Dr. Bilbo saw Hughes on January 15, 1998, when he noted that Hughes was still having some intermittent pain but not as much as he had prior to surgery. However, Home Quarters acknowledged that Hughes's injury was covered under the Workers Compensation Act and that Hughes gave due and timely notice of the injury. On January 21, 2004, Home Quarters extended a settlement offer*fn12 to Hughes as evidenced by a letter from its attorney. Hughes thereafter filed a petition for reconsideration below; [Home Quarters] filed a response; and the Board entered an order placing Hughes' appeal in abeyance to permit the ALJ to rule on Hughes' petition for reconsideration. *fn9 Prior to leaving Home Quarters, Hughes had transferred to the hardware department, due to a conflict with his manager.

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