Mai Gooch v. City of Murfreesboro

This workers’ compensation appeal has been referred to the Special Workers’ Compensation
Appeals Panel in accordance with Tennessee Code Annotated § 50-6-225(e)(3). The trial court held that (1) Employee's job caused her injuries, (2) Employee’s delayed notice did not prejudice Employer, (3) Employee sustained a 60% permanent partial disability to the body as a whole, and (4) Employer should pay Employee’s discretionary costs pursuant to Rule 54.02 of the Tennessee Rules of Civil Procedure. Employee appeals the award of permanent partial disability benefits, contending she is permanently and totally disabled. Employer contends that the evidence preponderates against the trial court’s findings concerning causation and notice, and that sovereign immunity bars the award of discretionary costs. We reverse the trial court’s ruling on the assignment of discretionary costs and affirm all of the trial court’s other rulings.