GREAT COASTAL EXPRESS, INC. AND PACIFIC EMPLOYERS INSURANCE COMPANY
v.
IRVIN R. HARLOW
Record No. 1964-96-2
COURT OF APPEALS OF VIRGINIA
January 28, 1997
MEMORANDUM OPINION
PER CURIAM
FROM THE VIRGINIA WORKERS' COMPENSATION COMMISSION
David L. Epperly, Jr.; Epperly, Follis & Schork, on brief, for appellants.
Peter D. Eliades; Marks & Harrison, on brief, for appellee.
Present: Judges Benton, Coleman and Willis
Great Coastal Express, Inc. and its insurer (hereinafter collectively referred to as "employer") contend that the Workers' Compensation Commission erred in finding that Irvin R. Harlow's June 23, 1995 injury by accident arose out of his employment. Upon reviewing the record and the briefs of the parties, we conclude that this appeal is without merit. Accordingly, we summarily affirm the commission's decision. Rule 5A:27.
On appeal, we view the evidence in the light most favorable to the prevailing party below. R.G. Moore Bldg. Corp. v. Mullins, 10 Va. App. 211, 212, 390 S.E.2d 788, 788 (1990). "Whether an injury arises out of the employment is a mixed finding of law and fact and is reviewable by the appellate court." Plumb Rite Plumbing Serv. v. Barbour, 8 Va. App. 482, 483, 382 S.E.2d 305, 305 (1989). Factual findings made by the commission will be upheld on appeal if supported by credible evidence. James v. Capital Steel Constr. Co., 8 Va. App. 512, 515, 382 S.E.2d 487, 488 (1989).
Harlow began to experience pain in the small toe of his right foot while driving his employer's tractor trailer from Richmond, Virginia to Texas. Because of the pain Harlow could not wear boots and wore tennis shoes. When the shoe began to irritate his toe, Harlow removed it. While driving without a shoe, Harlow learned that he might be required to stop at a weigh station where shoes are required. He then attempted to cut a hole in his tennis shoe so that his sore toe could protrude from the shoe and feel more comfortable. However, the knife slipped out of his hand and injured his right eye. Harlow sought immediate medical treatment.
Based upon this record, the commission found that Harlow was aware of Department of Transportation regulations that require drivers to wear shoes while operating a commercial vehicle on a public highway. Furthermore, the commission held that "Harlow's injury arose out of and in the course of his employment because he was attempting to alter his shoe for comfort."
Harlow's testimony provides credible evidence to support the commission's findings. His testimony proved that his injury was causally connected to the manner in which he was required to perform his work and flowed from his employment as a rational consequence.
Accordingly, we affirm the commission's decision.
Affirmed.