Globe Business Furniture, Inc. v. Edeltraub Ingrid Morris

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 of findings of fact and conclusions of law. The employer, Globe, initiated this action for a declaration of the extent of its liability, if any, to the employee, Morris, for an injury to her finger. The employee, Morris, filed a counterclaim seeking medical and disability benefits. After a trial on the merits, the trial judge found (1) that the injury did not arise out of and in the course of employment and (2) the claimant was not permanently disabled to any extent. The counterclaim was dismissed at the cost of Ms. Morris. By this appeal, the employee insists the trial judge erred in finding that the claimant's injury did not occur while she was performing a "special errand" for the employer and in refusing to award any disability benefits. As discussed herein, the panel finds that the injury is compensable and remands the case to the trial court for further proceedings. Tenn. Code Ann. _ 5-6-225(e) Appeal as of Right; Judgment of the Circuit Court reversed in part; and Remanded Loser, Sp. J., delivered the opinion of the panel, in which Drowota, J. and Gayden, Sp. J. joined. D. Stuart Caulkins, Stillman, Karr & Wise, Nashville, Tennessee, for the appellant, Edeltraub Ingrid Morris. Arthur E. McClellan, Gallatin, Tennessee, for the appellee, Globe Business Furniture of Tennessee, Inc. MEMORANDUM OPINION The facts are not disputed. The claimant came to the United States in 1988 from her home country of Germany. She graduated from high school in Germany and had three years of training in a hotel -2-