Billy Gibson v. Aetna Casualty and Surety Co. and Wolf Tree Experts, Inc.,

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. Plaintiff, Billy Gibson, was awarded 1 percent permanent disability benefits by the Circuit Court of Sevier County as a result of an accident on June 24, 1991, when he fell backward from a truck to the ground injuring his back. Defendants, Wolf Tree Experts, Inc. and The Aetna Casualty and Surety Company, have appealed insisting the evidence preponderates against the finding of total disability. Plaintiff is 4 years of age with a third grade education; he cannot read or write and was employed as a tree trimmer by defendant employer for almost twenty years; he had back surgery (ruptured disc) in 1978 but recovered sufficiently to work full time without any real problems; his injury as a result of the June 1991 accident resulted in another ruptured disc and this surgery did not appear to be successful; another surgical procedure was performed to remove bone fragments; he told the trial court he was not able to return to work as a tree trimmer or do any other type work on a regular basis; he admitted he had worked at what he called "piddling jobs" and said he was usually on the heating pad for several days after activity of this nature; his complaints of pain continued up to the date of the trial. Plaintiff's treating physician and surgeon was Dr. Archer W. Bishop, Jr., who testified by deposition. Dr. Bishop testified plaintiff continued to complain of pain during his entire treatment period, including the numerous visits after the last surgical procedure. He said at one point another surgery was contemplated but was not performed because he felt the chance of improvement was small. He gave plaintiff a 12 percent medical impairment and said he should avoid repetitive bending, stooping and heavy lifting of more than forty pounds. Craig R. Colvin, a disability management consultant, testified by 2