Brown v. RCD Timber Products, Inc. ( 2020 )

IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE
RONALD THOMAS BROWN, )
Claimant Below-Appellant,
Vv. C.A. No. N19A-08-006 VLM
RCD TIMBER PRODUCTS, INC.,
Employer Below-Appellee,
)
ORDER
Date Assigned: February 13, 2020
Date Decided: August 3, 2020!
Upon Consideration of Appellant’s Appeal of the Decision of the Industrial
Accident Board, AFFIRMED.
Christian G. Heesters, Esquire of Schuster Jachetti, LLP, Wilmington, DE.
Attorney for Appellant.
Nathan V. Gin, Esquire and Vance E. Davis, Jr., Esquire of Elfuzon Austin &
Mondell, P.A., Wilmington, DE. Attorneys for Appellee.
MEDINILLA, J.
1 The United States of America and the State of Delaware declared states of emergency due to
COVID-19 that resulted in court closures to address public safety concerns. Per Administrative
Directives of the Supreme Court of the State of Delaware and the Delaware Superior Court, and
the national and local states of emergency, “[u]nder the authority of 10 Del. C. § 2004, the judicial
emergency for all State courts and their facilities in Delaware [was] extended for another 30 days
effective July 8, 2020... .” Administrative Order No. 8 Extension of Judicial Emergency (Del.
July 6, 2020).
I
I. INTRODUCTION
Appellant/Claimant, Ronald Thomas Brown (“Brown”) timely appeals a
decision of the Industrial Accident Board (“Board”) that denied his Petition for
additional worker’s compensation benefits” where the Board found he failed to meet
his burden in establishing that his cervical spine diagnosis was related to his work
or that medical treatment to the spine was reasonable and necessary. Upon
consideration of the arguments and the record in this case, the Court finds as follows:
1. On March 4, 2017, Brown sustained a left shoulder injury from a work-
related accident while working for RCD Timber Products, Inc. (“Employer”).
Employer accepted the claim for workers’ compensation and Brown received
treatment from various medical providers, including two shoulder surgeries
performed by orthopedic surgeon, Joseph Mesa, M.D.
2. After the first surgery in August 2017, Dr. Mesa evaluated Brown and
found no evidence of any cervical spine pathology. During the same timeframe,
Brown received chiropractic treatment from Dr. Mclllrath to the cervical spine.’ On
October 23, 2017, Dr. Eric Schwartz, the medical expert on behalf of Employer,
2 Brown sought (1) acknowledgement of a cervical spine injury and cervical fusion surgery
recommended by Dr. Eskander; (2) payment of medical expenses for treatment provided by
Delaware Orthopaedic Specialists; (3) payment of medical expenses for treatment provided by Dr.
Mcllrath (chiropractic); and (4) payment of medical expenses for treatment provided by Dr. Cary
(pain management).
3 The Board noted that from September 27, 2017 to October 6, 2017, Dr. Mcllrath treated Brown’s
cervicothoracic region and directed treatment toward the cervical spine.
2
performed the first of two Defense Medical Evaluations (DME) and found no
evidence of issues to the cervical spine.*
3. In January 2018, Brown underwent an MRI of the left shoulder, which
showed a small partial thickness tear of the rotator cuff that necessitated the second
surgery by Dr. Mesa in March 2018. Unfortunately, Brown’s symptoms did not
improve so Dr. Mesa referred him to pain medicine specialist, Dr. John Rowlands,
who diagnosed Brown with cervical radiculopathy. An MRI in October 2018
confirmed disc herniation and severe stenosis. In December 2018, Brown had his
initial visit with Dr. Mesa’s colleague, Dr. Mark Eskander, an orthopedic spine
surgeon, for complaints of neck pain radiating to the left scapula. After this initial
visit, Dr. Eskander recommended a surgical fusion.
4. On December 18, 2018, Brown filed a Petition to Determine Additional
Compensation Due. On January 31, 2019, Dr. Schwartz performed a second DME
and opined that the cervical spine diagnosis was unrelated to the work injury.
Dn At the IAB hearing on June 14, 2019, the Board heard from both
experts, Drs. Eskander and Schwartz, for Brown and Employer, respectively. Dr.
Eskander testified that Brown’s cervical spine injury and treatment stemming
4 Brown’s Opening Brief, Exhibit C at 7:20-22; 8:9-14 (“And I did examine his neck at the time
of my examination, he had no cervical neck pain. . . . he’s not complaining of neck pain and there’s
no evidence of any cervical radiculopathy at the time of this first examination performed on
October 23, 2017.”).
3
therefrom? was reasonable, necessary, and related to his work injury of March 201 78
He offered that the absence of a cervical spine diagnosis was not indicative of a
misdiagnosis, but rather an “incomplete” one.’ Dr. Schwartz countered that Brown
did not exhibit any cervical spine or cervical radiculopathy symptoms until over one
year after the work accident and that because there was nothing acute on his MRI,
any cervical symptoms were due to degenerative disc disease unrelated to the work
accident.2 Dr. Schwartz further opined that the chiropractic treatment was not
necessary for Brown’s shoulder issues, that the pain management treatment was not
reasonable,!° and that any treatment related to the spine was not reasonable and
necessary as work-related."!
6. On July 31, 2019, the Board denied the Brown’s petition. Accepting
Dr. Schwartz’ opinion, the Board first found that Brown failed to satisfy his burden
of proof to that his cervical spine injury was work related.'? Second, the Board found
5 Including the treatment rendered by Dr. Mcllrath, Dr. Crary, and Delaware Orthopaedic
Specialists.
6 Brown’s Opening Brief, Exhibit A at 34-35 (“Claimant proffers Dr. Eskander’s testimony for his
opinion that the surgery is related because Claimant has experienced neck pathology since the
work accident and the disc herniation at C5-C6 occurred in the work accident either acutely or
Claimant’s herniation was acutely aggravated in the work accident.”) [hereinafter “Order”].
7 Brown’s Opening Brief, Exhibit B at 25:4-9 (“One is a shoulder issue and the other is a cervical
issue... . [T]here are some findings on Dr. Mesa’s operative report, but it doesn’t tell the whole
story .... | would describe it as an incomplete diagnosis.”) [hereinafter “Eskander Tr.” }.
8 Order at 35.
* Id.
10 Td.
1] Id.
2 Td. at 44.
that Brown failed to satisfy his burden of proof to make a showing that the treatment
sought was reasonable and necessary.'? In sum, the Board found Dr. Schwartz more
credible."4
ie On August 26, 2019, Brown filed a Notice of Appeal. On November
4, 2019, Brown filed his Opening Brief in Opposition of the Board’s Decision. On
November 22, 2019, Employer filed its Answering Brief. On December 5, 2019,
Brown filed his Reply Brief. The matter is now ripe for review."
Il. STANDARD OF REVIEW
8. On an appeal from a Board decision, the Superior Court does not
“weigh the evidence, determine questions of credibility, and make its own factual
findings and conclusions.”'® Those functions are exclusively held by the Board.'’
In considering an appeal from the Board, this Court’s review is limited to correcting
errors of law and a determination of whether substantial evidence!® in the record
13 Order at 46.
'4 Td, at 36-37.
'5 This case was assigned in late February 2020; review was limited due to COVID-19.
16 Johnson v. Chrysler Corp., 213 A.2d 64, 66 (Del. 1965); see Christiana Care Health Servs. v.
Davis, 127 A.3d 391, 394 (Del. 2015).
17 Noel-Liszkiewicz v. La-Z-Boy, 68 A.3d 188, 191 (Del. 2013) (citing Breeding v. Contractors—
One-Inc., 549 A.2d 1102, 110 (Del. 1988)).
18 Ofmey v. Cooch, 425 A.2d 610, 614 (Del. 1981) (Substantial evidence constitutes relevant
evidence that a reasonable person “might accept as adequate to support a conclusion.” ); see Perdue
Farms, Inc. v. Atkinson, No. CV S19A-07-003 RFS, 2019 WL 7373397, at *2 (Del. Super. Ct.
Dec. 30, 2019).
5
supports the Board’s decision.'? “Absent an abuse of discretion or an error of law,
a Board decision that is supported by substantial evidence will not be overturned by
the Court.””° Issues raised on appeal involving exclusively a question of law are
reviewed de novo.2' In its review of the record, the Court will evaluate it “in the
light most favorable to the prevailing party below.”
il. DISCUSSION
9. When an employee files a petition to determine the compensability of
an alleged work-related injury, the employee has the burden of proving causation
not to a certainty, but only by a preponderance of evidence.” Expert testimony is
often the primary mechanism used to fulfill this burden. Here, the Board reconciled
the conflicting opinions of two medical experts. As with any witness, the Board has
the authority and discretion to “determine[] the credibility of witnesses as well as
the appropriate weight to accord witness testimony and the reasonable inferences to
19 Maracle v. Int’l Game Tech., No. CIV.A. 09A-11-002PLA, 2010 WL 541199, at *2 (Del. Super.
Ct. Feb. 1, 2010) (citing Histed v. E.L Du Pont de Nemours & Co., 621 A.2d 340, 342 (Del. 1993);
Johnson, 213 A.2d at 66). See Lecompte v. Christiana Care Health Sys., 2002 WL 31186551, at
*2 (Del. Super. Ct. Oct. 2, 2002) (citing 29 Del. C. § 10142(d)) (The Superior Court determines
whether the record “is legally adequate to support the Board’s findings.”).
20 Miller v. Delaware Psychiatric Ctr., No. CIV.A. N12A-06007DCS, 2013 WL 1281850, at 7]
(Del. Super. Ct. Mar. 28, 2013) (citing Stanley v. Krafi Foods, Inc., 2008 WL 2410212, *2 (Del.
Super. Ct. Mar. 24, 2008)).
21 See Vincent v. E. Shore Markets, 970 A.2d 160, 163 (Del. 2009) (quoting Baughan v. Wal-Mart
Stores, 947 A.2d 1120, 2008 WL 1930576, at *2 (Del. 2008) (TABLE); citing Duvall v. Charles
Connell Roofing, 564 A.2d 1132 (Del. 1989)).
22 Miller, 2013 WL 1281850, at *7 (citing General Motors Corp. v. Guy, 1991 WL 190491, *3
(Del. Super. Ct. Aug. 16, 1991)).
23 Goicuria v. Kauffman’s Furniture, 706 A.2d 26, 1998 WL 67720, at *1 (Del. 1998) (TABLE).
6
be drawn therefrom.”2* When “there is contradictory expert testimony supported by
substantial evidence, it is within the [Board’s] discretion to accept the testimony of
one physician over another.” In exercising this discretion, the Board is “free to
reject, in full or in part, the testimony of one physician over another based on its
experience in gauging the testimony of witnesses who give conflicting testimony.””°
In doing so, the Board must provide clearly articulated factual findings.?” The Court
does not have the authority to encroach upon the Board’s discretion in making these
factual findings, and must accept such findings if sufficient facts exist in the record.”8
24 Miller, 2013 WL 1281850, at *8 (citing Saunders v. DaimlerChrysler, Corp., 2006 WL 390098,
*4 (Del. Feb. 17, 2006); Christiana Care Health Sys., VNA v. Taggart, 2004 WL 692640, *12
(Del. Super. Ct. Mar. 18, 2004) (citing Clements v. Diamond State Port Co., 831 A.2d 870, 878
(Del. 2000))).
25 Butler v. Speakman Co., 615 A.2d 530 (Del. 1992); see DiSabatino Bros. v. Wortman, 453 A.2d
102, 106 (Del. 1982) (citing General Motors v. Veasey, 371 A.2d 1074, 1076 (Del. 1977)) (finding
that although the evidence was in conflict, that the substantial evidence standard was satisfied
where the Board “was free to accept the testimony” of one doctor, the employer’s expert, over
contrary opinion testimony); see also Standard Distrib. Co. Through Pennsylvania Mfrs. Ass'n
Ins. Co. v. Nally, 630 A.2d 640, 646 (Del. 1993) (“[T]he Board was entitled to accept the testimony
of one medical expert over the views of another.”); see also Sweeney v. Wal-Mart, No. CV N12A-
06-008 ALR, 2013 WL 3975149, at *4 (Del. Super. Ct. July 31, 2013) (“It is well-established that,
in the case of conflicting expert testimony, the IAB is free to accept the opinion of one medical
expert over another.”).
26 Tyurbitt v. Blue Hen Lines, 711 A.2d 1214, 1215 (Del. 1998).
27 See Sweeney, 2013 WL 3975149, at *5 (citing Lindsay v. Chrysler Corp., 1994 WL 750345, ei
*3 (Del. Super. Ct. Dec. 7, 1994)) (The Superior Court found that reversal of a Board decision is
warranted where “the Board’s findings . . . amounted to a single paragraph in which the Board
simply stated that it found one expert more credible that another.”).
28 See Miller, 2013 WL 1281850, at *8 (citing Opportunity Ctr., Inc. v. Jamison, 2007 WL
3262211, *3 (Del. May 24, 2007) (citing Johnson v. Chrysler Corp., 213 A.2d 64, 66 (Del. 1965);
Christiana Care Health Sys., VNA v. Taggart, 2004 WL 692640, *12 (Del. Super. Ct. Mar. 18,
2004)).
7
10. Here, the Board issued a forty-seven page Order including a twelve-
page analysis of the comparison of expert testimony and the conflicting opinions of
whether Brown’s cervical spine injury was work-related.””. Woven throughout the
Board’s detailed comparison are consistent references to the record that led them to
conclude that Brown failed to meet his burden of proof.*°
11. Preliminarily, the Court does not accept Brown’s assertions that the
Board misquoted Dr. Eskander. Dr. Eskander testified that Brown’s cervical spine
injuries either occurred in the work accident acutely or were aggravated by the work
accident.*! Testifying, “I don’t know which of the two really, truly happened, but I
think both of them are equally plausible legitimate scenarios for what happened,”**
the Board’s reference reiterates why the expert believed the injury was work related.
To the extent it suggests some ambiguity regarding his opinion, there were other
reasons why the Board determined him less credible.
2° Order at 34-46.
30 Id. at 44.
31 Jd. at 34-35 (emphasis added).
32 Eskander Tr. 72:4-21 (“[T]here’s nothing that jumps out of this MRI and says this absolutely is
an acute disc herniation, but there’s nothing that says this has to be degenerative either. I think
we’ve described two plausible scenarios, and I'll reiterate them. Number one, there’s an acute
disc herniation at C5-6 that occurred during the work injury and that’s the source of his radiating
nerve pain down the arm. Scenario number two is he’s always had a bit of a disc budge or
protrusion there, but through all the mechanisms of the arm getting pulled, that was made
symptomatic. I don’t know which of the two really, truly happened, but I think both of them are
equally plausible legitimate scenarios for what happened . . . .”) (emphasis added).
8
12. First, it considered the frequency and timing of the experts’ evaluations
of Brown. It acknowledged that Dr. Eskander was Brown’s treating physician who
“should be given some deference due to his familiarity with Brown’s condition .. .
33, Outweighing this factor was that both experts saw Brown an equal number of
times.*4 Additionally, the Board highlighted that Dr. Eskander did not evaluate
Brown until nearly two years after his work accident.*° In comparing the timing and
frequency of the experts’ evaluations, the Board afforded less weight to one opinion
and accepted that “Dr. Schwartz saw [Brown] closer in time to the actual work
accident, . . . and therefore [was] able to examine [Brown’s] cervical spine at an
earlier date than Dr. Eskander . . . .”3°
13. After providing an overview of the periods in which each expert
evaluated Brown, the Board then provided a lengthy ten-page comparative analysis
of the testimony of both experts and the entire record. It declined to accept Dr.
Eskander’s opinion that multiple medical providers, including his colleague, Dr.
Mesa, failed to diagnose a spinal injury. Considering the entire record before it, the
Board “[did] not find Dr. Eskander’s theor[ies] plausible.”?”’ The evidence supports
the Board’s finding.
33 Order at 36.
34 Id.
35 Id.
36 Td. at 46.
37 Td. at 36-37.
14. Accepting Dr. Schwartz’ opinion on causation, the Board also
considered his opinion regarding whether the medical treatment rendered to Brown
for his cervical spine was reasonable and necessary. The issue of whether medical
services are reasonable is wholly factual and under the “exclusive fact-finding
purview of the Board.”3® Again, the Board properly found there was not sufficient
evidence to show that Brown’s pain management or chiropractic treatment was
reasonable and necessary.*’ For the reasons previously stated, substantial evidence
exists to support the Board’s decision.
IV. CONCLUSION
The Board’s decision to deny additional compensation is supported by
substantial evidence and free from legal error. Brown failed to satisfy his burden of
proof to make a showing by a preponderance of the evidence that his cervical injury
was work related or that the treatment for said injury was reasonable and necessary.
For the foregoing reasons, the Board’s decision is AFFIRMED.
J vik L. Medinilla
Judge
IT IS SO ORDERED.
oc: Prothonotary
38 See McCracken v. Wilson Beverage, No. C.A. 91A-10-004, 1992 WL 301985, at *2 (Del. Super.
Ct. Oct. 15, 1992); see also Moore v. Corp. Kids Learning Ctr., No. CV K15A-03-002 JJC, 2015
WL 5968861, at *3 (Del. Super. Ct. Oct. 6, 2015).
39 Order at 46.
10