BEFORE THE ARKANSAS WORKERS’ COMPENSATION COMMISSION CLAIM NO. G908247 DAKOTA J. HUMPHREY-FRIEND, EMPLOYEE CLAIMANT BEST BUY STORES LP, EMPLOYER RESPONDENT SEDGWICH CLAIMS MANAGEMET SERVICES, INC./INSURANCE CARRIER RESPONDENT OPINION/ORDER FILED NOVEMBER 21, 2024 Hearing before ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE JOSEPH C. SELF, in Springdale, Washington County, Arkansas. Claimant is represented by MATTHEW J. KETCHAM, Attorney, Fort Smith, Arkansas. Respondents are represented by JARROD PARRISH, Attorney, Little Rock Arkansas OPINION/ORDER On August 24, 2023, claimant filed Form AR-C, alleging a compensable injury on December 1, 2019. Claimant was represented at the time by Matthew J. Ketcham, who remains his attorney of record. On April 22, 2024, respondent filed a Motion to Dismiss, alleging that it had been more than six months since claimant filed his Form AR-C with the Commission, but he had not made a request for a hearing on this claim. A hearing on respondent’s Motion to Dismiss was scheduled for November 7, 2024. Notice of the scheduled hearing was sent to claimant by certified mail at the last known address in the Commission’s file. The notice was delivered to claimant on September 20, 2024. Claimant did not respond to respondent’s motion and did not appear in person at the hearing on November 7, 2024, but Mr. Ketcham did appear on his behalf.
Humphrey-Friend-G908247 2 Following the hearing, respondents submitted a post-trial brief in support of its Motion to Dismiss. Claimant responded that after reviewing that brief, he did not object to a dismissal without prejudice. I find it has been more than six months since prior to this hearing and that no request for a hearing has been made in this file. After my review of the respondents’ motion and brief, the claimant’s agreement to said motion, and all other matters properly before the Commission, I find that respondent’s Motion to Dismiss this claim should be and hereby is granted. This dismissal is pursuant to Commission Rule 099.13 and is without prejudice. IT IS SO ORDERED. _______________________________________ JOSEPH C. SELF ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE
Source: https://www.labor.arkansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/HUMPHREY-FRIEND_DAKOTA_G908247_20241121.pdf. Published by the Arkansas Department of Labor and Licensing, Workers' Compensation Commission. Republished here as a public reference; consult the original PDF for citation.