Ira A. Watson Department Store v. Hamilton

OPINION OF THE COURT

This workers’ compensation appeal concerns whether there was substantial evidence to support a finding of permanent, total disability pursuant to the requirements of Chapter 342 as effective December 12,1996.

The claimant was born in 1958 and has a 12th grade education. His employment history includes work as a firefighter, utility person for a shoe manufacturer, and a billboard installer. He worked in the defendant-employer’s department store for approximately 17 years, first, as a floor supervisor and, ultimately, as the assistant manager.

On Saturday, January 25, 1997,…