Adams v. Peterbilt

This workers' compensation appeal has been referred to the Special Workers' Compensation Appeals Panel of the Supreme Court in accordance with Tenn. Code Ann. _ 5-6-225(e)(3) for hearing and reporting to the Supreme Court of findings of fact and conclusions of law. The plaintiff brought this suit in which he alleged he was totally and permanently disabled and that he was entitled to medical benefits from his employer and the Second Injury Fund. The trial judge found the plaintiff had sustained a 6 percent impairment as a result of an on-the-job injury on May 27, 1994. The trial judge dismissed the suit as to the Second Injury Fund because the amount of the disability of the plaintiff from the current injury when combined with previous workers' compensation injuries did not exceed 1 percent permanent total disability. The plaintiff, in this appeal, says the trial court erred in not finding he was permanently and totally disabled as a result of the May 27, 1994 injury and in not awarding him benefits from the Second Injury Fund. The judgment of the trial court is affirmed. The treating physician, Dr. Robert E. Finelli, an orthopedic surgeon, testified the plaintiff had a ruptured disc at the L4-L5 vertebrae. Dr. Finelli did surgery on the plaintiff and treated him until September 2, 1994. Dr. Finelli returned the patient to work and found he had sustained a 1 - 12 percent permanent medical impairment as a result of the injury. The plaintiff had undergone two previous back surgeries and Dr. Finelli considered these in determining the medical impairment from the last injury. Dr. Finelli was of the opinion that if the plaintiff returned to heavy work he would be at risk for a possible ruptured disc. It was his further opinion that if he did medium work the risk of further back injury was low. Dr. Gilbert Hyde, an orthopedic surgeon, saw the plaintiff on July 28, 1995 for the purpose of evaluating his disability. Dr. Hyde found the plaintiff to be suffering a 22 percent medical impairment as a result of the injury of May 27, 1994. Dr. Hyde 2