Wadsworth's Case

Claimant Scott Wadsworth suffered a severe workplace injury to his hand in 1980. Despite extensive medical *102treatment and substantial periods of employment during the ensuing twenty-two years, the injury persisted, worsened, and forced an end to his work life as of July 1,2003. An administrative judge of the Department of Industrial Accidents (DIA) awarded him weekly compensation by reason of his permanent and total incapacity as authorized by G. L. c. 152, § 34A. The administrative judge appeared to have increased the weekly compensation by two statutory measures, neither of which he…