Workers’ Compensation – Causation – Respiratory Problems

South Carolina Lawyers Weekly staff//November 10, 2011//

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Brunson v. American Koyo Bearings (Lawyers Weekly No. 011-175-11, 6 pp.) (H. Bruce Williams, J.) Appealed from Orangeburg County Circuit Court. (James C. Williams Jr., J.) S.C. App. Click here for the full-text opinion.

Holding: Even though the claimant presented medical and lay testimony in support of her claim, there was medical evidence to the contrary, the single commissioner found that the claimant was not credible, and the single commissioner discounted testimony from other lay witnesses because they were the claimant’s friends outside work.

Since the evidence is conflicting over a factual issue, the findings of the Appellate Panel of the Workers’ Compensation Commission are conclusive. We affirm the circuit court’s decision to uphold the Appellate Panel’s denial of benefits.