BEFORE THE ARKANSAS WORKERS' COMPENSATION COMMISSION WCC NO. H203108 BONNIE RAY, Employee CLAIMANT CENTRAL ARKANSAS NURSING, Employer RESPONDENT INDEMNITY INS. OF NORTH AMERICA, Carrier/TPA RESPONDENT OPINION FILED OCTOBER 24, 2023 Hearing before ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE ERIC PAUL WELLS in Springdale, Washington County, Arkansas. Claimant not represented by counsel and not appearing at the hearing. Respondent represented by ERIC NEWKIRK, Attorney at Law, Little Rock, Arkansas. STATEMENT OF THE CASE This case comes on for review following a hearing on respondents’ Motion to Dismiss. On April 22, 2022, the claimant filed an AR-C requesting various compensation benefits in which she alleged an injury to her head, right elbow, tailbone, right hip, ribs, and right foot. The claim was accepted as medical only. There has been no request for a hearing or additional activity by the claimant since the filing of the Form AR-C. On July 11, 2023, the respondents filed a Motion to Dismiss requesting that this claim be dismissed for lack of prosecution. A hearing was scheduled for September 26, 2023. Notice of that hearing was sent to the claimant by certified mail, return receipt requested on August 23, 2023. United States Postal Department records indicate that claimant received and signed for the notice on August 29, 2023. Despite having received notice of the scheduled hearing, the claimant failed to appear at the hearing and has failed to respond to the motion in any form or manner.
Ray – H203108 After my review of the respondents’ Motion to Dismiss, the claimant’s lack of response thereto, and all other matters properly before the Commission, I find that respondents’ Motion to Dismiss this claim should be and hereby is granted pursuant to Commission Rule 099.13. This dismissal is without prejudice. ORDER Pursuant to the above statement of the case and Commission Rule 099.13, I have no alternative but to dismiss this claim in its entirety, without prejudice, for failure to prosecute. If respondents have not already done so, they are directed to pay the court reporter, Veronica Lane, her fees and expenses within thirty (30) days of receipt of her invoice. IT IS SO ORDERED. ________________________________ HONORABLE ERIC PAUL WELLS ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE
Source: https://labor.arkansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/RAY_BONNIE_H203108_20231024.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.