Based on
claimant’s testimony regarding his job duties, along with the chain of
events and causal connection opinion of two doctors, the Commission held
claimant sustained her burden of proving she sustained repetitive
accidental injuries arising out of and in the course of her employment
as a casings puller.
Claimant
worked for defendant as a casings puller, which required that she
constantly pull back and forth with both arms in order to separate small
intestines away from the fat in pork bellies. She performed this task 60
to 90 times per hour. She also bundled animal matter. She began
experiencing pain in her upper extremities and shoulders and sought
treatment. She was diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome, a left
shoulder condition and myofascitis of the left upper extremity.
Claimant’s manager testified that claimant pulled 60 to 65 times per
hour and stated that there was more pulling done with the right hand and
holding with the left hand. Arbitrator denied benefits.
The
Commission reversed and awarded benefits, holding that claimant
sustained her burden proving that she suffered repetitive accidental
injuries arising out of and in the course of her employment. In so
holding, the Commission relied on claimant’s and the manager’s testimony
regarding claimant’s job duties, the chain of events and the causal
connection opinions of her treating doctor and on of defendant’s
doctors, who opined that claimant’s problems with her wrists, elbows and
shoulder were work-related.
