Unit Drilling Co. v. Armstrong

RAPP, Judge.

Petitioners, Unit Drilling Co. and Liberty Mutual Insurance Company, appeal the three-judge panel’s affirmation of the trial court’s award of permanent total disability to the trial court claimant, Gary Armstrong, caused by a heart attack. The trial court did not find Armstrong to be a previously impaired person and did not apportion the award.

The facts are simple. Armstrong, while working on the floor of an oil rig, developed chest pain and heard something pop. Within 48 hours, he sought medical care. It was then determined he had suffered a shoulder injury and a heart attack.…