Jeff Pevahouse v. Gerdau Ameristeel

Jeff Pevahouse (“Employee”) worked as an industrial bricklayer at Gerdau Ameristeel (“Employer”) for thirty-two years. In the fall of 2012, he developed weakness in his arms and legs and balance problems. He sought medical care for these problems and was eventually referred to a neurosurgeon, who determined that Employee had a herniated cervical disc that required immediate surgery. Employee and his wife testified that they provided oral notice of a work injury to officials both before and after the surgery. The neurosurgeon who treated Employee could not state with medical certainty that the injury was work-related. An independent examiner testified that Employee has sustained an acute injury at work. In June 2003, Employee’s attorney sent a letter to Employer on June 6, 2013, asserting that Employee had sustained a compensable injury. Employer asserted that this was its first notice that Employee had allegedly sustained a work-related injury. The trial court held that Employee did not give timely notice of his injury and dismissed the claim. It made an alternative ruling that Employee had sustained a compensable injury and he was totally and permanently disabled. Employee has appealed, contending that the trial court’s finding regarding notice was contrary to the evidence. The appeal has been referred to the Special Workers’ Compensation Appeals Panel for a hearing and a report of findings of fact and conclusions of law pursuant to Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 51. We affirm the judgment.