Defeat of petitioner’s claim for permanent and total disability at trial

​The petitioner was seeking permanent and total disability, including lifetime medical and indemnity benefits, with a potential value of approximately $600,000. As part of his written opinion, the workers’ compensation judge indicated that he placed considerable weight upon the petitioner’s social media postings, which were procured through the defense’s efforts and successfully entered into evidence over the petitioner’s counsel’s objections. At the conclusion of trial, the judge held that petitioner’s allegations of permanent and total disability were without merit.