Murray Energy v. Dalton Renfrow ( 2023 )

RENDERED: MARCH 3, 2023; 10:00 A.M.
NOT TO BE PUBLISHED
Commonwealth of Kentucky
Court of Appeals
NO. 2022-CA-0416-WC
MURRAY ENERGY APPELLANT
PETITION FOR REVIEW OF A DECISION
v. OF THE WORKERS’ COMPENSATION BOARD
ACTION NO. WC-20-01685
DALTON RENFROW; HONORABLE
R. ROLAND CASE,
ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE;
AND WORKERS’ COMPENSATION
BOARD APPELLEES
OPINION
AFFIRMING
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BEFORE: ACREE, CALDWELL, AND LAMBERT, JUDGES.
ACREE, JUDGE: Appellant, Murray Energy, appeals the Workers’ Compensation
Board’s (Board) March 18, 2022, opinion affirming the Administrative Law
Judge’s (ALJ) award to Appellee Dalton Renfrow. Appellant challenges the ALJ’s
determination that (1) Renfrow sustained compensable cumulative trauma to his
left shoulder and left knee arising from his former employment with Appellant, and
(2) Renfrow is entitled to triple benefits for his inability to perform the kind of
work he performed at the time of his injury. Finding no error, we affirm.
BACKGROUND
Renfrow was born May 29, 1956; at the time this appeal was filed,
Renfrow was 65 years old. Renfrow spent his working years performing manual
labor, including factory work and water line installation. He worked for Appellant
for nearly a decade, where he performed manual labor in an underground coal
mine. His tasks included installing and changing belt lines, working with steel and
concrete, and hauling batteries. The low ceilings of the mine often required him to
bend over, and he would occasionally hit his head on the ceiling. He frequently
had to lift items weighing as much as fifty pounds. Renfrow asserts that, on
February 26, 2020, he experienced an acute injury to his right shoulder after lifting
a battery lid while working in the mine. Renfrow worked for Appellant until he
was laid off on February 27, 2020 – one day after his alleged acute injury.
On November 30, 2020, Renfrow filed a claim for cumulative work-
related injuries to his neck, shoulders, and right knee, a claim for acute injury to his
right shoulder, and a claim for hearing loss. The ALJ consolidated the three
claims. Renfrow filed a motion to amend on May 14, 2021 to add a claim for
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injury to his left knee resulting from cumulative work-related trauma. The ALJ
granted the motion on May 17, 2021.
The ALJ considered a variety of evidence when evaluating Renfrow’s
claims. Several doctors and other medical professionals evaluated Renfrow. A
doctor and a specialist in hearing instruments both noted some hearing loss, but the
doctor ultimately determined Renfrow was not impaired by his hearing loss and
recommended a hearing aid. As to Renfrow’s acute injury to his right shoulder,
medical records from Ohio County Family Care contained x-ray images; the
images indicated prior rotator cuff surgery, prior dislocation, and mild
degenerative changes to his shoulder.
As to his cumulative trauma, the ALJ considered evidence from six
doctors. In notes dated July 24, 2014, Dr. William Martin noted Renfrow was
doing well after a rotator cuff surgery and opined that the injury which resulted in
his rotator cuff did not arise during the course of his employment. In records dated
March 2, 2021, Dr. Steven Mills diagnosed left knee pain and hypertension, and
noted swelling in the left knee; Dr. Mills noted Renfrow’s left knee pain had gotten
so bad that he needed to walk with crutches. Dr. Mills gave him an injection in his
knee and instructed him to perform exercises. Dr. Craig Lundquist examined x-
rays of Renfrow’s lumbar spine taken in 2008, and opined that the x-rays indicated
early signs of degeneration. In a report dated May 7, 2020, Dr. James Rushing
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stated his opinion that Renfrow’s problems with his shoulders, neck, and right knee
were at least partially caused by working in the coal industry, and that continuing
to work in the field would exacerbate these problems. Dr. Rushing diagnosed
Renfrow with cervical osteoarthritis and degenerative joint disease, degenerative
joint disease in his right knee, osteoarthritis in his right shoulder, and degenerative
joint disease and osteoarthritis in his left shoulder.
In an April 15, 2021 report, Dr. James Farrage diagnosed Renfrow
with increased pain, restricted range of motion, decreased strength, and impaired
functional capacity in Renfrow’s right shoulder. He also noted cumulative trauma
to Renfrow’s cervical spine, left shoulder, and both knees. Dr. Farrage believed
these diagnoses have resulted in accelerated degeneration of Renfrow’s spine,
shoulders, and knees, as well as accompanying chronic pain, restricted range of
motion, reduced endurance and impaired functional capacity. Dr. Farrage
recommended Renfrow avoid bending, stooping, or extreme cervical rotation, that
he avoid activity above shoulder level, and that he avoid ladders and working from
unprotected heights. Dr. Farrage assessed a sixteen percent whole person
impairment resulting from cumulative trauma; he believed Renfrow experienced
six percent impairment for his left shoulder, five percent for his neck, two percent
for his right knee, and three percent for his left knee. He also assessed three
percent impairment due to acute injury to Renfrow’s right shoulder. Importantly,
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Dr. Farrage included in his report his opinion that “[i]t is within a reasonable
degree of medical probability that the aggregate work activities were the major
(greater than 50%) contributor to the current burden of the physical impairment for
the identified diagnoses in the individual.”
However, Dr. Thomas O’Brien, an orthopedic specialist, stated in his
February 26, 2021 report that he did not believe Renfrow experienced an acute
injury to his right shoulder on February 26, 2020 at all. Rather, he believed
Renfrow’s shoulder pain was a result of a combination of age-related degenerative
arthritis, degenerative shoulder impingement, and past shoulder surgery. He
believed Renfrow did not experience cumulative trauma to the neck, shoulders,
back, or knee from his employment, opining rather that these conditions are
normal, age-related pains unrelated to any workplace injuries. He noted that
Renfrow was able to go turkey hunting in May of 2020 and was able to perform his
job until the day he was terminated, despite Renfrow reporting he was in severe
pain. He noted no sign of cervical radiculopathy. He believed Renfrow did not
need surgery for his neck and that Renfrow does not require physical therapy or
prescription medication. Dr. O’Brien assessed zero percent impairment in
Renfrow’s cervical spine, six percent impairment in his right shoulder which was
preexisting and not work related, and two percent impairment in his right knee
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which was preexisting and not work related. Dr. O’Brien believed Renfrow was
able to work without restrictions.
The ALJ also considered testimony from Renfrow himself, both from
a deposition and from the hearing on Renfrow’s claims. He testified as to the
physical difficulty of his work. He often had to turn his head to avoid hitting it on
the ceiling of the mine, and occasionally struck his head on the ceiling. He stated
he did not have pain in his neck or receive medical treatment for his neck at the
time of his testimony, though he did have some stiffness. He had a prescription for
muscle relaxers for his shoulders and knees, and received cortisone injections in
both of his knees. He had serious difficulty lifting his left arm due to left shoulder
and left knee pain. Renfrow stated his belief that he would not be able to perform
the job he had at the time Appellant terminated him.
The ALJ entered his Award and Order on October 28, 2021. Relying
on Dr. O’Brien’s conclusions, the ALJ dismissed Renfrow’s claims as to his
cervical spine, right shoulder, and right knee. The ALJ also dismissed Renfrow’s
claim for income benefits for his hearing loss, determining Renfrow’s hearing loss
fell below the KRS1 342.7305(2) eight percent threshold; however, the ALJ did
determine Renfrow was entitled to “reasonable and necessary medical expenses”
arising from his occupational hearing loss. The ALJ also determined Renfrow was
1
Kentucky Revised Statutes.
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not entitled to temporary total disability under KRS 342.001(11)(a) because
nothing indicated Renfrow would not have been able to continue working had he
not been laid off. He determined Renfrow was not totally disabled under KRS
342.730, and, persuaded by Dr. O’Brien’s findings, dismissed Renfrow’s claim for
an acute injury.
However, the ALJ determined Renfrow was permanently and partially
disabled due to cumulative trauma to his left knee and left shoulder, finding Dr.
Farrage’s opinion to be persuasive. The ALJ determined Renfrow suffered from
nine percent impairment – three percent for his left knee and six percent for his left
shoulder – which he reduced to 7.65 percent upon application of KRS
342.730(1)(b).
Because Renfrow did not return to work and because he lacked the
physical capacity to return to the sort of work he performed at the time of injury,
the ALJ determined he was entitled to three times the amount of disability benefits
in accordance with KRS 342.730(1)(c)1. The ALJ increased the multiplier by an
additional six-tenths because Renfrow was sixty years old or older in accordance
with KRS 342.730(1)(c)3. And, because KRS 342.020 requires defendant-
employers to pay “for the cure and relief from the effects of an injury or
occupational disease[,]” KRS 342.020(1), the ALJ determined Renfrow was
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entitled to medical benefits for his occupational hearing loss, left knee injury, and
left shoulder injury.
In an opinion entered March 18, 2022, the Board affirmed the ALJ’s
award to Renfrow, concluding the ALJ did not abuse his discretion. Appellant
now appeals, challenging the ALJ’s determinations that (1) Renfrow suffered
compensable cumulative trauma to his left knee and left shoulder, and (2) Renfrow
is unable to perform the kind of work he performed at the time of his injuries and
therefore was entitled to tripling of his benefits.
ANALYSIS
KRS 342.285 designates the ALJ as the finder of fact in workers’
compensation actions. KRS 342.285(2). “[A]s the fact-finder, the ALJ, not this
Court and not the Board, has sole discretion to determine the quality, character,
and substance of the evidence.” Abbott Labs. v. Smith, 205 S.W.3d 249, 253 (Ky.
App. 2006) (citing Whittaker v. Rowland, 998 S.W.2d 479, 481 (Ky. 1999)). “Not
only does the ALJ weigh the evidence, but the ALJ may also choose to believe or
to disbelieve any part of the evidence, regardless of its source.” Id. (citing
Whitaker, 998 S.W.2d at 481).
“The [B]oard shall not substitute its judgment for that of the [ALJ] as
to the weight of evidence on questions of fact.” KRS 342.285(2). Because the
ALJ may disregard some evidence while believing other evidence, the Board may
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not disturb the ALJ’s decisions if conflicting evidence underlies the ALJ’s
findings; when the Board reviews ALJs’ decisions, it is tasked with deciding
“whether the evidence is sufficient to support a particular finding made by the
ALJ, or whether such evidence as there was before the ALJ should be viewed as
uncontradicted and compelling a different result.” Western Baptist Hosp. v. Kelly,
827 S.W.2d 685, 687 (Ky. 1992). The Board’s review is limited to determining
whether the ALJ acted within his or her powers, whether the result was procured
by fraud, whether the result conforms with KRS Chapter 342, whether the result
“is clearly erroneous on the basis of the reliable, probative, and material evidence
contained in the whole record[,]” and whether the result “is arbitrary or capricious
or characterized by abuse of discretion or clearly unwarranted exercise of
discretion.” KRS 342.285(2)(a)-(e).
“The scope of review by the Court of Appeals shall include all matters
subject to review by the [B]oard and also errors of law arising before the [B]oard
and made reviewable by the rules of the Supreme Court for review of decisions of
an administrative agency.” KRS 342.290. “When reviewing one of the Board’s
decisions, [the appellate] Court will only reverse the Board’s decision when it has
overlooked or misconstrued controlling law or so flagrantly erred in evaluating the
evidence that it has caused gross injustice.” Abbott Labs., 205 S.W.3d at 253
(citing Western Baptist, 827 S.W.2d at 687-88). And, where an award “is
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supported by substantial evidence, it may not be disturbed.” Beth-Elkhorn Corp. v.
Dotson, 428 S.W.2d 32, 34 (Ky. 1968); see also Emps.’ Liability Assurance Corp.
v. Gardner, 204 Ky. 216, 263 S.W. 743, 744 (1924) (“Unless there is an entire
absence of substantial and credible evidence to support the board’s finding of facts,
this court, in the absence of fraud, cannot disturb it.”).
Not only may an ALJ find items of evidence persuasive and disregard
conflicting evidence, he may draw inferences from the evidence before him.
Miller v. East Kentucky Beverage/Pepsico, Inc., 951 S.W.2d 329, 331 (Ky. 1997).
In Miller, a workers’ compensation claimant hurt his back while at work; the injury
herniated a disc in his back, which contributed to a degenerative lumbar disc
disease. Id. at 330. The ALJ determined the claimant had a 28 percent permanent
partial occupational disability, which the Board and this Court affirmed. Id.
Though the claimant asserted that “overwhelming evidence” showed he was
disabled to a greater extent than the ALJ had determined, the Kentucky Supreme
Court noted the ALJ “has the sole authority to judge the weight, credibility and
inferences to be drawn from the record.” Id. at 331 (citing Paramount Foods, Inc.
v. Burkhardt, 695 S.W.2d 418 (Ky. 1985)). The Kentucky Supreme Court
affirmed, determining the ALJ had properly exercised his discretion in reviewing
the evidence and that substantial evidence underpinned the ALJ’s decision. Id.-10-
It is true that conflicting evidence was before the ALJ in the present
case. Dr. O’Brien, an orthopedist, did not believe Renfrow’s employment caused
him cumulative trauma to his knees or shoulders, and that any cumulative injury
was not work related. In fact, the ALJ relied upon Dr. O’Brien to determine
Renfrow suffered no work-related acute injury or cumulative trauma to any areas
other than the left knee and left shoulder.
By contrast, Dr. Farrage detected cumulative trauma in several parts
of Renfrow’s body, including his left knee and left shoulder. Dr. Farrage
determined Renfrow’s work was the main cause of his physical impairment for
each diagnosis. While the ALJ did not determine Renfrow suffered cumulative
trauma to any of the areas Dr. Farrage identified other than the left knee and left
shoulder, other items of evidence were presented to the ALJ pertaining to the left
knee and shoulder. Dr. Mills diagnosed Renfrow with left knee pain and noted it
had advanced to the point Renfrow needed crutches to walk. X-ray records from
Ohio County Family Care showed shoulder degeneration. Dr. Rushing diagnosed
Renfrow with degenerative joint disease and osteoarthritis in his left shoulder,
among other diagnoses; he opined that Renfrow’s work in the coal industry was at
least the partial cause of his injuries. The ALJ specifically noted his belief that
Renfrow was a credible witness, and that he testified he has problems in his left
knee and left shoulder which require pain medication and regular visits to Dr.
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Mills. Even if the ALJ only relied on the findings of Dr. Farrage, the ALJ, as
factfinder, is tasked with weighing evidence; he may be persuaded by some
evidence while being unpersuaded by other evidence. Thus, it was not error for the
ALJ to determine Renfrow suffered from work related cumulative trauma to his
left knee and left shoulder, as substantial evidence of record supports this
conclusion.
Appellant also challenges the tripling of Renfrow’s benefits because,
due to his injury, he lacked the physical capacity to perform the type of work he
performed at the time of his injury pursuant to KRS 342.730(1)(c)1. Again,
though conflicting evidence exists on this point, substantial evidence supports the
ALJ’s application of the multiplier. On one hand, Dr. O’Brien opined that,
because Renfrow was able to turkey hunt and because he was able to work until he
was laid off, Renfrow was not injured to the point he did not retain the physical
capacity to perform the kind of work he used to perform. On the other hand, Dr.
Farrage recommended that Renfrow not repetitively bend, stoop, or bend his neck
excessively. Dr. Mills noted Renfrow’s left knee deteriorated to the point he
needed crutches to walk. Renfrow requires injections in his knees. On the basis of
Renfrow’s testimony and the findings of Dr. Mills and Dr. Farrage, the ALJ
determined Renfrow lacked the capacity to return to the kind of work he used to
perform. Again, because the ALJ is charged with weighing evidence and because
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we do not reweigh evidence on appeal, we find no error in the ALJ’s application of
the statutory multiplier.
CONCLUSION
For the foregoing reasons, we affirm the ALJ’s October 28, 2021,
Award and Order.
ALL CONCUR.
BRIEF FOR APPELLANT: BRIEF FOR APPELLEE DALTON
RENFROW:
Donald J. Niehaus
Caleb T. Taylor McKinnley Morgan
Lexington, Kentucky Gerald Vanover
London, Kentucky
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