Christopher Wood vs. South Side School District

BEFORE THE ARKANSAS WORKERS’ COMPENSATION COMMISSION CLAIM NO. H500882 CHRISTOPHER WOOD, EMPLOYEE CLAIMANT SOUTH SIDE SCHOOL DISTRICT, EMPLOYER RESPONDENT ARKANSAS SCHOOL BOARDS ASSOC. WCT, CARRIER/TPA RESPONDENT OPINION AND ORDER FILED JULY 16, 2025 The Hearing before Administrative Law Judge James D. Kennedy in Little Rock, Arkansas, was held on July 8, 2025. Claimant was pro-se and failed to appear. Respondents were represented by Melissa Wood, of Little Rock, Arkansas. STATEMENT OF THE CASE A hearing was held in the above styled matter on the 8th day of July, 2025, in Little Rock, Arkansas, on Respondent’s Motion to Dismiss for failure to prosecute, contending that the claim had been denied in its entirety and the claimant had indicated by email that he wanted to have his claim dismissed. Further, the respondents contended that upon application by either party for a dismissal for failure to prosecute, the Commission may, after reasonable notice to all parties, enter an order dismissing the claim. On January 31, 2025, the claimant claimed that he had sustained a hernia, and on March 20, 2025, requested a “review” of his Workers’ Compensation Claim, stating that his claim was denied by a letter, dated February 10, 2025. This request for a review was treated as a request for a hearing. The claimant participated in discovery and a Prehearing Order was filed on June 11, 2025, setting the matter for a hearing on August 12, 2025, in Little Rock, Arkansas. An email was then received from the claimant on June

Christopher Wood – H500882 2 26, 2025, which stated that he did not wish to pursue his claim and that he wished to close it and it be dismissed. A Motion to Dismiss was filed on June 26, 2025. No response was filed by the Claimant in regard to the Motion to Dismiss so appropriate notice of a Motion to Dismiss hearing was provided to all the parties setting the hearing for July 8, 2025, at 12:00 p.m., in Little Rock, Arkansas. A hearing was held on July 3, 2025, and the claimant failed to appear. The Respondents were represented by Melissa Wood, who requested that the matter be dismissed for want of prosecution, and that the Commission may, upon reasonable notice to all parties, enter an order dismissing the claim for want of prosecution. ORDER Pursuant to the above statement of the case, documents entered into the record, and statements by the Attorney for the Respondents, there is no alternative but to grant the Motion to Dismiss without prejudice pursuant to Rule 099.13 of the Arkansas Workers’ Compensation Commission. IT IS SO ORDERED. ____________________________ JAMES D. KENNEDY ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE