Title
CONSIDERATION OF THE CITY ATTORNEY'S RECOMMENDATION FOR APPROVAL OF A COURT ORDER IN THE AMOUNT OF $7,106 REGARDING BARRY GRIPPEN VS. THE CITY OF NORMAN, WORKERS' COMPENSATION COMMISSION CASE CM-2016-07136 R (RIGHT KNEE).
Body
BACKGROUND: Mr. Grippen is a Police Sergeant with the Norman Police Department. He filed a workers compensation claim on October 27, 2016 alleging a single event injury to the right knee from falling on his knee cap while chasing a suspect on August 11, 2016. The City admitted the claim and it proceeded through the normal litigation process. A trial was held on September 11, 2018. On September 19, 2018 the Commission awarded Mr. Grippen 8 percent permanent partial disability (PPD) to the right knee in the total amount of $7,106.00 to be paid at a weekly rate of $323.00 commencing October 4, 2017, until the entire award is paid. It is recommended that the City comply with this Order.
DISCUSSION: Mr. Grippen is a seventeen (17) year employee of the City of Norman who was hired as a communications officer on March 26, 2001. He was promoted to a police officer on June 10, 2005, reclassified as a master police officer on December 10, 2009, and then promoted to police sergeant on June 10, 2015.
Mr. Grippen was initially seen by Dr. Penwell on the day of his injury and found to have a right patella fracture. He was treated conservatively with a brace and medication. An MRI was ordered and he was referred to Dr. Bobb for orthopedic evaluation on August 15, 2016. The MRI revealed a nondisplaced fracture of the patella as well as edema in the patellar tendon. He was again treated conservatively and placed in a controlled motion knee brace for a closed nondisplaced transverse patella fracture. He was then seen by Dr. Moses on August 26, 2016 and a partial tear of the patellar tendon was ruled out. On October 7, 2016, he was released maximum medical improvement and returned back to work without permanent restrictions on October...
Click here for full text