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CONSIDERATION OF THE CITY ATTORNEY'S RECOMMENDATION FOR APPROVAL OF A COURT ORDER IN THE AMOUNT OF $82,080 REGARDING RICK BLALOCK VS. THE CITY OF NORMAN, WORKERS' COMPENSATION COURT CASE WCC 2009-08466 H.
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BACKGROUND: Rick Blalock was Sanitation Worker I in the Sanitation Division of the Utilities Department. He filed Workers Compensation Case No. WCC 2009-08466 H on July 6, 2009 alleging injuries to his back and neck and depression from cumulative trauma with the date of awareness of April 10, 2009. Mr. Blalock then added consequential injury to his hips to the claim on June 30, 2010. The case proceeded through the normal litigation process. A trial was held on July 25, 2017 and the Court awarded Mr. Blalock permanent partial disability in the total sum of $82,080 which represented 22% neck, 9% back, 6% right hip, 6% left hip, and 5% psychological overlay. The court order was discussed in Executive Session held August 15, 2017 and is being presented to the City Council at this time for formal consideration. The City Attorney's office recommends the Court Order be accepted by City Council.
DISCUSSION: Mr. Blalock was a thirty (30) year employee of the City of Norman who was hired as a Sanitation Worker I on July 9, 1979. During his employment with the City of Norman, Mr. Blalock had additional on the job injuries that resulted in awards. He separated from employment with the City of Norman on July 6, 2009.
Medical Treatment. Mr. Blalock was initially treated conservatively for his neck and back. Then based on MRI findings, underwent cervical facet injections bilaterally at C5/6 and C6/7 on March 2, 2015 and an anesthetic discogram on April 6, 2015. He was evaluated in April 2015 and it was determined that Mr. Blalock was not a surgical candidate for the neck. Mr. Blalock reached maximum medical improvement for the neck and back on April 16, 2015.
During the course of treatment for the injury to his neck, back and psychological overl...
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