Jackson Bradley v. Loretto Casket Company, et al.
01S01-9701-CH-00016
Authoring Judge: William S. Russell, Retired Judge
Trial Court Judge: Hon.

Craig Ring v. Ckr Industries, Inc., et al.
01S01-9702-CV-00031
Authoring Judge: William S. Russell, Retired Judge
Trial Court Judge: Hon. J. Curtis Smith,
This Workers' Compensation appeal has been referred to the Special Workers' Compensation Appeals Panel of the Supreme Court in accordance with Tennessee Code Annotated _5-6-225(e)(3) for hearing and reporting to the Supreme Court of findings of fact and conclusions of law. The defendants, CKR Industries, Inc. and The Yasuda Fire & Marine Insurance Company of America, appeal the judgment of the trial court in finding the plaintiff, Craig Ring, sustained a compensable work-related injury and awarding permanent partial disability of twenty-five percent (25%) to the left arm. For the reasons stated in this opinion, we affirm the judgment of the trial court. The plaintiff, Craig Ring, was 26 years of age at the time of this trial. He has a GED, no specialized job training, and a prior history of factory production work. Plaintiff worked for defendant, CKR Industries for 4 years prior to Au gust 3, 1994 , when he reported an injury to his left index finger and arm. He operated a press or machine at that time which required repetitive movement of both arms. Dr. Mary Ellen Clinton, a board certified neurologist, examined and treated plaintiff after he had been seen and referred by numerous doctors. She gave various possible causes of plaintiff's problem, but stated his condition was not work-related. Plaintiff was seen by Dr. Richard Fishbein, a board certified orthopedic surgeon, for the purpose of an ind ependent me dical evaluation. Dr. Fishbein was of the opinion the plaintiff's condition was ulnar neuropathy caused by his repetitive work. He assessed a permanent partial impairment of fifteen percent (15%) to the left upper extremity and assigned work restrictions of no lifting of more than 2 pounds on a regular basis and n o more than 5 pounds on a very infrequent basis. Plaintiff testified he really did not know how or when he hurt his finger and arm, but they first became painful at wo rk on Augus t 3, 1994. At trial, he comp lained of constant pain in his left elbow and numbness in the tip of his left index finger. Because of his work restrictions, he has been transferred to a lighter job at less pay. Plaintiff has taken up go lf, built a deck on his house, and raced four wheelers since August, 1994. At trial, the parties stipulated the date of the injury, notice, all medical bills and temporary total disability payments had been paid, and the appropriate weekly compensation 2

Wallace Palmore v. Frito-Lay, Inc., et al.
01S01-9610-CV-00204
Authoring Judge: William S. Russell, Retired Judge
Trial Court Judge: Hon.

Henley vs. State
01S01-9703-CC-00056

State vs. Dixon
03S01-9704-CR-00043

State vs. Dixon
03S01-9704-CR-00043

State vs. Hall
03S01-9701-CR-00010

X2010-0000-XX-X00-XX
X2010-0000-XX-X00-XX

Smith v. Zurich
03S01-9701-CV-00004
Authoring Judge: Senior Judge John K. Byers
Trial Court Judge: Hon. Ben K. Wexler,
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

State vs. James Bingham, Jessie Baker, and Donald Patterson
01C01-9604-CC-00159
Trial Court Judge: Gerald L. Ewell, Sr.

State vs. James Dantes
02C01-9705-CC-00184
Trial Court Judge: Jon Kerry Blackwood

Henley vs. State
01S01-9703-CC-00056
Trial Court Judge: J. O. Bond

Carter vs. State
03S01-9612-CR-00119

State vs. Hall
03S01-9701-CR-00010

State vs. Carl Saine
02C01-9710-CC-00399

Gregg vs. State
03C01-9705-CC-00188

Garrett vs. State
03C01-9603-CR-00111
Trial Court Judge: Ray L. Jenkins

Mulle vs. Yount
01A01-9704-CV-00161
Trial Court Judge: Muriel Robinson

Mulle vs. Yount
01A01-9704-CV-00161
Trial Court Judge: Muriel Robinson

Brumit vs. Summar
01A01-9703-CV-00109
Trial Court Judge: Don R. Ash

Rasmussen vs. Rasmussen
01A01-9705-CH-00211
Trial Court Judge: Alex W. Darnell

Richardson vs. Richardson
01A01-9704-CH-00169
Trial Court Judge: Tyrus H. Cobb

ABC Supply Co., Inc. vs. U.S. Fidelity & Guaranty
01A01-9702-CH-00081
Trial Court Judge: Henry Denmark Bell

Demontbreun vs. Demontbreun
01A01-9703-GS-00129
Trial Court Judge: Barry R. Brown

Ferrell vs. McCrae, Jr.
01A01-9703-CV-00100
Trial Court Judge: Walter C. Kurtz