Opinion
Argued September 16, 1977
December 15, 1977.
Workmen's compensation — Scope of appellate review — Error of law — Violation of constitutional rights — Findings of fact — Substantial evidence — Total disability — Medical testimony — Credibility — Available work.
1. In a workmen's compensation case where the decision below was against the party with the burden of proof, review by the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania is to determine whether an error of law was committed, constitutional rights were violated or necessary findings of fact were unsupported by substantial evidence. [19]
2. In a workmen's compensation case a finding that a claimant still suffers total disability is adequately supported by evidence when a competent medical witness testifies unequivocally to such condition although conflicting testimony was also presented the resolution of questions of credibility being for the fact-finder not the reviewing court. [19-20]
3. The availability of work a workmen's compensation claimant can perform is immaterial in a case where it is determined that the claimant is totally disabled. [20]
Argued September 16, 1977, before President Judge BOWMAN and Judges MENCER and BLATT.
Appeal, No. 1819 C.D. 1976, from the Order of the Workmen's Compensation Appeal Board in case of William Bergstrasser v. Trio Beverage Company, No. A-71217.
Petition with the Department of Labor and Industry to terminate workmen's compensation agreement. Petition dismissed. Petitioner appealed to the Workmen's Compensation Appeal Board. Dismissal affirmed. Petitioner filed petition for review with the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania. Held: Affirmed.
Bart E. Ecker, with him Laputka, Bayless, Ecker Cohn, P.C., for petitioner.
Joseph P. Olexy, with him James N. Diefenderfer, for respondents.
William Bergstrasser (claimant) injured his back in a work-related accident on December 4, 1969 while he was employed by the Trio Beverage Company (employer). He and the employer subsequently entered into a compensation agreement for total disability, and he was paid $60.00 a week beginning December 15, 1969. Alleging that the claimant was no longer totally disabled, the employer filed a petition for termination of this agreement on February 6, 1975. The petition was dismissed following a hearing before a referee, and this decision was affirmed by the Workmen's Compensation Appeal Board (Board). The employer has now appealed the Board's decision to this Court.
Section 427 of The Pennsylvania Workmen's Compensation Act (Act), 77 P. S. § 876.1, provides that this Court's scope of review in workmen's compensation appeals is that defined in Section 44 of the Administrative Agency Law, 71 P. S. § 1710.44. Section 44 limits our scope of review here to a determination of whether or not an error of law was committed, constitutional rights were violated, or whether or not findings of fact are unsupported by substantial evidence.
Act of June 2, 1915, P.L. 736, as amended, 77 P. S. § 1 et seq.
Act of June 4, 1945, P.L. 1388, as amended, 71 P. S. § 1710.1 et seq.
The employer here contends that the following finding of fact is not supported by the evidence:
6. In the evaluation of all the medical evidence presented to the Referee, it is the Referee's conclusion and he finds as a fact that the testimony of the Claimant's doctor is credible, consistent with established medical precedence, and, therefore, establishes beyond a reasonable doubt that the Claimant still suffers from an injury which occurred in December of 1969, and, as a result thereof is still, on the date of this hearing, totally disabled.
We, however, cannot agree with this contention of the employer in light of the testimony by the claimant himself and by his physician that he continues to be disabled. The claimant's physician stated unequivocally that he "could not conceive of any meaningful work" which the claimant could do in his present condition. The employer's medical witness, of course, did testify that the claimant is capable of engaging in certain jobs which do not require lifting, stooping or carrying, but the referee resolved the conflicting testimony as he, as fact-finder, is expected to do, and he found in favor of the claimant. This Court is required by law to leave the resolution of questions of credibility to the fact-finder. McIntosh v. Borough of Pleasant Hills, 25 Pa. Commw. 311, 360 A.2d 273 (1976).
The employer also seeks to rely upon the opinion of its industrial psychologist who testified that there are several types of jobs which the claimant could perform within his physical limitations as well as upon the testimony of an employment counselor that such jobs are available in the vicinity of the claimant's residence. When, however, a hearing is held on a petition to terminate total disability benefits and the referee concludes that the claimant is still totally disabled, no inquiry into available work alternatives need be made. Workmen's Compensation Appeal Board v. Kelly Steel Erectors, Inc., 25 Pa. Commw. 329, 361 A.2d 478 (1976).
We believe that the crucial finding here that the claimant continues to be totally disabled is supported by the evidence, and we will, therefore, affirm the decision of the Board.
ORDER
AND NOW, this 15th day of December, 1977, the order of the Workmen's Compensation Appeal Board is hereby affirmed, and it is ordered that judgment be entered in favor of William Bergstrasser and against the Trio Beverage Company for compensation to be paid at the rate of $60.00 per week beginning December 15, 1969 and for an indefinite time into the future.