EMPLOYEE STATED HE HAD BEEN EXPERIENCING AND UNDERGOING ABDOMINAL PAIN FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OFTIME. HOWEVER THE PAIN BECAME MORE SEVERE SOMETIME IN DECEMBER 1999 AND JANUARY 2000. HE STATED THAT ON JAN 3, 2000 WHEN LIFTING A CRIB BLOCK THE PAIN WAS MORE INTENSE. ON FEB 18, 2000 HE WAS DIAGNOSED AS HAVING A HERNIA. RECEIVED MEDICALCARE ON MARCH 3, 2000.