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RENDERED: FEBRAURY 24, 2022
NOT TO BE PUBLISHED
Supreme Court of Kentucky
2020-SC-0592-WC
DARRESHIA HAYES APPELLANT
ON APPEAL FROM COURT OF APPEALS
V. NO. 2020-CA-0619
WORKERS’ COMPENSATION BOARD
NOS. WC-16-62347 & WC-16-83591
FIRST TRANSIT; APPELLEES
HONORABLE JOHN H. MCCRACKEN,
ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE; AND
WORKERS’ COMPENSATION BOARD
MEMORANDUM OPINION OF THE COURT
AFFIRMING
This case is before the Court on administrative appeal as a matter of
right1 by Darreshia Hayes (Hayes), the Appellant. Hayes filed a Workers’
Compensation claim based on two alleged injuries to her right wrist. After
reviewing all conflicting medical evidence, the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ)
concluded Hayes sustained only temporary injuries and a surgery for ganglion
cysts in Hayes’ right wrist was unrelated to either injury. Both the Workers’
Compensation Board and the Court of Appeals affirmed the ALJ’s Opinion and
Order. On appeal, Hayes alleges she should have been found to have a
permanent disability and her ganglion cyst removal surgery should have been
compensable.
1 Ky. Const. § 115.
For the following reasons, we affirm.
I. FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND
Hayes started working at First Transit, Inc. (First Transit), the Appellee,
in March 2014. She drove a bus or van to transport passengers in and around
Louisville. Hayes also assisted ambulatory and wheelchair-bound passengers
entering and exiting the vans or buses. Specifically, she pushed wheelchair
passengers onto a lift, secured the belts, and operated the lift.
On May 12, 2016, Hayes heard a pop in her right wrist while strapping a
wheelchair-bound passenger onto the bus. After completing her shift, she went
to the emergency room at Saints Mary & Elizabeth Hospital due to continued
pain in her injured wrist. The ER provided her with Ibuprofen and a wrist
splint.
Hayes sought additional treatment at Baptist Health Occupational
Medicine (Baptist), Kleinert & Kutz, Baptistworx, and Louisville Arm and Hand.
At Baptist, Hayes was diagnosed with a right wrist sprain with neuropathy. On
May 23, 2016, Hayes was released to work with limited use of the right wrist.
First Transit restricted Hayes to light duty after the first accident. She picked
up trash, performed filing duties, and sorted paperwork in the maintenance
department.
At Kleinert & Kutz, Dr. Huey Tien was Hayes’ primary provider from June
22, 2016 to August 19, 2016. On June 22, 2016, Dr. Tien ordered an MRI and
released Hayes to return to work without restrictions. Dr. William Snearly, also
at Kleinert & Kutz, interpreted a July 20, 2016 MRI of Hayes’ right wrist. Dr.
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Snearly found 1) a lobulated dorsal ganglion cyst at the level of the distal
scapholunate interval; 2) a lobulated volar radioscaphoid ganglion; 3) mild
sprain of the dorsal radioulnar ligament; and 4) moderate sized subcortical
cysts within the lateral aspect of the lunate bone. No evidence of fractures or
osteonecrosis was found. Hayes was instructed to avoid pushing wheelchairs
with increased force or weight and to avoid extreme wrist extension. On August
19, 2016, Hayes reported to Dr. Tien that her right wrist pain had returned.
Dr. Tien believed Hayes to be at MMI and capable of returning to normal work
duty. Dr. Tien noticed no physical defects.
On August 4, 2016, Dr. Daniel Wolens evaluated Hayes on behalf of First
Transit. Dr. Wolens concluded Hays had no history of cumulative or acute
trauma to her right wrist. He noted the cysts were the type that took a long
time to develop and they were not the result of the May incident. Although
Hayes suggests Dr. Wolens was not given a full medical history, he did receive
a copy of records related to the May 12, 2016 accident.
On September 7, 2016, Hayes sought treatment at Bapistworx. Hayes
was found to have full range of motion of the right wrist, no palpable ganglion
cyst and her grasp strength was hindered by excessive nail length. Bapistworx
assessed a right posterior ganglion cyst and returned Hayes to regular duty.
Hayes sought a second opinion at Louisville Arm and Hand. Dr. David
Tate and Dr. Leela Farr treated Hayes on September 19, 2016. Dr. Farr noted
Hayes’ complaint concerning her right wrist had resolved. They noted, however,
her medical history reported Hayes sustained a twisting injury to her right
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wrist at work, several days prior, which was still causing pain, and advised she
needed surgery. Dr. Farr’s examination found decreased range of motion of the
right wrist in all directions due to pain, swelling, and injury. But Hayes could
make a full composite fist.
In September 2016, Hayes returned to driving the van or bus without
restriction. On October 19, 2016, Hayes visited Dr. Farr for treatments.
Examination of the right wrist revealed Hayes could make a full fist and extend
her hand in all directions.
On October 27, 2016, Hayes again heard a pop in her right wrist while
strapping in a wheelchair-bound passenger. Due to pain, Hayes returned to the
ER at Saints Mary & Elizabeth Hospital. She continued to seek treatment at
Louisville Arm and Hand. She was restricted from pushing or pulling
passengers over a certain weight. After the October incident, Hayes worked
light duty, which included fueling vehicles, for First Transit for several months.
Hayes is not sure for how long or to what extent she worked after the second
accident.
On November 2, 2016, Hayes sought treatment from Dr. Farr, who noted
Hayes had multiple ganglion cysts on her right wrist. Dr. Farr believed Hayes’
job might be aggravating the cysts and causing pain. He did not, however,
know the origin of the cysts. Surgery options were discussed. On November 8,
2016, Hayes went to Family Health Care Center – Portland. There she was
diagnosed with an unspecified right wrist sprain. On November 9, 2016, Hayes
returned to work with restrictions.
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On January 11, 2017, Dr. Warren Bilkey conducted an independent
medical examination. He received a history of the May 12, 2016 work event. He
reviewed additional records and completed a physical examination. Hayes
complained to Dr. Bilkey of constant pain in her right wrist. Although Dr.
Bilkey claimed that Dr. Tien believed the ganglion cyst to be work related, the
ALJ could not find a single statement by Dr. Tien expressing said belief. Dr.
Bilkey diagnosed a May 12, 2016 work injury with aggravation occurring on
October 27, 2016. According to Dr. Bilkey, Hayes had not reached MMI. He
believed Hayes had developed chronic wrist pain, assessing a 4% total
impairment, 1% for decreased range of motion and 3% for pain. Dr. Bilkey
recommended work restrictions and continued use of a brace on her right
wrist.
On January 27, 2017, Hayes treated with Dr. Tate at Norton’s. Hayes
complained of continued right wrist pain but could make a full fist with the
right hand. Dr. Tate assessed right wrist pain with a ganglion cyst of the
dorsum on the right wrist, but noted the ganglion cysts were not painful.
On March 6, 2017, Dr. Tate performed surgery to remove two ganglion
cysts from the right wrist. The workers’ compensation insurer denied liability
for the surgery due to medical testimony that the ganglion cysts were unrelated
to the work injury. Hayes did not appeal this decision. The surgery, according
to Hayes, did not relieve her right wrist pain.
After the surgery, Hayes was restricted from work at First Transit for
approximately three months. In June 2017, she was released to return to work
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with restrictions. First Transit was unable to provide Hayes a job within her
restrictions. Ultimately, Hayes did not return to work at First Transit. She
found a job at Spectrum as a billing representative from March 2018 to April
2019. Spectrum terminated her for reasons unrelated to Hayes’ wrist condition.
Dr. Bilkey answered a questionnaire on June 8, 2017, wherein he stated
he was aware of Hayes’ job description and duties. He also explained she was
not able to return to the job due to ongoing right wrist issues and her 200 lbs.
weight restriction was permanent. Later that same month, Dr. Bilkey
reexamined Hayes. He once again diagnosed a May 12, 2016 work injury,
which was aggravated on October 27, 2016. He believed Hayes had developed
chronic wrist pain as a result of the wrist sprains. He assumed the cysts pre-
existed the right wrist sprain and could have been aggravated by the sprain. He
noted the pain was a result of the wrist sprain, not the cysts. As result, he
recommended a permanent restriction of not pushing a person 200 lbs. or
more but stated the rest of her job could be carried out without issue. He
assessed an impairment of 3% for chronic pain. On July 5, 2017, Dr. Bilkey
completed another questionnaire wherein he stated Hayes could not perform all
the tasks assigned to her.
On July 28, 2017, Hayes completed a functional capacity exam (FCE)
conducted by Ron Cole. The only injury recorded by Cole was in May 2016. He
noted the chief diagnosis involved in the FCE related to the excision of a
ganglion cyst in the right wrist. Hayes’ range of motion was within normal
limits during the FCE. Cole stated Hayes did not show maximum effort when
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grasping. Nonetheless, he concluded Hayes could not return to work as a driver
assisting wheelchair bound individuals over 200 lbs. or down any incline.
Hayes was also unable to lift anything over 20 lbs. and her physical demand
category was “light.”
On August 1, 2017, Dr. Bilkey submitted yet another report based on his
review of the July 28, 2017 FCE. After this review, Dr. Bilkey did not believe
Hayes could return to her prior job. He believed she had 5% impairment based
on range of motion issues. Later that month, Dr. Bilkey completed an attending
physician’s report wherein he stated Hayes could return to work that does not
require her to lift or push heavy passengers.
Dr. Michael Nicoson of Hand and Wrist Surgery of Louisville was asked
by First Transit to perform an independent examination in 2018. His report
was released on August 2, 2018. He reviewed the history of the two work
incidents and Hayes’ medical records. Hayes told Dr. Nicoson she continued to
have right wrist pain. Dr. Nicoson found no acute deficits or swelling. He
diagnosed two right wrist sprains related to the work incidents. He agreed the
cysts were not caused by the work incidents. He also noted her continued wrist
pain was far greater than the anticipated pain from similar incidents. He
agreed with Dr. Tien that Hayes had fully recovered from both wrist sprains
and there was no permanent impairment.
In September 2018, Dr. Bilkey reported he disagreed with Dr. Nicoson’s
assessment. He believed Hayes had a 3% impairment due to chronic pain. On
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April 22, 2019, Dr. Bilkey answered yet another questionnaire. He affirmed
that he had incorrectly listed Hayes’ impairment at 3%, instead of 5%.
On May 4, 2018, Hayes filed two Form 101s, detailing the separate right
wrist injuries during her time at First Transit and related to her duties. The
ALJ consolidated the two cases. Hayes testified by deposition on August 7,
2018 and March 26, 2019. The final hearing was held on July 23, 2019. The
ALJ’s Opinion, Order and Award was released on September 13, 2019.
The ALJ, relying on the evidence of Hayes, Dr. Tien, Dr. Wolens, and Dr.
Nicoson, found Hayes sustained two temporary right wrist injuries on May 12,
2016 and October 27, 2016. As a result, and relying on the records of Dr.
Wolens, Dr. Tien, and Dr. Nicoson, the ALJ found the injuries to be temporary
and awarded limited periods of medical expenses for each injury. The ALJ also
found Hayes’ right wrist ganglion cysts were unrelated to and not aggravated
by the work incidents. Therefore, the ALJ found no medical expenses related to
the treatment of the cysts were compensable.
On September 27, 2019, Hayes filed a Petition for Reconsideration with
the ALJ, which was denied. She then appealed the ALJ’s Opinion, Order and
Award to the Worker’s Compensation Board (Board). On March 27, 2020, the
Board affirmed the ALJ’s opinion, supporting the ALJ’s conclusion Hayes was
not entitled to temporary total disability (“TTD”), nor did she suffer a
permanent injury. The Board also affirmed the ganglion cysts were not related
to nor aggravated by Hayes’ work-related wrist sprains. Hayes promptly
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appealed to the Court of Appeals, which affirmed the ALJ and the Board in a
November 13, 2020 opinion. Hayes appealed to this Court.
II. STANDARD OF REVIEW
As factfinder, the ALJ has the sole authority to determine the weight,
credibility, and substance of the evidence. Square D Co. v. Tipton, 862 S.W.2d
308, 309 (Ky. 1993). Similarly, the ALJ has the sole authority to judge all
reasonable inferences to be drawn from the evidence. Miller v. E. Ky.
Beverage/PepsiCo, Inc., 951 S.W.2d 329, 331 (Ky. 1997). The ALJ may reject
any testimony and believe or disbelieve various parts of the evidence,
regardless of whether it comes from the same witness or the same adversary
party’s total proof. Magic Coal Co. v. Fox, 19 S.W.3d 88, 96 (Ky. 2000). Mere
evidence contrary to the ALJ’s decision is inadequate to require reversal on
appeal. Id. Reversal of a decision requires showing no substantial evidence of
probative value supported the ALJ’s opinion. Special Fund v. Francis, 708
S.W.2d 641, 643 (Ky. 1986).
III. ANALYSIS
In a workers’ compensation claim, the claimant has the burden of
proving each essential element of the claim. Am. Greetings Corp. v. Bunch, 331
S.W.3d 600, 602 (Ky. 2010). Hayes failed to convince the ALJ she sustained a
permanent right wrist injury, therefore entitling her to TTD benefits for the
period of time she was off work due to the cyst surgery. Thus, the question on
appeal is whether the evidence compels a different result. Letcher Cty. Bd. of
Educ. v. Hall, 576 S.W.3d 123, 126 (Ky. 2019).
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On appeal, Hayes argues she is entitled to TTD benefits related to
surgery on her ganglion cysts. She argues the surgery, even if misdiagnosed,
was originally planned to treat her work injuries. The ALJ found this not to be
true. Before the ganglion surgery, Dr. Wolens stated the ganglion cysts were
not the result of a work-related incident. While Dr. Wolens and Dr. Tiens
believed the cysts may have been aggravated by the right wrist sprains, they
agreed the cysts predated even the May 2016 sprain. Additionally, Dr. Tate
stated Hayes was not experiencing any pain from the cysts before surgery, nor
did Dr. Tate indicate the excision of the cysts was related to the prior work-
related injuries.
Notably, Hayes did attempt to have the cyst surgery approved by
Worker’s Compensation. That was denied. Hayes did not appeal or file a
medical dispute over this denial. She also chose to continue with the surgery,
knowing it was not covered. This fact coupled with the substantial, objective
medical evidence from multiple doctors does not give this Court a compelling
reason to overturn the ALJ’s finding related to TTD and reimbursement of the
ganglion cyst surgery.
Hayes also argues the case should be remanded due to the ALJ’s reliance
on Dr. Wolens, who Hayes states did not have a complete medical history, and
Dr. Tate, who Hayes claims failed to read all relevant medical records. But the
ALJ did not rely solely on the authority of Dr. Tate and Dr. Wolens when
drawing his conclusions related to the ganglion cysts. Even Dr. Bilkey argued
the cysts were unrelated to the right wrist sprains, though they might have
10
been aggravated by them. We cannot find the ALJ relied on the evidence of
either Dr. Wolens or Dr. Tate unreasonably, especially considering the
testimony of Dr. Tien, Dr. Nicoson, and Dr. Bilkey regarding the ganglion cysts.
Third, Hayes believes she is entitled to a remand to the ALJ for further
findings of fact and conclusions of law, specifically in relation to the
permanency of her right wrist injury. In this case, the ALJ found Hayes has not
met her burden of proof that she sustained a permanent right wrist injury on
May 12, 2016 or October 27, 2016. The ALJ noted Hayes’ medical records were
inconsistent. He relied on Dr. Tiens, Dr. Wolens, and Dr. Nicoson to find both
the May and October injuries to the right wrist were temporary. Dr. Bilkey
disagreed, but the ALJ, as fact finder, has the right to believe or disbelieve any
testimony so long as it is supported by the record. In this case, we find the
ALJ’s decision was adequately supported by the objective, medical testimony of
multiple physicians.
Finally, Hayes argues this Court should not defer to the Board because
the Board failed to follow controlling law; namely, that all injurious
consequences flowing from a work-injury, and not attributable to an
intervening cause, are compensable. Ford Motor Co. v. Jobe, 544 S.W.3d 628,
633 (Ky. 2018). She urges this precedent is applicable because her surgery was
effectively a misdiagnosis and was meant to treat the work-related pain. In
Jobe, however, the ALJ unequivocally found a causal connection between the
secondary back surgery and the work-related hip injury. Id. Hayes’ case is the
opposite—the ALJ found the cysts were unrelated to the work injuries nor
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aggravated by them. We therefore cannot accept Hayes’ argument that Jobe is
applicable without first reversing the above findings of fact, which we have
already determined are supported by substantial evidence.
IV. CONCLUSION
For the foregoing reasons, we affirm the ALJ’s Opinion, Award and Order
dated September 13, 2019.
All sitting. All concur.
COUNSEL FOR APPELLANT:
Eric M. Lamb
Lamb & Lamb, PSC
COUNSEL FOR APPELLEE:
Douglas A. U’Sellis
John S. Harrison
U’Sellis Mayer & Associates
ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE:
Hon. John H. McCracken
WORKERS’ COMPENSATION BOARD:
Michael Wayne Alvey, Chairman
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