In a victory for injured workers in Louisiana, the Court of Appeal for the Fourth Circuit recently upheld a decision granting Lorae Burnett the right to shoulder surgery following a work-related motor vehicle accident. The case, Burnett v. Full Force Staffing, LLC, & LUBA Casualty Insurance Company, centered on interpreting the state’s Medical Treatment Guidelines and whether the recommended surgery was medically necessary and appropriate.
Background of the Case:
Mr. Burnett, an employee of Full Force Staffing, was injured in a motor vehicle accident while on the job. He sought workers’ compensation benefits for various injuries, including significant pain in his right shoulder. After receiving conservative treatment that failed to alleviate his pain, Mr. Burnett’s orthopedic shoulder specialist, Dr. Savoie, recommended surgery.