. Hickory Springs Manufact., Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/soto-v-hickory-springs-manufact-ncworkcompcom-2010.