APPELLATE COURT OPINIONS

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State vs. Willie Cunningham

02C01-9801-CR-00022
Shelby County Court of Criminal Appeals 06/15/99
Nick Allen Parker v. Traveler's Ind. Co.& The Aetna Casualty& Surety Co

01S01-9803-CH-00054
Authoring Judge: Per Curiam
Originating Judge:Hon. J. Richard Mcgregor
Warren County Workers Compensation Panel 06/15/99
David Swett, Sr. v. Grace Z. Aleman Swett

M1998-00961-COA-R3-CV
This appeal involves the dissolution of a nine-year marriage. Following a bench trial in the Circuit Court for Davidson County, the trial court found both parties to be at fault but awarded the divorce to the wife. The court also granted the parties joint custody of their son and divided their property. On this appeal, the wife asserts that the trial court erred by concluding that her conduct contributed to the divorce and by refusing to give her sole custody of the parties' son. Both parties take issue with the manner in which the trial court divided their property. The wife asserts that the trial court erred by classifying the husband's interest in the real property on which his family's restaurant is located as separate property and by failing to award her a portion of the appreciation in the value of his family restaurant business. The husband takes issue with the trial court's refusal to award him certain items of household furnishings. Finally, the wife asserts that she is entitled to post-judgment interest on the judgment used to equalize the distribution of the marital estate, as well as her legal expenses incurred on appeal. We have determined that the trial court's fault determination, joint custody arrangement, and division of marital property are supported by the record. Accordingly, we affirm the judgment and deny the wife's request for appellate legal expenses.
Authoring Judge: Judge William C. Koch, Jr.
Originating Judge:Muriel Robinson
Davidson County Court of Appeals 06/15/99
Margaret Parker vs. Kroger Co.

02A01-9812-CV-00373

Originating Judge:James F. Russell
Shelby County Court of Appeals 06/15/99
Teresa Barham v. Grinnell Corporation

02S01-9807-CH-00065
Authoring Judge: J. Steven Stafford, Special Judge
Originating Judge:Hon. Joe C. Morris,
Chester County Workers Compensation Panel 06/15/99
Memphis Credit Union vs. Mary Montgomery

02A01-9810-CV-00286

Originating Judge:Karen R. Williams
Shelby County Court of Appeals 06/15/99
State vs. Kenneth Henderson

02C01-9808-CC-00243
Fayette County Court of Criminal Appeals 06/15/99
Brewer vs. Lincoln Brass Works

01S01-9609-CV-00196
Supreme Court 06/14/99
Randall Henley, et al vs. Russell Amacher, et al

M1999-02799-COA-R3-CV
This appeal involves an early morning, drunken joyride by four teenagers that ended when their sport utility vehicle overturned. One of the passengers who was injured when he was thrown from the vehicle sued the driver and his father in the Circuit Court for Franklin County seeking $200,000. A jury assessed the passenger's damages and attributed 75% of the fault to the driver and 25% of the fault to the passenger. In accordance with the jury's verdict, the trial court awarded the passenger a $34,125 judgment against the driver and his father. On this appeal, the driver and his father take issue with (1) the allocation of less than 50% of the fault to the passenger, (2) the lack of evidence to support the application of the family purpose doctrine, (3) the awards for permanent impairment and future medical expenses, and (4) the trial court's refusal to give two requested instructions. We have determined that the only reversible error in the proceeding involves the jury's decision to award the passenger $20,000 for future medical expenses. Accordingly, we affirm the jury's verdict as to liability and allocation of fault. With regard to the damage award, we suggest a remittitur which, if accepted, will reduce the passenger's judgment to $19,125.
Authoring Judge: Judge William C. Koch, Jr.
Originating Judge:Buddy D. Perry
Franklin County Court of Appeals 06/14/99
02A01-9802-CH-00269

02A01-9802-CH-00269

Originating Judge:George R. Ellis
Gibson County Court of Appeals 06/14/99
Becky Chenault vs. William Carsley

02A01-9710-CV-00255

Originating Judge:William B. Acree
Shelby County Court of Appeals 06/14/99
Matthews vs. Pickett County, Tennessee

01S01-9801-FD-00005

Originating Judge:David A. Nelson
Pickett County Supreme Court 06/14/99
In the matter of S.MC. and J.L.C.

01A01-9807-JV-00358

Originating Judge:Andrew J. Shookhoff
Davidson County Court of Appeals 06/11/99
01C01-9803-CC-00129

01C01-9803-CC-00129
Wayne County Court of Criminal Appeals 06/11/99
Katherine Theresa DeVault, v. James Canon DeVault, Jr.

01-A-01-9806-CV-00270

This appeal involves a dispute over child support for the parties' two minor children. The trial court denied the Father's petition to modify the support as it had been set in the final decree. In addition, the court placed a lien on two of the Father's properties and awarded fees to the Mother's attorney. On appeal, we affirm the court's decision with regard to child support and attorney fes. However, regarding the lien, we modify the trial court's decision such that a lien remains on only one of the Father's proerties. Accordingly, the decision of the trial court is affirmed as modified and remand for further proceedings.

Authoring Judge: Judge William B. Cain
Originating Judge:Judge Muriel Robinson
Davidson County Court of Appeals 06/11/99
State vs. Thomas I. Freeman, Jr.

03C01-9808-CC-00298
Blount County Court of Criminal Appeals 06/10/99
England v. Hickory Specialties

03S01-9807-CV-00082
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. In this appeal, the employer, Hickory Specialties, insists (1) the trial judge erred in relying on the testimony of Dr. Gene Turner with respect to the extent of the employee's medical impairment, (2) the trial judge erred in finding a causal connection between the employee's injury and her employment by the employer, (3) the award of permanent partial disability benefits is excessive and (4) the trial judge erred in finding that the employee did not have a meaningful return to work. As discussed below, the panel has concluded the judgment should be affirmed. The employee or claimant, England, initiated this action to recover medical disability benefits allegedly due her because of a back injury. The employer denied any liability. After a trial on the merits, the trial court awarded, inter alia, permanent partial disability benefits based on thirty-five percent to the body as a whole. The extent of an injured worker's disability is a question of fact. Collins v. Howmet Corp., 97 S.W.2d 941 (Tenn. 1998). So is causation. We have therefore reviewed the case de novo upon the record of the trial court, accompanied by a presumption of correctness of the findings of fact, unless the preponderance of the evidence is otherwise. Tenn. Code Ann. _ 5-6-225(e)(2). The claimant is thirty-seven years old with a ninth grade education and experience as a waitress, at a cannery and as a vegetable packer. She began working for this employer in 1991 as a charcoal bagger. She testified at the trial that on September 27, 1995, the plant ran out of charcoal and she was assigned to unload wood from a tractor-trailer and box it in 4-75 pound boxes, then place up to 27 of such boxes on flats. The employer insists the plant did not load any wood in the week before, during or after the date of injury. 2
Authoring Judge: Joe C. Loser, Jr., Special Judge
Originating Judge:Hon. John Turnbull,
Knox County Workers Compensation Panel 06/10/99
State vs. Earl Legans

02C01-9810-CC-00326
Hardin County Court of Criminal Appeals 06/10/99
State vs. Bronche Terrell

02C01-9801-CR-00014

Originating Judge:Arthur T. Bennett
Shelby County Court of Criminal Appeals 06/10/99
State vs. Harry Goff

02C01-9806-CC-00177

Originating Judge:Roy B. Morgan, Jr.
Madison County Court of Criminal Appeals 06/10/99
State vs. Burl White

02C01-9810-CC-00322
Hardin County Court of Criminal Appeals 06/10/99
State vs. Steve Click, Jr.

03C01-9804-CC-00135
Blount County Court of Criminal Appeals 06/10/99
Mcginn v. Denamerica Corp.

03S01-9807-CH-00083
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. In this appeal, the employer and its insurer insist (1) the employee did not suffer an injury compensable under the workers' compensation law of Tennessee, (2) the award of permanent partial disability benefits is excessive and (3) the trial judge erred in rejecting the testimony of Dr. Robert E. Ivy. As discussed below, the panel has concluded the judgment should be affirmed. After a trial of the issues raised by the parties, the chancellor awarded 2
Authoring Judge: Joe C. Loser, Jr., Special Judge
Originating Judge:Hon. Billy Joe White,
Knox County Workers Compensation Panel 06/10/99
Almetter Chalmers vs. Exchange Ins.

02A01-9711-CV-00280

Originating Judge:George H. Brown
Shelby County Court of Appeals 06/10/99
Janice Young vs. John Doe, et al., - Concurring

01A01-9810-CV-00517

This is an uninsured motorist insurance case. Plaintiff/Appellant, Janice C. Young, appeals the order of the trial court granting summary judgment to the unnamed Defendant/Appellee, State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company (State Farm).

Authoring Judge: Judge W. Frank Crawford
Originating Judge:Judge Thomas W. Graham
Marion County Court of Appeals 06/09/99