Doctor's Reassessment of Injured Worker Didn't Warrant Increase in PPD

The West Virginia Supreme Court ruled that a coal miner was not entitled to a third increase in the amount of his permanent partial disability award after an independent medical evaluator's reassessment. Case: Orren v. Magnum Coal Co., No. 17-0158, 11/07/2017, published. Facts and procedural history: James R. Orren worked as a shuttle car operator for the Magnum Coal Co. He injured his right knee and ankle while loading rock dust into a scoop bucket at work. Magnum accepted his injury as compensable. After Dr. Paul Bachwitt determined Orren had reached maximum medical improvement, he op...