State ex rel. Kokocinski v. Industrial Com'n of Ohio, 83-1476

• Decision Date: 20 June 1984
• Docket Number: No. 83-1476,83-1476
• Citation: 464 N.E.2d 564,11 Ohio St.3d 186
• Parties: , 11 O.B.R. 499 The STATE, ex rel. KOKOCINSKI, v. INDUSTRIAL COMMISSION OF OHIO et al.
• Court: Ohio Supreme Court

Page 186

11 Ohio St.3d 186

464 N.E.2d 564, 11 O.B.R. 499

The STATE, ex rel. KOKOCINSKI, v. INDUSTRIAL COMMISSION OF OHIO et al.

No. 83-1476.

Supreme Court of Ohio.

June 20, 1984.

Wagoner, Steinberg, Chinnis & Dorf and Michael D. Dorf, Holland, for relator.

Anthony J. Celebrezze, Jr., Atty. Gen., Lee M. Smith and Richard C. Slavin, Asst. Attys. Gen., for respondent Industrial Com'n.

Spengler, Nathanson, Heyman, McCarthy & Durfee, James P. Triona and James M. Sciarini, Toledo, for respondent Toledo Building Services Co.

PER CURIAM.

It is well-settled that "the determination of disputed factual situations is within the final jurisdiction of the Industrial Commission, and subject to correction by action in mandamus only upon a showing of abuse of discretion." State, ex rel. Haines v. Indus. Comm. (1972), 29 Ohio St.2d 15, 16, 278 N.E.2d 24 . Furthermore, "where the record contains some evidence to support the commission's factual findings, these findings will not be disturbed." State, ex rel. Humble v. Mark Concepts, Inc. (1979), 60 Ohio St.2d 77, 397 N.E.2d 403 . Conversely, "[w]here there is no evidence upon which the commission could have based its factual conclusion an abuse of discretion is present and mandamus becomes appropriate." State, ex rel. Kramer v. Indus. Comm. (1979), 59 Ohio St.2d 39, 42, 391 N.E.2d 1015 .

Relator argues that the commission abused its discretion when, based upon the facts of record, it found relator not to be permanently and totally disabled. We agree.

Respondents argue that the reports of Drs. Cooke and McCloud provide evidence in support of the commission's order and that the order should therefore not be disturbed. In State, ex rel. Jennings v. Indus. Comm. (1982), 1 Ohio St.3d 101, 102, 438 N.E.2d 420, this court held that "where a medical expert has, by deposition testimony, repudiated a conclusion previously made in a medical report, that report cannot constitute evidence to support the order of the commission."

Respondents contend that Dr. Cooke merely "clarified" his earlier opinion by distinguishing between the terms of "impairment" and "disability." Further, respondents argue that Dr. Cooke is not competent to draw administrative conclusions such as how much disability results from a certain amount of physical impairment.

Although the Medical Examination Manual issued by the commission on October 5, 1981 does distinguish between determinations of extent of "impairment," which are medical in nature, and determinations of extent of "disability," which are administrative in nature, it should be noted that in the instant case doctors' reports containing an opinion as to extent of relator's disability, including that submitted by Dr. McCloud in the instant case, have been referred to and relied upon. In addition, a review of the transcript of Dr. Cooke's deposition clearly bears out relator's contention that Dr. Cooke repudiated his earlier report. His report therefore cannot constitute evidence to support the order of the commission. State, ex rel. Jennings, v. Indus. Comm., supra. The application of the rule in Jennings, however, does not dispose of the instant case. In Jennings, "there was no evidence but the repudiated report * * * to support the order of the commission * * *." Id. at 103, 438 N.E.2d 420. In the instant case, the claimant's file also contained the report of Dr. McCloud.

Dr. McCloud, taking note of relator's lack of education and vocational training, estimated that she would have difficulty finding work other...