Dorothy Bond v. Murray, Inc.

This workers' compensation appeal has been referred to the Special Workers' Compensation Appeals Panel of the Supreme Court pursuant to Tenn. Code Ann. _ 5-6-225(e)(3) for hearing and reporting to the Supreme Court of findings of fact and conclusions of law. In this appeal, the employer insists the trial court erred in finding that the employee's disability to her left arm was work-related. No issue is made with respect to the right arm. The trial court treated the gradual injury as two separate injuries and awarded permanent partial disability benefits based on 38 percent to the right arm and 3 percent to the left arm. As discussed below, the panel has concluded the award should be modified, by converting it to one based on 34 percent to both arms, and affirmed.