Power Plant Maintenance v. Mercado

Power Plant Maintenance and GAB Robbins North America Inc., the employer and carrier respectively, appeal an order of the judge of compensation claims awarding temporary partial disability benefits to Gilbert Mercado, the claimant. We reverse.

The claimant, an insulation installer, tripped at work in April of 1995 and injured his back. Following the injury he was treated by Dr. James Melton, an orthopaedic surgeon, and Dr. V.I. Batas, a rehabilitation specialist. Both doctors testified that the claimant had reached maximum medical improvement (MMI) with an 8% permanent impairment but they…