Katiecorp, Inc. v. Tina Wade ( 1996 )


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  •                     COURT OF APPEALS OF VIRGINIA
    Present:   Judges Benton, Coleman and Willis
    KATIECORP, INC.
    AND
    INSURANCE COMPANY OF THE                       MEMORANDUM OPINION *
    STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA                             PER CURIAM
    DECEMBER 17, 1996
    v.   Record Nos. 1568-96-3 and
    1821-96-3
    TINA WADE
    FROM THE VIRGINIA WORKERS' COMPENSATION COMMISSION
    (Robert M. McAdam; Wooten & Hart, P.C., on
    brief), for appellants.
    (Philip B. Baker; Joseph A. Sanzone
    Associates, P.C., on brief), for appellee.
    Katiecorp, Inc. and its insurer (hereinafter collectively
    referred to as "employer") contend that the Workers' Compensation
    Commission erred in finding that Tina Wade was totally disabled
    from working as of January 2, 1996 as a result of her compensable
    February 22, 1994 injury by accident.   On cross-appeal, Wade
    contends that the commission erred in denying her benefits for
    the period August 17, 1995 through January 1, 1996.     Upon
    reviewing the record and the briefs of the parties, we conclude
    that these appeals are without merit.   Accordingly, we summarily
    affirm the commission's decision.   Rule 5A:27.
    On appeal, we view the evidence in the light most favorable
    to the prevailing party below.   R.G. Moore Bldg. Corp. v.
    Mullins, 
    10 Va. App. 211
    , 212, 
    390 S.E.2d 788
    , 788 (1990).
    *
    Pursuant to Code § 17-116.010 this opinion is not
    designated for publication.
    Factual findings made by the commission will be upheld on appeal
    if supported by credible evidence.   James v. Capitol Steel
    Constr. Co., 
    8 Va. App. 512
    , 515, 
    382 S.E.2d 487
    , 488 (1989).
    In awarding temporary total disability benefits to Wade
    commencing January 2, 1996, the commission found as follows:
    I.
    As early as January 2, 1996, Dr. [Joseph H.]
    Wombwell was considering possible open
    patella realignment surgery and surgery was,
    in fact scheduled for later that month. Then
    on March 5, 1996, Dr. Wombwell again
    reiterated the employee's need for a surgical
    solution to her knee problem. While he did
    not specifically take Wade out of work in
    January (most likely because she was not
    working), we can infer from the medical
    records leading up to this recommendation
    that from that time forward the employee was
    totally disabled.
    Dr. Wombwell's medical records provide credible evidence to
    support the commission's factual findings.   Moreover, the
    commission could reasonably infer from these medical records that
    Wade was totally disabled beginning January 2, 1996.   "Where
    reasonable inferences may be drawn from the evidence in support
    of the commission's factual findings, they will not be disturbed
    by this Court on appeal."   Hawks v. Henrico County Sch. Bd., 
    7 Va. App. 398
    , 404, 
    374 S.E.2d 695
    , 698 (1988).
    II.
    In order to establish an entitlement to benefits, a
    partially disabled employee must prove that he or she has made a
    reasonable effort to procure suitable work but has been unable to
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    do so.   Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co. v. Bateman, 
    4 Va. App. 459
    , 
    359 S.E.2d 98
    (1987).   The commission found that from August
    17, 1995 through January 1, 1996, Wade failed to make that
    required effort.   The record supports this finding.   During that
    time she possessed marketable capability.   She had employment
    experience and access to an automobile.   The record supports the
    further finding that during that time, her only significant
    attempt to find employment was to contact a job placement agency.
    For these reasons, we affirm the commission's decision.
    Affirmed.
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