Russell v. State ex rel. Wyoming Workers' Safety and Compensation Division

In Russell v. State ex rel. Wyoming Workers' Safety and Compensation Division, 944 P.2d 1151 (Wyo. 1997), the Court found substantial evidence to support the hearing examiner's denial of benefits when the hearing examiner gave greater weight to the opinion of a physician who simply reviewed the claimant's medical records than to the opinion of a physician who had actually examined the claimant but did not have a complete or accurate medical history. It is the hearing examiner's prerogative to examine all the evidence, including the medical opinions offered, and determine whether the claimant has met her burden of establishing the injury occurred in the course or scope of her employment. See 944 P.2d at 1157.