Horning v. Labor Commission , 2023 UT App 30 ( 2023 )


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    2023 UT App 30
    THE UTAH COURT OF APPEALS
    FRAN HORNING,
    Petitioner,
    v.
    LABOR COMMISSION, AEROSCAPE,
    AND AMERICAN LIBERTY INSURANCE,
    Respondents.
    Opinion
    No. 20210562-CA
    Filed April 6, 2023
    Original Proceeding in this Court
    Gary E. Atkin and K. Dawn Atkin, Attorneys
    for Petitioner
    Chad P. Curtis and Victor M. Perri, Attorneys for
    Respondents Aeroscape and American
    Liberty Insurance
    JUDGE DAVID N. MORTENSEN authored this Opinion, in which
    JUDGE RYAN D. TENNEY and JUSTICE JILL M. POHLMAN concurred.1
    MORTENSEN, Judge:
    ¶1     Fran Horning lost consciousness at work when a weed
    trimmer engine fell off a shelf and struck him in the head. He
    complained of continuing psychological issues long after the
    accident. He received workers’ compensation benefits for some
    time, but when his employer cut off the benefits, Horning sought
    a hearing. The administrative law judge (ALJ), relying on a
    1. Justice Jill M. Pohlman began her work on this case as a member
    of the Utah Court of Appeals. She became a member of the Utah
    Supreme Court thereafter and completed her work on the case
    sitting by special assignment as authorized by law. See generally
    Utah R. Jud. Admin. 3-108(4).
    Horning v. Labor Commission
    medical panel’s report, denied ongoing benefits. Horning
    challenged the qualifications of the medical panel members, but
    the ALJ overruled the objection. Horning then sought review
    before the Utah Labor Commission (Commission), which also
    denied ongoing benefits. Horning now seeks judicial review of the
    Commission’s order, and we decline to disturb it.
    BACKGROUND
    ¶2    In early August 2015, while working for Aeroscape,
    Horning was injured when a weed trimmer engine weighing
    roughly four pounds fell about three feet from a shelf and struck
    him on the head. He briefly lost consciousness and was taken by
    ambulance to the hospital, where he stayed overnight. While in
    the hospital, “he was diagnosed with a closed-head injury with
    symptomatic concussion.”
    ¶3     Horning returned to work part-time a month or so later,
    but he found it difficult to concentrate, and workplace noise
    would trigger headaches and mental fatigue. He also would
    stumble around at times while working. Horning was released
    from work on October 16, 2015. He received temporary total
    disability compensation from October 17, 2015, to June 19, 2016.
    ¶4     In January 2016, Horning began treatment for post-
    concussion syndrome and “underwent various treatments to treat
    his symptoms, including sleep problems, headaches, and
    depression.” In March 2016, Horning was diagnosed “with major
    depression and anxiety,” and his doctor recommended that
    Horning attend “psychotherapy sessions,” which Horning
    attended for about seven months. Around this time, Horning was
    also diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
    ¶5    Aeroscape’s medical consultant (Dr. Mattingly) evaluated
    Horning in June 2016 and opined that Horning had “sustained a
    concussion and cervical-spine strain as a result of the work
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    accident” but noted that the “mechanism of injury [was] not
    consistent with causing PTSD, anxiety or depression.” Another
    Aeroscape medical consultant (Dr. Houston) concluded that
    “Horning did not develop a persistent neurocognitive disorder or
    PTSD” and that he had “non-industrial depression and anxiety.”
    Based on the opinions of these two doctors, Aeroscape ceased
    providing Horning with workers’ compensation benefits.
    ¶6     Horning filed an application for a formal hearing before an
    ALJ. At the hearing, the parties agreed that park surveillance
    video taken of Horning after the accident would not be
    introduced as evidence. The parties also stipulated that two pages
    of the medical record that contained a description of what was
    seen in the surveillance video would be stricken from the record.
    These two pages had formed an addendum to Dr. Houston’s
    report. But Horning did not object to at least one other reference
    to the surveillance video being included in the record, because it
    was “far more general” and shorter than the other references. In
    addition to mentioning the dates and duration of the video
    recordings, this included reference stated,
    [Dr. Houston’s] opinion is [that Horning’s] video
    presentation does not appear to be consistent with
    his medical complaints including physical, balance,
    and mental as described in the medical record for
    the same corresponding time period March 2016
    through July 2016. He seems to move and ambulate
    with coordinated agility at an up-tempo pace
    whenever required. There is no visible evidence of
    pain behavior, balance problems, fatigue, depressed
    affect, anxious behavior, or cognitive confusion. He
    visibly engages with others in a pleasant way and
    most notably seems to be able to sustain
    concentration, persistence and pace for prolonged
    periods when filming his children’s baseball and
    soccer games.
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    ¶7    The ALJ ordered that the case be referred to a medical
    panel because it was “clear that there [were] conflicting medical
    opinions regarding the medical causation of [Horning’s] ongoing
    medical and mental health issues.”
    ¶8      The ALJ appointed Dr. Shawn Smith and Dr. Sean Biggs to
    the medical panel. The panel “reviewed all of the medical
    records” it had received. Apparently, the two pages describing
    the excluded video surveillance were included in the materials
    submitted to the panel, as evidenced by three statements included
    in the report. First,
    Dr. Mattingly reviewed video surveillance and
    noted that [Horning] was at a park and soccer game
    for two hours, standing mostly, walking, [and]
    taking pictures, without any signs of being off
    balance. He was seen leaning over, squatting down,
    bending over and assuming other positions without
    difficulty. Other video episodes were reviewed
    without any signs of problems with balance,
    standing or talking for long periods of time.
    Second,
    Dr. Houston reviewed surveillance video and noted
    that there was no visible evidence of pain behavior,
    balance problems, fatigue, depressed affect, anxious
    behavior or cognitive confusion. [Horning] seemed
    able to sustain concentration, persistence and pace
    for prolonged periods when filming his children’s
    baseball and soccer games.[2]
    2. The language of the second statement parrots that of the
    description of the video surveillance that Horning did not object
    to being included in the record, so the second reference could
    (continued…)
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    Third,
    Dr. Houston wrote an addendum in response to
    questions related to surveillance video and
    [Horning’s] deposition. Dr. Houston noted that
    [Horning] was able to get out of the passenger side
    of a car without difficulty. [Horning] had no
    difficulty fishing, flexing at the waist and standing
    erect, bending over a pier railing, or kicking out the
    right leg in a quick side-sweeping motion without
    losing his balance.
    ¶9     After a comprehensive review of the medical record, which
    consisted of well over 800 pages, the panel came to the following
    conclusions: Horning sustained a “[c]oncussion with resulting
    headache and dizziness and mood instability” and “[n]eck strain”
    from the accident; it was “medically more likely than not that no
    other conditions arose secondarily as a result of the conditions
    listed”; the “concussion with resulting headache and dizziness
    and the neck strain most likely became medically stable six
    months after the industrial accident, on February 7, 2016”; and
    there was “no objective evidence that [Horning] had a preexisting
    condition that increased the risk of injury nor that contributed to
    the industrial injury.” Notably, the panel addressed Horning’s
    complaints of psychological issues in these terms:
    Given the mechanism of injury and the minor
    classification of his [traumatic brain injury (TBI)], it
    is unlikely that the work injury caused any mood or
    emotional symptoms beyond the period of medical
    stability. Any current mood abnormalities, such as
    have just as easily come from that portion of the record as from
    the stricken portion. See supra ¶ 6. In contrast, the first and third
    statements contain descriptions that are not included in the
    admitted evidence and an explicit reference to the addendum.
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    Horning v. Labor Commission
    depression or anxiety, would not be considered to
    be a result of the TBI. There is no objective evidence
    to support a diagnosis of post-traumatic-stress-
    disorder (PTSD) . . . .
    It is medically more likely than not that
    [Horning’s] emotional and mood symptoms that
    persisted after the period of medical stability did not
    arise secondarily to the TBI.
    ¶10 Horning objected to the medical panel’s report on the
    following grounds: the inclusion of descriptions outlining the
    video surveillance tainted the medical panel, the medical panel
    made factual findings contrary to those made at the hearing by
    the ALJ, the medical panel did not include a basis for its
    conclusion that Horning had reached maximum medical
    improvement, the panel failed to address the aggravation of
    Horning’s preexisting conditions, and the medical panel did not
    properly address Horning’s ongoing mood instability. Based on
    these issues—in particular, the panel’s consideration of the
    excluded evidence—Horning requested a new medical panel be
    appointed and the matter “be reexamined from scratch.”
    ¶11 The ALJ declined to appoint a new medical panel but
    elected to send the matter back to the same panel for clarification
    as to specific questions and with the explicit instruction to
    “exclude from . . . consideration” Dr. Mattingly’s and Dr.
    Houston’s “assertions of what they saw on the video tape, and
    simply use the remaining medical exhibit, [the ALJ’s] fact
    findings, and the results of [the medical panel’s] evaluation” of
    Horning. The medical panel responded to the ALJ’s questions,
    and Horning filed another objection to the report, but the ALJ
    rejected Horning’s objection and admitted the medical panel’s
    responses into evidence.
    ¶12 In May 2019, the ALJ issued its findings of fact, conclusions
    of law, and order denying ongoing benefits. Horning filed a
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    motion for review, raising three issues: (1) that the panel
    improperly considered stricken evidence; (2) that the composition
    of the panel did not meet statutory requirements “in that there
    was no specialist in the treatment of TBI/concussion, headaches,
    hearing damage, PTSD, anxiety or spinal injury”; and (3) that the
    report contained numerous faults, including using unnamed and
    rejected studies, excluding Horning’s psychological injuries as not
    objectively provable, and requiring Horning to prove that no pre-
    existing conditions existed.3
    ¶13 The Commission rejected Horning’s arguments about the
    stricken evidence and the alleged substantive faults in the report,
    but it remanded the matter to the ALJ to address the panel
    members’ “expertise in treating the specific conditions to which
    . . . Horning attributes his disability.” The two panelists provided
    their qualifications in two responses. The following was
    submitted for Dr. Biggs:
    Dr. Biggs is board certified in Family Medicine and
    currently works as a full-time occupational
    medicine clinician, specializing in work-related
    illness and injuries. Dr. Biggs has a Master’s degree
    in Occupational Health and has extensive
    experience diagnosing and treating concussion,
    post-concussion syndrome and cervical injuries. Dr.
    Biggs performs hearing exams and diagnoses and
    manages work-related noise injuries and
    symptoms, including tinnitus. He has many years of
    experience diagnosing and treating anxiety and
    depression as a family physician. Dr. Biggs
    diagnoses acute stress response conditions related
    to work trauma as well as post-traumatic stress
    3. Aeroscape also filed a motion for review on the issue of offset
    for overpayments, which the ALJ addressed on remand.
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    disorders, coordinating treatment with trained
    psychologists.
    Dr. Smith’s qualifications were described as follows:
    Dr. Smith is board certified in Neurology and in
    Neurocritical Care and works as a full time
    neurointensivist. Dr. Smith has experience in
    diagnosis and treatment of traumatic brain injury,
    post-concussion syndrome, headache, and other
    sequela of traumatic brain injury.
    And a supplemental submission added to Dr. Smith’s
    qualifications:
    Dr. Smith is board certified in Adult Neurology
    through the American Board of Psychiatry and
    Neurology and is fellowship trained and board
    certified in Neurocritical Care through the United
    Council for Neurological Subspecialties. Dr. Smith
    has many years of experience in outpatient and
    hospital-based neurology.
    ¶14 Horning filed continuing objections to the substance of the
    panel’s report and the panel members’ qualifications.
    Incorporating its previous findings of fact, conclusions of law, and
    order, the ALJ issued an amended order that addressed the panel
    members’ expertise. The ALJ found that “the medical panel
    members have expertise and years of experience in treating
    persons with traumatic brain injuries and post-concussion
    problems including headaches, as well as evaluating hearing
    problems such as tinnitus, and anxiety and depression.” The ALJ
    thus determined that the panel members were “qualified to
    evaluate” Horning’s conditions.
    ¶15 Horning again filed a motion for review, reiterating his
    assertions that the panel improperly reviewed excluded evidence,
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    Horning v. Labor Commission
    used unnamed or rejected studies as a basis for its conclusions,
    required objective evidence to establish coverable psychological
    injuries, improperly required Horning to prove the lack of pre-
    existing conditions, did not understand that medical causation
    can arise secondarily from a work accident, and determined that
    Horning had returned to baseline without addressing pre-injury
    status.
    ¶16 In July 2021, the Commission issued an order affirming the
    ALJ’s decision. The Commission relied on the medical panel’s
    report in concluding that “no . . . causal connection existed”
    between Horning’s “current neurological symptoms as well as his
    depression and anxiety symptoms” and his work injury. Horning
    now seeks judicial review of the decision.
    ISSUES AND STANDARDS OF REVIEW
    ¶17 Horning contends that the medical panel was not qualified
    to address his medical and mental health issues. “A challenge to
    an administrative agency’s finding of fact is reviewed for
    substantial evidence. We review the law applied to those facts for
    correctness.” Gamez v. Utah Labor Comm’n, 
    2022 UT 20
    , ¶ 23, 
    511 P.3d 1145
     (cleaned up).4
    4. For some time, various judges on this court have been using the
    parenthetical “(cleaned up)” to enhance the readability of our
    opinions. See State v. Cady, 
    2018 UT App 8
    , ¶ 9 n.2, 
    414 P.3d 974
    ,
    cert. denied, 
    421 P.3d 439
     (Utah 2018). Our opinions also employ
    the parenthetical “(quotation simplified),” which is identical in
    meaning to “(cleaned up).” See In re K.W., 
    2018 UT App 44
    , ¶ 15
    n.3, 
    420 P.3d 82
    . Both parentheticals indicate the omission of
    internal quotation marks, brackets, ellipses, emphases, internal
    citations, and footnote signals in published sources, as well as the
    traditional parenthetical notation referencing a prior case or cases
    (continued…)
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    Horning v. Labor Commission
    ¶18 Horning next argues that the Commission exceeded its
    discretion in considering the medical panel’s report—which he
    alleges was tainted by exposure to descriptions of the surveillance
    video—over his objection. “We review the [Commission’s] refusal
    to exclude a medical panel report on the basis of an objection
    under an abuse of discretion standard, providing relief only if a
    reasonable basis for that decision is not apparent from the
    record.” Foye v. Labor Comm’n, 
    2018 UT App 124
    , ¶ 16, 
    428 P.3d 26
    (cleaned up), abrogated on other grounds by Gamez v. Utah Labor
    Comm’n, 
    2022 UT 20
    .
    ¶19 Horning lastly complains that the Commission’s factual
    findings on the issue of medical causation were not supported by
    substantial evidence. “Whether the Commission properly found
    that medical causation exists is a question of fact we review for
    being quoted. Ellipses indicate all other omissions. We also use
    these parentheticals to make unbracketed changes to
    capitalization. Apart from capitalization, alterations to words in
    the source are indicated by brackets.
    These parentheticals are powerful editing tools because
    they make legal writing less tedious, more streamlined, and more
    concise. But their appeal begets a temptation to misuse them. And
    we acknowledge that we have, at times, ventured too far by using
    them with (1) quotations from unpublished sources not readily
    available to the public (namely, briefs, lower court documents,
    and transcripts) and (2) quotations of parenthetical language from
    cases citing other cases. To be more transparent and precise, we
    intend to limit our employment of these parentheticals to the
    circumstances identified in the above paragraph, and we expect
    practitioners who choose to employ these devices to abide by
    these same strictures. So that consistency of use might be
    achieved, the publishers of The Bluebook may wish to adopt rules
    similar to those proffered by Jack Metzler. See Jack Metzler,
    Cleaning Up Quotations, 
    18 J. App. Prac. & Process 143
    , 154–55
    (2017).
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    Horning v. Labor Commission
    substantial evidence. In reviewing for substantial evidence, we
    defer to the agency if there is a quantum and quality of relevant
    evidence that is adequate to convince a reasonable mind to
    support a conclusion.” YESCO v. Labor Comm’n, 
    2021 UT App 96
    ,
    ¶ 13, 
    497 P.3d 839
     (cleaned up).
    ANALYSIS
    I. Qualifications of the Medical Panel
    ¶20 Citing Wright v. Labor Commission, 
    2021 UT App 43
    , 
    489 P.3d 211
    , cert. granted, 
    496 P.3d 711
     (Utah 2021), Horning argues
    that the two panel members were not qualified because the
    Commission made no finding that the members had “extensive
    experience in treating the conditions at issue.” See id. ¶ 22 (cleaned
    up). He further asserts that their lack of qualification is
    demonstrated by the panel’s “inability to determine the causation
    of [the] psychological and hearing injuries” he sustained after the
    accident.
    ¶21 The law on a medical panel’s qualifications is clear: “A
    medical panel . . . shall consist of one or more physicians
    specializing in the treatment of the disease or condition involved
    in the claim.” Utah Code § 34A-2-601(1)(c). “[T]he plain meaning
    of the statute is that at least one of the physicians who serves on a
    medical panel must specialize in the condition or injury involved
    in the claim. But it does not require this of all panel members.”
    Gamez v. Utah Labor Comm’n, 
    2022 UT 20
    , ¶ 35, 
    511 P.3d 1145
    .
    ¶22 The ALJ, based on the submissions of the panel members
    regarding their credentials, see supra ¶ 13, stated, “Clearly the
    medical panel members have expertise and years of experience in
    treating persons with traumatic brain injuries and post-
    concussion problems including headaches, as well as evaluating
    hearing problems such as tinnitus, and anxiety and depression.
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    Horning v. Labor Commission
    The [ALJ] concludes the panel members are qualified to evaluate
    [Horning’s] conditions.”
    ¶23 Horning challenges the panel’s qualifications by arguing
    that “in light of their inability to determine the causation of [his]
    psychological injuries, it is hard to place either panel member in
    the category of being specialized in the diagnosis and treatment of
    such injuries.” But Horning does not cite any authority, nor are
    we aware of any, that supports his circular reasoning that because
    the panel members were unable to determine the causation of
    Horning’s psychological injuries, the panel members could not be
    placed in the category of those who specialize in psychological
    injuries.
    ¶24 Contrary to Horning’s assertion, the record clearly
    indicates that both panel members “specializ[ed] in the treatment
    of the disease or condition involved in the claim.” See Utah Code
    § 34A-2-601(1)(c). Dr. Biggs explicitly stated that he (1) “has
    extensive experience diagnosing and treating concussion, post-
    concussion syndrome and cervical injuries,” (2) “has many years
    of experience diagnosing and treating anxiety and depression as
    a family physician,” and (3) “diagnoses acute stress response
    conditions related to work trauma as well as post-traumatic stress
    disorders.” And Dr. Smith is a board-certified neurologist who (1)
    works as a neurointensivist, (2) “has experience in diagnosis and
    treatment of traumatic brain injury, post-concussion syndrome,
    headache, and other sequela of traumatic brain injury,” and (3)
    “has many years of experience in outpatient and hospital-based
    neurology.” These are the very type of panel members
    “specializing in the treatment of the disease or condition involved
    in the claim” called for in the statute. See id.
    ¶25 Consequently, we reject Horning’s claim that the panel was
    not qualified.
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    Horning v. Labor Commission
    II. Admission of Excluded Evidence
    ¶26 Horning argues that the Commission erred in considering
    the medical panel’s report because, he contends, the panel was
    tainted by having seen two stricken pages in the record that
    discussed the excluded evidence. Horning states,
    This [excluded evidence] appears to have been
    taken into consideration by the panel as reflected by
    their statements such as, “Underlying motives in the
    form of primary or secondary gain could be
    influencing recovery,” and “There is a reported
    propensity for a sizable portion of those with mild
    TBI to exaggerate the duration and severity of the
    symptoms, especially with secondary gain
    considerations,” among other such statements
    regarding the credibility of [Horning’s] reported
    injuries.
    (Footnote omitted.)
    ¶27 With our standard of review in mind, we conclude that
    Horning has not shown that it was an abuse of discretion for the
    Commission to consider the medical panel’s report. After all, the
    ALJ had, in response to Horning’s objection, instructed the
    medical panel to “exclude from . . . consideration” any assertions
    of what was seen on the surveillance video and rely instead on
    “the remaining medical exhibit, [the ALJ’s] fact findings, and the
    results of [the medical panel’s] evaluation” of Horning when she
    returned the matter to it. That the panel came to conclusions about
    Horning’s motives for asserting the severity and duration of his
    psychological injuries with which Horning disagrees does not
    show that the panel relied on excluded evidence to reach those
    conclusions. Given that there is no reason to conclude that the
    panel disregarded the ALJ’s instructions—apart from Horning’s
    unsupported allegation that the panel was tainted—we discern no
    abuse of discretion by the Commission in considering the report.
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    Horning v. Labor Commission
    ¶28 Thus, we reject Horning’s claim that the Commission
    abused its discretion in considering the medical panel’s report in
    its deliberations.
    III. The Commission’s Factual Findings
    ¶29 Horning argues that the Commission failed to recognize
    that the medical panel’s report was “based upon nebulous,
    distorted and incorrect foundations.” Horning asserts that
    because the Commission relied on the allegedly erroneous
    medical panel report, there was not a sufficient “quantum of
    substantial, competent evidence to sustain the Commission’s
    order” with regard to its “determination of medical causation.”5
    5. Specifically, Horning identifies seven alleged deficiencies in the
    medical panel’s report: (1) the panel’s determination that objective
    evidence was necessary to conclude that Horning’s mental
    symptoms were due to the accident; (2) the panel’s statement that
    it was not possible to determine that the accident caused
    Horning’s psychological symptoms, contradicting its conclusion
    that the accident did not cause those symptoms; (3) the panel’s
    assertion that it was not possible to determine that the accident
    caused Horning’s hearing loss, contradicting its conclusion that
    the accident did not cause his hearing loss; (4) the panel’s
    conclusion that a pre-existing psychiatric disease contributed to
    Horning’s mental symptoms; (5) the panel’s failure “to
    understand and consider that, under Utah law, a ‘contribution’ by
    the industrial accident to the current symptoms is a sufficient
    basis for ‘causation’ of those symptoms”; (6) the panel’s failure to
    provide a basis for its determination that Horning’s neck pain and
    radiculopathy were non-industrial; and (7) the panel’s failure to
    provide a basis for its determination of Horning’s maximum
    medical improvement.
    (continued…)
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    Horning v. Labor Commission
    ¶30 “Because it is the province of the Commission to view all
    the evidence submitted as a whole and then make an appropriate
    determination, appellate courts will not review the Commission’s
    credibility assessments or reweigh evidence unless the petitioner
    is able to show that the Commission’s findings and conclusions
    regarding causation are not supported by substantial evidence.”
    JBS USA v. Labor Comm’n, 
    2020 UT App 86
    , ¶ 11, 
    467 P.3d 905
    (cleaned up). “Substantial evidence is more than a mere scintilla
    of evidence though something less than the weight of the
    evidence, and the substantial evidence test is met when a
    reasonable mind might accept as adequate the evidence
    supporting the decision.” Hutchings v. Labor Comm’n, 
    2016 UT App 160
    , ¶ 30, 
    378 P.3d 1273
     (cleaned up), cert. denied, 
    390 P.3d 720
     (Utah 2017).
    ¶31 Here, Horning has “highlighted only the evidence” that he
    believes undermines the Commission’s findings and has not
    “marshaled the evidence supporting the Commission’s factual
    findings.” See JBS USA, 
    2020 UT App 86
    , ¶ 12. And “although
    failing to marshal the evidence is no longer considered a technical
    deficiency, an appellant failing to marshal all relevant evidence
    presented at trial which tends to support the findings and
    demonstrate why the findings are clearly erroneous will almost
    certainly fail to carry their burden of persuasion on appeal.”
    With regard to the medical panel’s causation
    determination, Horning is critical of the panel’s use of certain
    “AMA guides,” arguing that they have not been specifically
    adopted for use by the Commission. Horning appears to argue
    that the panel should use AMA guides only if those guides have
    been approved by the Commission. But nothing in the
    Commission’s rule adopting guides for a specific issue (e.g.,
    establishing impairment ratings, see Utah Admin. Code R612-300-
    9(B)) indicates a requirement that approval of AMA guides is
    necessary for their use in proceedings not involving that specific
    issue.
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    Horning v. Labor Commission
    Widdison v. Kirkham, 
    2018 UT App 205
    , ¶ 9, 
    437 P.3d 555
     (cleaned
    up).
    ¶32 In addition to the medical panel’s opinion—which is the
    source of all of Horning’s sufficiency of the evidence complaints—
    there is additional evidence to support the Commission’s
    findings. Ultimately, it is not the findings of the medical panel that
    are under review but the Commission’s findings, and those
    findings go beyond the conclusions of the medical panel to
    include consideration of the entire record, a fact that Horning
    ignores. Indeed, Horning does nothing to attack the
    Commission’s findings apart from asserting that they were
    entirely based on the medical panel’s report. But along with the
    medical panel’s conclusions—which the Commission found “to
    be persuasive” because they were “supported by the record” and
    were “the product of impartial, collegial, and expert review of all
    of . . . Horning’s relevant medical history”—the Commission
    relied on the entirety of the medical record and the opinions of the
    other doctors in concluding that the conditions at issue were not
    medically causally connected to the industrial accident.
    ¶33 Because the Commission’s findings were based on not only
    the report of the medical panel—which itself constituted
    substantial evidence before the Commission—but also the
    corroborating reports of other doctors and the entirety of the
    medical record, we conclude that the Commission’s findings were
    supported by substantial evidence and should not be disturbed.
    CONCLUSION
    ¶34 Horning has not shown that the medical panel lacked the
    expertise to evaluate his conditions, that the Commission abused
    its discretion in relying on the medical panel’s report, or that the
    Commission’s factual findings were not supported by substantial
    evidence. Accordingly, we decline to disturb the Commission’s
    decision.
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Document Info

Docket Number: 20210562-CA

Citation Numbers: 2023 UT App 30

Filed Date: 4/6/2023

Precedential Status: Precedential

Modified Date: 5/18/2023