Court Reverses Award Due to Judge's Erroneous Evidentiary Rulings

The Nebraska Court of Appeals ruled that a compensation court judge committed an abuse of discretion by admitting a worker’s evidence regarding medical expenses. Suzanna Averill worked for Omaha Public Schools as a special education teacher. A student kicked her in the knee in August 2017. Although Averill sought immediate treatment, her condition worsened, and she developed complex regional pain syndrome. At trial, Averill offered 40 exhibits, including a summary of her medical records. Her attorney said this was done because the records were voluminous. OPS objected to the sum...