Amy Hatfield v. Haynes Publications, Inc., et al.

This workers’ compensation appeal has been referred to the Special Workers’ Compensation Appeals Panel of the Supreme Court in accordance with Tennessee Code Annotated section 50-6-225(e)(3) for a hearing and a report of findings of fact and conclusions of law. Employee was struck on the back by a heavy bundle of paper. Her injury was accepted as compensable. She was examined and treated by three authorized doctors, all of whom opined she had no permanent impairment. She sought additional medical treatment, which ultimately led to surgery to repair her sacro-iliac joints. The trial court found that the surgery was related to her work injury, and awarded 50% permanent partial disability (“PPD”) to the body as a whole. Employer has appealed, contending that the medical evidence preponderates against the trial court’s findings. We affirm the judgment.