Mohawk Rubber Co. v. Buford

John A. Fogleman, Justice.

This is a workmen’s compensation case. The question for decision is the liability of the insurer for medical services provided by a physician selected by the injured employee rather than one of a panel of physicians designated by the employer pursuant to Rule 21 of the Workmen’s Compensation Commission, which is a partial implementation of Ark. Stat. Ann. § 81-1311 (Repl. 1960).

On 24 October 1972, appellee Fred Buford suffered a compensable spinal injury while working in the employ of Mohawk Rubber Company at its West Helena facility. He reported the injury to his…