P. Dardarian

The worker suffered a permanent low back impairment and returned to modified duties.

Following a short-term work disruption in January 2014, the worker sought loss of earnings (LOE) benefits, which were denied by the Case Manager.

The worker also objected to the Work Transition (WT) Plan sponsoring him as an Office Administrator, preferring an Accounting Clerk role.

The Appeals Resolution Officer denied the worker's objections, finding that the worker did not meet the policy criteria for LOE benefits during the short-term layoff.

The Officer also confirmed the WT Plan for the Suitable Occupation of Office Clerk, noting it appropriately utilized the worker's transferable skills and would restore pre-injury earnings to a greater extent.

The worker, a truck driver, suffered a low back strain when his truck seat bottomed out.

He was initially granted entitlement for a low back strain.

He later sought entitlement for compression fractures at the T12 and L1 vertebrae and ongoing loss of earnings (LOE) benefits.

The Appeals Resolution Officer denied the appeal, finding that the compression fractures were caused by severe osteoporosis rather than the work injury.

The Officer also confirmed the termination of LOE benefits, concluding that the employer had offered suitable modified work as of July 14, 2014, and that the worker had fully recovered from the compensable work-injury strain by August 5, 2014.

The worker, a letter carrier, slipped and fell on ice while delivering mail, injuring his left hip.

He was later diagnosed with advanced osteoarthritis and underwent a left total hip replacement.

The employer objected to the Adjudicator's decision allowing entitlement for the surgery, arguing the initial injury was minor and there was a lack of continuity of complaint.

The Appeals Resolution Officer denied the employer's appeal, finding that the worker was asymptomatic prior to the fall and that the medical evidence demonstrated the workplace injury significantly accelerated the pre-existing osteoarthritis, making the surgery a necessary and appropriate result of the injury.