Branch v. Industrial Commission

On December 28, 1978, petitioner, Harold Branch, who was 44 years of age, was employed by respondent, General Telephone Company. On this date he unlocked and pulled open his employer’s heavy metal door and removed his coat. He testified at the arbitration hearing on November 28, 1979, that a “hot poker” type pain hit him as he removed his coat. He also testified that he had a sharp pain which took his breath away as he opened the door, but he never had any pain like that when he removed his coat.

In a deposition filed in the arbitration proceeding, Dr. Limcaco, the treating physician, related…