In Arnoldo Angulo Cruz v. People Ready, a Trueblue Company and ESIS WC Claims the primary defense raised by the E/C in this TPD case was that claimant had reached MMI and all benefits were properly paid. The authorized physician provided that claimant had reached MMI with no impairment or restrictions and was cleared to return to work regular duty. The JCC concluded claimant failed in his burden of proving a causal connection between the compensable injury and the subsequent loss of income. However, his analysis of the indemnity paid prior to MMI revealed that a portion of those benefits were paid late. TPD, penalties and interest after MMI DENIED; penalties on late payments prior to MMI GRANTED in part.
