Willis v. Simpson Investment Co.

Troy R. Willis sought an increase in his permanent partial disability workers’ compensation benefits or an award of permanent total disability benefits. The trial court dismissed Willis’s claim at the close of his case-in-chief. We conclude that Willis’s evidence that he was not employable at the time the Department of Labor and Industries closed his claim and his evidence that his impairment was more serious than earlier determined by the Department was sufficient to establish a prima facie case. Thus, we reverse and remand for trial.

Facts

Simpson Investment Company had employed Willis in a…