CLAIM NO. F500501
Before the Arkansas Workers’ Compensation Commission
OPINION FILED JANUARY 15, 2009
Upon review before the FULL COMMISSION in Little Rock, Pulaski County, Arkansas.
Claimant represented by the HONORABLE F. MATTISON THOMAS, III, Attorney at Law, El Dorado, Arkansas.
Respondent represented by the HONORABLE J. CHRIS BRADLEY, Attorney at Law, North Little Rock, Arkansas.
OPINION AND ORDER
The Arkansas Court of Appeals has reversed the Full Commission in the above-styled matter and has remanded for further proceedings La’Ronda Slaughter v. City of Hampton, CA07-1328 (June 4, 2008).
The Full Commission has previously found that Jerry Slaughter sustained a compensable injury pursuant to Ark. Code Ann. § 11-9-114 Slaughter v. City of Hampton, Workers’ Compensation Commission F500501
(Oct. 9, 2007). The Full
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Commission awarded temporary total disability compensation, reasonably necessary medical treatment, and funeral expenses. As noted by the Court of Appeals, Jerry and La’Ronda Slaughter began living together in about July 2004. Jerry Slaughter suffered a compensable injury on November 17, 2004. La’Ronda testified that Jerry was paying all of her expenses at the time of Jerry’s compensable injury. Jerry and La’Ronda were married on January 5, 2005. Mr. Slaughter died on January 15, 2005.
Pursuant to the remand from the Court of Appeals, the Full Commission finds that La’Ronda Slaughter was wholly and actually dependent upon Jerry Slaughter at the time of Jerry’s injury, in accordance with Ark. Code Ann. § 11-9-527(h). La’Ronda was Jerry’s legal wife at the time of Jerry’s death. Ark. Code Ann. § 11-9-102(20)(A). La’Ronda is therefore entitled to benefits as provided in Ark. Code Ann. § 11-9-527(c)(1)(A)(i).
IT IS SO ORDERED.
___________________________________ A. WATSON BELL, Chairman
___________________________________ KAREN H. McKINNEY, Commissioner
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___________________________________ PHILIP A. HOOD, Commissioner
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