Oklahoma Gas & Electric Co. v. Black

The claimant, Albert Black, was awarded temporary, total, disability benefits by a trial judge of the Workers’ Compensation Court. The three-judge panel affirmed that award, but the Court of Appeals subsequently vacated the decision of the three-judge panel. We have previously granted certiorari. The issue is whether competent evidence exists to uphold the panel’s decision. We hold that there is.

In 1986, the claimant suffered a back injury unrelated to this appeal, and was awarded 25 percent, permanent, partial disability, as a result. In 1987, the claimant injured his back on the job while…