JCC Denies Repetitive-Trauma Claim for Lack of Medical Causation Proof

In Brian Telles v. Lineage Logistics Services, LLC/CorVel Enterprise Claims, Inc., OJCC Case No. 25-027593WRH, the claimant appeared pro se and sought compensability, TTD and TPD benefits, a primary-care provider for back treatment, transportation and interpreter services, and authorization of a thoracic medial branch nerve block based on an alleged repetitive-trauma injury from July 15, 2025. The employer and carrier disputed notice, compensability, major contributing cause, disability, and every claimed medical benefit.

Judge William R. Holley found the case failed on medical proof, not on workplace-conditions testimony. The claimant's own medical exhibits and post-hearing filings were excluded as unauthenticated hearsay, no authorized physician ever evaluated the July 15, 2025 claim, and the only admitted medical evidence came from a prior 2024 workers' compensation claim that reflected chronic or resolved findings rather than competent proof linking the later repetitive-trauma claim to work.

Because Chapter 440 still requires major contributing cause to be proven through competent medical evidence and objective findings, the JCC held lay testimony about demanding warehouse work could not carry the claim by itself. The order denied compensability, authorized medical care, and TTD/TPD with prejudice, making the decision a useful reminder that repetitive-trauma claims can fail outright when the medical causation record never becomes admissible.

Source: Compensation Order