Matthews v. Louisiana Pacific

In this workers’ compensation case employer appeals an order requiring it to pay certain of claimant’s medical bills and assessing a twenty-five percent penalty for unreasonable refusal to pay the medical expenses. We reverse.

Claimant sustained a compensable injury to his back while working for employer in June, 1977. He received chiropractic treatment but lost no time from work. In September, 1977, claimant left work complaining of back pain. He consulted a series of doctors and was ultimately operated upon for a cervical laminectomy in February, 1978. He returned to work in April, 1978, but…