Gardner v. Dept. of Mental Health & Addiction Services

Summary

The court held that an administrative law judge has discretion to continue awarding temporary partial incapacity benefits after a claimant reaches maximum medical improvement, instead of awarding permanent partial disability benefits. The court relied on the plain language of the governing statute, which permits an award of permanent partial disability benefits in lieu of other compensation, and declined to use legislative history to create ambiguity in that language. The judgment was reversed and the matter was remanded for further proceedings.