Smith v. Zurich

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 alleged he had sustained permanent impairment as a result of an accident on November 8, 1994, while employed by the defendant. The trial judge dismissed the petition. We affirm the judgment. There is no dispute concerning the occurrence of an on-the-job accident which was a fall by the plaintiff. The only medical evidence in the case was the deposition of Dr. John H. Bell, an orthopedic surgeon. Dr. Bell found the plaintiff had suffered contusions and a sprain of his lower spine as a result of the fall. This was superimposed upon a pre- existing lumbosacral disc disease. Dr. Bell testified there was no anatomic evidence the disc disease was aggravated by the injury, and that the fall caused the pre-existing condition to become painful. Further, the plaintiff had told Dr. Bell he had a previous back pain episode, as well as intermittent back pain prior to the fall. Dr. Bell testified the plaintiff complained of pain but there was no anatomical change associated with the pain. Dr. Bell was of the opinion the back strain had healed. He further testified it is not uncommon for a person with an arthritic or a degenerative condition to be free of symptoms but that these conditions may become symptomatic as a result of an injury. Dr. Bell found the plaintiff had a 5 percent permanent medical impairment because of the condition of his back. Dr. Bell fixed restrictions upon the plaintiff. Dr. Bell testified, however, that he placed these restrictions upon the plaintiff because of the plaintiff's complaint of pain, which Dr. Bell associated with the pre- existing condition rather than the fall. The plaintiff presented lay testimony to support his contention that he was disabled. However, in all but the most obvious cases, there must be medical evidence to show an impairment exists, and its connection to the work injury. 2