Warpinski v. State Industrial Insurance System

OPINION

Joseph Warpinski sought to reopen a worker’s compensation claim after suffering a non-industrial aggravation of a prior com-pensable injury. The Nevada Industrial Commission, 1 the appeals officer and the district court all agreed the claim could not be reopened. Warpinski appeals.

In 1972, Warpinski experienced a sharp back pain while lifting equipment in the course of his employment as a medical technician. The injury was diagnosed as a herniated nucleus pulposus at the L5-S1 level of the spine. Warpinski underwent surgery to remove part of the intervertebral disk. He was compensated…