JCC Denies MRI, PT, and Orthopedic Referral After Nail-Gun Knee Injury

Dennys Reyes suffered a work accident on May 7, 2025, when a nail gun fired a nail into his right knee. He underwent surgery to remove the nail, received IV antibiotics, and later sought an orthopedic evaluation, physical therapy, and an MRI after continuing to report knee pain while working as a carpenter.

Judge Michael J. Ring denied the requested treatment after crediting the opinions of the authorized doctor and the employer/carrier IME over the claimant's IME. The order emphasizes that both Dr. Alvarez and Dr. Katzell found full range of motion, no objective findings supporting additional care, and a 0% impairment rating, while the claimant did not persuade the court that the industrial accident remained the major contributing cause of the proposed treatment.

The decision is a reminder that accepted compensability does not automatically establish entitlement to ongoing medical benefits. In disputed treatment cases, the claimant still has to prove medical necessity and major contributing cause with persuasive evidence, and a JCC may deny follow-up care when the credited medical testimony shows the worker has healed without objective findings requiring more treatment.

Source: Compensation Order