Christensen
Christensen v. Director, Office of Workers' Compensation Programs
Opinion
Lead Opinion
MEMORANDUM **
Bruce Christensen petitions for review of the Benefits Review Board’s affirmance of the Administrative Law Judge’s (ALJ) calculation of his disability awards for two separate injuries. We have jurisdiction pursuant to 33 U.S.C. § 921 (c). We grant the petition, reverse and remand.
After the ALJ issued his decision, a panel of this court held in Stevedoring Services of America v. Price 1 that 33 U.S.C. § 906 (b)(1) sets forth the maximum for each disability award individually, not for the combined awards. 2 Because Christensen’s awards individually do not exceed the statutory maximum, Price requires us to reverse the Benefits Review Board’s decision. 3 Upon remand, Christensen is entitled to receive each award in full.
We decline to address Stevedoring Services of America’s (SSA) argument regarding the ALJ’s calculation of Christensen’s permanent total disability award because it is not properly before us. 4 The argument does not provide an alternative ground for supporting the ALJ’s decision; instead, it attacks that decision. 5 Furthermore, there is no justification for SSA’s failure to cross-appeal the issue to this court.
*163 The petition for review is…