Eric M. Christiansen

Housekeeper overcame insurance company’s aggressor and fraud defenses at trial, which were found to lack merit. Housekeeper was awarded ongoing medical benefits, as well as payment of her hospital bills.

Judge rejected all of the insurance company’s defenses and awarded lost wage benefits from the date of the accident to the present, ongoing medical care, and transportation/translation benefits for all medical appointments.

Upon review of the competing testimonies of the parties' vocational experts, the Judge of Compensation Claims accepted the opinions favorable to injured worker and awarded permanent total disability benefits.

IInsurance company failed to meet its burden on its fraud defense and its fraud defense was denied. Also, the Judge of Compensation Claims ordered the insurance company to authorize a medical provider in the local area.

Judge of Compensation Claims found that insurance company’s denial was improper and ordered insurance company to provide medical care and attention for both shoulders.

Judge determined that the employer’s refusal to pay temporary partial disability benefits was improper and ordered the employer to pay temporary partial disability benefits for up to 104 weeks..

Judge determined that the injured worker’s violation of company policy did not rise to the level of misconduct that would support denial of lost wage benefits, awarded temporary total and temporary partial benefits to the injured worker.

After trial, including cross-examination of an employer witness, Judge of Compensation Claims accepted the testimony of the injured worker over the testimony of the employer witness and awarded medical care for the hernia, including a general surgeon.

Judge ruled in favor of injured worker and awarded the motor-powered knee prosthesis.