Gallardo v. Workers' Compensation Commissioner & Cato Corp.

MILLER, Justice:

The claimant seeks a total and permanent disability award due to the combined effects of a work-related injury which is claimed to have aggravated a preexisting arthritic condition which had not been disabling. The Commissioner and Appeal Board refused to grant a permanent total disability award.

On September 29, 1980, the claimant, who was approximately fifty years old and was employed as the manager of a retail clothing store, fell backward while lifting a mannequin. She apparently struck her back in the fall and experienced severe dorsal back pain and found it extremely…