Wigley v. Sears Holding Corp.

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1 IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO
2 LOUIS WIGLEY,
3 Worker-Appellant,
4 v. No. A-1-CA-36073
5 SEARS HOLDING CORPORATION
6 and SEDGWICK CMS,
7 Employer/Insurer-Appellees.
8 APPEAL FROM THE WORKERS’ COMPENSATION ADMINISTRATION
9 Leonard J. Padilla, Workers’ Compensation Judge
10 Michael J. Doyle
11 Los Lunas, NM
12 for Appellant
13 Allen, Shepherd, Lewis & Syra, P.A.
14 Jonathan Elms
15 Albuquerque, NM
16 for Appellees
17 MEMORANDUM OPINION
18 HANISEE, Judge.
19 {1} Worker seeks to appeal from the workers’ compensation administration’s
20 compensation order, which resolves issues relating to Worker’s right-shoulder injury.
1 [RP 174] We proposed summary dismissal for lack of a final order. Worker has filed
2 a memorandum in opposition to our notice of proposed summary disposition.
3 Unpersuaded, we dismiss for lack of a final order.
4 {2} Our notice explained that while the compensation order resolved benefits
5 relating to Worker’s right-shoulder injury, it does not resolve claims relating to two
6 allegedly related injuries—one to Worker’s left shoulder and one for secondary mental
7 impairment. [RP 82, 100-01, 116, 126, 175] Specifically, the compensation order
8 provides that Worker is entitled to a psychological evaluation as well as an orthopedic
9 evaluation of his left shoulder “for causation and possible treatment.” [RP 177]
10 Because of the outstanding evaluations and the potential impact on Worker’s benefits,
11 we proposed to dismiss for lack of a final order.
12 {3} In response, Worker argues that the compensation order is final because it
13 disposed of all issues between the parties and raised in the complaint. [MIO 1-2] We
14 acknowledge that Worker’s two allegedly related injuries were not specifically
15 mentioned in the complaint. [RP 1-2] However, issues relating to the injuries were
16 raised during the proceedings, [see RP 82] and Employer was unsuccessful in moving
17 the workers’ compensation judge to dismiss the claims. [RP 107-08, 111] It is well-
18 settled that “the term ‘finality[,]’ is to be given a practical, rather than a technical,
19 construction.” Kelly Inn No. 102, Inc. v. Kapnison, 1992-NMSC-005, ¶ 15, 113 N.M.
21 231, 824 P.2d 1033. In other words, “to determine whether a judgment is final, the
2 court must look to its substance and not its form.” Id. Accordingly, we are
3 unpersuaded by Worker’s argument that all issues were fully resolved.
4 {4} In light of our strong policy of avoiding piecemeal appeals, see generally
5 Murphy v. Strata Prod. Co., 2006-NMCA-008, ¶ 7, 138 N.M. 809, 126 P.3d 11736 (observing that “piecemeal appeals are disfavored; [and] fragmentation of issues is to
7 be avoided”), we are of the opinion that it would be both inappropriate and imprudent
8 to hear an immediate appeal from the compensation order at this time. To the extent
9 that Worker is concerned that the outstanding evaluations may not result in any
10 changes to the compensation order and he may lose his right to appeal, [MIO 3-6] we
11 point out that the law of the case doctrine would apply to this Court’s conclusion
12 regarding finality. See State ex rel. King v. UU Bar Ranch Ltd. P’ship,
13 2009-NMSC-010, ¶ 21, 145 N.M. 769, 205 P.3d 816 (providing that “a decision by
14 an appeals court on an issue of law made in one stage of a lawsuit becomes binding
15 on subsequent trial courts as well as subsequent appeals courts during the course of
16 that litigation). Hence, Worker is entitled to appeal once the issues arising from the
17 related injuries have been resolved.
18 {5} For the reasons set forth in our notice of proposed summary disposition and
19 in this opinion, we dismiss.
3
1 {6} IT IS SO ORDERED.
2 _____________________________
3 J. MILES HANISEE, Judge
4 WE CONCUR:
5 __________________________________
6 LINDA M. VANZI, Chief Judge
7 __________________________________
8 JONATHAN B. SUTIN, Judge
4