§ 5.4.3.1 Factual Findings.

• Jurisdiction: Arizona

§ 5.4.3.1 Factual Findings. An appellate court applies a deferential standard of review to questions of fact. See, e.g., Sun Valley Masonry Inc. v. Indus. Comm’n, 216 Ariz. 462, 463-64, ¶ 2 167 P.3d 719, 720-21 (App. 2007). Although one justification for this deference is the trier-of-fact’s opportunity to assess credibility firsthand, see Adams v. Indus. Comm’n, 147 Ariz. 418, 420-22, 710 P.2d 1073, 1075-77 (App. 1985), the deferential standard applies even if the trier-of-fact only considered documentary evidence, see Perry v. Indus. Comm’n, 112 Ariz. 397, 398-99, 542 P.2d 1096, 1097-98 (1975).

When reviewing an award, the court of appeals must affirm if the evidence supports it by any reasonable theory, and must view evidence in the light most favorable to sustaining...