Smurfit-Stone Container Enterprises, Inc. and RockTenn CP, LLC v. Darrell Jones

COURT OF APPEALS OF VIRGINIA
Present: Chief Judge Felton, Judges McCullough and Decker
UNPUBLISHED
Argued at Chesapeake, Virginia
SMURFIT-STONE CONTAINER
ENTERPRISES, INC. AND
ROCKTENN CP, LLC
MEMORANDUM OPINION* BY
v. Record No. 0349-14-1 JUDGE STEPHEN R. McCULLOUGH
OCTOBER 7, 2014
DARRELL JONES
FROM THE VIRGINIA WORKERS’ COMPENSATION COMMISSION
S. Vernon Priddy III (Cecil H. Creasey, Jr.; Two Rivers Law Group,
P.C., on brief), for appellants.
Charlene A. Morring (Montagna, Klein, Camden LLP, on brief), for
appellee.
Smurfit-Stone Container Enterprises, the employer, challenges the commission’s award
of benefits. The employer’s six assignments of error fall into two general issues. First, with
regard to causation, the employer argues that: (1) the employee, Darrell Jones, failed to establish
a causal relation between his medical treatment, disability, and his work injuries; (2) Jones’s
medical treatment at the hands of Dr. Arthur Wardell was not causally related to his work
injuries; and (3) Jones did not suffer from a condition causally related to his industrial accident.
Second, the employer contends that Jones’s efforts to market his residual work capacity were
deficient in several particulars. We find no error and affirm the decision of the commission.
*
Pursuant to Code § 17.1-413, this opinion is not designated for publication.
BACKGROUND
On June 15, 2009, while working for Smurfit-Stone, Jones suffered an electrical shock.
The current passed from one hand, through his arm, and into his other hand. Dr. Levine
evaluated Jones on May 5, 2010 and found that there was “no objective basis for a permanent
impairment rating.” Jones returned to work.
The employer became concerned that Jones was not using his left arm to its full capacity.
Accordingly, Jones met with Dr. Chandler at the plant on November 3, 2010. Dr. Chandler did
not conduct an examination. Rather, he read Jones’s relevant medical records and met with
Jones “to discuss the work aspects of [his] left arm symptoms.” Dr. Chandler placed Jones on
temporary work restrictions: no lifting of more than five pounds with the left arm and no
forceful gripping with the left hand. The employer did not have any light-duty work available,
so Jones was “passed out” of work.
Jones sought a second opinion from Dr. Wardell. Dr. Wardell examined Jones and
reached a provisional diagnosis on December 8, 2010, that Jones suffered from “[c]ervical and
dorsal muscle injuries and strains as a result of electrical shock. Sensory nerve damage from
electrical shock. Left shoulder bursitis.” He ordered an electromyograph, or EMG. Following
this EMG, Dr. Wardell concluded that there was “[n]o electrodiagnostic evidence of cervical
radiculopathy on the left. Left ulnar neuropathy across the elbow, mild.” On December 14,
2010, Dr. Zhu, a board-certified neurologist, found “[n]o electrodiagnostic evidence of cervical
radiculopathy on the left” and “left ulnar neuropathy across the elbow, mild.”
On January 14, 2011, following physical therapy and medication, Jones reported that his
neck and arm pain improved. Dr. Wardell continued to treat Jones through August 2011.
On February 16, 2011, Dr. Wardell completed a Capabilities and Limitations Worksheet.
He checked a number of boxes on the worksheet. Dr. Wardell noted that Jones should not lift
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more than five pounds and that he should not perform certain functions such as pulling, pushing,
or reaching above his shoulder. With regard to the duration of the restrictions, Dr. Wardell
indicated that he was “[u]nable to determine at this time” and that the “[p]atient will be
rechecked on 2/16/11.” Dr. Wardell wrote “None” in a section of the form captioned, “Current
Functional Limitations.” Those limitations listed on the form included speech, vision, hearing,
movement, self-care, cognition, concentration, memory, and judgment.
Jones also was evaluated by Dr. Harding. On January 20, 2011, Dr. Harding found
“[s]ignificant functional weakness with inconsistent effort noted. Strongly suspect functional
overlay and malingering. [Functional capacity evaluation] corroborates these findings. Do not
see a primary neurologic reason he cannot resume normal work activity.”
The same month that Jones was “passed out” of work at Smurfit-Stone, he obtained
part time work with Advantage Sales and Marketing, presenting and promoting different
products in stores. The hours varied. Some weeks, he would not work at all, and others, he
might work up to thirty hours. Jones has a B.A. in music and math from Stillman College. Prior
to 2002, he worked as an assistant band director, choir director, music teacher, and private
instructor. He also had some experience cutting hair.
Jones registered with the Virginia Employment Commission. He also applied for other
jobs. Jones maintained a log of his job contacts. He assembled the log on a monthly basis from
notes he had taken. He secured two interviews, but neither resulted in a job offer. He sought
many “co-manager” positions, and he explained that many available positions, such as cashier
and grocery stocker, required lifting beyond his restrictions. Most of the applications he filed did
not involve an advertised job opening. Based on his experience with cutting hair, he inquired
about a job at Great Clips. Jones’s sister-in-law informed him about schools looking to hire
teachers with degrees in math and music. He acknowledged, however, that he did not pursue
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these job leads. From November 10, 2010 to June 20, 2011, Jones made a total of sixty-five job
contacts.
Throughout this time, Jones remained in contact with his former employer. In July 2011,
his doctor removed his restrictions, and Jones returned to work with Smurfit-Stone.
The deputy commissioner awarded Jones temporary partial disability benefits. The full
commission affirmed. On appeal to this Court, we reversed and remanded because the
commission had not addressed the employer’s argument that appellant’s disability was not
causally related to his employment. Smurfit-Stone Container Enters., Inc. v. Jones,
No. 0358-13-1, 2013 Va. App. LEXIS 306 (Va. Ct. App. Oct. 29, 2013). On remand, the
commission credited Dr. Wardell’s opinion and found that Jones’s disability was indeed related
to his employment. The commission adopted its prior findings that Jones’s marketing efforts
were adequate. The employer appeals from this decision.
ANALYSIS
I. THE EVIDENCE SUPPORTS THE DECISION OF THE COMMISSION WITH REGARD TO THE MEDICAL
EVIDENCE.
“The commission’s determination of causation is a factual finding that will not be
disturbed on appeal if supported by credible evidence.” Commonwealth/Cent. Va. Training Ctr.
v. Cordle, 37 Va. App. 232, 238, 556 S.E.2d 64, 67 (2001). In determining whether credible
evidence exists, this Court does not retry the facts or reweigh the evidence. Jules Hairstylists,
Inc. v. Galanes, 1 Va. App. 64, 69, 334 S.E.2d 592, 595 (1985). On appeal from the
commission, “we review the evidence in the light most favorable to the prevailing party.” R.G.
Moore Bldg. Corp. v. Mullins, 10 Va. App. 211, 212, 390 S.E.2d 788, 788 (1990).
The employer contends that Dr. Wardell’s assessment should be disregarded, or, failing
that, the commission should reevaluate its acceptance of his conclusions. First, the employer
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argues that Dr. Wardell’s records from January 14, 2011 are “facially inconsistent.” Second, the
employer notes that, although Dr. Wardell indicated that Jones was unable to work at all, Jones
actually continued to work part time with Advantage Sales and Marketing. The employer also
stresses the contrary conclusions of Drs. Harding and Levine.
We perceive little or no inconsistency in Dr. Wardell’s notes. In his office notes, he
indicated that appellant should remain out of work. In the Capabilities and Limitations
Worksheet, Dr. Wardell plainly indicated limitations with regard to Jones’s current capabilities
and the amount of lifting he was capable of performing. As to the duration of the restrictions,
Dr. Wardell indicated that he was “unable to determine at this time” – plainly presupposing that
there were such restrictions. It is true that he indicated “None” with respect to current functional
limitations. The only relevant limitation listed, however, is “movement,” and Dr. Wardell could
have concluded that, in this context, the word “movement” meant ambulatory movement rather
than movement with the hand or arms in connection with fine motor skills. The form is not clear
with regard to the term. At any rate, Dr. Wardell treated appellant over many months and
repeatedly concluded that Jones was impaired.
Even if there were a minor inconsistency in Dr. Wardell’s notes, the commission could,
on this record, credit Dr. Wardell’s diagnosis over those offered by other physicians. It is well
settled that “‘a finding of fact made by the commission is conclusive and binding upon this
[C]ourt.’” Sneed v. Morengo, Inc., 19 Va. App. 199, 204-05, 450 S.E.2d 167, 170 (1994)
(quoting Commonwealth v. Powell, 2 Va. App. 712, 714, 347 S.E.2d 532, 533 (1986)). “‘A
question [of causation] raised by conflicting medical opinion is a question of fact.’” Id. at 205,
450 S.E.2d at 171 (quoting Powell, 2 Va. App. at 714, 347 S.E.2d at 533). “That contrary
evidence may be in the record is of no consequence if there is credible evidence to support the
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commission’s findings.” Id. at 205, 450 S.E.2d at 170-71 (internal quotation marks and citation
omitted).
The fact that Jones continued to work in a part-time capacity – to the benefit of the
employer – does not undermine the credibility of Dr. Wardell’s diagnosis. The employer reads
the record to suggest that Dr. Wardell must have been mistaken in concluding that appellant
could not work because he did, in fact, work. Under the standard of review, we read the record
to indicate that Jones continued to work despite the symptoms he experienced.
The employer cites Clinchfield Coal Co. v. Bowman, 229 Va. 249, 329 S.E.2d 15 (1985)
(per curiam), Howell Metal Co./Commercial Metals Co. v. Adams, 35 Va. App. 184, 543 S.E.2d
629 (2001), and Dodson v. Allison Building & Renovation, Inc., No. JCN 235-60-52, 2011
VA Wrk. Comp. LEXIS 428 (Va. Workers’ Comp. Comm’n June 24, 2011). These decisions
are inapposite. Clinchfield Coal and Howell Metal Co. involved faulty expert opinions – faulty
because the diagnosis was made without relevant and potentially controlling facts. In Clinchfield
Coal, the physician’s first report diagnosed the claimant based only on the medical history
related to him by the claimant. 229 Va. at 250-51, 329 S.E.2d at 16. The physician later
reviewed the claimant’s medical records, which revealed a relevant prior injury, and he
completed a second report changing his causation opinion. Id. at 251, 329 S.E.2d at 16. The
commission credited the first report, but the Supreme Court reversed, finding that the first
diagnosis of causation rested on a faulty assumption based on incomplete information. See id. at
251-52, 329 S.E.2d at 16-17. In Howell Metal, this Court reversed an award by the commission,
reasoning that the medical opinions on which the commission relied did not establish causation
because the opinions were reached without the benefit of a potentially-dispositive past medical
history. 35 Va. App. at 186-87, 188-89, 543 S.E.2d at 630-31. Finally, in Dodson the
commission gave “no weight” to a diagnosis that relied on an incomplete or inaccurate medical
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history. 2011 VA Wrk. Comp. LEXIS 428, at *32. In contrast, Dr. Wardell’s notes indicate not
only his review of Jones’s medical history but also an extensive battery of tests that undergird his
conclusions.
Dr. Wardell was Jones’s treating physician. The commission committed no error of law
in accepting his diagnosis, and we defer on appeal to its determination.
II. THE COMMISSION’S DECISION REGARDING JONES’S MARKETING EFFORTS IS SUPPORTED BY
CREDIBLE EVIDENCE.
The employer also challenges Jones’s marketing as inadequate and his entitlement to
temporary partial disability benefits from November 26, 2010 through December 8, 2010.
In order to establish entitlement to temporary disability benefits, a partially disabled
claimant “must prove that he made a reasonable effort to market his residual work capacity.”
Wall Street Deli, Inc. v. O’Brien, 32 Va. App. 217, 220, 527 S.E.2d 451, 453 (2000). “The
determination of whether a partially disabled employee has adequately marketed his residual
work capacity lies within the fact finding judgment of the commission, and its decision on that
question, if supported by credible evidence, will not be disturbed on appeal.” Id. at 220-21, 527
S.E.2d at 453.
“The employee must obviously exercise reasonable diligence in seeking employment,
and what is reasonable in a given case will depend upon all of the facts and surrounding
circumstances.” Great Atl. & Pac. Tea Co. v. Bateman, 4 Va. App. 459, 467, 359 S.E.2d 98, 102
(1987). “There are no fixed guidelines for determining what constitutes a ‘reasonable effort’ by
an employee to market residual work capacity.” Ford Motor Co. v. Favinger, 275 Va. 83, 89,
654 S.E.2d 575, 579 (2008) (quoting Bateman, 4 Va. App. at 467, 359 S.E.2d at 102). The
commission considers the following factors:
(1) the nature and extent of [the] employee’s disability; (2) the
employee’s training, age, experience, and education; (3) the nature
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and extent of [the] employee’s job search; (4) the employee’s
intent in conducting his job search; (5) the availability of jobs in
the area suitable for the employee, considering his disability; and
(6) any other matter affecting [the] employee’s capacity to find
suitable employment.
Nat’l Linen Serv. v. McGuinn, 8 Va. App. 267, 272, 380 S.E.2d 31, 34 (1989) (footnotes
omitted).
After he was released from Smurfit-Stone, Jones quickly found part-time work. He
stayed in contact with his former employer, ultimately returning to a job there. He registered
with the Virginia Employment Commission. He made numerous job contacts. Although the
employer takes issue with the fact that many of these contacts were for managerial rather than
entry-level positions, we do not agree. Considering Jones’s age, his college degree, and the
physical restrictions imposed, the fact that his job search privileged the pursuit of managerial
positions is neither surprising nor problematic.
The employer also contends that Jones should have pursued a job as a teacher or cutting
hair. Although he held a degree in music and math, there is no evidence that he possessed the
requisite certifications to teach. His experience over the previous decade was not in music or
math, making him less appealing to employers in that field. The record is not as clear regarding
Jones’s qualifications as a barber. Given the record before us and the standard of review, Jones’s
failure to pursue a job as a teacher or cutting hair is not a basis for reversal.
As to the number of his contacts, although it is certainly arguable that Jones could have
done more in this regard, we do not find the number so wanting that we must reverse the
commission as a matter of law.
Finally, the employer contends that, for the period of June to July 2011, when Jones’s
employment resumed with Smurfit-Stone, Jones did not make any contacts at all. The
commission reasoned, “While the claimant stopped his job search efforts in June 2011, he was
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anticipating a return to work with his pre-injury employer. The period was brief and he was
working for another employer. These actions on his part were reasonable.” Commissioner
Williams dissented on this point based on the fact that Jones “simply quit marketing for an entire
month before his full duty release to work.” On these specific facts, we agree with the
commission. Jones was working, although only part time, and had registered with the Virginia
Employment Commission. On June 7, 2011, Dr. Wardell released Jones to work with
restrictions. His employer, however, told him there was no work available under restrictions –
suggesting that work was available without such restrictions. Jones followed up with
Dr. Wardell, who knew that he was “financially strapped.” Dr. Wardell decided to release him to
full duty under doctor’s care on July 20, 2011. His employer then allowed him to return to work.
Jones certainly could have done more during this period. He did, however, continue to work
part time, he remained in contact with his former employer, and he was working with his doctor
to secure a return to work. These circumstances suffice for us to uphold the commission’s
decision under the standard of review.
CONCLUSION
We affirm the decision of the commission.
Affirmed.
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