No Penalty Owed for Claim Closure Despite Spinal Surgery

A claimant is not entitled to penalties and attorney fees against SAIF Corp. for closing his claim after he underwent spinal surgery because the carrier had “legitimate doubt” that additional benefits were owed, the Oregon Court of Appeals ruled. Case: Snyder v. SAIF Corp., A158484, 08/23/2017. Facts: Brian Snyder injured his right knee at work. SAIF accepted his workers’ compensation claim for a right knee sprain, which required surgery. The surgery caused Snyder to suffer new conditions — bradycardia, hypoxemia and central cord syndrome.  Snyder underwent...