Kassandra Hedum vs. Casey’s General Stores, Inc

BEFORE THE ARKANSAS WORKERS’ COMPENSATION COMMISSION CLAIM NO. H205088 KASSANDRA R. HEDUM, Employee CLAIMANT CASEY’S GENERAL STORES, INC., Employer RESPONDENT ACE AMERICAN INS./CCMSI, Carrier/TPA RESPONDENT OPINION/ORDER FILED MARCH 20, 2024 Hearing before ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE GREGORY K. STEWART in Springdale, Washington County, Arkansas. Claimant not represented by counsel and not appearing at hearing. Respondents represented by ERIC NEWKIRK, Attorney, Little Rock, Arkansas. OPINION/ORDER This case comes on for review following a hearing on respondent’s Motion to Dismiss. Claimant suffered an admittedly compensable injury to her right knee on July 3, 2022. On May 30, 2023, Form AR-C was filed on behalf of claimant by her attorney, Laura Beth York. Based upon claimant’s failure to correspond with her, Attorney York filed a Motion to Withdraw as Counsel. This motion was granted by an order of the Full Commission filed August 17, 2023. No further action was taken in this claim until respondent filed a Motion to Dismiss on January 5, 2024. A hearing was scheduled on the respondent’s motion for March 13, 2024, and notice of the hearing was sent to claimant by certified mail. That notice was returned by the Post Office as “Attempted - Not Known. Unable to Forward.” Claimant did not appear at the hearing and has not

Hedum – H205088 2 responded to the respondent’s motion. After my review of the respondent’s motion, the claimant’s failure to respond thereto, and all other matters properly before the Commission, I find that respondent’s Motion to Dismiss should be and hereby is granted. This dismissal is pursuant to Commission Rule 099.13 and it is without prejudice. IT IS SO ORDERED. _____________________________________ GREGORY K. STEWART ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE