Sonya Lamb Middleton v. Lowe's Home Centers, Inc. , Et Al ( 2015 )

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RENDERED: OCTOBER 29, 2015
NOT TO BE PUBLISHED
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2015-SC-000120-WC
SONYA LAMB MIDDLETON APPELLANT
ON APPEAL FROM COURT OF APPEALS
V. CASE NO. 2014-CA-001136-WC
WORKERS' COMPENSATION NO. 12-88059
LOWE'S HOME CENTERS, INC.;
HONORABLE WILLIAM J. RUDLOFF,
ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE; AND
WORKERS' COMPENSATION BOARD APPELLEES
MEMORANDUM OPINION OF THE COURT
AFFIRMING
Appellant, Sonya Lamb Middleton, appeals a Court of Appeals decision
which reversed a Workers' Compensation Board ("Board") opinion affirming her
award enhanced by the three multiplier. KRS 342.730(1)(c)1. The Court of
Appeal'S held that application of the triple multiplier was unsupported by the
record and based upon a hypothetical situation. Middleton disagrees, and
argues that application of the three multiplier was supported by the record
because she does not retain the physical capacity to return to the type of work
she performed at the time of her work-related injury. For the below stated
reasons, we affirm.
Middleton has been employed by Lowe's as a "project specialist for
exteriors" for over twelve years. She suffered a work-related injury consisting
of a ruptured disc at the C6-C7 level in 2012. Middleton underwent an
anterior cervical discectomy and fusion which provided her with some pain
relief. However, she still experiences pain that radiates into her cervical region,
mid to upper back and neck area, and both shoulders.
Middleton's Form 101 describes the physical requirements of her job as
"Miffing; mainly taking samples out of my vehicle and carrying them into
customers [sic] homes; traveling back & forth from Lowe's to customers [sic]
homes; paperwork/ sales order." After the work-related injury and the
surgeries, Middleton returned to her employment with Lowe's. She is able to
perform all of the physical tasks associated with her job, but claims it is
difficult for her. Middleton alleges that when she pushes or pulls a cart, which
she uses to take materials to customers, pain radiates down her left arm. She
also alleges that she experiences a burning feeling in her neck and numbness
on the first and second fingers on her left hand. Her current medications
include Ibuprofen, Levothyroxine, Flexeril, and Imitrex. Dr. James Owen,
Middleton's medical expert, recommended that she "avoid activities such as
extending her arm posteriorly and pulling" because it seemed to exacerbate her
neck pain and cause radiating pain.
Dr. Owen and Lowe's medical expert, Dr. Bart Goldman, both assigned
her a 27% permanent whole person impairment to the body as a whole based
on the AMA Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment, Fifth Edition.
2
The ALJ assigned Middleton that impairment rating and then turned to the
application of the multipliers per KRS 342.730(1)(c). That statute states in
pertinent part:
1. If, due to an injury, an employee does not retain the physical
capacity to return to the type of work that the employee performed
at the time of injury, the benefit for permanent partial disability
shall be multiplied by three (3) times the amount otherwise
determined under paragraph (b) of this subsection, but this
provision shall not be construed so as to extend the duration of
payments; or
2. If an employee returns to work at a weekly wage equal to or
greater than the average weekly wage at the time of injury, the
weekly benefit for permanent partial disability shall be determined
under paragraph (b) of this subsection for each week during which
that employment is sustained. During any period of cessation of
that employment, temporary or permanent, for any reason, with or
without cause, payment of weekly benefits for permanent partial
disability during the period of cessation shall be two (2) times the
amount otherwise payable under paragraph (b) of this subsection.
The ALJ made the following findings regarding Middleton's eligibility for
the multipliers:
I saw and heard [Middleton] testify at the Final Hearing and
make the factual determination that she is clearly a well-motivated
worker and her sworn testimony was very credible and convincing.
In this case, I am required to make an analysis under
Fawbush v. Gwinn, 103 S.W.3d 5 (Ky. 2003). Based upon
[Middleton's] sworn testimony and the medical evidence from Dr.
Owen, which is summarized above, I make the factual
determination that [Middleton] cannot return to the type of work
which she performed at the time of her work injuries in accordance
to KRS 342.730(1)(c)1. I base that factual determination on
[Middleton's] diagnosis being status post C6-7 anterior cervical
discectomy and decompression with microsurgical technique and
insertion of anterior interbody Synthes cage, arthrodesis local
harvested allograft, anterior instrumentation with Synthes plate
and screws with persistent neck pain, her 27% permanent
impairment rating, her statement that she has daily pain at her job
consisting of aching and stabbing and burning pain from the base
of her neck radiating up the back of her head posteriorly, muscle
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spasms between her shoulder blades with burning and pins and
needles radiating down her left upper extremity, and pins and
needles and numbness into her left long and index fingers, and
also the fact that she takes on a daily basis pain medications,
consisting of Ibuprofen, Levothyroxine, Flexeril, and Imitrex. She
testified at the Final Hearing that she has a limited range of motion
in her neck and that her job is getting progressively more difficult
and painful. Again, I found her testimony to be very credible and
convincing. In addition, I make the factual determination that
[Middleton] has returned to work for [Lowe's] earning the same or
greater average weekly wage than she earned at the time of her
work injuries per KRS 342.730(1)(c)2. I make the factual
determination that potentially both the 2 and the 3 multipliers
could apply in this case and I must determine which is
appropriate. I also have to make the determination whether
[Middleton] is unlikely or likely to be able to continue earning the
wage that equals or exceeds her wage at the time of her work
injuries for the indefinite future. Based upon [Middleton's] sworn
testimony and the persuasive and compelling medical report from
Dr. Owen, I make the further factual determination that under the
decision of the Court of Appeals of Kentucky in Adkins v. Pike
County Board of Education, 141 S.W.3d 387 (Ky. App. 2004), the
Fawbush analysis includes a broad range of factors, only one of
which is [Middleton's] ability to perform, her current job. Under
the Adkins case, the standard for the decision is whether
[Middleton's] injuries have permanently altered her ability to earn
an income and whether the application of KRS 342.730(1)(c)1 is
appropriate. I make the factual determination under [Middleton's]
sworn testimony and the medical report from Dr. Owen that it is
unlikely that [Middleton] will be able to continue for the indefinite
future to do work from which to earn such a wage. Based upon all
of the above-cited evidence, which is summarized above, I make
the factual determination that the third prong of the Fawbush
analysis applies here and that [Middleton's] injuries have
permanently altered her ability to earn an income, that she is
unlikely to be able to continue for the indefinite future to do work
from which to earn such a wage. I, therefore, make the factual
determination that the third prong of the Fawbush analysis applies
here and that under the application [Middleton] is entitled to the 3
multiplier under KRS 342.730(1)(c)1.
The ALJ made further findings of fact in an opinion and order on
reconsideration:
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[Lowe's] argues that [Middleton] is not entitled to an award of
enhanced permanent partial disability benefits and that the
Administrative Law Judge erred in so deciding.
[Middleton] testified that after her neck surgery she returned
to work for Lowe's. She testified in detail about the physical
requirements of her current job. She stated that since returning to
work her job has been very physically demanding. She has a
limited range of motion in her neck and has difficulty climbing into
attics, stooping down and crawling. She also has difficulty moving
items weighing 25-30 pounds in and out of her vehicle. She stated
that her ability to physically perform her job has become
progressively more difficult because of having to lift, pull, and
extend and because of the limitations in her neck and left arm.
Those physical activities have become more painful for her. She
testified that she has extreme sharp shooting pains that go into the
back of her skull and pain down her left arm. After driving, she
has a burning sensation going down into her hands and fingers.
She has numbness in the fingers of her left hand. She has been
attempting to modify her job. She has changed her schedule. At
the end of her work day she goes home and takes pain medication
and then rests on the couch with a heating pad or ice pad. She
takes Motrin, Tylenol, and Flexeril to relieve muscle spasms
between her shoulder blades. Due to her painful symptoms, she
has difficulty sleeping at night. She has to take another Flexeril in
the middle of the night for relief. She stated that taking Flexeril
makes her sleepy. She stated that since her deposition the
physical condition of her neck has gotten worse and the pain has
gotten more frequent, causing her to take more pain medication.
She testified that she did not think that she would be able to keep
up her present pace on the job into the foreseeable future, which
will result in her having to take a huge pay cut.
In Hush v. Abrams, 584 S.W.2d 48 (Ky. 1979), the Kentucky
Supreme Court stated that where the medical evidence clearly and
unequivocally shows the plaintiff's actual bodily condition, [the
plaintiff's] lay testimony is competent on the question of the extent
of disability which as resulted from his bodily condition, and that
where there is medical testimony from which the decision maker
could conclude that the plaintiff did suffer trauma, the decision
maker could then use lay testimony to determine the extent of the
plaintiff's occupational disability.
Taking all of the above-cited evidence into consideration, I
make the factual determination that the third prong of the
Fawbush analysis applies here and that under that application
[Middleton] is entitled to the 3 multiplier under KRS
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342.730(1)(c)1. In making that determination, I also relied upon
the opinion of the Kentucky Supreme Court in Adams v. NHC
Healthcare, 199 S.W.3d 163, 168-69 (Ky. 2006), where the high
court stated that the standard for decision is whether the injury
has permanently altered the workers' ability to earn an income and
that the application of KRS 342.730(1)(c)1 is appropriate if the
plaintiff returns to work at the same or greater wage, but is
unlikely to be able to continue for the indefinite future to do work
from which to earn such a wage.
The Board affirmed the ALJ's findings and Lowe's appealed to the Court
of Appeals. The Court of Appeals reversed the Board holding that applying the
three multiplier to Middleton's award was unwarranted. The Court of Appeals
held that a Fawbush analysis should not have been conducted because there
was no testimony of record that Middleton currently lacks the physical capacity
to perform the full range of her employment duties. The court noted that while
Middleton indicated she would like some accommodations to make her job
easier, she had not asked Lowe's to implement them. The Court of Appeals
also cited to the fact that Middleton only feared she might need to increase the
medicines she takes to continue performing her job, but had not requested or
been prescribed those drugs. The Court of Appeals concluded:
In short, Middleton was granted the three times multiplier based
upon a hypothetical situation that accommodations (when she
decides to ask for them) and a prescription for pain relief
medication (when she obtains one from a physician) might entirely
prevent. This, in turn, is speculation and does not support an
enhancement pursuant to KRS 342.730(1)(c)1.
Middleton appealed the reversal of the application to this Court.
The Board's review in this matter was limited to determining whether the
evidence is sufficient to support the ALJ's findings, or if the evidence compels a
different result. W. Baptist Hosp. v. Kelly, 827 S.W.2d 685, 687 (Ky. 1992).
6
Further, the function of the Court of Appeals is to "correct the Board only
where the Court perceives the Board has overlooked or misconstrued
controlling statutes or precedent, or committed an error in assessing the
evidence so flagrant as to cause gross injustice." Id. at 687-88. Finally, review
by this Court "is to address new or novel questions of statutory construction,
or to reconsider precedent when such appears necessary, or to review a
question of constitutional magnitude." Id. The ALJ, as fact-finder, has the sole
discretion to judge the credibility of testimony and weight of evidence.
Paramount Foods, Inc. v. Burkhardt, 695 S.W.2d 418 (Ky. 1985). For the below
stated reasons, we affirm the Court of Appeals.
Middleton argues that the Court of Appeals erred by reversing the portion
of the ALJ's opinion and order that enhanced her award by the three
multiplier. We disagree. As used in KRS 342.730(1)(c)1, the phrase "the type
of work that the employee performed at the time of injury" refers to the specific
jobs or tasks that the individual performed, rather than the title of the position
or the job classification. Ford Motor Company v. Forman, 142 S.W.3d 141, 145
(Ky. 2004). Thus, a return to the same job title is not dispositive in deciding to
apply the three multiplier. Id.
In this matter, the uncontradicted evidence is that Middleton has
returned, not only to the same job classification, but also performs the exact
same tasks that she did before her work-related injury. While Middleton might
have difficulty performing those tasks, she admits that she can complete them
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at this time. Thus, the Court of Appeals was correct in holding that KRS '
342.730(1)(c)1 does not apply.
Middleton counters the fact that she is able to perform the same tasks
now as she did before the work-related injury by stating that she is exceeding
the restrictions placed upon her by her physicians. However, it is unclear that
Middleton must significantly exceed any restriction placed upon her to perform
her job. Additionally, while Middleton takes medications for her pain, she does
not have to take them in excess to perform her job. See Fawbush, 103 S.W.3d
at 8 (holding that the claimant may be eligible to have his award enhanced by
the three multiplier because he had to take higher doses of narcotics than
prescribed to be able to perform his job). Thus, the ALJ erred by finding that
KRS 342.730(1)(c)1 could apply to Middleton's award.
For the above stated reasons, we affirm the decision of the Court of
Appeals.
All sitting. Minton, C.J.; Abramson, Cunningham, Noble, and Venters,
JJ., concur. Barber, J., dissents by separate opinion in which Keller, J., joins.
BARBER, J., DISSENTING: Respectfully, I dissent. Middleton has
worked for Lowe's as an exterior project specialist for more than twelve years.
On January 9, 2012, she sustained a work-related injury resulting in a
ruptured disc at C6-7. After undergoing a cervical fusion, Middleton returned
to work at Lowe's at the same or greater wage.
The ALJ properly analyzed the case under Fawbush v. Gwinn, 103
S.W.3d 5 (Ky. 2003) and Adkins v. Pike County Board of Education, 141 S.W.3d
8
387 (Ky. App. 2004), in awarding the three multiplier under KRS -
342.730(1)(c)1. In Fawbush, this Court held that where KRS 342.730(1)(c)1
and KRS 342.730(1)(c)2' could both apply, the ALI has the authority to
determine which "is more appropriate on the facts. If the evidence indicates
that a worker is unlikely to be able to continue earning a wage that equals or
exceeds the wage at the time of injury for the indefinite future, the application
of paragraph (c)1 is appropriate." Id. at 12. Adkins holds that:
If every claimant's current job was certain to
continue until retirement and to remain at the same or
greater wage, then determining that a claimant could
continue to perform that current job would be the
same as determining that he could continue to earn a
wage that equals or exceeds his pre-injury wages.
However, jobs in Kentucky, an employment-at-will
state, can and do discontinue at times for various
reasons, and wages may or may not remain the same
upon the acquisition of a new job. Thus, in
determining whether a claimant can continue to earn
1 KRS 342.730(1)(c) provides in relevant part:
1.. If, due to an injury, an employee does not retain the
physical capacity to return to the type of work that the
employee performed at the time of injury, the benefit for
permanent partial disability shall be multiplied by three (3)
times the amount otherwise determined under paragraph
(b) of this subsection, but this provision shall not be
construed so as to extend the duration of payments; or
2. If an employee returns to work at a weekly wage equal to
or greater than the average weekly wage at the tim.e of
injury, the weekly benefit for permanent partial disability
shall be determined under paragraph (b) of this subsection
for each week during which that employment is sustained.
During any period of cessation of that employment,
temporary or permanent, for any reason, with or without
cause, payment of weekly benefits for permanent partial
disability during the period of cessation shall be two (2)
times the amount otherwise payable under paragraph (b) of
this subsection. This provision shall not be construed so as
to extend the duration of payments.
9
an equal or greater wage, the AL1 must consider a
broad range of factors, only one of which is the ability
to perform the current job. Therefore, we remand this
case to the ALI for a finding of fact as to Adkins'
ability to earn a wage that equals or exceeds his wage
at the time of the injury for the indefinite future. If it is
unlikely that Adkins is able to earn such a wage
indefinitely, then application of Section c(1) is
appropriate.
id. at 390.
The ALJ's January 15, 2014, Opinion and Award sets forth the basis for
his determination to apply the three multiplier:
[Middleton's] diagnosis being status post C6-7 anterior
cervical discectomy and decompression with
microsurgical technique and insertion of anterior
interbody Synthes cage, arthrodesis local harvested
allograft, anterior instrumentation with Synthes plate
and screws with persistent neck pain, her 27%
permanent impairment rating, her statement that she
has daily pain at her job consisting of aching and
stabbing and burning pain from the base of her neck
radiating up the back of her head posteriorly, muscle
spasms between her shoulder blades with burning and
pins and needles radiating down her left upper
extremity, and pins and needles and numbness into
her left long and index fingers, and also the fact that
she takes on a daily basis pain medications....
In his January 31, 2014, Opinion and Order on Reconsideration, the ALJ
further explained that:
[Middleton] testified in detail about the physical
requirements of her current job. She stated that since
returning to work her job has been very physically
demanding. She has a limited range of motion in her
neck and has difficulty climbing into attics, stooping
down and crawling. She also has difficulty moving
items weighing 25-30 pounds in and out of her vehicle.
10
She stated that her ability to physically perform her
[2 ]
job has become progressively more difficult because of
having to lift, pull and extend and because of the
limitations in her neck and left arm. Those physical
activities have become more painful for her. She
testified that she has extreme sharp shooting pains
that go into the back of her skull and pain down her
left arm. After driving, she has a burning sensation
going down into her hands and fingers. She has
numbness in the fingers of her left hand. She has been
attempting to modify her job. She has changed her
schedule. At the end of her work day she goes home
and takes pain medication and then rests on the
couch with a heating pad or ice pad. She takes Motrin,
Tylenol and Flexeril to relieve muscle spasms between
her shoulder blades. Due to her painful symptoms,
she has difficulty sleeping at night. She has to take
another Flexeril in the middle of the night for relief.
She stated that taking Flexeril makes her sleepy. She
stated that since her deposition the physical condition
of her neck has gotten worse and the pain has gotten
more frequent, causing her to take more pain
medication. She testified that she did not think that
she would be able to keep up her present pace on the
job into the foreseeable future, which will result in her
having to take a huge pay. cut.
2 Middleton described the materials that she has to unload from her vehicle and take
into customers' homes:
A: I have two large window samples. I have four corner
window samples. I have railing systems, aluminum railing
systems. I have composite decking material samples that I
carry in and out of the home, roofing samples, gutter
samples. I'm trying to think if that's all. I think that's all the
samples that I carry in my car.
Q: I'm assuming you don't carry samples of regular wooden
treating [sic] decking?
A: I do, yes, sir, and fencing samples, the pickets cut down
into smaller sections, so the customer can see the
differences.
Middleton also explained that after she carries the materials back to her vehicle, she
usually has to rearrange things which involves pulling the materials back out and
redistributing them.
11
I saw and heard ... Middleton testify at length at
the Final Hearing. ... Her testimony about her physical
pain and symptoms ring true.
Dr. Owen stated in his report that restrictions
should be placed upon Mrs. Middleton's work activities
as a result of her neck injury and cervical fusion,
being avoidance of activities, such as extending her
arm posteriorly and pulling, which seem to exacerbate
her neck pain and cause radiating pain. Dr. Goldman
stated in his report that Mrs. Middleton's sensory
examination in the left upper extremity is consistent
with a C7/T1 radiculopathy on the left and that she
also has 2 centimeters of atrophy in her left forearm,
as compared to her right forearm.
The Board affirmed the award of the three multiplier. The Court of
Appeals reversed, holding that "[f]or KRS 342.730(1)(c)1 to apply at all, the
claimant must lack the capacity to perform the pre-injury type of employment
on the date of the award, not sometime in the future." However, the statute
does not speak in terms of lacking capacity on the date of the award. Rather,
KRS 342.730(1)(c)1 provides that the three multiplier applies, "[i]f, due to an
injury, an employee does not retain the physical capacity to return to the type
of work that the employee performed at the time of injury...." Retain is defined
as "Rio hold in possession or under control; to keep and not lose, part with, or
dismiss." Black's Law Dictionary (10th ed. 2014); See Merriam-Webster
Dictionary OnLine (visited October
14, 2015) ("to continue to have or use (something)").
The Court of Appeals concluded that Middleton was awarded the triple
multiplier "based upon a hypothetical situation" which accommodations and
prescription pain medication might prevent, but that this was speculation and
12
did not support an enhancement under KRS 342.730(1)(c)1. I disagree. As the
Court of Appeals noted, Middleton did ask about making the samples she has
to carry smaller and more lightweight. She also asked about using a laser
measuring device instead of a tape measure which would reduce or eliminate
her need to crawl. Management thought those were good ideas. Moreover,
Middleton explained that by the end of the work day her pain is much greater,
that she has extreme muscle spasms, and that it has become more difficult for
her to do her job in the past year, because of the pain in her neck and arm.
She testified that she goes home, takes Ibuprofen and applies heat, then ice.
She also takes Flexeril at bedtime, but cannot take it while she is operating the
truck. Most of the time, she takes another Flexeril in the middle of the night.
As the Board explained, Middleton's testimony established that she was
struggling to perform her current job which was physically taking its toll. "[Hier
testimony supports a conclusion she will soon be unable to perform her
current job and also earn a wage which equals or exceeds her wage at the time
of the injury. As substantial evidence supports this determination, it cannot be
disturbed ...." I agree. As was his prerogative, the ALJ was persuaded by
Middleton's testimony. "A worker's testimony is competent evidence of his
physical condition and of his ability to perform various activities both before
and after being injured." Ira A. Watson Dep't Store v. Hamilton, 34 S.W.3d 48,
52 (Ky. 2000). "The determination of which multiplier to apply is within the
discretion of the Al,J, and in the absence of clear error, that decision will not be
13
overturned." .EP.I. Corp. u. Boling, No. 2014-SC-000037-WC,.2014 WL 5410318,
at *3 (Ky. Oct. 23, 2014). I would reverse the decision of the Court of Appeals.
Keller, J., joins.
COUNSEL FOR APPELLANT,
SONYA LAMB MIDDLETON:
Michael Faulkner Eubanks
COUNSEL FOR APPELLEE,
LOWE'S HOME CENTERS, INC.:
James Burke Cooper
COUNSEL FOR AMICUS CURIAE,
THE KENTUCKY CHAPTER OF AMERICAN
FEDERATION OF LABOR AND CONGRESS
OF INDUSTRIAL ORGANIZATIONS (AFL-CIO):
Jeffery Roberts
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