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Afton Inn v. Pforr3/11/2003
MEMORANDUM OPINION
Afton Inn and its insurer (hereinafter referred to as "employer") contend the Workers' Compensation Commission erred in finding that Susan I. Pforr (claimant) proved that Dr. Ron Lowman's chiropractic treatment was causally related to her compensable November 7, 2000 injury by accident. Upon reviewing the record and the parties' briefs, we conclude that this appeal is without merit. Accordingly, we summarily affirm the commission's decision. Rule 5A:27.
On appeal, we view the evidence in the light most favorable to the prevailing party below. R.G. Moore Bldg. Corp. v. Mullins, 10 Va. App. 211, 212, 390 S.E.2d 788, 788 (1990). Factual findings made by the commission will be upheld on appeal if supported by credible evidence. See James v. Capitol Steel Constr. Co., 8 Va. App. 512, 515, 382 S.E.2d 487, 488 (1989).
Credible evidence established that employer did not offer claimant a proper panel of physicians and that it denied her claim. Accordingly, the commission did not err in ruling that claimant was permitted to choose her own treating physician. See Trammel Crow Co. v. Redmond, 12 Va. App. 610, 615, 405 S.E.2d 632, 635 (1991). Claimant elected to pursue treatment with Dr. Lowman, a chiropractor, who became her authorized treating physician for her compensable back injury beginning February 21, 2001.
Dr. Lowman's office notes did not comment upon the issue of causation. However, in response to claimant's counsel's questions, Dr. Lowman indicated on August 22, 2001, that it was more probable than not that his treatment of claimant was directly related to her compensable November 7, 2000 injury by accident. Moreover, the commission could reasonably infer that Dr. Lowman would have been aware of claimant's November 7, 2000 injury during his course of treatment because the initial patient information form completed by claimant, and part of Dr. Lowman's medical records, indicated the cause of her injury was "fall, because wet carpet, fell on concreat ."
Dr. Lowman's opinion constitutes credible evidence to support the commission's finding that his treatment was causally related to claimant's compensable November 7, 2000 injury by accident and, therefore, was the responsibility of employer. "The fact that there is contrary evidence in the record is of no consequence if there is credible evidence to support the commission's finding." Wagner Enters., Inc. v. Brooks, 12 Va. App. 890, 894, 407 S.E.2d 32, 35 (1991). "In determining whether credible evidence exists, the appellate court does not retry the facts, reweigh the preponderance of the evidence, or make its own determination of the credibility of the witnesses." Id.
For these reasons, we affirm the commission's decision.
Affirmed.
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