Cooper v. PUBLISHERS PAPER COMPANY

This is an appeal by the employer from a circuit court decision that the claimant was totally and permanently disabled as a result of on-the-job injuries.

The claimant was picking up pulp from underneath a machine at his place of employment, when he fell backwards, causing the injury to his back. Claimant is now 61 years of age, had a fifth grade education and no special job training. He has always worked at manual labor, mostly in sawmills and in the wood's.

Since his accident, claimant’s injuries have required extensive medical and hospital care, surgery and other treatment. In September,…