Norris v. Ed Taylor Corp.

McCORD, GUYTE P., Jr. (Ret.), Associate Judge.

In this workers’ compensation appeal, Norris contends the deputy commissioner erred in finding that the issue of rehabilitation raised in his petition was premature at the time of the hearing based on the ground that he was presently employed. We agree and reverse.

Norris, 49 years old, has a work history in construction and hard labor. On 2 December 1982, he was involved in an industrial accident while working as a drywall carpenter for the employer. As a result of this accident, Norris was forced to undergo surgery for the removal of a disc.

On 4…