Clifford Barker v. The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company

Clifford Barker (“Employee”) worked for The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company (“Employer”) from 1969 until 1999, when he retired. He filed this action seeking benefits for alleged work-related hearing loss on March 18, 2014. Employer disputed that Employee’s hearing loss was work-related. The trial court awarded benefits for 30% permanent partial disability to both ears. Employer has appealed from that award, contending the evidence preponderates against the trial court’s finding of causation. In the alternative, Employer argues that Employee sustained no vocational disability as a result of his hearing loss. The appeal has been referred to a 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 in part, modify in part, and remand to the trial court for entry of a judgment consistent with this opinion.