Dillard v. Mobile Inf. Assoc., Inc.
Dillard v. Mobile Inf. Assoc., Inc.
Concurring Opinion
concurring specially.
I write to compare the present case to an earlier case which I authored, Mayfield Trucking Co. v. Napier, 724 So.2d 22 (Ala.Civ.App. 1998). This present appeal involves an action filed pursuant to Ala.Code 1975, § 25-5-57(a)(4) b„ by Mobile Infirmary Association (“Mobile Infirmary”), the former employer, seeking to reduce the disability rating awarded to Glenda Dillard, its former employee. Dillard, a registered nurse, had suffered an injury to her lower back while employed by Mobile Infirmary and had been awarded permanent total-disability benefits in a 1997 workers’ compensation action.
Thereafter, in April 1998 Mobile Infirmary obtained a surveillance videotape that depicted Dillard engaged in brisk yard-raking for a period of 40 minutes. Mobile Infirmary submitted this videotape, along with the deposition of Dr. Robert McGinley, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon. Dr. McGinley had examined Dillard on July 21, 1998; had reviewed Dillard’s medical records; and had viewed the surveillance videotape, before he gave
Following a hearing, at which Dillard testified, the trial court entered a judgment altering its earlier award of permanent total-disability benefits; it found that Dillard had suffered a 60% loss of earning capacity and held that Mobile Infirmary was responsible for a further 85 weeks of permanent partial-disability benefits. I concur in this court’s no-opinion affir-mance. The trial court’s judgment was supported by substantial evidence. See Ex parte Trinity Indus., Inc., 680 So.2d 262 (Ala. 1996); and Ex parte Alabama Ins. Guar. Ass’n, 667 So.2d 97, 98 (Ala. 1995).
In Mayfield Trucking, supra, this court reviewed the trial court’s judgment in another action filed by a former employer seeking, pursuant to Ala.Code 1975, § 25-5-57(a)(4)b., to reduce a disability award. The facts in Mayfield Trucking are strikingly similar to the facts of the present case. Three years before the employer, Mayfield Trucking, initiated its § 25-5-57(a)(4)b. action, Napier, a former employe, had been awarded permanent total-disability benefits after injuring his back while lifting a water cooler at work. May-field Trucking obtained a surveillance videotape showing Napier engaged in such strenuous tasks as swinging a bush blade, starting and using a chain saw, and picking up a riding lawn mower to examine the blade. The surveillance videotape covered approximately 37 minutes and depicted Napier squatting, bending, and leaping, apparently effortlessly, over the side of the bed of a pickup truck to the ground below. Dr. Roger Setzler, the orthopedic surgeon who had performed back surgery on Napier and had treated him postoperatively, viewed the videotape before giving his deposition, but did not reexamine Napier. In his deposition, Dr. Setzler testified that he believed that Napier no longer suffered from a disability. In its judgment denying the § 25-5-57(a)(4)b. relief that Mayfield Trucking sought, the trial court stated that it was persuaded by the fact that Napier had been “surveilled ... on six (6) separate occasions, and that the only evidence presented [was this particular] video,” and by the fact that Napier’s orthopedist did not examine him before changing his opinion of Napier’s disability, but relied exclusively upon his review of the surveillance videotape.
When reviewing a judgment awarding workers’ compensation, or a judgment modifying a workers’ compensation award, this court is limited to determining whether the record contains substantial evidence to support the judgment. A comparison of the facts of this present case with those of Mayfield Trucking underscores the great measure of discretion and responsibility vested in the trial court, in regard to both its initial award of workers’ compensation and its subsequent modification of an award.
Opinion of the Court
AFFIRMED. NO OPINION.
See Rule 53(a)(1) and (a)(2)(A), Ala. RApp.P.; § 25-5-57(a)(4)b., Ala.Code 1975; Ex parte Trinity Indus., Inc., 680 So.2d 262 (Ala. 1996); Ex parte Alabama Ins. Guar. Ass’n, 667 So.2d 97 (Ala. 1995); and Edwards v. Jesse Stutts, Inc., 655 So.2d 1012 (Ala.Civ.App. 1995).
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.