(Edquest Dep. Ex. 1 at 15.)

3. A fifteen (15) day notice of termination of benefits was not given to the claimant or to the division. The only notice provided is set forth in the preceding finding of fact.

4. Claimant returned to work within a couple weeks of the date of the injury. He testified:

(Irish Dep. at 4-5.)

5. Claimant has worked continuously since June of 1977. He returned to work for Roessner Construction as a carpenter following his injury and worked for another four or five years. He then worked as a lead carpenter and foreman for Roger Wheelwright Construction for a year. (Irish Dep. at 30-32.) He left these jobs because he was missing too much work as a result of his back problems. (Claimant's Answers to State Fund's First Set of Discovery Requests.) For the next three years he was self-employed as a contractor for residential buildings in the Bozeman area. The claimant was again forced to change jobs due to being unable to handle the construction, "I was in a perpetual state of pain, and I just couldn't handle it any longer." (Irish Dep. at 40.) He moved to Helena where he went into partnership with his father in the insurance business and was working in that job at the time these proceedings were initiated.

6. In addition to his employment in the insurance business, the claimant owns and operates a small "hobby farm." (Id. at 42.) He raises grain and hay on the farm and is involved in most of the farming operations. His wife, son and daughter assist in the chores required for operating the farm. (Id. at 45-53.)

7. The claimant makes his living through the insurance business and not as a farmer.

Injury and Medical

8. On June 13, 1977, claimant was injured when he fell from a fourteen (14) foot ladder, landing on his back on a pile of cedar shakes. (Edquest Dep. Ex. 1 at 19.) Claimant described his fall,

(Irish Dep at 20.)

9. Following the injury, claimant was treated by Dr. John Patterson (Patterson). The Court record contains the office notes of Patterson for treatments prior to and after the injury. On the date of the injury Patterson noted:

(Hunter Dep. Ex. 5 at 20-21.) Patterson prescribed bed rest, ice packs for two days and then heat, Valium and Emperin #3. Claimant returned two days later complaining of upper back and neck pain. There had been minimal improvement. The claimant was "[q]uite tender over lower cervical spine processes." (Id.)

10. The claimant was seen on June 27, 1977, with the doctor's note indicating "needs back check for release to go back to work." (Id. at 22.) The claimant wanted to go back to work and advised the doctor that he could quit early, and that he didn't feel an orthopod was necessary. Finally, the doctor wrote, " Back to work 6-27-77." (Id.)

11. As of June 27, 1977, the claimant had not received any worker's compensation benefits. He testified that he returned to work, even though his symptoms were the same, because he needed the money.

12. The claimant was again seen by Patterson on February 7, 1978. At this examination the doctor noted:

(Id.) Other than the doctor's examinations, the only diagnostic tool used in 1977-78, was an x-ray. The x-ray report was normal.

13. The claimant returned to work and, as previously noted, worked at various employments which could be classified as heavy work for the next several years. The claimant testified that during this time he was in pain or discomfort continually due to his low-back injury.

(Irish Dep. at 29-30.)

14. In February of 1978, the claimant received physical therapy treatments from Gordon Herwig. These records are not a part of the Court's record.

15. For the time period between February of 1978 and September of 1992, claimant received chiropractic treatments from three different chiropractors. There are no records from these providers in the Court file. Claimant did attempt to secure these records and was advised they were no longer available.

16. Claimant sought chiropractic treatment "[a]s required. When it bothered me so bad that I couldn't function, I would go in." (Id. at 9.) When questioned about when he needed to go to the chiropractor, the claimant responded:

( Id. at 10.) The claimant did not submit the chiropractic bills to the State Fund for payment.

15. During this time period the claimant suffered from a number of injuries, including an injury to his right wrist and elbow, a broken rib, injuries to his leg and foot when a horse rolled on him and injuries to his knees.

1992 Incident

16. In September of 1992, while working in the attic of his shop hooking up a hoist to pull axles off a tractor, the claimant lost feeling in his leg and fell through the ceiling sheetrock. He caught himself and was able to pull himself back up. (Id. at 56.) This total loss of feeling and numbness was an entirely different sensation from those the claimant had experience throughout the years. The incident occurred when the claimant's right leg gave out on him, causing him to fall. The seriousness of the episode prompted him to call the State Fund.

(Id. at 17-18.)

Medical

17. Claimant was seen by Dr. Reginald Goodwin (Goodwin), a family practitioner, on September 22, 1992. Goodwin's office note for that day states,

(Hunter Dep. Ex. 3 at 3.)

18. An MRI was performed. It revealed a "large protruding or herniated disc at the L4-5 and L5-S1 levels." (Id. at 6, caps in original.)

19. On September 30, 1992, the claimant began physical therapy treatment which continued two to three times a week for two weeks. (Hunter Dep. Ex 5.)

20. The claimant was referred to Dr. Brooke Hunter (Hunter), an orthopedic surgeon, who saw the claimant on October 13, 1992. Hunter's examination and review of the MRI confirmed the herniated discs. Hunter also commented, "It appears that there is some end plate damage as well." (Id. at 41.) He went on to note, "There is no question he has sustained a severe amount of injury by looking at his MRI." (Id.) Claimant was encouraged to stop smoking, get into an aerobic exercise program, and to go through a spine stabilization program. He was given some anti-inflammatory drug samples and told to return in a month if he was not doing much better.

21. The medical testimony and records are critical to the question of whether the claimant's current low-back problems are related to his 1977 injury. The only medical deposition taken was that of Hunter. Hunter, to a reasonable degree of medical probability, related the claimant's condition to the 1977 injury.

(Hunter Dep. at 14, emphasis added.)

22. In reviewing this testimony the Court has taken into consideration that the claimant was seen by Hunter on a single occasion. However, there is no evidence in the file which contradicts the conclusions reached by the doctor. When considering the incident of September 1992, Hunter explained:

(Hunter Dep. at 20; emphasis added.)

23. The doctor was extensively cross-examined by the State Fund about the claimant's work history and the various intervening injuries suffered by the claimant. It appears that at the time of his deposition the doctor had the opportunity to review all of the records which are a part of this record and that he based his conclusions not only on his examination, but also on his records review. This information did not alter the doctor's conclusion that the claimant's current low-back pain is the result of the June 13, 1977 injury.

(Hunter Dep. at 48.) The doctor relied on the June 13, 1977 office note that spoke to the compression problem, which he reported "is exactly what we're speaking of, the axial compression loading type of thing . . . ." (Id.)

24. The doctor testified regarding his conclusions as follows:

(Id. at 48-49, emphasis added.)

26. The State Fund argues that the opinion of Hunter is outweighed by the fact that the claimant continued to work as a carpenter/contractor and at other heavy-duty-type work and by the other injuries he suffered between 1977 and 1992. It also argued that the 1992 incident is the cause of the claimant's current condition and therefore the doctor's opinion should be disregarded .

27. However, the State Fund has offered no medical testimony contradicting Hunter's opinions.

Conclusions of Law

1. The law in effect at the time of claimant's injury applies when determining his entitlement to benefits. Buckman v. Montana Deaconess Hospital, 224 Mont. 318, 730 P.2d 380 (1986). Therefore, the law in effect on June 27, 1977 applies in this case.

2. The first issue presented for the Court's consideration concerns claimant's entitlement, if any, to temporary total disability benefits retroactive to 1977. In seeking the additional benefits, claimant relies on section 92-615, R.C.M., 1947, as that section existed on June 13, 1977. The section was enacted in 1973, and amended in 1974.⁽¹⁾ It provides:

Based on the section, claimant argues that the failure of the State Fund to provide him with fifteen (15) days notice renders its termination letter a nullity and entitles him to continuous temporary total disability benefits from June 28, 1977 to today.

The claimant argues that the fifteen (15) day notice requirement is clear on its face. He cites Clark v. Hensel Phelps Construction Co., 172 Mont. 8, 10, 560 P.2d 515 (1977) and Catteyson v. Falls Mobile Home Center, Inc., 183 Mont. 284, 599 P.2d 341 (1979), as supporting his contention that he is entitled to benefits until such notice is given.

In Clark the Supreme Court discussed the effect of section 92-615, R.C.M. 1947:

The Court concluded that termination of benefits without fifteen (15) days advance notice was "ineffective" and that claimant was entitled to payment of benefits "until the termination is accomplished by following the statutory notice provision." However, the facts in Clark included a finding that "claimant was unable to do any kind of physical labor for the period in question." (Id. at 9-10; underlining added.)

In Catteyson, the insurer gave the claimant and division written notice of termination of temporary total disability benefits twenty-seven (27) days after actual termination of benefits. The notice followed claimant's release to return to work, but it does not appear from the decision that the claimant had actually returned to work. Citing Clark, the Court held the notice to be invalid and affirmed the order of the Workers' Compensation Court directing the insurer to pay temporary total benefits retroactively to the date of termination until the date of the Court's order.

At the time of the claimant's injury, there was no longer any requirement of Division approval prior to termination. However, the fifteen (15) day notice requirement was still in effect. Since no advance notice was given, at first glance it would appear that Clark and Catteyson require the result requested by claimant. However, I have concluded that the two cases are not controlling and that claimant is not entitled to benefits retroactive to 1977.

On its face, section 92-615, R.C.M., applies only in cases where biweekly benefits are terminated. In this case claimant was not receiving biweekly benefits. The insurer simultaneously sent the claimant payment and notice which said the insurer had accepted liability and had determined that he was entitled to a single payment for two weeks of benefits. There was no interruption or cessation of ongoing benefits. Benefits were not terminated and the section was therefore inapplicable.

Even if the section 92-615, R.C.M., is deemed to apply to the notice given in this case, neither Clark nor Catteyson considered the effect of an actual return to work on the insurer's obligation to continue benefits. While it is generally true that if the words of a statute are plain, they speak for themselves and no interpretation is required, Holly Sugar v. Department of Revenue, 252 Mont. 407, 412, 830 P.2d 76 (1992), all provisions of an Act must be coordinated and harmonized, if possible, McClanathan v. Smith, 186 Mont. 56, 61, 606 P.2d 507 (1980). Particular sections of an Act should also be interpreted "in such a manner as to insure coordination with the other sections of the Act, and fulfill legislative intent." Hostetter & Leep v. Inland Development & Big Sky, 172 Mont. 167, 171, 561 P.2d 1323 (1977); accord State v. Meader, 184 Mont. 32, 37, 601 P.2d 386 (1979).

Moreover, the "plain words" rule cannot be blindly applied in every case:

Griffin v. Oceanic Contractors, Inc., 458 U.S. 564, 571 (1982) (quoting Commissioner v. Brown, 380 U.S. 563, (1965) (in turn quoting Helvering v. Hammel, 311 U.S. 504, 510-511 (1941)). In another case, the United States Supreme Court put it this way:

United States v. Ron Pair Enterprises, Inc., 489 U.S. 235, 243 (1989). Ultimately, statutory construction should not lead to an absurd result where reasonable construction will avoid it. Keller v. Smith, 170 Mont. 399, 407, 553 P.2d 1002, 1007 (1976).

In this case, the Court must consider the sections governing temporary total disability benefits. Those sections, as they read on the date of claimant's injury, were sections 92-439, R.C.M. (1973) and 92-701.1, R.C.M. (1973):

On their face, the provisions provide that temporary total disability benefits are payable only when there is a "total loss of wages." One of the fundamental purposes of the Workers' Compensation Act is "to provide social insurance which protects the injured worker against disability from a work-connected injury" and "to provide for the injured worker a fund which replaces his lost earnings or his lost earning capacity . . . . " Wight v. Hughes Livestock Co., 204 Mont. 98, 108, 664 P.2d 303 (1983). The Act was never intended to provide tort-like damages to the worker. Mahlum v. Broeder, 147 Mont. 386, 394, 412 P.2d 572 (1966).

If the claimant's position is adopted, then the "total loss of wages" requirement and the very purpose of the Act would be nullified; claimant would be awarded an outrageous windfall. It is inconceivable that the legislature intended the result for which claimant argues, or that it intended the fifteen (15) day notice requirement to nullify the "total loss of wages" prerequisite to temporary total disability benefits. The rules of statutory construction do not require courts to scorn common sense. And, if indeed those rules require the result suggested by claimant, it is time for the courts to re-examine the rules and make them sufficiently flexible to allow the use of common sense when interpreting statutes.

There are good reasons to conclude that failure to give fifteen (15) day notice renders termination of benefits ineffective where the claimant continues to sustain a total loss of wages. One physician's release to return to work is not conclusive since physicians may disagree over when an individual has reached maximum healing or may misapprehend legal standards. In such case the notice requirement gives a claimant an opportunity, albeit a short one, to respond before his benefits are cut off.⁽²⁾ In contrast, a claimant's return to his old job presents no gray areas of dispute, and claimant is not threatened with any monetary loss.

The record in this case is quite clear that the claimant returned to work within a "couple of weeks." The claimant suffered no loss of wages after the injury. He returned to work with the same employer and remained at that job for the next three to four years. In fact, except for the two week period immediately following the injury, there is no evidence in this file indicating that the claimant has suffered a wage loss as a result of the 1977 injury. He is not entitled to retroactive temporary total disability benefits.

3. The claimant must prove by a preponderance of the evidence that his current condition was caused by his industrial accident. Walker v. United Parcel Service, 262 Mont. 450, 454, 865 P.2d 1113 (1993). He has met his burden.

The facts in this case are similar to those in Walker. In Walker, the claimant worked for six years following a back injury. However, he testified that he suffered from persistent back pain and flare-ups following the original injury. The insurer countered that Walker had reached maximum healing and had suffered a number of subsequent injuries, thereby relieving it of liability. This Court entered judgment for the insurer but on appeal the Supreme Court reversed, holding that the insurer had failed to prove that the subsequent incidents constituted discrete injuries, or that they satisfied the legislature's definition of industrial accident. It also held that the insurer had failed to prove that any of the subsequent incidents were the cause of Walker's condition.

In this case, the claimant testified without contradiction that he has had continual pain in his low-back since his 1977 injury and that throughout the years he frequently received treatment from chiropractors to alleviate that pain. He presented medical opinion evidence establishing that his herniated discs are the result of an axial loading injury which occurred when he fell from the ladder in 1977. The State Fund's arguments that the claimant's condition is due to the 1992 incident or to other injuries which occurred subsequent to claimant's reaching maximum healing are unpersuasive. It offered no medical opinions contradicting Dr. Hunter.

Maximum medical healing does not cut off the future liability of an insurance carrier. The Montana Supreme Court stated in 1987:

Guild v. Bigfork Convalescent Center, 229 Mont. 466, 470, 747 P.2d 217 (1987). In this case, claimant's condition has deteriorated over the years, ultimately resulting in the loss of feeling in the claimant's leg. Therefore, his current condition is related to his 1977 industrial accident.

4. At the time of claimant's industrial accident, the Workers' Compensation Act provided a ten (10%) percent penalty "[w]hen payment of compensation has been unreasonably delayed or refused, either prior to or subsequent to the issuance of an award . . ." Section 92-849, R.C.M. 1947. However, in this case the State Fund's refusal to pay benefits was not unreasonable. It has prevailed with respect to the temporary total disability benefits issue. While it has not prevailed with respect to the relatedness issue, it had a more substantial basis for its refusal to accept liability for claimant's current condition than it did in Beckers v. State Compensation Insurance Fund/Valley Excavation, WCC No. 9407-7098 (decided 2/8/95). In Beckers, this Court found that the claimant was entitled to a penalty because of the insurer's rejection of three medical opinions in the claimant's favor and its failure to seek out independent medical advice in the face of these opinions. (Beckers at 11.) Beckers' treating physician had treated him for years, whereas, Dr. Hunter saw the claimant once. (Beckers at 2-4.) In Beckers, the State Fund was also confronted with three medical opinions, two by physicians who had treated claimant, rather than a solitary one from a physician who saw claimant only once. Additionally, in this case the long period of time, nearly eighteen years since 1977, gave the State Fund substantial reason to question the claim.

5. At the time of claimant's injury the attorney fee statutes provided as follows: