96-376
No. 96-376
IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF MONTANA
1997
JOE YARBOROUGH,
Petitioner and Appellant,
vs.
MONTANA MUNICIPAL INSURANCE
AUTHORITY (MMIA),
Respondent and Insurer for
CITY OF BILLINGS,
Employer and Respondents.
APPEAL FROM: Workersþ Compensation Court
For the State of Montana
The Honorable Michael McCarter, Judge presiding.
COUNSEL OF RECORD:
For Appellant:
Patrick R. Sheehy, Halverson, Sheehy & Plath, Billings, Montana
For Respondent:
Oliver H. Goe, Browning, Kaleczyc, Berry & Hoven, Helena, Montana
Submitted on Briefs: May 8, 1997
Decided: May 20, 1997
Filed:
__________________________________________
Clerk
Justice James C. Nelson delivered the Opinion of the Court.
On June 28, 1996, the Workers' Compensation Court entered findings of fact,
conclusions of law and judgment denying Petitioner/Appellant Joe Yarborough
(Yarborough) compensation and medical benefits for an alleged work-related injury as
well as attorney fees, costs and a penalty. Yarborough appeals only that portion of the
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judgment denying him compensation and medical benefits for his alleged work-related
injury. We affirm.
We restate the issues raised on appeal as follows:
1. Did the Workers' Compensation Court err in determining that Yarborough
did not suffer a compensable injury when he developed post-traumatic stress disorder?
2. Did the Workers' Compensation Court err in determining that Yarborough
did not suffer any permanent physical restriction from the October 22, 1987 injury?
3. Did the Workers' Compensation Court err in determining that Yarborough's
wages during 1987 were $1,780 per month or $21,360 annually?
4. Did the Workers' Compensation Court err in failing to award wage
supplement benefits for the period 1988 to 1995?
FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND
Yarborough worked as a firefighter for the City of Billings in Yellowstone County,
Montana, from 1983 until 1987. On October 22, 1987, Yarborough responded to a fire
at a residential home in Billings, Montana. Upon approaching the burning home, a
"fireball" exploded from the home, striking and injuring Yarborough and one other
firefighter. Yarborough was taken to the emergency room in Saint Vincent Hospital and
treated for first and second degree burns on his face and hands. He did not return to
work for two and one-half weeks. Thereafter, Yarborough resumed his normal duties
without restriction until he resigned. His last day of work was December 24, 1987.
Prior to the October 22, 1987 accident (the accident), Yarborough had been treated
for depression, substance abuse, family problems and work problems beginning in 1983.
After the accident, Yarborough's psychiatrist diagnosed him as suffering from post-
traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a result of the accident.
On May 24, 1995, Yarborough filed a Petition for Hearing with the Workers'
Compensation Court seeking an award of temporary total disability benefits, permanent
partial disability benefits and medical benefits for the injuries he sustained on October 22,
1987. After the Montana Municipal Insurance Authority (MMIA), Respondent and
Insurer for the City of Billings, filed a motion for summary judgment, Yarborough
abandoned all claims to temporary total disability benefits. On May 7, 1996, the
Workers' Compensation Court held trial on Yarborough's claim to permanent partial
disability benefits, specifically wage supplement benefits.
On June 28, 1996, the Workers' Compensation Court entered its findings of fact,
conclusions of law and judgment denying Yarborough any compensation or medical
benefits. The Workers' Compensation Court held that Yarborough's PTSD arose from
"emotional or mental stress," and, therefore, was excluded from the definition of injury
as set forth under 39-71-119, MCA (1987). Accordingly, the Workers' Compensation
Court held that Yarborough's condition was not compensable under the Montana
Workers' Compensation Act (the Act). From this judgment, Yarborough appeals. We
affirm.
DISCUSSION
With regard to Issue 1, we hold that the Workers' Compensation Court correctly
determined that Yarborough's PTSD is not a compensable injury under 39-71-119,
MCA (1987). Consequently, we affirm the Workers' Compensation Court's judgment
denying Yarborough compensation and medical benefits. Accordingly, because Issue 1
is dispositive, we will not address the remaining three issues raised on appeal.
Did the Workers' Compensation Court err in determining that Yarborough
did not suffer a compensable injury when he developed post-traumatic stress
disorder?
In Conclusion of Law No. 3, the Workers' Compensation Court stated in pertinent
part:
The claimant in this case was fully credible. Nonetheless, I conclude
that as a matter of law claimant's psychological condition is not a
compensable injury within the meaning of the Montana Workers'
Compensation Act.
. . ..
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In this case, . . . there is no evidence indicating that claimant's
PTSD was caused by injuries he suffered on . . . October 22, 1987. The
injuries were resolved in a short time and were inconsequential. Rather,
the evidence demonstrates that it was the mental shock or mental fright that
gave rise to claimant's disability. Thus, his mental condition is one "arising
from . . . emotional or mental stress" and is excluded from the injury
definition [under 39-71-119, MCA (1987)]. Since claimant's PTSD and
resulting disability were not a consequence of his physical injuries, they are
not compensable under the Workers' Compensation Act.
We review the Workers' Compensation Court's conclusions of law to determine
whether those conclusions are correct. Wunderlich v. Lumbermens Mut. Cas. Co.
(1995), 270 Mont. 404, 410, 892 P.2d 563, 567.
The relevant portion of 39-71-119, MCA (1987), provides:
(1) "Injury" or "injured" means:
(a) internal or external physical harm to the body;
. . ..
(2)
An injury is caused by an accident. An accident is:
(a) an unexpected traumatic incident or unusual strain;
(b) identifiable by time and place of occurrence;
(c) identifiable by member or part of the body affected; and
(d) caused by a specific event on a single day or during a single
work shift.
(3) "Injury" or "injured" does not mean a physical or mental condition
arising from:
(a) emotional or mental stress; or
(b) a nonphysical stimulus or activity.
Yarborough argues that the Workers' Compensation Court's conclusion of law is
in error. He asserts that 39-71-119, MCA (1987), requires a claimant to prove three
things: (1) the claimant has an injury; (2) the claimant's injury was caused by an
accident; and (3) if a mental condition is associated with that injury, that mental condition
cannot arise from "emotional or mental stress" or "a nonphysical stimulus or activity."
Yarborough contends that he proved all three elements. Specifically, Yarborough
contends that unlike the injuries at issue in both Stratemeyer v. Lincoln County (1993),
259 Mont. 147, 855 P.2d 506 (Stratemeyer I); and Kleinhesselink v. Chevron, U.S.A.
(1996), 277 Mont. 158, 920 P.2d 108, his PTSD did not arise from emotional or mental
stress, but rather arose from a physical stimulus--burns he received from the house-fire
accident. See Stratemeyer I, 855 P.2d 506 (holding that 39-71-119(3), MCA (1987),
which precluded Stratemeyer from recovering under the Act for his mental injuries
arising from emotional or mental stress, was constitutional). Alternatively, Yarborough
contends that 39-71-119(3), MCA (1987), does not require that a mental condition
result from physical harm to the body, but rather only requires a physical stimulus or
activity such as the house-fire explosion. Therefore, Yarborough argues that he suffered
a compensable injury as defined in 39-71-119, MCA (1987).
MMIA responds that the Workers' Compensation Court's conclusion of law is
correct. While MMIA does not dispute that Yarborough suffered physical injuries on
October 22, 1987, MMIA also asserts that his physical injuries healed quickly, left no
permanent disability, and Yarborough returned to work after a short period of time.
Agreeing with the Workers' Compensation Court, MMIA argues that Yarborough's
PTSD resulted not from his physical injuries which were resolved within several weeks
of the accident, but from the emotional and mental stress of the accident combined with
his pre-existing psychological distress. Therefore, MMIA argues that the Workers'
Compensation Court correctly held that Yarborough's PTSD is not a compensable injury
under 39-71-119, MCA (1987).
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This first issue on appeal centers on the Workers' Compensation Court's
interpretation of 39-71-119(3), MCA (1987), as it applies to Yarborough's PTSD. We
must determine whether the Workers' Compensation Court correctly concluded that
Yarborough's mental condition arose from "emotional or mental stress." In Stratemeyer
v. Lincoln County (1996), 276 Mont. 67, 915 P.2d 175 (Stratemeyer II), Stratemeyer,
a deputy sheriff, sued his employer in tort for mental injuries he allegedly suffered after
responding to a suicide call and witnessing the aftermath. On appeal, we addressed the
issue of whether Stratemeyer could bring a tort action against his employer for mental
injuries which were excluded from the Act. Stratemeyer II, 915 P.2d at 179-82 (second
appeal arising from mental injuries he suffered while working as deputy sheriff). See
Stratemeyer I, 855 P.2d 506. We held that because Stratemeyer's mental injury was by
definition excluded from coverage under the Act pursuant to 39-71-119, MCA, his
mental injury was also excluded from the exclusive remedy provision of 39-71-411,
MCA, and, therefore, he could sue his employer in tort. Stratemeyer II, 915 P.2d at
179-82.
Our conclusion that Stratemeyer's mental injury did not satisfy the definition of
compensable injury pursuant to 39-71-119, MCA, was based upon our classification of
Stratemeyer's emotional distress as "mental-mental" (mental stimulus, mental
consequence). Stratemeyer II, 915 P.2d at 182. As defined under 39-71-119(3), MCA,
þ þ[i]njuryþ or þinjuredþ does not mean a physical or mental condition arising from: (a)
emotional or mental stress; or (b) a nonphysical stimulus or activity." Consequently,
because Stratemeyer's mental condition arose from emotional or mental stress, his injury
was excluded from coverage by the Act. Sections 39-71-119(3) and 39-71-411, MCA.
Following the rationale set forth in Stratemeyer II, we held in Kleinhesselink that
Kleinhesselink also was precluded from recovery under the Act, and, therefore, he could
proceed with his tort action against his employer. Kleinhesselink, 920 P.2d at 111.
Kleinhesselink worked as a safety coordinator at a mining company. An accident
occurred when Kleinhesselink's safety instructions were ignored, resulting in the death
and injury of mine workers. Due to this accident, Kleinhesselink requested workers'
compensation benefits, alleging that he suffered from a variety of symptoms including
guilt, depression, chronic fatigue, insomnia, nausea, headaches, muscle spasms and
digestive problems. His request was denied. Kleinhesselink, 920 P.2d at 109-10.
On appeal, we compared Kleinhesselink's injuries to those Stratemeyer suffered.
In addition to allegedly suffering "mental-mental" injuries, as did Stratemeyer,
Kleinhesselink also allegedly suffered from "mental-physical" injuries. Kleinhesselink,
920 P.2d at 111. That is, Kleinhesselink alleged that he suffered mental, emotional and
physical injuries which arose from the emotional or mental stress caused by the mining
accident deaths and injuries. Kleinhesselink, 920 P.2d at 111. While Kleinhesselink's
injuries were both physical and mental, we noted that 39-71-119(3)(a), MCA, excluded
from the Act both physical and mental conditions arising from emotional or mental stress,
i.e."mental-physical" injuries and "mental-mental" injuries are excluded. Kleinhesselink,
920 P.2d at 111. Consequently, because Kleinhesselink's physical and mental conditions
arose from emotional and mental stress, he could not recover under the Act for his
alleged injuries, and, therefore, could proceed with his tort action against his employer.
Kleinhesselink, 920 P.2d at 111.
Just as in Stratemeyer II and Kleinhesselink, Yarborough allegedly suffers from
a mental condition of PTSD. However, Yarborough argues that, unlike Stratemeyer and
Kleinhesselink, his mental injuries resulted from a physical stimulus. While we agree
with Yarborough's suggested analytical approach concerning the requirements of 39-71-
119, MCA (1987), we disagree with Yarborough's argument that his mental injuries
resulted from a physical stimulus as required by 39-71-119(3), MCA (1987). First, we
find unpersuasive Yarborough's alternative argument that the house-fire explosion itself
constituted the required physical stimulus. Furthermore, based on the evidence presented,
we also disagree with Yarborough's argument that the burns to his hands and face
constituted a physical stimulus which caused his mental injury of PTSD.
Rather, based upon the plain language of 39-71-119, MCA (1987) and the
evidence presented, we agree with the Workers' Compensation Court that Yarborough's
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PTSD arose from emotional or mental stress, and, therefore, is not a compensable injury.
First, Yarborough did suffer first and second degree burns to his hands and face, and,
therefore, experienced an "injury" as defined by 39-71-119(1)(a), MCA (1987).
Second, he received these burns in the house-fire explosion on October 22, 1987, and,
therefore, his injury was caused by an "accident" as defined by 39-71-119(2), MCA
(1987). However, Yarborough's subsequent mental condition of PTSD did not arise from
a physical stimulus, i.e. the burns to his hands and face, as required by 39-71-119(3),
MCA (1987). The Workers' Compensation Court explained that no evidence indicated
that Yarborough's injuries from the accident caused his PTSD, but, "[r]ather, the
evidence demonstrates that it was the mental shock or mental fright that gave rise to
[Yarborough's] disability." Thus, the Workers' Compensation Court concluded that
Yarborough's PTSD arose from emotional or mental stress, and, therefore, his mental
condition was excluded from the injury definition under 39-71-119(3), MCA (1987).
Consequently, the Workers' Compensation Court ruled that Yarborough's PTSD was not
a compensable injury under the Act.
Upon review of the expert medical testimony, we agree with the Workers'
Compensation Court that no evidence indicates that Yarborough's PTSD was caused by
the physical injuries he suffered from the accident on October 22, 1987. In fact, both
medical experts linked Yarborough's PTSD with the accident itself and not with
Yarborough's physical injuries--i.e. the first and second degree burns which where treated
and quickly healed without incident. In his opinion letter dated January 8, 1996,
Yarborough's psychiatrist, Thomas W. Van Dyk, M.D., stated the following:
In my opinion the traumatic events of the fire on October 22, 1987
aggravated and exacerbated [Yarborough's] previous mental condition and
added a new feature to his psychiatric diagnosis, that being Post Traumatic
Stress Disorder. Because of this Post Traumatic Stress Disorder he was no
longer able to continue his employment as a fire fighter because he
experience [sic] increased anxiety and revulsion and fear in dealing with fire
situations. . . .. I feel that Mr. Yarborough should be permanently
restricted from working as a fire fighter because of the traumatic events of
October 22, 1987, the consequent Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and
exacerbation of his other mental conditions.
Additionally, after testifying on May 7, 1996, that he determined the explosion of
October 22, 1987 to be the cause of Yarborough's PTSD, Dr. Van Dyk explained why
he stated in his opinion letter of January 8, 1996, that Yarborough should be permanently
restricted from working as a fire fighter:
I feel that if he were to return to fire fighting and be exposed to
another explosion or dangerous fire situation where -- or these ambulance
events, there is the possibility of his anxiety getting worse, these post-
traumatic symptoms getting worse and him not functioning as a fire fighting
or ambulance person, being a [sic] dangerous to others or being dangerous
to himself by not being able to function, and becoming physically injured.
Similarly, on September 25, 1995, after conducting an independent psychological
examination of Yarborough, Joseph K. McElhinny, Psy.D., included the following in his
psychological evaluation:
Mr. Yarborough's inability to function as a fire fighter, by his
report, after the work related accidents in 1987 is primarily a result of his
pre-existing personality style and the non-work related psychosocial
stressors he was experiencing at the time. . . .. The work related accidents
no doubt exacerbated his psychologic problems and it is difficult to
determine at this late date when the post-accident trauma actually was
resolved. . . ..
I would estimate that at least 80% of Mr. Yarborough's psychiatric
difficulties post-accident, were due to longstanding issues and 20% were
exacerbation directly related to the accidents.
After reviewing the evidence in the record, we hold that the Workers'
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Compensation Court correctly concluded that Yarborough's PTSD arose from emotional
or mental stress, and, therefore, that Yarborough's PTSD was not a compensable injury
as defined by 39-71-119, MCA (1987). Although Yarborough did suffer burns to his
face and hands, no medical expert testified that Yarborough's PTSD directly resulted
from those physical injuries. Rather, the medical testimony linked Yarborough's PTSD
only to the house-fire explosion itself. Consequently, just as in Stratemeyer II and
Kleinhesselink, Yarborough's PTSD resulted from emotional or mental stress, and,
therefore is a "mental-mental" injury, excluded from the definition of injury as set forth
under 39-71-119, MCA (1987). See Stratemeyer II, 915 P.2d at 182 and
Kleinhesselink, 920 P.2d at 111. Accordingly, we affirm the Workers' Compensation
Court's judgment denying Yarborough compensation and medical benefits.
Affirmed.
/S/ JAMES C. NELSON
We Concur:
/S/ KARLA M. GRAY
/S/ W. WILLIAM LEAPHART
/S/ TERRY N. TRIEWEILER
/S/ WILLIAM E. HUNT, SR.
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