WORKERS COMPENSATION PANEL OPINIONS
| Shirley B. Rodgers v. Guys & Gals, Inc., M1999-01538-WC-R3-CV Authoring Judge: Kurtz, Sp.J. Trial Court Judge: Tom E. Gray, Chancellor The sole issue in this workers' compensation appeal is whether the chancellor erred in finding that the plaintiff's injury arose out of his employment with Carrier Corporation. This panel affirms the decision of the trial judge. |
Sumner County | Workers Compensation Panel | ||
| Tatum Carter v. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. M1999-01520-WC-R3-CV Authoring Judge: Kurtz, Walter C., Sp. J. Trial Court Judge: Hon. Don R. Ash, Judge This workers' compensation appeal has been referred to the Special Workers' Compensation Appeals Panel of the Supreme Court in accordance with Tenn. Code Ann. _ 5-6-225(e)(3) for hearing and reporting to the Supreme Court of findings of fact and conclusions of law. As discussed below, the panel has concluded the judgment of the trial court granting the appellee summary judgment should be reversed. |
Carter County | Workers Compensation Panel | ||
| Christine Griffin v. Fireman's Fund Insurance Company, W1999-02150-WC-R3-CV Authoring Judge: Weatherford, Sr. J. Trial Court Judge: J. Steven Stafford, Chancellor This worker's compensation appeal has been referred to the Special Workers' Compensation Appeals Panel of the Supreme Court in accordance with Tenn. Code Ann. _5-6-225 (e)(3) for hearing and reporting of findings of fact and conclusions of law. The employer's insurance company, Fireman's Fund Insurance Company, appeals the judgment of the Chancery Court of Dyer County where the trial court held that future medical treatment would remain open in the two workers' compensation cases filed by the plaintiff, Ms.Griffin; and if the plaintiff required future medical care, a determination of responsibility would be made based upon the facts presented at that time. For the reasons stated in this opinion, We affirm the judgment of the trial court. |
Dyer County | Workers Compensation Panel | ||
| Bobby Ray Carper v. Ramer Wood Products W1999-02147-WC-R3-CV Authoring Judge: William Michael Maloan, Special Judge Trial Court Judge: Dewey C. Whitenton, Chancellor This workers' compensation appeal has been referred to the Special Workers' Compensation Appeals Panel of the Supreme Court in accordance with Tennessee Code Annotated _5-6-225(e) for hearing and reporting to the Supreme Court of findings of fact and conclusions of law. The defendant, Ramer Wood Products (Ramer), appeals the judgment of the McNairy Chancery Court awarding permanent partial disability of thirty percent (3%) to the right arm and twenty-five percent (25%) to the left arm. For the reasons stated in this opinion, we affirm the judgment of the trial court as modified to a single award of twenty-seven and one-half percent (27-1/2%) permanent partial disability to both arms. |
McNairy County | Workers Compensation Panel | ||
| Hope Cobb v. Advantage Manufacturing Corporation W1999-01147-WC-R3-CV Authoring Judge: Weatherford, Sr. J. Trial Court Judge: George R. Ellis, Chancellor This workers' compensation appeal has been referred to the Special Workers' Compensation Appeals Panel of the Supreme Court pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated _5-6-225(e)(3) for hearing and reporting to the Supreme Court of findings of fact and conclusions of law. The employee, Hope Cobb, insists that the trial court erred in dismissing her claim at the conclusion of a bench trial on the grounds that she failed to carry the burden of proof that she had given proper notice of her injury to her employer, Advantage Manufacturing Corporation. The employer moves that we find this appeal to be frivolous and grant attorney fees and expenses incurred as a result of this appeal. For the reasons stated in this opinion, We affirm the judgment of the trial court. |
Crockett County | Workers Compensation Panel | ||
| Ann Phillips v. Marvin Windows W1999-02243-WC-R3-CV Authoring Judge: William Michael Maloan, Special Judge Trial Court Judge: Martha B. Brasfield, Chancellor This workers' compensation appeal has been referred to the Special Workers' Compensation Appeals Panel of the Supreme Court in accordance with Tennessee Code Annotated _5-6-225(e)(3) for hearing and reporting to the Supreme Court of findings of fact and conclusions of law. The defendant, Marvin Windows (Marvin), appeals the judgment of the Lauderdale Chancery Court awarding the plaintiff, Ann Phillips (Phillips), permanent partial disability of seventeen percent (17%) to the body as a whole. |
Lauderdale County | Workers Compensation Panel | ||
| Penny Pitt Phillips, et al. v. Robinson & Belew, Inc., et al. W1999-02211-WC-R3-CV Authoring Judge: Weatherford, Sr. J. Trial Court Judge: William Michael Maloan, Chancellor This workers' compensation appeal has been referred to the Special Workers' Compensation Appeals Panel of the Supreme Court in accordance with Tenn. Code Ann. _5-6-225 (e)(3) for hearing and reporting of findings of fact and conclusions of law. The defendant-employer and its insurance company appeal the judgment of the Weakley Chancery Court insisting that the trial judge erred in commuting the death benefits payable to Donald Leon Pitt, a minor, to a lump sum. As discussed below, the panel has concluded that the part of the trial court's judgment that ordered the award be commuted should be reversed. |
Weakley County | Workers Compensation Panel | ||
| Eddie Brannon v. Pen Gulf, Inc. 03S01-9906-CH-00053 Authoring Judge: Special Judge Howell N. Peoples Trial Court Judge: Hon. Jerri Bryant This workers' compensation appeal has been referred to the Special Workers' Compensation Appeals Panel of the Supreme Court in accordance with Tennessee Code Annotated _ 5-6-225(e)(3) for hearing and reporting to the Supreme Court of findings of fact and conclusions of law. Travelers Insurance Company (hereafter "Travelers") appeals the granting of summary judgment dismissing Reliance Insurance Company (hereafter "Reliance") as a party defendant before trial. Travelers asserts that the trial court erred in finding that the last injurious exposure rule did not create an issue of whether Reliance, as a subsequent workers' compensation insurance carrier for Pen Gulf, Inc., may be liable for Eddie Brannon's injury. An appeal from a summary judgment in a workers' compensation case is not governed by the de novo standard of review provided by Tenn. Code Ann. _ 5-6- 225(e)(3), but by Rule 56, T.R.C.P. Downen v. Allstate Ins. Co., 811 S.W.2d 523, 524 (Tenn. 1991). No presumption of correctness attaches to decisions granting summary judgment because they involve only questions of law and the reviewing court must determine whether the requirements of Rule 56 have been met. Gonzales v. Alman Const. Co., 857 S.W.2d 42, 44-45 (Tenn. 1993). Summary judgment is proper when the movant demonstrates that there are no genuine issues of material fact and that the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. Rule 56.3, T.R.C.P. In considering a motion for summary judgment, the court must take the strongest legitimate view of the evidence in favor of the nonmoving party, allow all reasonable inferences in favor of that party, and discard all countervailing evidence. Byrd v. Hall, 847 S.W.2d 28, 21 (Tenn. 1993). "It is almost never an option in workers' compensation cases. In a summary judgment hearing, even where the parties have no right to a jury trial, the trial judge is not at liberty to weigh the evidence." Hilliard v. Tennessee State Home Health Services, Inc., 95 S.W.2d 344, 345 (Tenn. 1997). Eddie Brannon filed this action on March 23, 1998 to recover workers' compensation benefits for "bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome which was caused by the 2 |
Knox County | Workers Compensation Panel | ||
| Glenda Faye Tolliver v. National Health Care E1999-01017-WC-R3-CV Authoring Judge: Lafferty, Sr. J. Trial Court Judge: Daryl R. Fansler, Chancellor This workers' compensation appeal has been referred to the Special Workers' Compensation Appeals Panel of the Supreme Court in accordance with Tennessee Code Annotated _ 5-6-225 (e)(3) for a hearing and reporting to the Supreme Court of findings of fact and conclusions of law. The trial court found that the plaintiff sustained an accidental injury during her employment with the defendant and that the trial court awarded the plaintiff a twelve and one-half (12-_) percent vocational disability. After a complete review of the record, briefs of the parties and applicable law, we affirm. Tenn. Code Ann. _ 5-6-225(e) (1999) Appeal as of Right; Judgment of the Chancery Court is Affirmed. LAFFERTY, SR. J., in which BARKER, J., and PEOPLES, SP. J., joined. Robert W. Knolton, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, for the appellant, National Health Care Corporation. William A. Hotz, Knoxville, Tennessee, for the appellee, Glenda Faye Tolliver. MEMORANDUM OPINION The plaintiff, age 4, is a licensed practical nurse and a certified nursing assistant instructor. On March 6, 1996, the plaintiff was assisting Tracey Bunch, a nursing assistant trainee, in transferring a patient from a bed to a wheelchair in the defendant's health care center. The plaintiff testified that she felt pain in the right side of her neck, down her shoulders and at the base of her skull. The pain was in the cervical area and the right arm. The pain increased and the following day the plaintiff informed her supervisor. She was referred to Dr. Watson and then to Dr. Uzzle. The plaintiff testified that she had two past injuries, (1) in 199, she sustained a cervical strain while working. Her MRI was negative and she returned to work; (2) in 1993, she fell at the Cracker Barrel injuring her elbow, "it stoved up her neck" and she also injured her left knee. She returned to work. After treatment for her injury of March 6, 1996, the plaintiff returned to work on light duty. The plaintiff requested that her return be limited to an instructor, but she was made a supervisor on the three to eleven shift. On the same day that the plaintiff returned to work, she was fired. At the time of trial, the plaintiff was working two jobs, one as an LPN at the UT hospital and as a supervisor for Helen Ross McNabb, a rehabilitation center. The plaintiff testified that she has problems doing her work, such as giving EKG's, lifting woman's breast, and any computer work, since she must keep her head down. The plaintiff cannot work the floor, lift patients and deliver meal trays. By deposition, Tracey Michelle Bunch testified that on March 6, 1996, she was working as a nursing assistant trainee, working on her certified nursing assistant certification, when the plaintiff assisted her in moving an elderly patient in and out of bed. The plaintiff did not complain of any injury, but the following day the plaintiff was not available as the instructor. The following Monday, Ms. Bunch saw the plaintiff at work answering calls at the nurse's station. The plaintiff had to make a full body turn instead of just a simple head turn. Keri Trammell, Director of the National Health Center, testified that she hired the plaintiff as an instructor for the certified nursing assistant program and as an LPN supervisor. She stated that she was familiar with the report of March 6, 1996, and that the plaintiff was referred to see Dr. Uzzle. The plaintiff was allowed to continue to work but on light duty. About May 1, 1996, Dr. Uzzle removed these restrictions. On May 29, 1996, Ms. Trammell called the plaintiff into her office and advised the plaintiff, based upon the medical reports, that she would be returned to a supervisor's position. The plaintiff refused to accept the supervisor's position, stating that she could only work as an instructor. MEDICAL EVIDENCE By deposition, Dr. Maren L. Watson, a family practitioner, testified that he saw the plaintiff on March 11, 1996, with a complaint of neck pains as well as headaches. The plaintiff advised Dr. Watson that she was lifting a patient at the National Health Center and that evening the pain got worse. In his examination, Dr. Watson found that the plaintiff's vital signs were normal, she was in no distress and cooperative with the exam. As to the musculoskeletal exam, Dr. Watson palpated the plaintiff's neck, upper back and shoulders and found generalized mild tenderness. Although Dr. Watson found no muscle spasms, he did note that the plaintiff's right shoulder was resting one inch lower than her left shoulder. Dr. Watson opined that the plaintiff certainly sustained a cervical muscle strain due to lifting a patient and this caused some pain in her neck that had radiated to her shoulders and middle back, which warranted a few days off from work. Dr. Watson testified that the plaintiff was unhappy with his recommended course of treatment and he did not see her again. Dr. Watson could not give an opinion as to any assessment for physical impairment for the plaintiff. -2- |
Knox County | Workers Compensation Panel | ||
| Brent Brown v. Continental Baking Company W1999-02700-SC-WCM-CV Authoring Judge: F. Lloyd Tatum, Senior Judge Trial Court Judge: Karen R. Williams, Judge This case involves a work-related injury to the plaintiff's left shoulder on August 17, 1992. The trial court heard the evidence on July 2, 1998, and found that the plaintiff sustained a compensable 12.5 percent permanent partial disability to the left shoulder but that the injury he claimed to the right shoulder was not work-related. The trial court also rejected the plaintiff's argument that he did not have a meaningful return to work and found that the two and one-half (2.5) times cap in Tennessee Code Annotated _ 5-6-241(a) applied. The plaintiff appealed pro se and raised the following issues for our review: (1) whether the plaintiff's right shoulder injury was work-related; (2) whether the plaintiff should be compensated for a second surgery on the right shoulder and both feet; (3) whether the original complaint was not re-filed properly; (4) whether there should have been a court reporter present at the hearing; and (5) whether evidence was improperly withheld from the court in his case. After careful review, we find that we must affirm the trial court's judgment. |
Shelby County | Workers Compensation Panel | ||
| Ingram Industries, Inc. v. Carless Dyke Keller E1999-00703-WC-R3-CV Authoring Judge: Lafferty, Sr. J. Trial Court Judge: Telford E. Forgety, Jr., Chancellor This workers' compensation appeal has been referred to the Special Workers' Compensation Appeals Panel of the Supreme Court in accordance with Tenn. Code Ann. _ 5-6- 225(e)(3) for hearing and reporting to the Supreme Court of findings of fact and conclusions of law. The trial court awarded the plaintiff 24 percent vocational disability to the body as a whole. The defendant contends that the preponderance of the evidence does not support thetrial court's award. We affirm. |
Knox County | Workers Compensation Panel | ||
| Raymond Hicks v. Wilbert Vault Company. W1999-00182-WC-R3-CV Authoring Judge: F. Lloyd Tatum, Senior Judge Trial Court Judge: Joe C. Morris, Chancellor This is an appeal by the employer, Wilbert Vault Company, from a judgment awarding worker's compensation benefits to the employee, Raymond Hicks, based upon a finding that the employee sustained 40 percent permanent partial disability to the body as a whole. On this appeal, the defendant/employer presents issues alleging that the trial court erred in finding that the plaintiff/employee sustained any permanent disability as a result of the work-related injury and that the award of 40 percent permanent partial disability to the body as whole was excessive and not supported by a preponderance of the evidence. Upon our de novo review, we find that the award should be based upon permanent partial disability of 30 percent to the body and modify the judgment accordingly. |
Madison County | Workers Compensation Panel | ||
| James Arthur Smith v. Sentry Insurance Company W1999-02148-WC-R3-CV Authoring Judge: William Michael Maloan, Special Judge Trial Court Judge: Dewey C. Whitenton, Chancellor This workers' compensation appeal has been referred to the Special Workers' Compensation Appeals Panel of the Supreme Court in accordance with Tennessee Code Annotated _5-6-225(e)(3) for hearing and reporting to the Supreme Court of findings of fact and conclusions of law. The defendant,Sentry Insurance Company (Sentry), insurer for the employer, Kolpack (Kolpack), appeals the judgment of the McNairy Chancery Court awarding the plaintiff, James Arthur Smith (Smith), forty percent (4%) permanent partial disabilityto the right arm and twenty percent (2%) permanent partial disability to the left arm. For the reasons stated in this opinion, we affirm the judgment of the trial court as modified to a single award of thirty percent (3%) permanent partial disability to both arms. Tenn. Code Ann. _ 5-6-225(e) (1999) Appeal as of Right; Judgment of the Chancery Court Affirmed as Modified MALOAN, SP. J., in which HOLDER, J., and WEATHERFORD, SR. J., joined. David J. Deming, Nashville, Tennessee, for the appellant, Sentry Insurance Company. Lloyd R. Tatum, Henderson, Tennessee, for the appellee, James Arthur Smith. MEMORANDUM OPINION At the time of this trial, Smith was sixty (6) years old. He left school after the fifth (5th) grade to work on the family farm, but he can read and write. Before he retired in January 1997, he worked for Kolpack foreleven (11) years. Smith built refrigerator motors; welded refrigerator bases; and assembled refrigerator bases with an air-driven screwdriver or "airdriver." Smith would hold the airdriver in his right hand and put pressure on it with his left hand. In August or September 1996, Smith began to have problems with the screws twisting off causing his right arm to strike the base of the refrigerator. On one occasion in October 1996, he hit his right arm so hard he thought it was broken. Smith began to have pain, numbness, and loss of grip strength in his right hand. After the October 1996 injury, Smith was pulled off the assembly job in which he used the airdriver. He was then assigned a job where he pulled tape off metal parts with his left hand because he was unable to use his right hand. After a few days, he could not do this job due to numbness, pain, night cramps, and loss of grip strength in his left hand. Smith was transferred to an inspection job and then to a painting job which he did with his left hand. He was only able to work twenty (2) hours a week until he retired in January 1997. Smith testified he did not have any problems with either hand before October 1996. Smith suffers from a pre-existing condition known as peripheral neuropathy, a disease of the peripheral nerves. Beginning in 1991, his feet were cold and numb, and he had problems walking. He smokes cigarettes and drinks six (6) or more beers every day. Smith was treated by Dr. Karl Edward Misulis, a neurologist, who first saw him on November 19, 1996, for back and leg pain. He gave a twenty (2) year history of back and leg pain. An earlier EMG byDr. Jim King disclosed mild carpal tunnel syndrome of the right arm. Dr. Misulis felt Smith had possible spinal stenosis and moderate neuropathy possibly related to his alcohol use. Dr. Misulis explained neuropathy as a degenerative nerve disease with many causes such as diabetes, thyroid problems, vitamin B-12 deficiencies, foliate deficiencies, syphilis, and cancer; but it is "usually not an occupational induced condition." Work activities would increase pain, but would be temporary. When asked if the carpal tunnel syndrome in Smith's right arm was work related, Dr. Misulis replied, "It certainly could be." Dr. Misulis felt the carpal tunnel syndrome was superimposed on the neuropathy which can also cause pain and numbness in his arms. Dr. John Neblett, a neurosurgeon, saw Smith on December 16, 1996, on referral from Dr. Jim King, for right hand pain. Smith gave a history of suffering contusions to the soft tissue of the right hand due to the forceful use of the airdriver. Dr. Neblett felt Smith's right hand problems were not permanent and clinically he did not appear to have carpal tunnel syndrome. He further expressed the opinion that Smith's work had no effect on his peripheral neuropathy. Dr. John Brophy, a neurosurgeon, saw Smith on February 18, 1997, for an evaluation of his peripheral neuropathy. Smith gave a history of right hand pain since October 1996 from using the airdriver and left hand pain since January 1997 from painting. Dr. Brophy's examination was consistent for peripheral neuropathy which, in his opinion, was neither caused by nor advanced by Smith's work. Dr. Robert Barnett, an orthopaedic surgeon, examined Smith for the purpose of an independent medical evaluation on August 11, 1997. Dr. Barnett took a history of pain and weakness in both hands. Dr. Barnett agreed the peripheral neuropathy was not work related, but felt Smith's work at Kolpack aggravated the neuropathy in both arms. Grip strength testing disclosed forty (4) pounds on grip on the left hand and ten (1) pounds on the right hand instead of the expected normal of one hundred (1) pounds from a man Smith's age. Dr. Barnett felt Smith's drinking, smoking, and other health problems could contribute to his neuropathy and assigned a ten percent (1%) permanent impairment to the right arm and a five percent (5%) permanent partial -2- |
Smith County | Workers Compensation Panel | ||
| Ronald Geddings v. Imperial Guard & Detectives W1999-00199-WC-R3-CV Authoring Judge: William Michael Maloan, Special Judge Trial Court Judge: D. J. Alissandratos, Chancellor This workers' compensation appeal has been referred to the Special Workers' Compensation Appeals Panel of the Supreme Court in accordance with Tennessee Code Annotated _5-6-225(e)(3) for hearing and reporting to the Supreme Court of findings of fact and conclusions of law. The defendants, Imperial Guard & Detective Services and the Travelers Insurance Company (Imperial), appeal the judgment of the Shelby Chancery Court awarding the plaintiff, Ronald Geddings (Geddings), sixty-five percent (65%) permanent partial disability to the body as a whole as a result of a mental injury and commuting the award to a lump sum in trust to be administered byGeddings' wife. Imperial does not appeal the trial court's award of sixteen percent (16%) permanent partial disability for a low back injury. For the reasons stated in this opinion, we affirm the award of sixteen percent (16%) permanent partial disability to the body as a whole for the injury to the low back; reverse the award of sixty-five percent (65%) permanent partial disability to the body as a whole for the mental injury; and reverse the award of benefits commuted to a lump sum. Tenn. Code Ann. _ 5-6-225(e) (1999) Appeal as of Right; Judgment of the Chancery Court Affirmed in Part; Reversed in Part MALOAN, SP. J., in which HOLDER, J., and WEATHERFORD, SR. J., joined. Gayle B. Lakey, Memphis, Tennessee, for the appellants, Imperial Guard & Detective Services and The Travelers Company. Stephen R. Leffler, Memphis, Tennessee for the appellee, Ronald Geddings. MEMORANDUM OPINION Geddings was age forty-one (41) at the time of this trial. He graduated from high school and attended some college. Geddings first worked for Imperial as a security officer, advanced to general manager, and then to vice president of operations. On December 9, 1996, Geddings and other Imperial employees attended a sexual harassment seminar. After the seminar, Geddings was hit by an automobile while crossing Poplar Avenue in Memphis, Tennessee. Geddings testified the vehicle struck his buttocks and he fell on the street on his stomach. His only visible injuries were cuts and bruises to his arms, hands, buttocks, and ankle. Geddings was able to assist fellow injured workers, then crossed the street, and either sat down on the curb or collapsed unconscious. Dr. John Brophy, a neurosurgeon, treated Geddings for an injury to his lower back. On February 17, 1997, Dr. Brophy performed a decompression laminectomy at L4-5 and released Geddings to light duty in March 1997 and full duty without restrictions on May 12, 1997. Dr. Brophy assigned an eight percent (8%) permanent impairment to the body as a whole for his low back injury. When Geddings returned to his former job at Imperial he began to have forgetfulness and memory loss. He was assigned to the night shift, where he continued to work for one (1) year until he resigned in March 1998. He then worked for a smaller security company, Guardco, performing similar duties, but was terminated eight (8) or nine (9) months later for lack of organization. William Jenkins, Ed.D., a vocational rehabilitation expert, evaluated Geddings for vocational disability. As a result of numerous tests and a review of a neuropsychological evaluation by Nan Hawks, Ph.D.,1 dated January 19, 1998, Dr. Jenkins testified Geddings had a sixty percent (6%) to sixty-five percent (65%) vocational disability for his psychological problems. At trial, Geddings' attorney requested the trial court to make separate awards for the low back injury and the mental injury. Over Imperial's objection, the trial court awarded sixteen percent(16%) permanent partial disability to the body as a whole for the back injury and an additional sixty-five percent (65%) permanent partial disabilityto the body as a whole for the mental injury. Further, the trial court granted Geddings' motion to commute the award to a lump sum in trust to be administered by Geddings' wife. ANALYSIS The scope of review of issues of fact is de novo upon the record of the trial court, accompanied by a presumption of correctness of the findings, unless the preponderance of evidence is otherwise. Tennessee Code Annotated _5-6-225(e)(2). Lollar v Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., 767 S.W.2d 143 (Tenn. 1989). When a trial court has seen and heard witnesses, especially where issues of credibility and weight of oral testimony are involved, considerable deference must be accorded the trial court's factual findings. Humphrey v David Witherspoon, Inc., 734 S.W.2d 315 (Tenn. 1987). However, where the issues involve expert medical testimony which is contained in the record by deposition, as it is in this case, then all impressions of weight and credibility must be drawn from 1Apparently, Dr. Hawks' deposition was filed with the trial court, but was never entered into evidence during the trial and is not in the record on appeal. -2- |
Shelby County | Workers Compensation Panel | ||
| Christopher v. Sockwell M1999-00469-WC-R3-CV Authoring Judge: Joe C. Loser, Jr., Special Judge Trial Court Judge: This workers' compensation appeal has been referred to the Special Workers' Compensation Appeals Panel of the Supreme Court in accordance with Tenn. Code Ann. _ 5-6- 225(e)(3) for hearing and reporting to the Supreme Court of findings of fact and conclusions of law. As discussed below, the panel has concluded the judgment should be affirmed. The employee or claimant, Lee, worked for Shoney's, Inc. in Nashville for about eight years, primarily operating a tow motor and pulling orders. In November of 1996, while he was manually loading a truck with boxes and cans, he twisted his left leg and hip. He continued working. Later in the same month, he was assigned to work in a freezer to give him a break from heavier work, -2- |
Davidson County | Workers Compensation Panel | ||
| Phillip W. Lee v. Shoney's, Inc. M1999-00469-WC-R3-CV Authoring Judge: Loser, Sp. J. Trial Court Judge: This workers' compensation appeal has been referred to the Special Workers' Compensation Appeals Panel of the Supreme Court in accordance with Tenn. Code Ann. _ 5-6- 225(e)(3) for hearing and reporting to the Supreme Court of findings of fact and conclusions of law. As discussed below, the panel has concluded the judgment should be affirmed. The employee or claimant, Lee, worked for Shoney's, Inc. in Nashville for about eight years, primarily operating a tow motor and pulling orders. In November of 1996, while he was manually loading a truck with boxes and cans, he twisted his left leg and hip. He continued working. Later in the same month, he was assigned to work in a freezer to give him a break from heavier work, -2- |
Davidson County | Workers Compensation Panel | ||
| Bobbie Jo Coker v. Modern Mold Internationa, Inc. d/b/a M1999-01521-WC-R3-CV Authoring Judge: Loser, Sp. J. Trial Court Judge: This workers' compensation appeal has been referred to the Special Workers' Compensation Appeals Panel of the Supreme Court in accordance with Tenn. Code Ann. _ 5-6- 225(e)(3) for hearing and reporting to the Supreme Court of findings of fact and conclusions of law. The employee or claimant, Coker, began working for National Pen in 1995 and worked at several different jobs, all requiring repetitive use of the hands and arms. In early 1997, she began to experience pain in her right wrist and elbow, but did not report it to the employer or seek medical care. She did report two other injuries in 1997, for which she sought and received medical benefits and had her name placed on the bulletin board. Having one's name placed on the bulletin board had a negative effect on bonuses at National Pen. At about the same time, in June of 1997, the claimant purchased a computer and began taking -2- |
Bedford County | Workers Compensation Panel | ||
| Transportation Unlimited, Inc. v. Michael Gruber, et al M1999-01540-WC-R3-CV Authoring Judge: Loser, Sp. J. Trial Court Judge: This workers' compensation appeal has been referred to the Special Workers' Compensation Appeals Panel of the Supreme Court in accordance with Tenn. Code Ann. _ 5-6- 225(e)(3) for hearing and reporting to the Supreme Court of findings of fact and conclusions of law. By this appeal, the employer contends (1) the trial judge erred by refusing to dismiss the claim because the claimant made false representations on his application for employment and (2) the trial court erred in awarding discretionary costs. As discussed below, the panel has concluded the judgment should be affirmed. In January of 1995, the claimant was hired as a truck driver for Cassens Transport, where he worked as a car carrier, the duties of which included securing cars to the deck of a truck with chains, -2- |
Maury County | Workers Compensation Panel | ||
| Jacob E. Warren v. American Holding Company d/b/a M1999-00012-WC-R3-CV Authoring Judge: Tom E. Gray, Sp. J.Drowota, J. Trial Court Judge: John J. Maddux, Jr., Judge This Workers' Compensation appeal has been referred to the Special Workers' Compensation Appeals Panel of the Supreme Court in accordance with Tenn. Code Ann. _ 5-6- 225(e)(3) for a hearing and reporting of finding of fact and conclusions of law to the SupremeCourt. The sole issue on appeal is whether the trial court's award of 4 weeks of permanent total disability benefits is contrary to Tenn. Code Ann. _ 5-6-27(4)(A)(i), which cuts off permanent total benefits when the worker reaches 65 years of age provided the compensable injury occurred before the workerreached age 6. We hold that the trial court's award of 4 weeks exceeds the number of weeks payable under Tenn. Code Ann. _ 5-6-27(4)(A)(i). For the reasons set forth below, the judgment of the trial court is modified to reflect an award of 195 weeks of permanent total disability benefits. Tenn.R.App.P. 3 Appeal as of Right; Judgment of the Trial Court Modified TOM E. GRAY, SP. J.DROWOTA, J., in which FRANK F. DROWOTA, III, J. and SAMUEL L. LEWIS, SP. J., joined. Bryan Essary, Nashville, Tennessee, for the appellant, American Holding Company d/b/a Wilson Sporting Goods, and Lumbermens Mutual Casualty Company. Ronald Thurman, Cookeville, Tennessee, for the appellee, Jacob E. Warren. OPINION This Workers' Compensation appeal has been referred to the Special Workers' Compensation Appeals Panel of the Supreme Court in accordance with Tenn. Code Ann. _ 5-6- 225(e)(3) for a -2- |
Warren County | Workers Compensation Panel | ||
| Sandra Warren v. American Alliance Insurance W1999-02695-WC-R3-CV Authoring Judge: F. Lloyd Tatum, Senior Judge Trial Court Judge: Joe C. Morris, Chancellor This is an appeal by the employer, Premier Manufacturing Corporation, and its insurer, American Alliance Insurance Company, from an award in favor of the plaintiff, Sandra Warren, based upon a finding that the plaintiff had a work-related permanent partial disability of 39 percent to the body as a whole. The trial court found that the plaintiff had pre-existing spondylolisthesis, which was asymptomatic until the work injury of April 23, 1998, and which was exacerbated and advanced to the point of making it symptomatic. The chancellor held that the two and one-half (2.5) times cap established in Tennessee Code Annotated _ 50-6-241(a)(1) applied in this case. In two issues, the defendant argues that: (1) the evidence preponderates against the trial court's finding that the plaintiff's injuries were compensable; and (2) the evidence preponderates against the trial court's holding that the plaintiff had a permanent partial vocational disability of 39 percent to the body as a whole. We find that the judgment of the trial court is affirmed as modified. |
Warren County | Workers Compensation Panel | ||
| James R. Rosenthal, Sr. v. City of Dyersburg, et al. W1999-02699-WC-R3-CV Authoring Judge: F. Lloyd Tatum, Senior Judge Trial Court Judge: R. Lee Moore, Judge This is an appeal by James R. Rosenthal, Sr., a police officer for the City of Dyersburg, Tennessee, who brought two suits against the City of Dyersburg and the Tennessee Municipal League Risk Management Pool for workers' compensation benefits. One suit was filed July 16, 1996, against the defendants alleging that the plaintiff had sick sinus syndrome that developed as a result of his employment for the City of Dyersburg. Another suit was filed on September 19, 1997, alleging that the plaintiff had vasodepressor syncope that grew out of his employment. In both cases, the plaintiff alleges that Tennessee Code Annotated _ 7-51-201, hereinafter quoted, is applicable. These two cases were consolidated for trial and treated by both parties and the trial judge as one case. The trial court found in favor of the defendants, holding that the plaintiff was permanently and totally disabled but that the evidence did not establish that Tennessee Code Annotated _ 7-51-201 was applicable. The court also found that the plaintiff failed to bear the burden of proof in establishing that he sustained an accidental injury growing out of and in the course of his employment. In his only issue, the plaintiff says that the trial court erred in holding that he is not entitled to the presumption of causation afforded by Tennessee Code Annotated _ 7-51-201. We find that the judgment of the trial court must be affirmed. |
Dyer County | Workers Compensation Panel | ||
| Deborah Smit v. Piccadilly Cafeteria, Inc. 03S01-9903-CV-00035 Authoring Judge: John K. Byers, Senior Judge Trial Court Judge: Hon. R. Jerry Beck This workers' compensation appeal has been referred to the Special Workers' Compensation Appeals Panel of the Supreme Court in accordance with Tennessee Code Annotated _ 5-6-225(e)(3) for hearing and reporting to the Supreme Court of findings of fact and conclusions of law. Review of the findings of fact made by the trial court is de novo upon the record of the trial court, accompanied by a presumption of the correctness of the finding, unless the preponderance of the evidence is otherwise. TENN. CODE ANN. _ 5-6-225(e)(2); Stone v. City of McMinnville, 896 S.W.2d 548, 55 (Tenn. 1995). The application of this standard requires this Court to weigh in more depth the factual findings and conclusions of the trial courts in workers' compensation cases. See Corcoran v. Foster Auto GMC, Inc., 746 S.W.2d 452, 456 (Tenn. 1988). The trial court found the plaintiff sustained an accidental injury_repetitive stress injury to the rotator cuff of her right shoulder_while in the course and scope of her employment rendering her unable to work as of August 5, 1997, and that the defendant received timely notice of the injury on January 19, 1998. The trial court set the plaintiff's workers' compensation benefit at $257.83 per week and found a 66% permanent partial disability to the body as a whole. The trial court further awarded temporary total disability benefits for 68 weeks and 3 days, medical expenses of $11,711.98, discretionary costs of $1,56.8, and 2% of the plaintiff's attorney fees. We affirm the judgment of the trial court. |
Smith County | Workers Compensation Panel | ||
| Leyon Odell Beach v. Schwan's Sales Enterprises, Inc. M1999-00416-SC-WCM-CV Authoring Judge: Per Curiam Trial Court Judge: This workers' compensation appeal has been referred to the Special Workers' Compensation Appeals Panel in accordance with Tenn. Code Ann. _ 5-6-225(e)(3) for hearing and reporting findings of fact and conclusions of law. In this case, the plaintiff contends the trial judge erred in finding that he was not a covered employee under the Workers' Compensation Act. As discussed herein, the panel has concluded the claimant was a gratuitous worker and that the judgment should be affirmed. Tenn. Code Ann. _ 5-6-225(e) Appeal as of Right; Judgment of the chancery court AFFIRMED LOSER, SP.. J. delivered the opinion of the panel, in which DROWOTA, J. and GAYDEN, Sp. J. Joseph M. Dalton, Jr. and Catherine S. Hughes, Nashville, Tennessee, for the appellant, Leyon Odell Beach.. Terry L. Hill, Manier & Herod, Nashville, Tennessee, for the appellees, Schwan's Enterprises, etc. et al . OPINION The claimant or appellant, Beach, is thirty years old and a high school graduate with two years of college. He has worked in the insurance business and in the music business, but apparently has no particular vocational training. In May of 1998, he was interviewed for a sales position at Schwan's Enterprises, a home delivery service. At the conclusion of the interview, he was told that the position would be offered to him if he successfully completed "ride day", the next step in the application process. Ride day was scheduled to occur on May 27, 1998. On that day, the claimant accompanied a salesperson and observed the interaction |
Robertson County | Workers Compensation Panel | ||
| Zurich-American Insurance Company v. Claudia Mosley M1998-00886-SC-WCM-CV Authoring Judge: Carol L. Mccoy, Special Judge Trial Court Judge: Hon. Ellen Hobbs Lyle This worker's compensation appeal has been referred to the Special Workers' Compensation Appeals Panel of the Supreme Court in accordance with Tenn. Code Ann. _ 50-6-225(e)(3) for hearing and reporting to the Supreme Court of findings of fact and conclusions of law. Randall Lloyd appeals an award of 25 percent to the body as a whole as inadequate. We agree and modify the award. |
Davidson County | Workers Compensation Panel | ||
| Linda Harris v. American Bread Company M1998-00611-SC-WCM-CV Authoring Judge: Per Curiam Trial Court Judge: This case is before the Court upon motion for review pursuant to Tenn. Code Ann._ 50-6-225(e)(5)(B), the entire record, including the order of referral to the Special Workers' Compensation Appeals Panel, and the Panel's Memorandum Opinion setting forth its findings of fact and conclusions of law, which are incorporated herein by reference; |
Davidson County | Workers Compensation Panel |