Babb, Willis Ray v. House Hasson Hardware Co., Inc.
Mr. Willis Ray Babb, an employee of House Hasson Hardware Co., Inc., sought an expedited hearing after sustaining a left-knee injury. This injury reportedly arose from an altered gait following a compensable left-foot injury in October 2015, which occurred when a pallet-jack fell on his foot. The employee experienced escalating knee pain, culminating in his knee buckling in January 2016, leading to an MRI revealing a medial meniscus tear and other degenerative changes. The employer's carrier denied the knee claim. The Workers' Compensation Judge, Pamela B. Johnson, ruled that Mr. Babb demonstrated a likelihood to prevail on the merits, establishing the injury's causation from his employment. Consequently, the Court granted his request for medical benefits for both his left foot and left knee, ordering House Hasson to provide a panel of orthopedic physicians.