Whitener v. South Central Solid Waste Authority

OPALA, Vice Chief Justice.

The dispositive issue on certiorari is whether the employer’s medical letter-report, on which the trial tribunal’s decision is rested, lacks probative value and hence cannot support the denial of permanent disability benefits to the claimant. We answer in the negative.

I

ANATOMY OF LITIGATION

Claimant, Corbin H. Whitener, sought compensation benefits for job-related harm he sustained while employed by South Central Solid Waste Authority, whose risk carrier is State Insurance Fund [collectively called employer]. According to the transcript, the claimant’s medical report…