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Lyons v. Terrebonne Parish School Board12/31/2003
In this workers' compensation action, the workers' compensation judge ("WCJ") rendered judgment in favor of defendant, Terrebonne Parish School Board, finding that claimant, Lillian Lyons, failed to meet her burden of proving she sustained a work-related injury and, thus, was not entitled to workers' compensation benefits. In a judgment rendered November 15, 2002, the WCJ dismissed Ms. Lyons' claim for benefits with prejudice. Ms. Lyons has appealed.
Prior to filing her appeal brief with this court, Ms. Lyons filed a motion to supplement the record on appeal with various documents relating to medical treatment that Ms. Lyons apparently received after trial on the merits. On June 2, 2003, another panel of this court referred this motion to the merits. We have considered the motion to supplement the record and must deny same as these documents appear to be new evidence not considered below. An appellate court must render its judgment upon the record on appeal. La. Code Civ. P. art. 2164. The record on appeal is that which is sent by the Office of Workers' Compensation to the appellate court and includes the pleadings, court minutes, transcripts, jury instructions, judgments and other rulings, unless otherwise designated. La. Code Civ. P. arts. 2127 and 2128. As an appellate court, we cannot review evidence that is not in the record on appeal and have no jurisdiction to receive new evidence. Hudson v. East Baton Rouge Parish School Bd., 2002-0987, p. 2 (La. App. 1 Cir. 3/28/03), 844 So.2d 282, 284-285.
With regard to the merits of Ms. Lyons' appeal, we are mindful that factual findings in a workers' compensation case are subject to the manifest error standard of appellate review. Banks v. Industrial Roofing & Sheet Metal Works, Inc., 96-2840, p. 7 (La. 7/1/97), 696 So.2d 551, 556. As such, in order for an appellate court to reverse a workers' compensation judge's factual findings, it must find from the record that a reasonable factual basis does not exist for the findings of the workers' compensation judge and that the record establishes that the findings are clearly wrong. See Mart v. Hill, 505 So.2d 1120, 1127 (La. 1987). Furthermore, when factual findings are based on determinations regarding the credibility of witnesses, the manifest error standard demands great deference to the trier of fact's findings; only the fact finder can be aware of the variations in demeanor and tone that bear so heavily on the listener's understanding and belief in what is said. Rosell v. ESCO, 549 So.2d 840, 844 (La. 1989).
Following a thorough review of the record before us, we agree with the findings of the WCJ. Accordingly, we affirm the judgment below. In so doing, we attach and adopt the WCJ's written reasons for judgment rendered on December 24, 2002, which correctly and succinctly set forth the facts of this case and applicable law. All costs associated with this appeal are assessed against claimant, Lillian Lyons.
JUDGMENT AFFIRMED; MOTION TO SUPPLEMENT APPEAL RECORD DENIED.
WRITTEN REASONS FOR JUDGMENT
STATEMENT OF THE CLAIM
The claimant, Lillian Lyons, filed a Disputed Claim for Compensation on September 10, 2001, against the defendant, Terrebonne Parish School Board, alleging that no wage benefits had been paid, no medical treatment had been authorized, medical prescription not paid or authorized and for penalties and attorney fees due to defendant's alleged arbitrary and capricious failure to inform their insurance carrier, authorize prescriptions and medical treatment and for failure to commence TTD benefits.
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