Claim of Thomas v. Crucible Materials Corp.
Claimant appealed a Workers' Compensation Board decision from February 25, 2009, which denied his application to reopen a workers' compensation claim. The claimant had sustained a right shoulder injury in 2002, leading to a 70% schedule loss of use classification in 2003. Although a Workers’ Compensation Law Judge initially reclassified the claimant with a permanent total disability in 2007 due to worsening condition, the Board reversed this, finding insufficient proof of a significant change in medical condition. The appellate court affirmed the Board's decision, emphasizing that the Board has discretion in reopening cases and that conflicting medical evidence supported the conclusion that no substantial change in the claimant's condition since 2003 had been established, despite arguments regarding deteriorating range of motion and complex regional pain syndrome.