WHILE OPERATING A FRONT END LOADER IN THE TATUM PIT THE EMPLOYEE HIT A HOLE IN THE ROAD CAUSING THE LOADER TO BOUNCE AND JAR HIS BACK. HE LATER SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT WITH A DOCTOR WHO SCHED ULED AN MRI. ON JULY 2, 2001 THE EMPLOYEE PRESENTED A LETTER FROM THE DOCTOR STATING THE MRI INDICATED A COMPRESSION FRACTURE OF T12 VERTEBRA. HE STATED THE FRACTURE SHOULD HEAL ON ITS OWN.