Southern Wooden Box Co. v. Smith

Tom Glaze, Judge.

The issue raised in this Workers’ Compensation case is one of first impression. Simply stated, the question we must address is whether a claimant is entitled under Arkansas law to obtain additional benefits after a final award without a showing that he has experienced a change in physical condition. In a split decision, the Commission answered this question in the affirmative, and thereby permitted the appellee to reopen his claim solely on the grounds of changed economic conditions.

The facts are not in dispute. Appellee sustained com-pensable injuries in August, 1976, and…