Supreme Court Upholds Denial of Authorization for Lumbar Surgery

The West Virginia Supreme Court upheld the denial of authorization for a worker’s lumbar surgery. Case: Hankins v. Sprouting Farms Corp., No. 25-245, 09/16/2025, published. Facts and procedural history: Dallas Hankins worked for Sprouting Farms Corp. He injured his back while lifting boxes at work in January 2021. A claims administrator for Sprouting’s insurance carrier accepted liability for a lumbar sprain/strain. Dr. Robert Crow examined Hankins in February 2021. Crow noted spondylolisthesis of L5 on S1 and significant left neural foraminal stenosis, mild to moderate right n...