Jerome Gulley vs. Holcim

1 BEFORE THE ARKANSAS WORKERS’ COMPENSATION COMMISSION CLAIM NO. H406940 JEROME GULLEY, EMPLOYEE CLAIMANT HOLCIM, EMPLOYER RESPONDENT INDEMNITY INS. CO. OF NORTH AMERICA/ SEDGWICK CLAIMS MG’T SERVICES, INC., CARRIER/TPA RESPONDENT OPINION FILED OCTOBER 21, 2025, GRANTING RESPONDENTS’ MOTION TO DISMISS WITHOUT PREJUDICE Hearing conducted on Thursday, October 16, 2025, before the Arkansas Workers’ Compensation Commission (the Commission), Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) Mike Pickens, in Hope, Hempstead County, Arkansas. The claimant, Mr. Jerome Gulley, pro se, of Prescott, Ouachita County, Arkansas, failed and/or refused to appear at the hearing. The respondents were represented by the Honorable Michael Zachary Ryburn, Ryburn Law Firm, Little Rock, Pulaski County, Arkansas. STATEMENT OF THE CASE A hearing was conducted on Thursday, October 16, 2025, to determine whether this claim should be dismissed without prejudice pursuant to Ark. Code Ann. § 11-9-702(a)(4) (2025 Lexis Replacement) and 11 C.A.R. Section 25-110(d) (Code of AR Regulations 2025) (formerly cited as Commission Rule 099.13 (2025 Lexis Replacement)). The claimant initially was represented in this matter by attorney Andy L. Caldwell of the Caldwell Law Firm in Little Rock. In an email to the ALJ’s office Mr. Caldwell advised the claimant no longer wished to pursue his claim. Consequently, Mr. Caldwell requested leave to

Jerome Gulley, AWCC No. H406940 2 withdraw as the claimant’s attorney. By ALJ order filed November 25, 2024, Mr. Caldwell was granted leave to withdraw as the claimant’s attorney of record. (Commission Exhibit 2). The respondents filed a motion to dismiss this claim without prejudice for lack of prosecution (MTD) on July 31, 2025. (Respondents’ Exhibit 1). In accordance with the applicable law the claimant was provided due and legal notice of both the respondents’ MTD as well as the date, time, and place of the subject hearing, which he received on August 27, 2025. (Comms’n Ex. 3). Thereafter, the claimant failed and/or refused to respond to the respondents’ motion in any way, or to appear at the subject hearing. The record herein consists of the hearing transcript and any and all exhibits contained therein and attached thereto. DISCUSSION Consistent with Ark. Code Ann.§ 11-9-702(a)(4) (2025 Lexis Replacement), as well as our court of appeals’ ruling in Dillard vs. Benton County Sheriff’s Office, 87 Ark. App. 379, 192 S.W.3d 287 (Ark. App. 2004), the Commission scheduled and conducted a hearing on the respondents’ MTD. Rather than recite a detailed analysis of the record, suffice it to say the preponderance of the evidence introduced at the hearing and contained in the record conclusively reveals the claimant has failed and/or refused to either actively prosecute his claim, or to request a hearing in the last six (6) months. All of this was consistent with his prior attorney’s email to the ALJ advising he no longer wished to pursue his workers’ compensation claim. Therefore, after a thorough consideration of the issues at bar, the applicable law as applied to the facts of this claim, and other relevant matters of record including the representations and argument of credible counsel, I hereby make the following:

Jerome Gulley, AWCC No. H406940 3 FINDINGS OF FACT AND CONCLUSIONS OF LAW 1. The Commission has jurisdiction of this claim. 2. After having received due and legal notice of both the respondents’ MTD without prejudice filed with the Commission on July 22, 2025, as well as due and legal notice of the date, time, and place of the subject hearing, the claimant failed and/or refused to respond to the MTD in any way and failed and/or refused to appear at the subject hearing. Moreover and significantly, the claimant’s prior attorney advised the ALJ by email that the claimant no longer wished to pursue this claim. 3. The claimant has not requested a hearing within the last six (6) months and has taken no steps to raise any issues related to or to prosecute this claim. 4. Therefore, the preponderance of the evidence compels the decision the respondents’ MTD without prejudice filed July 31, 2025, should be and hereby is GRANTED; and this claim is dismissed without prejudice to its refiling pursuant to the deadlines prescribed by Ark. Code Ann. Section 11-9-702(a) and (b) and 11 C.A.R. 25-110(d) (formerly cited as Commission Rule 099.13). If they have not already done so, the respondents hereby are ordered to pay the court reporter’s invoice within twenty (20) days of their receipt thereof. IT IS SO ORDERED. ____________________________ Mike Pickens Administrative Law Judge MP/mp

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