Name
Bergeron v. Casella Waste Systems
Insurance Company
CCMSI
Date Decided
November 29, 2016
Panel Members
Elizabeth Elwin
Sue Jerome
Mike Stovall
Categories
Board IMETags
Durational Limit §213 IME§312 Partial Incapacity Clear and Convincing
File Size
174 KB
DownloadSummary from the Troubh Heisler Attorneys
Bergeron injured his back at work and Casella paid him incapacity benefits accordingly. Casella filed a Petition to Determine Permanent Impairment (PI), presumably to apply the 520 week limitation on partial incapacity benefits in §213. Dr. Pier had previously assessed 10% PI, and Dr. Donovan performed a §312 IME and also found 10% PI.
Bergeron was examined by Dr. Phillips, who assessed 15% physical PI and 7% psychological PI because of his “related” depression. Dr. Lobozzo performed a §312 psychological IME and found 0% psychological PI related to the injury. In her decision, Judge Knopf adopted the §312 IMEs and found 10% PI related to Bergeron's work injury.
Bergeron appealed, arguing that Judge Knopf erred in adopting the §312 IME opinions and in failing to adopt Dr. Phillips’ opinions as "clear and convincing evidence to the contrary." The Appellate Division again noted that, when an ALJ adopts a §312 IME opinion, the decision cannot be reversed on appeal unless the IME's findings are not supported by competent evidence or the ALJ’s decision has no reasonable basis.