Dudlek v. Jovie Childcare Reimagined

IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE
TIFFANY DUDLEK, )
)
Employee-Appellant, )
)
v. ) C.A. No. N23A-12-005 SPL
)
JOVIE CHILDCARE )
REIMAGINED, )
)
Employer-Appellee. )
Submitted: August 9, 2024
Decided: October 3, 2024
MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER
Upon Consideration of the Appeal from the Decision of the
Industrial Accident Board
AFFIRMED
Jennifer Donnelly, Esquire, KIMMEL CARTER ROMAN PELTZ & O’NEILL, P.A.,
Wilmington, Delaware, Attorney for Appellant, Tiffany Dudlek.
Joseph Andrews, Esquire, LAW OFFICE OF JOSEPH ANDREWS, Dover, Delaware,
Attorney for Appellee, Jovie Childcare Reimagined.
LUGG, J.
I. INTRODUCTION
This is an appeal of a decision of the Industrial Accident Board (“Board”).
Tiffany Dudlek appeals the Board’s determination that she failed to establish, by a
preponderance of the evidence, that she was injured in an industrial accident while
working for Jovie Childcare Reimagined (“Jovie”). Having reviewed the Board’s
decision and the supporting record, this Court affirms the Board’s denial of Dudlek’s
Petition.
II. FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND
A. The Parties
Dudlek is a thirty-year-old mother, nanny, and certified daycare assistant
teacher who worked for Jovie as a childcare provider.1 Jovie is a national company
that provides babysitting services through backup care contracts with Delaware
employers.2 Jovie uses a mobile application (“app”) called “Find My Childcare” to
connect employees with job opportunities matching their availability.3 Most Jovie
employees work part-time, sporadic schedules.4
1
D.I. 12, Ex. B (“Hearing Transcript” or “Hrg. Tr.”) at 7, 9, 11, 57.
2
Hrg. Tr. at 89.
3
Hrg. Tr. at 29.
4
Hrg. Tr. at 90.
1
B. The Industrial Accident
Dudlek claimed she was injured on October 17, 2022 during a babysitting
assignment as a Jovie employee.5 Dudlek asserted that, while caring for a three-
year-old child at a client’s home in Wilmington, Delaware, she was seated on the
floor when the child tripped and inadvertently struck Dudlek in the back of the head
with a toy Tonka truck.6 Dudlek testified that she finished the remaining hour of her
work assignment, but instantly felt dizzy and suffered a migraine.7 And, Dudlek
stated, on her way home from Wilmington to Middletown, Delaware, she remained
dizzy and pulled over twice to vomit.8 Dudlek did not sustain any bruising or
bleeding to her head, and, following the accident, she continued with her “normal
routine,” awaiting new work assignments from Jovie.9
Although Dudlek believed her symptoms would improve, she stated that by
November 2022, she was vomiting daily and finding it difficult to perform routine
tasks.10 Dudlek testified that she canceled her scheduled work shift on November 7,
2022, because she did not feel well.11 On November 10, 2022, Dudlek used the
5
Hrg. Tr. at 7-8.
6
Hrg. Tr. at 8.
7
Hrg. Tr. at 8.
8
Hrg. Tr. at 9.
9
Hrg. Tr. at 10, 61.
10
Hrg. Tr. at 10-11.
11
Hrg. Tr. at 11.
2
“Slack” app to contact Michelle Russell, a Jovie supervisor, to report her alleged
work accident.12 On November 15, 2022, Dudlek filed a formal incident report.13
C. Dudlek’s Medical Treatment
Nearly a month after the alleged accident, Dudlek sought treatment for
dizziness at the Middletown emergency room.14 She was diagnosed with a
concussion and referred to the concussion clinic at Wilmington Hospital.15 On
November 23, 2022, Dudlek visited the concussion clinic and reported that her
vomiting and dizziness symptoms had worsened since the alleged work incident.16
The clinic prescribed Dudlek Gabapentin, sent her for visual and balance therapy
twice a week at ATI Physical Therapy, referred her to First State Orthopedics for a
neck evaluation, and ordered her to remain out of work.17
In early 2022, Dr. James Moran, a specialist in physical medicine and
rehabilitation, began treating Dudlek at First State Orthopedics for pain in the back
of her neck, at the base of her skull, and shooting down her right arm.18 Dudlek
underwent two injections to her neck, which did not provide her any relief.19 In
12
Hrg. Tr. at 10, 12, 13; D.I. 12, Ex. A (“Board Decision”) at 3.
13
Hrg. Tr. at 20.
14
Hrg. Tr. at 11.
15
Hrg. Tr. at 11, 14.
16
Hrg. Tr. at 14-15.
17
Hrg. Tr. at 15, 22.
18
Hrg. Tr. at 23, 64.
19
Hrg. Tr. at 24.
3
addition to receiving treatment from Dr. Moran, Dudlek continued to engage in
physical therapy and work with the concussion clinic.20 The concussion clinic kept
Dudlek on total work disability through May 2023.21 At the time of the October 3,
2023 hearing, Dudlek was under the care of Dr. Zaslavsky with First State
Orthopedics.22 Dudlek testified that, despite being cleared of her concussion, she
still experienced motion sickness in vehicles.23 Furthermore, she reported that her
neck symptoms intensified, affecting her hand function.24
D. Dudlek’s Pre-Existing and Intervening Health Conditions
In 2015, Dudlek sustained a concussion and back pain from a motor vehicle
accident.25 After the accident, she underwent six months of concussion therapy and
received back treatment for several months.26 Dudlek testified that her concussion
symptoms and low back pain fully resolved, and that she stopped treatment by
2016.27 Dudlek acknowledged that, following the motor vehicle accident, she
further injured her back when she tripped on a toy and fell down the stairs at her
20
Hrg. Tr. at 21, 24.
21
Hrg. Tr. at 24.
22
Hrg. Tr. at 25.
23
Hrg. Tr. at 25.
24
Hrg. Tr. at 25-26.
25
Hrg. Tr. at 26.
26
Hrg. Tr. at 26.
27
Hrg. Tr. at 26-27.
4
home.28 Additionally, Dudlek confirmed that she suffered from headaches for two
years prior to the alleged October 17, 2022, work accident.29 In 2019, Dudlek sought
treatment from her primary care doctor for her headaches, but she denied receiving
any treatment for headaches or concussion-like symptoms during 2022.30 Dudlek
also confirmed a history of anxiety and depression, but these diagnoses have not led
to formal work-related restrictions or caused dizziness, nausea, or blurred vision.31
After the alleged work accident, Dudlek reported incidents that exacerbated
her concussion and neck injuries.32 On December 1, 2022, Dudlek told ATI Physical
Therapy that she jarred her neck while attempting to grab her child while running.33
On December 19, 2022, Dudlek complained of increased neck pain and dizziness
after colliding with someone.34 On January 27, 2023, Dudlek informed ATI Physical
Therapy that she experienced symptoms due to a “lack of quiet time.”35 On February
23, 2023, ATI Physical Therapy documented that Dudlek experienced dizziness,
blurred vision, and increased headaches after attending church.36 On February 28,
28
Hrg. Tr. at 27.
29
Hrg. Tr. at 27-28.
30
Hrg. Tr. at 28.
31
Hrg. Tr. at 28.
32
Hrg. Tr. at 38-39.
33
Hrg. Tr. at 38-39.
34
Hrg. Tr. at 39.
35
Hrg. Tr. at 39-40.
36
Hrg. Tr. at 40-41.
5
2023, Dudlek encountered similar symptoms following a birthday party.37 On
March 9, 2023, Dudlek reported dizziness and disorientation after taking her
daughter to the hospital.38
E. Conflicting Expert Opinions
Jovie retained Dr. Richard Bennett, a physician specializing in neurology and
electromyography, to evaluate Dudlek.39 Dr. Bennett found that Dudlek displayed
no evidence of brain dysfunction.40 Additionally, Dr. Bennett compared Dudlek’s
2016 MRI (taken after her 2015 car accident) and 2023 MRI (taken after the alleged
industrial accident) of her cervical spine and concluded that there was no acute
change between the MRIs; rather, her injuries remain “longstanding and pre-
existing.”41 Based upon his physical examination of Dudlek and his review of her
medical records, Dr. Bennett concluded that Dudlek did not sustain a concussion in
October 2022, but that she may have suffered a temporary cervical strain, which had
resolved.42 Dr. Bennett attributes Dudlek’s description of symptoms to pre-existing
psychological and medical issues, unrelated to the alleged industrial injury.43
37
Hrg. Tr. at 41.
38
Hrg. Tr. at 41.
39
Hrg. Tr. at 100-02.
40
Hrg. Tr. at 104.
41
Hrg. Tr. at 107-08.
42
Hrg. Tr. at 116-17.
43
Hrg. Tr. at 112, 116, 136.
6
Ultimately, Dr. Bennett opined Dudlek’s medical treatment was “excessive and
largely ineffective and unnecessary pertaining to the accident of October 17,
2022.”44
Conversely, Dr. Moran concluded that the treatment he and other medical
professionals provided Dudlek was reasonable, necessary, and related to the work
accident.45 Dr. Moran compared Dudlek’s 2016 and 2023 MRIs and observed a
negative change between the two films.46 Dr. Moran disagreed with Dr. Bennett’s
opinion that Dudlek did not sustain a concussion and only sustained a cervical
strain.47 Dr. Moran testified that, if Dudlek was forcibly struck in the manner she
described, it was conceivable a neck injury and concussion resulted.48
F. Jovie Reports
James Doody, a Jovie employee, testified that approximately one week after
the October 17, 2022 accident, he learned Dudlek was pursuing alternative
employment opportunities.49 On October 25, 2022, Jessica Coleman of Great New
Beginnings sought a reference for Dudlek.50 Furthermore, Doody testified that on
44
Hrg. Tr. at 117-18.
45
Hrg. Tr. at 77-78.
46
Hrg. Tr. at 72.
47
Hrg. Tr. at 76-77.
48
Hrg. Tr. at 86.
49
Hrg. Tr. at 91.
50
Hrg. Tr. at 91-92.
7
November 2, 2022, Coleman informed Michelle Russell, a former Jovie manager,
that Great New Beginnings hired Dudlek.51 Dudlek was an active employee with a
scheduled work assignment for Jovie on November 7, 2022,52 but, Doody testified,
Dudlek canceled that scheduled shift with Jovie via the Slack app, stating “she
couldn’t work because she was asked to work at the daycare all that week.”53
Doody attempted to produce Slack communications and records that remained
available to Jovie from their free, ninety-day trial period; however, he relied upon
his personal recollection and handwritten notes when testifying about Coleman’s
communication and Dudlek’s reason for canceling her November work
assignment.54 Doody did not produce emails from Coleman or Slack
communications from Dudlek regarding her inability to work.55
G. Dudlek’s Petition and the Board’s Determination
On March 1, 2023, Dudlek filed a Petition to Determine Compensation Due
with the Delaware Industrial Accident Board.56 Dudlek sought acknowledgement
of a concussion and neck injury, payment of medical expenses, and a closed period
of disability from November 23, 2022, through September 5, 2023, based on injuries
51
Hrg. Tr. at 92, 94.
52
Hrg. Tr. at 92.
53
Hrg. Tr. at 92.
54
Hrg. Tr. at 93, 96.
55
Hrg. Tr. at 93-96.
56
D.I. 13 (“Answering Brief” or “Ans. Br.”) at 1.
8
she claimed she sustained on October 17, 2022, while working for Jovie.57 Jovie
disputed the claim in its entirety.58
On October 3, 2023, the Board conducted an evidentiary hearing.59 Following
the hearing, the Board concluded that it “does not find Dudlek’s claim about the
work-related incident on October 17, 2022, to be credible.”60 The Board explained,
“[c]laimant has failed to prove by a preponderance of the evidence that she was
injured in an industrial accident on October 17, 2022, while working for Jovie
Childcare Reimaged.” 61
On December 15, 2023, Dudlek appealed the Board’s decision to this Court.62
Dudlek contends that the Board’s determination that Dudlek failed to prove a work
accident occurred on October 17, 2022, is erroneous and not supported by substantial
evidence.63
III. STANDARD OF REVIEW
On an appeal from the Board, this Court’s review is limited to determining
whether the Board’s conclusions are supported by substantial evidence and free from
57
D.I. 12, Board Decision at 1-2.
58
Board Decision at 2.
59
Board Decision at 2.
60
Board Decision at 28.
61
Board Decision at 29.
62
D.I. 12, Ex. C (“Notice of Appeal”).
63
D.I. 12 (“Opening Brief”) at 11.
9
legal error.64 “Substantial evidence is such relevant evidence as a reasonable mind
might accept as adequate to support a conclusion.”65 The Court must “search the
entire record to determine whether, on the basis of all of the testimony and exhibits
before the agency, it could fairly and reasonably reach the conclusion that it did.” 66
The record must be viewed “in the light most favorable to the party prevailing below,
resolving all doubts in its favor.”67
This Court “does not sit as a trier of fact with authority to weigh the evidence,
determine questions of credibility, and make its own factual findings and
conclusions.”68 Rather, it is the exclusive function of the Board to weigh the
evidence and determine questions of credibility.69 “Moreover, where factual
determinations are at issue, [an appellate Court] takes due account of the Board’s
experience and specialized competence and of the purposes of the Delaware
64
Sheppard v. Allen Family Foods, 279 A.3d 816, 826 (Del. 2022).
65
Powell v. OTAC, Inc., 223 A.3d 864, 870 (Del. 2019) (cleaned up).
66
Mullins v. City of Wilmington, 2023 WL 5322292, at *2 (Del. Super. Ct. Aug. 18,
2023) (quoting Nat’l Cash Reg. v. Riner, 424 A.2d 669, 674-75 (Del. Super. Ct.
1980)).
67
Rhodes v. Diamond State Port Corp., 2010 WL 2977331, at *2 (Del. July 29,
2010) (quoting Gen. Motors Corp. v. Guy, 1991 WL 190491, at *3 (Del. Super. Aug.
16, 1991)).
68
Bailey v. RNJ Farms, LLC, 2024 WL 3675605, at *2 (Del. Super. Ct. Aug. 6,
2024) (internal citations omitted).
69
Cottman v. Burris Fence Const., 2006 WL 3742580, at *3 (Del. Dec. 19, 2006).
10
worker’s compensation statute.”70 It is well established that “the credibility of the
witnesses, the weight of their testimony, and the reasonable inferences to be drawn
therefrom are for the Board to determine.”71 “If the Board’s decision is free from
legal error and supported by substantial evidence, this Court must sustain the
Board’s decision even if this Court might have decided the case differently if it had
come before it in the first instance.”72 And, this Court must uphold the Board’s
factual findings unless “no satisfactory proof” supports them.73
IV. DISCUSSION
I. The Board’s Decision is Supported by Substantial Evidence.
Dudlek argues the Board’s conclusion that Dudlek failed to prove by a
preponderance of the evidence that an industrial accident occurred on October 17,
2022, is “against the great weight of evidence and unsubstantiated by the record.” 74
This Court finds, however, that the Board’s decision is supported by substantial
evidence. The Board possessed the exclusive authority to assess the credibility of
70
Zayas v. State, 273 A.3d 776, 785 (Del. 2022) (citing Spellman v. Christiana Care
Health Servs., 74 A.3d 619, 623 (Del. 2013)).
71
Trincia v. Dick’s Sporting Goods, 2024 WL 1110401, at *5 (Del. Super. Ct. Mar.
14, 2024) (quoting Coleman v. Dep't of Lab., 288 A.2d 285, 287 (Del. Super. Ct.
1972)).
72
Gutierrez v. Jamestown Painting, 2019 WL 972161, at *3 (Del. Super. Ct. Feb.
26, 2019).
73
Powell, 223 A.3d at 871.
74
D.I. 12 (“Opening Brief” or “Op. Br.”) at 13.
11
witnesses,75 and when considering conflicting expert opinions, the Board maintained
discretion to adopt one expert’s testimony over another so long as substantial
evidence supported its decision.76 The Board may, as it did here, draw reasonable
inferences from the testimony when assessing the credibility of claims.77
The Board did not find Dudlek’s account of the alleged work accident
credible.78 The Board concluded, “the records and expert testimony connecting
these complaints to a work accident on October 17, 2022, are entirely reliant on
Claimant’s statements to her medical providers.”79 Dudlek did not offer any
evidence to corroborate her description of the alleged accident, nor did she offer any
witnesses to corroborate her symptoms on the day of the alleged accident, in the
three weeks leading up to her treatment, or after receiving treatments from the
concussion clinic at Wilmington Hospital, ATI Physical Therapy, and First State
Orthopedics.80 Further, the Board found Dudlek’s description of the toy Tonka truck
and how it struck the back of her head unpersuasive.81 The Board’s conclusion that
Dudlek did not meet her burden is supported by substantial evidence.
75
Hall v. Rollins Leasing, 1996 WL 659476, at *2 (Del. Super. Ct. Oct. 4, 1996).
76
Gutierrez, 2019 WL 972161, at *5.
77
See Powell, 223 A.3d at 872-73.
78
Board Decision at 28.
79
Board Decision at 28.
80
Board Decision at 27.
81
Board Decision at 27.
12
The Board found Dudlek’s delayed reporting and medical treatment impacted
their assessment of her credibility.82 Dudlek testified that she waited until November
10, 2022, to report the alleged work accident to Jovie and then sought medical
treatment the following day.83 The Board deemed the approximate one-month delay
unreasonable because Dudlek asserted she sustained immediate symptoms that
worsened over time and interfered with her daily activities.84 Dudlek testified that
when she was struck, she immediately felt dizzy and experienced a migraine.85
Dudlek also stated that she remained dizzy during her commute home and had to
stop twice to vomit.86 By November 2022, Dudlek reported daily vomiting, and, as
a result, canceled her November 7, 2022 shift with Jovie.87 Based upon the
seriousness of the symptoms she described, the Board did not “find it credible that
[Dudlek] would delay seeking treatment for so long if these circumstances were
true.”88
As the Delaware Supreme Court recently noted, in Powell v. OTAC:
Whether an injury arose out of and in the course of employment is
essentially a question of fact. Often, as in this case, the factual finding
depends in large measure on the Board’s assessment of the credibility
82
Board Decision at 26-27.
83
Board Decision at 26.
84
Board Decision at 26.
85
Hrg. Tr. at 8.
86
Hrg. Tr. at 9.
87
Hrg. Tr. at 10-11.
88
Board Decision at 26-27.
13
of the witnesses who testify before it. It is the exclusive function of the
Board to evaluate the credibility of witnesses.89
As in Powell, the Board considered all of the evidence and found Dudlek’s reporting
lacking in credibility. This finding is supported by substantial evidence and this
Court may not independently evaluate witness credibility.
The Board, as it is entitled to do when presented with conflicting expert
testimony, favored Dr. Bennett’s opinion over Dr. Moran’s.90 Dr. Bennett attributed
Dudlek’s subjective complaints to pre-existing psychological and medical issues
unrelated to her alleged work injury.91 Dudlek’s extensive medical history included
prior evaluation and treatment for head and neck injuries in 2015 and 2016, and
comorbidities including anxiety and depression.92 Dudlek also reported numerous
incidents that occurred after the alleged work accident that exacerbated her
injuries.93 The Board found there was substantial evidence that Dudlek’s complaints
remained “longstanding and pre-existing.”94
The evidence offered at the October 3, 2023, hearing supports the Board’s
determination that Dudlek failed to establish by a preponderance of the evidence that
89
Powell, 223 A.3d at 871.
90
Board Decision at 28.
91
Hrg. Tr. at 112, 116.
92
Board Decision at 28.
93
Hrg. Tr. at 38-39.
94
Hrg. Tr. at 108.
14
she sustained injury in an industrial accident on October 17, 2022, while working
for Jovie. The Board’s decision is supported by substantial evidence and is free from
legal error.
II. The Board Properly Considered the Evidence Before It.
To the extent Dudlek contends that the board improperly considered certain
evidence from her employer, that argument, too, lacks merit. Administrative
agencies are not required to strictly adhere to the Court’s rules of evidence.95 “The
Rules of Evidence do not strictly apply to administrative hearings. Rather, the
agency may hear all evidence which could conceivably throw light on the
controversy.”96 Section 1331.14.3 of the Industrial Accident Board Regulations
provides:
The rules of evidence applicable to the Superior Court of the State of
Delaware shall be followed insofar as practicable; however, that
evidence will be considered by the Board which, in its opinion,
possesses any probative value commonly accepted by reasonably
prudent persons in the conduct of their affairs. The Board may, in its
discretion, disregard any customary rules of evidence and legal
procedures so long as such a disregard does not amount to an abuse of
its discretion.97
95
Zayas, 273 A.3d at 785.
96
Garrett v. Amazon.com, Inc., 2018 WL 2485919, at *2 (Del. Super. Ct. June 1,
2018) (cleaned up).
97
Zayas, 273 A.3d at 785 (quoting 19 Del. Admin. C. § 1331.14.3).
15
“An abuse of discretion occurs when the Board’s decision has exceeded the bounds
of reason in view of the circumstances, or so ignored recognized rules of law or
practice as to produce injustice.”98 The Board may evaluate both hearsay and non-
hearsay evidence to make factual findings to reach a decision supported by
substantial evidence. “Only when the hearsay is incompetent will the Board's
reliance on such testimony be deemed an abuse of discretion. This issue only
becomes relevant, however, if the Board's decision rests solely upon hearsay
evidence.”99
Dudlek contends the Board’s acceptance of, and reliance upon, Doody’s
testimony was erroneous and an abuse of discretion.100 Doody testified based on his
recollection and his handwritten notes.101 Dudlek argues that the Board erred by
considering Doody’s hearsay testimony and documents not produced in
discovery.102 But the “admission of incompetent hearsay evidence does not warrant
a reversal of the Board's decision so long as there is other competent evidence with
probative value in the record to support the Board's decision.”103
98
Zayas, 273 A.3d at 786 (cleaned up).
99
Garrett, 2018 WL 2485919, at *2 (internal citations omitted).
100
Op. Br. at 15.
101
Hrg. Tr. at 91, 92, 93, 95, 96.
102
Op. Br. at 15.
103
Goldsmith v. Unemployment Ins. Appeal Bd., 1982 WL 591942, at *2 (Del. Super.
Ct. Mar. 9. 1982).
16
To the extent that Doody offered hearsay evidence considered by the Board,
it is clear that the Board’s decision was supported by other substantial evidence.
Various factors, including Dudlek’s own testimony, impacted the Board’s
assessment of the credibility of her claims. First, Dudlek failed to report the accident
or seek treatment for her alleged injuries for nearly a month after the incident.104 The
Board deemed this reporting and treatment delay unreasonable, given the extent of
Dudlek’s injuries.105 Additionally, Dr. Bennett, based on physical examination and
review of medical records, connected Dudlek’s complaints to pre-existing medical
conditions rather than the alleged work accident.106 The Board was also troubled by
Dudlek’s inconsistent account of the accident and the absence of witnesses to
corroborate her claims and symptoms.107 Thus, upon consideration of all the
evidence presented, it is clear that the Board relied on far more than Doody’s
testimony to support its decision. Accordingly, the Board’s decision is supported by
substantial evidence and free from legal error.
104
Board Decision at 26.
105
Board Decision at 26.
106
Board Decision at 28.
107
Board Decision at 27.
17
V. CONCLUSION
The Board’s determination that Dudlek failed to prove by preponderance of
the evidence that a work accident occurred on October 17, 2022, is free from legal
error and supported by substantial evidence. The Board’s denial of Dudlek’s
Petition for Compensation is AFFIRMED.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
_______________ _____
Sean P. Lugg, Judge
18