Leyon Odell Beach v. Schwan's Sales Enterprises, Inc.

This workers' compensation appeal has been referred to the Special Workers' Compensation Appeals Panel in accordance with Tenn. Code Ann. _ 5-6-225(e)(3) for hearing and reporting findings of fact and conclusions of law. In this case, the plaintiff contends the trial judge erred in finding that he was not a covered employee under the Workers' Compensation Act. As discussed herein, the panel has concluded the claimant was a gratuitous worker and that the judgment should be affirmed. Tenn. Code Ann. _ 5-6-225(e) Appeal as of Right; Judgment of the chancery court AFFIRMED LOSER, SP.. J. delivered the opinion of the panel, in which DROWOTA, J. and GAYDEN, Sp. J. Joseph M. Dalton, Jr. and Catherine S. Hughes, Nashville, Tennessee, for the appellant, Leyon Odell Beach.. Terry L. Hill, Manier & Herod, Nashville, Tennessee, for the appellees, Schwan's Enterprises, etc. et al . OPINION The claimant or appellant, Beach, is thirty years old and a high school graduate with two years of college. He has worked in the insurance business and in the music business, but apparently has no particular vocational training. In May of 1998, he was interviewed for a sales position at Schwan's Enterprises, a home delivery service. At the conclusion of the interview, he was told that the position would be offered to him if he successfully completed "ride day", the next step in the application process. Ride day was scheduled to occur on May 27, 1998. On that day, the claimant accompanied a salesperson and observed the interaction