Acosta v. Dell & Associates Nursing Service ( 2018 )

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1 IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO
2 ESMERALDA ACOSTA,
3 Worker-Appellant,
4 v. NO. A-1-CA-36869
5 DELL & ASSOCIATES NURSING
6 SERVICE and FOOD INDUSTRY
7 SELF INSURANCE FUND OF
8 NEW MEXICO,
9 Employer/Insurer-Appellees.
10 APPEAL FROM THE WORKERS’ COMPENSATION ADMINISTRATION
11 Reg. C. Woodard, Workers’ Compensation Judge
12 Esmeralda Acosta
13 Albuquerque, NM
14 Pro Se Appellant
15 Kelly A. Genova
16 Albuquerque, NM
17 for Appellees
18 MEMORANDUM OPINION
19 HANISEE, Judge.
1 {1} Worker Esmeralda Acosta has appealed from a compensation order largely
2 denying her claims. We previously issued a notice of proposed summary disposition
3 in which we proposed to affirm. Worker has filed a memorandum in opposition. After
4 due consideration, we remain unpersuaded by Worker’s assertions of error. We
5 therefore affirm.
6 {2} As we previously observed, the record before us reflects that the Workers’
7 Compensation Judge (WCJ) determined that Worker is not entitled to further benefits
8 as a consequence of her failure to prove that the workplace accident caused a
9 permanent disability, resulting in an impairment rating. [RP 69-71] The WCJ’s
10 determination was based upon the testimony of Dr. Saiz, which the WCJ found to be
11 more compelling than the conflicting evidence presented by Worker. [RP 65-68] “We
12 give deference to a WCJ’s findings in regard to conflicting evidence of causation.”
13 Villa v. City of Las Cruces, 2010-NMCA-099, ¶ 29, 148 N.M. 668, 241 P.3d 1108. In
14 her memorandum in opposition Worker does not dispute the sufficiency of the
15 evidence, principally Dr. Saiz’s assessment, to support the findings and conclusions.
16 [MIO 1-2] We therefore uphold the decision. See generally Wilson v. Yellow Freight
17 Sys., 1992-NMCA-093, ¶ 22, 114 N.M. 407, 839 P.2d 151 (observing that “where the
18 evidence bearing upon the issue of causation is conflicting, the fact that there was
2
1 evidence which, if accepted by the fact[-]finder, would have permitted it to reach a
2 different result does not constitute a basis for reversal”).
3 {3} We understand Worker to contend that she had additional evidence, including
4 check stubs and medical paperwork, which could have been presented in support of
5 her claims. [MIO 1-2] However, the scope of review on appeal is limited to the
6 material contained in the record. See King v. Allstate Ins. Co., 2007-NMCA-044, ¶
7 3, 141 N.M. 612, 159 P.3d 261 (“[O]n appeal, we decline to consider facts argued by
8 the parties . . . that are not either in evidence or of record in a case.”). As a result, we
9 cannot consider this further. See generally Largo v. Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Ry.
10 Co., 2002-NMCA-021, ¶ 33, 131 N.M. 621, 41 P.3d 347 (“Matters not of record are
11 not considered on appeal.”).
12 {4} Finally, Worker renews her attack upon the quality of representation that she
13 received. [MIO 1-2] However, as we previously observed, Worker’s dissatisfaction
14 with the strategy employed and the result obtained by her attorney supplies no basis
15 for relief on appeal. See State v. Apodaca, 1967-NMSC-218, ¶ 5, 78 N.M. 412, 432
16 P.2d 256.
17 {5} Accordingly, for the reasons stated above and in the notice of proposed
18 summary disposition, we affirm.
19 {6} IT IS SO ORDERED.
3
1
2 J. MILES HANISEE, Judge
3 WE CONCUR:
4
5 MICHAEL E. VIGIL, Judge
6
7 JENNIFER L. ATTREP, Judge
4