Opinion
June 16, 1988
Appeal from the Workers' Compensation Board.
Claimant's index and ring fingers on his dominant right hand were amputated following a work-related injury in September 1984. He has since died due to unrelated causes. At issue is whether the award of the Workers' Compensation Board to claimant's widow of a 40% schedule loss of use of the right hand is supported by substantial evidence (see, Workers' Compensation Law § 15 [c], [s]). The record includes a letter report from Dr. Lawrence Enisman, a plastic surgeon, who examined claimant at the behest of the employer's compensation carrier and assessed "approximately a 40 percent disability". Also included in the record is a report of Dr. Robert Shera, a Board medical examiner, who assessed a 62 1/2% schedule loss of use. The Workers' Compensation Law Judge accepted Shera's assessment, but the Board found upon review of the record, and Enisman's report in particular, a 40% schedule loss. The Board further determined that an examination by the principal medical examiner was not necessary.
On this appeal, claimant urges that this case poses more than just a conflict in medical opinion, in that the Board erred in relying on Enisman's report without first confirming his expertise. Claimant emphasizes that Enisman did not testify and that the Workers' Compensation Law Judge rejected his report since his qualifications were undisclosed. Initially, we observe that while the record only includes a written report from Enisman, the "legal residuum rule" no longer applies to administrative determinations (see, People ex rel. Vega v Smith, 66 N.Y.2d 130, 139). Thus, the lack of testimony from Enisman is not dispositive. Generally, the Board is authorized "to accept or reject the whole or any part of the offered medical evidence" (Matter of Murtagh v St. Theresa's Nursing Home, 84 A.D.2d 587; see, Matter of Stiso v Hallen Constr. Co., 135 A.D.2d 974). In so doing, the Board must necessarily assess the qualifications of each medical expert. Whether Enisman was qualified to render an opinion was for the Board to decide. The conflict in the medical evidence presented was also for the Board to resolve, and its decision is supported by substantial evidence. Neither Matter of Westfall v Linesville Constr. Co. ( 55 A.D.2d 758) nor Matter of Smith v General Elec. Co. ( 24 A.D.2d 814, affd 17 N.Y.2d 687), relied on by claimant, compel a contrary finding, for in each case the Board simply resolved a conflict in the medical evidence presented. Moreover, the Board did not abuse its discretion in refusing to direct a further examination (see, Workers' Compensation Law § 19; Matter of Burke v New York Tel. Co., 81 A.D.2d 714).
Decision affirmed, without costs. Mahoney, P.J., Casey, Weiss, Levine and Mercure, JJ., concur.