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CONSIDERATION OF THE RECOMMENDATION FROM THE CITY ATTORNEY FOR APPROVAL OF A COURT ORDER IN THE AMOUNT OF $46,835 REGARDING DAVID TEUSCHER VS. THE CITY OF NORMAN, WORKERS' COMPENSATION COURT CASE WCC 2017-04378 K (LEFT SHOULDER).
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BACKGROUND: David Teuscher is a Major for the Norman Police Department who filed Workers Compensation Case 2017-04378 K on July 18, 2017 alleging a single incident injury of the left shoulder while changing a flat tire in December 2013. The case proceeded through the normal litigation process. A trial was held on February 5, 2018 and the Court awarded Mr. Teuscher 29 percent permanent partial disability to the left shoulder in the total amount of $46,835. It is recommended that the City comply with this Order.
DISCUSSION: Mr. Teuscher is a twenty (20) year employee of the City of Norman Police Department who was hired as a police officer September 15, 1997 and reclassified as a Master Police Officer March 15, 2002. He was then promoted to Lieutenant March 7, 2006, Captain February 24, 2012, and Major April 28, 2017. There is no question that Mr. Teuscher injured his left shoulder while on the job for the City of Norman Police Department.
Medical Treatment. Mr. Teuscher was initially treated conservatively for his left shoulder. Then based on MRI findings, on February 28, 2014 he underwent an arthroscopic rotator cuff repair followed by postoperative therapy. Due to ongoing symptomology, he had a repeat MRI which revealed postsurgical changes. On July 11, 2014 he underwent a second complex shoulder surgery followed again by postoperative therapy and an additional injection in the left shoulder. Mr. Teuscher reached maximum medical improvement for the left shoulder on April 6, 2017.
Issues for Trial. Because there is no question his injury to the left shoulder occurred on the job with the Norman Police Department, the issues tried on February 5, 2018 before the Workers' Compensation Court were the extent of Mr. T...
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