Injured Worker Gets Authorization for Back Surgery

West Virginia’s Intermediate Court of Appeals upheld a determination that a worker was entitled to authorization for surgery recommended by his longtime treating physician. Case: Blackhawk Mining LLC v. Ullman, No. 24-ICA-474, 06/06/2025, published. Facts and procedural history: Richard Ullman injured his back in November 2017 while working for Blackhawk Mining LLC. He filed a workers’ compensation claim, which was held compensable for a lumbar sprain/strain. Ullman injured his back again in December 2018. In May 2019, Dr. Syam Stoll examined Ullman. Stoll opined that the Novem...