Tyler J. Carroll v. West Virginia Heating & Plumbing Company

• Court: Intermediate Court of Appeals of West Virginia
• Decided: May 29, 2024
• Docket: 23-ica-559
• Status: Published

Opinion

IN THE INTERMEDIATE COURT OF APPEALS OF WEST VIRGINIA FILED Spring 2024 Term May 29, 2024 _____________________ released at 3:00 p.m. ASHLEY N. DEEM, DEPUTY CLERK INTERMEDIATE COURT OF APPEALS No. 23-ICA-559 OF WEST VIRGINIA _____________________

TYLER J. CARROLL, Claimant Below, Petitioner,

v.

WEST VIRGINIA HEATING & PLUMBING COMPANY, Employer Below, Respondent.

___________________________________________________________

Appeal from Workers’ Compensation Board of Review (JCN: 2021022612)

REVERSED _________________________________________________________

Filed: May 29, 2024

Cynthia M. Ranson, Esq. Charity K. Lawrence, Esq. J. Michael Ranson, Esq. Spilman Thomas & Battle, PLLC Ranson Law Offices, PLLC Charleston, West Virginia Charleston, West Virginia Counsel for Respondent Counsel for Petitioner

CHIEF JUDGE SCARR delivered the Opinion of the Court. SCARR, CHIEF JUDGE:

Petitioner Tyler J. Carroll appeals the West Virginia Workers’ Compensation

Board of Review’s (“BOR”) order dated November 27, 2023, which held his claim to be

not compensable. The BOR concluded, based upon this Court’s prior opinion remanding

the matter for further analysis, that Mr. Carroll’s attempted rescue and injury resulting

therefrom is not compensable under West Virginia’s workers’ compensation jurisprudence,

even though Leonard Ernie Bragg, as Mr. Carroll’s supervisor, gave implicit authorization

for such action.

For the reasons discussed below, the BOR’s order dated November 27, 2023,

is hereby reversed and Mr. Carroll’s claim shall be held compensable.

I. FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

This Court previously remanded this case back to the BOR for a proper

analysis under the applicable workers’ compensation law. See West Virginia Heating &

Plumbing Co. v. Carroll, No. 22-ICA-167, 2023 WL 3579092 (W. Va. Ct. App. May 22,

2023) (“Carroll I”). On remand, the BOR was tasked with considering whether any

company policies or procedures existed which provide guidance to employees as to the

proper conduct when confronted with an accident or other emergency while traveling for

1 work.1 Id. at *8. Additionally, we ordered the BOR to consider whether statements and/or

conduct of any supervisor or company agent, including but not limited to Mr. Bragg,

constituted actual or implicit authorization for Mr. Carroll’s actions. Id. Further, if such

authorization occurred, then the BOR should consider whether such authorization and/or

conduct is sufficient to support a finding of compensability under the existing workers’

compensation framework. Id.2

Mr. Carroll, a third-year union apprentice in the Plumbers and Pipefitters

Local Union #625,3 was working for West Virginia Heating and Plumbing Company

(“WVHP”), a member of the Kanawha Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors

Association at the time of the accident involved herein. At some point prior to May 4, 2021,

Mr. Carroll along with Mr. Bragg, a union journeyman, were assigned by Mary Beth

Johnson, president and owner of WVHP, to work on a project at the federal courthouse in

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

On May 3, 2021, Mr. Carroll and Mr. Bragg departed Charleston, West

Virginia, for Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in a WVHP van loaded with company tools,

1 This Court left the determination of allowing additional evidence up to the BOR, and based upon the record before us, the BOR permitted such additional evidence. 2 The majority of the facts are gleaned from this Court’s remanded opinion. 3 Mr. Carroll was twenty-three years old at the time of the accident. 2 equipment, and materials for the project. The union agreement specifically required the

transporting of company tools and equipment in a vehicle owned or leased by the company.

WVHP paid for overnight accommodations in Pittsburgh for the two men, and the purchase

of fuel and meals while they traveled. Mr. Carroll and Mr. Bragg performed work in

Pittsburgh on May 3 and May 4, 2021.

At about 5:30 p.m. on May 4, they finished their work on the project and

loaded the WVHP van with the remaining materials and equipment. At about 6:30 p.m.,

they departed Pittsburgh and headed south on Interstate-79 (“I-79”) toward Charleston.

After the two stopped in Morgantown for fuel and dinner, they continued south on I-79 to

Charleston.

At around 9:05 p.m., near the Sutton exit, the two men witnessed a white

pick-up truck heading northbound on I-79 lose control, cross the median, and barrel roll

into the southbound lanes of I-79. Mr. Carroll, driving the van, took evasive action to

successfully avoid the oncoming pickup truck. Mr. Carroll steered the van onto the right

shoulder of the southbound lane, turned on the van’s hazard lights, and observed that no

traffic was approaching from behind. Mr. Carroll backed up the van along the shoulder to

get closer to the truck.

Thereafter, Mr. Carroll and Mr. Bragg both simultaneously exited the van to

render aid. Mr. Carroll rushed to the driver’s door of the truck, while Mr. Bragg went to

3 the rear of the van with his cell phone flashlight engaged attempting to warn any oncoming

southbound traffic. As Mr. Carroll approached the truck, he could see the driver through

the windshield, the driver’s head was slumped forward, and he appeared to be unconscious.

Mr. Carroll tried to communicate with the driver but there was no response. Mr. Carroll

attempted to open the drivers’ door, but it was jammed shut.

In the meantime, a tractor-trailer approached the crash site, however, due to

Mr. Bragg’s flashlight warning, the truck was able to stop without hitting the disabled

truck. Seconds later, another truck appeared and slowed behind the tractor-trailer. Then a

small black vehicle, identified in the crash report as an uninsured 2013 Chevrolet Cruze,

traveling at a high rate of speed, passed the truck and the tractor-trailer in the passing lane

and struck the disabled white pick-up truck near the driver’s side door where Mr. Carroll

had been working to free the driver.

After the impact, Mr. Bragg looked at where Mr. Carroll had been standing,

but he was no longer there. Mr. Carroll later stated that his last memory was the light of

Mr. Bragg’s flashlight and the sound of a tractor-trailer gearing down. Mr. Carroll’s body

was found lying in the median. Mr. Carroll was treated on the scene by EMS personnel and

transported by helicopter to Charleston Area Medical Center.

Mr. Carroll sustained multiple fractures involving all four extremities and his

skull. On May 11, 2021, Mr. Carroll underwent a below-the-knee amputation of his left

4 leg. Ultimately, it was determined that there was insufficient tissue to salvage the leg below

the knee. Mr. Carroll underwent another amputation above the knee on May 14, 2021.

By order dated June 9, 2021, the claim administrator denied Mr. Carroll’s

application for workers’ compensation benefits, stating that his injuries were not sustained

in the course of and as a result of his employment. The Office of Judges (“OOJ”) issued an

initial order dated December 22, 2021, which reversed the claim administrator’s order.

After entry of the order, the OOJ notified the BOR that as a result of a computer error, two

documents, a second affidavit by Mr. Bragg dated November 8, 2021, and the employer’s

closing argument dated November 10, 2021, were not considered by the OOJ. WVHP’s

counsel requested a remand and Mr. Carroll’s counsel objected. On April 19, 2022, the

BOR found the two documents to be necessary and remanded the claim to the OOJ. On

September 12, 2022, the OOJ, after consideration of the additional evidence, again ordered

the claim administrator’s order be reversed and the claim be held compensable. 4

By signed opinion dated May 22, 2023, this court remanded the matter back

to the BOR. See Carroll I. Upon remand, the BOR was tasked with considering whether

there were any company policies or procedures which provide guidance to employees as

to the proper conduct when confronted with an accident or other emergency while traveling

4 As noted in Carroll I, the OOJ order was appealed to this Court previously because the OOJ order was issued during the time period when administrative proceedings were being transferred from the OOJ to the BOR. 5 for work. Id. at * 8. Additionally, this Court ordered the BOR to consider whether the

statements and/or conduct of any supervisor or company agent, including but not limited

to Mr. Bragg, constituted actual or implicit authorization for Mr. Carroll to attempt to

render aid. Id. Further, if such authorization occurred, then the BOR was to consider

whether such authorization and/or conduct is sufficient to support a finding of

compensability under the existing workers’ compensation framework. Id.

By order dated November 27, 2023, the BOR concluded Mr. Bragg’s actions

constituted implicit authorization; however, even with such implicit authorization, Mr.

Carroll failed to establish that he was injured in the course of and as a result of his

employment. It is from this order that Mr. Carroll now appeals.

II. STANDARD OF REVIEW

Our standard of review is set forth in West Virginia Code § 23-5-12a(b)

(2022), in part, as follows:

The Intermediate Court of Appeals may affirm the order or decision of the Workers’ Compensation Board of Review or remand the case for further proceedings. It shall reverse, vacate, or modify the order or decision of the Workers’ Compensation Board of Review, if the substantial rights of the petitioner or petitioners have been prejudiced because the Board of Review’s findings are:

(1) in violation of statutory provisions; (2) in excess of the statutory authority or jurisdiction of the Board of Review; (3) made upon unlawful procedures; (4) affected by other error of law;

6 (5) clearly wrong in view of the reliable, probative, and substantial evidence on the whole record; or (6) arbitrary or capricious or characterized by abuse of discretion or clearly unwarranted exercise of discretion.

Questions of law arising in decisions issued by the Board are reviewed de novo. Justice v.

W. Va. Off. Ins. Comm’n, 230 W. Va. 80, 83, 736 S.E.2d 80, 83 (2012).

III. DISCUSSION

On appeal, Mr. Carroll argues that the BOR was clearly wrong in concluding

that his claim is not covered under workers’ compensation. Mr. Carroll agrees with the

BOR’s finding that Mr. Bragg’s conduct constituted implicit authorization for Mr.

Carroll’s actions. Therefore, with such a finding of implicit authorization, the BOR erred

in nevertheless determining that his claim is not covered under the workers’ compensation

system in West Virginia.5 We agree.

In response, WVHP argues that Mr. Carroll was injured during a deviation

from his employment. Further, WVHP argues that even though that the BOR found Mr.

Bragg’s conduct constituted implicit authorization, such a finding is not sufficient to hold

the claim compensable under the existing workers’ compensation act.

5 We note that on appeal, Mr. Carroll again makes arguments for the adoption of the positional risk doctrine. However, for the same reasons stated in our previous opinion dated May 22, 2023, we decline to adopt these doctrine(s). 7 The Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia (“SCAWV”) has

consistently held:

In order for a claim to be held compensable under the Workmen’s Compensation Act, three elements must coexist: (1) a personal injury[;] (2) received in the course of employment[;] [a]nd (3) resulting from that employment.

Syl. Pt. 1, Barnett v. State Workmen’s Compensation Com’r., 153 W. Va. 796, 172 S.E.2d

698 (1970). Also, the SCAWV has consistently held that “[t]he two phrases, ‘in the course

of’ and ‘resulting from’ are not synonymous and both elements must concur in order to

make a claim compensable.” Emmel v. State Comp. Dir., 150 W. Va. 277, 281, 145 S.E.2d

29, 32 (1965). “The task of construction is made easier by breaking the phrase ‘in half,

with the “arising out of” [or “resulting from”] portion construed to refer to causal origin,

and the “course of employment” portion to the time, place, and circumstances of the

accident in relation to the employment.’” Morton v. West Virginia Office of Ins. Com’r,

231 W. Va. 719, 723, 749 S.E.2d 612, 616 (2013) (citations omitted). Further, “[i]n

determining whether an injury resulted from the claimant’s employment, a causal

connection between the injury and employment must be shown to have existed.” Id.

(citation omitted). “Whether an injury occurs in the course of and resulting from the

employment as to be compensable under the workmen’s compensation act depends upon

the particular facts in each case.” Emmel at 278, 145 S.E.2d. at 30, Syl. Pt. 2.

Here, given the particular facts of this case, Mr. Carroll was injured in the

course of and resulting from his employment with WVHP. Mr. Carroll and Mr. Bragg were

8 traveling back from a job site in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to Charleston, West Virginia,

and were still on the clock. As noted in Carroll I, it was previously disputed whether Mr.

Carroll was still in the course of his employment while traveling back to Charleston, West

Virginia; however, WVHP conceded that under the Fair Labor Standards Act, Mr. Carroll

was owed compensation for his travel time. See Carroll I, at *4. Therefore, there is no

question that Mr. Carroll was injured in the course of employment, as he was still on the

clock being paid for his travel time back to Charleston. However, the question remains

whether Mr. Carroll was injured as a result of his employment.

On remand, the BOR specifically found that “[t]he evidence establishes that

the conduct/actions of Mr. Bragg, [Mr. Carroll’s] supervisor, constitute[d] implicit

authorization for [Mr. Carroll] to attempt to render aid to the injured driver on the

interstate.” In accord with our previous remand, the BOR was tasked with three questions

to answer. First, the BOR was asked to consider whether “there were any company policies

or procedures which provide guidance to employees as to the proper conduct when

confronted with an accident or other emergency while traveling for work.” Carroll I, at *8.

On remand, the BOR found that based on Mr. Bragg’s and Ms. Johnson’s deposition

testimony no such policies exist. Next, the BOR was tasked with considering “whether the

statements and/or conduct of any supervisor or company agent, including but not limited

to Mr. Bragg, via statement and/or actions, constitute actual or implicit authorization for

Mr. Carroll to attempt to render aid.” Id. And further, “if such authorization occurred, then

9 the [BOR] should consider whether such authorization and/or conduct is enough to support

a finding of compensability….” Id.

As the fact finder in these matters, the BOR is in the best position to weigh

the evidence presented and make a determination as to whether Mr. Bragg’s

conduct/actions constituted implicit authority, and such finding will not be disturbed on

appeal unless clearly wrong. Here, the BOR determined the presence of such implicit

authorization; nonetheless, the BOR held the claim is not compensable under existing West

Virginia workers’ compensation jurisprudence. We find error in such conclusion. Once the

BOR found that Mr. Bragg’s conduct/actions constituted implicit authorization for Mr.

Carroll’s actions while working for WVHP, agency principles suggest that his injuries

sustained while attempting to render aid were a result of his employment.6

This Court is aware of the lack of case law in this State in the workers’

compensation context, regarding implied authority which can bring an act within the scope

6 While Mr. Bragg and Ms. Johnson both stated that they believed Mr. Bragg’s actions/conduct did not constitute implicit authorization, the BOR concluded that it did. Presumably the BOR made this conclusion based on Mr. Bragg’s previous deposition and the most recent one on remand. We cannot conclude that the BOR was clearly wrong in finding that Mr. Bragg’s actions/conduct constituted implicit authorization for Mr. Carroll to undertake the rescue because there is an abundant amount of evidence for a finding of implicit authorization. Based on Mr. Bragg’s earlier deposition, his affidavit, and his most recent deposition, the BOR was correct in finding there was implicit authorization. What can be gleaned from all the evidence is that Mr. Bragg and Mr. Carroll acted simultaneously, in concert with one another, in attempting to render aid in an accident they were the only witnesses to while traveling back from a job site. 10 of employment. However, the SCAWV has consistently held that “[a]n act specifically or

impliedly directed by the master, or any conduct which is an ordinary and natural incident

or result of that act, is within the scope of the employment.” See Syl. Pt. 1, Cochran v.

Michaels, 110 W. Va. 127, 157 S.E. 173 (1931). “Scope of employment” has long been

considered “as a relative term and requires a consideration of surrounding circumstances

including the character of the employment, the nature of the wrongful deed, the time and

place of its commission and the purpose of the act.” Griffith v. George Transfer & Rigging,

Inc., 157 W. Va. 316, 326, 201 S.E.2d 281, 288 (1973) (citation omitted). “[A] mere

deviation or departure from the usual and ordinary course and activities of . . . employment,

even to accomplish some private purpose of his own in connection with the business of his

employer, does not of itself, as a matter of law, relieve the employer of liability.” Levine v.

Peoples Broadcasting Corp., 149 W. Va. 256, 261, 140 S.E.2d 438, 442 (1965).

Specific to the workers’ compensation context, it has been determined that

“[i]f there is an incidental or causal connection between the employment and the accident,

the injury is deemed to have arisen out of the former, even when the connection is

somewhat remote, and when the direct and immediate agency of injury is foreign.” See

Archibald v. Ott, 77 W. Va. 448, ___, 87 S.E. 791, 792 (1916). Further, “acts as are

necessary to the life, comfort, and convenience of the servant while at work, though strictly

personal to himself, and not acts of service, are incidental to the service, and injury

sustained in the performance thereof is deemed to have arisen out of the employment.” Id.

11 Here, the BOR found that Mr. Bragg’s conduct/actions constituted implicit

authority for Mr. Carroll’s attempt to render aid, and it would be illogical to hold that his

injuries sustained in attempting to render aid based on that implied authority are not

compensable. Thus, this Court concludes that a determination regarding the scope of

employment is relative to the facts of each case and that in certain cases, like this case,

implicit authorization can bring an employee’s acts within the scope of employment.

IV. CONCLUSION

In the factual circumstances contained in the record, it is clear that Mr.

Carroll’s injuries occurred in the course of and as a result of his employment with WVHP.

For the foregoing reasons, the BOR’s November 27, 2023, order is reversed and Mr.

Carroll’s claim is to be held compensable.

Reversed.