Please join us in congratulating Jones Jones LLC Associate Kevin Moy and his team on completing a successful appeal before the New York State Workers’ Compensation Board.
The claimant in this construction case incurred an injury to their left elbow in 2012 while pulling a heavy pipe. In 2022, the claimant was examined by their orthopedic physician who indicated a loss of range of motion with flexion to 140 degrees and no loss of extension. The orthopedic physician re-examined the claimant stating they had reached maximum medical improvement and that the injury is amenable to a 20% schedule loss of use (SLU) of the left arm.
When the carrier’s orthopedic consultant examined the claimant in 2023, they indicated the claimant’s injury resulted in muscle strain. They found that while the claimant’s left elbow did have a loss of range of motion, it was the same range of motion as the right elbow. The carrier’s orthopedic consultant stated the claimant’s injury to the left elbow is amenable to a 0% SLU of the left arm.
In 2023, the workers’ compensation Law Judge found the claimant’s left elbow injury is amenable to a 20% SLU of the left arm, granting over $48,000 in compensation, less payments already made and $7,200.00 in attorney’s fees. Later in 2023, the judge awarded 40% SLU of the left arm.
Moy and his team argued upon the firm belief that the carrier’s orthopedic consultant was a more credible source than the claimant’s orthopedic physician. The claimant’s legal team attempted to argue for 20% SLU, resulting in a payout of $24,000, and medical reports to remain open. Moy’s team was successful in securing the appeal on the basis that the claimant had no permanent impairment related to the injury and that there was no basis for future treatment, alleviating the need for open medical reports.
Moy and his team presented a compelling argument that ultimately awarded our client with the best possible outcome. We applaud the entire team. If you are in need of assistance with a workers’ compensation case, please contact our appellate team at clientservices@jonesjonesllc.com