Claim of Baldwin v. Ben Funk, Inc.

Appeal from a decision of the Workers’ Compensation Board, filed February 17, 2005, which ruled that claimant was entitled to an award for reduced earnings benefits.

Claimant, a mechanic, submitted a claim for workers’ compensation benefits stemming from a work-related injury to his lower back. The employer’s workers’ compensation carrier, the State Insurance Fund (hereinafter SIF), accepted the claim and began paying benefits. Following a hearing, a Workers’ Compensation Law Judge (hereinafter WCLJ) found accident, notice and causal relationship, thereby formally establishing the claim, and…