APPELLATE COURT OPINIONS

Please enter some keywords to search.
Sammy Moore v. A. O. Smith

02S01-9709-CH-00082
Authoring Judge: J. Steven Stafford, Special Judge
Originating Judge:Hon. George R. Ellis,
Moore County Workers Compensation Panel 06/29/98
Victor A. Wynn v. Perma-Fix and The Travelers Insurance Company

02S01-9711-CV-00099
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. Review of the findings of fact made by the trial court is de novo upon the record of the trial court, accompanied by a presumption of the correctness of the findings, unless the preponderance of the evidence is otherwise. Tenn. Code Ann. _ 5-6-225(e)(2); Stone v. City of McMinnville, 896 S.W.2d 548, 55 (Tenn. 1995). The application of this standard requires this Court to weigh in more depth the factual findings and conclusions of the trial court in a workers' compensation case. See Corcoran v. Foster Auto GMC, Inc., 746 S.W.2d 452, 456 (Tenn. 1988). The trial court found the plaintiff suffered from a heart attack and resulting disablement which arose out of and in the course and scope of his employment with the defendant. Further, the trial court found the plaintiff was totally and permanently disabled as a result of this work injury. The defendants appeal and present the following issue: "I. The issue for determination of this Court is whether or not the evidence in this cause preponderates against the findings of the trial court that Plaintiff sustained an injury arising out of and in the course and scope of his employment resulting in a permanent and total disability." The judgment of the trial court is affirmed. The evidence in this case was presented by the plaintiff, who testified in person, and three other witnesses who testified likewise. These other witnesses were the plaintiff's wife and Pat Townsend and Claude Hunt, both co-workers who testified that the plaintiff suffered pain in his chest on September 2, 1994 while at work. The plaintiff also presented the depositions of Dr. Bennett Rudorfer and Dr. Grady L. Saxton. The defendant's proof consisted of the deposition of Patricio A. Ilabaca and the testimony of Tammy Boggs, whose official capacity with the defendant is not shown. Boggs introduced a packet of medical records from the plaintiff's personnel 2
Authoring Judge: John K. Byers, Senior Judge
Originating Judge:Hon. John R. Mccarroll,
Shelby County Workers Compensation Panel 06/29/98
James W. Smith v. Wilson Co. Concrete

01S01-9712-CR-00278
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. In January, 1997, the Supreme Court affirmed a judgment that the plaintiff was totally and permanently vocationally disabled, with benefits awarded accordingly. The plaintiff returned to the trial court complaining that the judgment was not being satisfied in a timely way. He alleged that the accrued benefits were not paid timely, and that his "weekly checks" were sporadic. To correct this problem he filed a motion to require the defendant to pay the entire judgment or, alternatively, "that the Court determine the interest as the parties were in dispute as to the amount and the method by which it should be figured." The trial court ordered the defendant to pay interest calculated on the entire amount of the judgment, i.e., on the unaccrued portion of the judgment. The defendant appeals, insisting that interest cannot be assessed on installments not due. We agree, since the precise issue has heretofore been adjudicated by the Supreme Court. Tennessee Code Annotated _ 5-6-225(h) provides in part: (h)(1) If the judgment or decree of a court is appealed pursuant to subsection (e), interest on the judgment or decree shall be computed from the date that the judgment or decree is entered at an annual rate of interest five (5) percentage points above the average prime loan rate for the most recent week for which such an average rate has been published by the board of governors of the federal reserve system on the total judgment awarded by the supreme court. (2) Total judgment awarded is computed by the total number of weeks multiplied by the benefit rate without any reduction. 2
Authoring Judge: William H. Inman, Senior Judge
Originating Judge:Hon. J. O. Bond,
Smith County Workers Compensation Panel 06/29/98
Doris Barnes v. Cigna Insurance Company

02S01-9710-CV-00087
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. Review of the findings of fact made by the trial court is de novo upon the record of the trial court, accompanied by a presumption of the correctness of the findings, unless the preponderance of the evidence is otherwise. Tenn. Code Ann. _ 5-6-225(e)(2); Stone v. City of McMinnville, 896 S.W.2d 548, 55 (Tenn. 1995). The application of this standard requires this Court to weigh in more depth the factual findings and conclusions of the trial court in a workers' compensation case. See Corcoran v. Foster Auto GMC, Inc., 746 S.W.2d 452, 456 (Tenn. 1988). The trial court held the plaintiff had sustained a 4 percent permanent partial disability to the right arm1 and a 3 percent permanent partial disability to the left arm as a result of a gradually occurring injury which arose in the course of and in the scope of her employment with Martin Marietta Ordnance Systems, Inc. ("Martin Marietta"). The defendant, Cigna Insurance Company, appeals and raises the following issue about the award to the left arm: "1) Whether the trial court's award of 3% permanent partial disability to the left upper extremity was contrary to the weight of the evidence given the 6.35% anatomical impairment awarded by the evaluating physician and the zero percent (%) anatomical impairment awarded by the treating physician?" We find the award of 3 percent to the plaintiff's left arm was not contrary to the weight of the evidence and affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: John K. Byers, Senior Judge
Originating Judge:Hon. Julian P. Guinn,
Carroll County Workers Compensation Panel 06/29/98
Ingram Book Co. v. Stacey Fitzgerald

01S01-9712-CV-00268
This workers' compensation appeal has been referred to the Special Workers' Compensation Appeals Panel of the Supreme Court in accordance with Tenn. Code Ann. section 5-6-225(e)(3) for hearing and reporting of findings of fact and conclusions of law. In this appeal, the employer, Ingram Book Company, contends the evidence preponderates against the trial court's findings that (1) the employee's injury was one arising out of and in the course of employment, (2) the award is not barred by the last injury rule and (3) the claimant retains a twelve percent vocational disability award. As discussed below, the panel has concluded the judgment should be affirmed. Twenty-eight-year-old Stacey Fitzgerald was hired as an executive secretary by Ingram Book Company in September of 1994. Between late February and mid March, she told her supervisor, Terry Cook, she was experiencing right arm pain and requested an ergonomic keyboard. In early June, 1995, a non-work related back injury caused Ms. Fitzgerald to take a temporary leave of absence. Upon her return to work in late August, she requested a part-time position to aid her recovery. Due to continued pain in her right arm, Ingram Book Company sent Ms. Fitzgerald to the Baptist Occupational Medicine facility on or about October 23, 1995. There, she was treated with anti-inflammatorymedicine, a wrist splint, and an elbow band. In November, 1995, Ms. Fitzgerald missed several days of work due to strep throat, a death in the family, and hospitalization for pneumonia. Ingram Book Company terminated her employment during her hospital stay. Following her termination, Ms. Fitzgerald was referred to Dr. Arthur Cushman, whom she saw twice. He concluded Ms. Fitzgerald had a zero percent anatomical impairment rating and assigned no permanent restrictions. Ingram Book Company then arranged for her to receive treatment from Dr. William Jekot. On January 17, 1996, Dr. Jekot diagnosed Ms. Fitzgerald as having mild cubital tunnel syndrome and tendinitis of the right elbow. During March of 1996, Ms. Fitzgerald obtained employment with the Daily News Journal running a newspaper route. However, she quit three months later claiming her preexisting condition caused problems in executing her duties. On May 21, 1997, Dr. Jekot requested a reevaluation visit with Ms. Fitzgerald to prepare for his deposition. Dr. Jekot diagnosed chronic 2
Authoring Judge: Joe C. Loser, Jr., Special Judge
Originating Judge:Hon. Robert E. Corlew, III,
Rutherford County Workers Compensation Panel 06/29/98
State vs. Flanigan

03C01-9708-CR-00330

Originating Judge:Phyllis H. Miller
Sullivan County Court of Criminal Appeals 06/26/98
Moore vs. Feathers

03A01-9802-CV-00063
Court of Appeals 06/26/98
Kellogg Co., vs. TN Comm., et al

02A01-9612-CH-00302

Originating Judge:C. Neal Small
Shelby County Court of Appeals 06/26/98
Judd's vs. Muir

03A01-9801-CH-00002
Court of Appeals 06/26/98
State vs. Hannum

03C01-9710-CC-00480

Originating Judge:D. Kelly Thomas, Jr.
Blount County Court of Criminal Appeals 06/26/98
State vs. Phillips

03C01-9708-CR-00320
Scott County Court of Criminal Appeals 06/26/98
State vs. Bowling

03C01-9710-CR-00478
Scott County Court of Criminal Appeals 06/26/98
Wilhoite vs. Proffitt

03A01-9801-CH-00004
Court of Appeals 06/26/98
State vs. Sheri Clements

02C01-9712-CC-00488
Fayette County Court of Criminal Appeals 06/26/98
State vs. Jones

03C01-9710-CR-00428

Originating Judge:Rebecca J. Stern
Hamilton County Court of Criminal Appeals 06/26/98
State vs. Phillips

03C01-9708-CR-00320
Scott County Court of Criminal Appeals 06/26/98
State vs. Meyer

03C01-9705-CR-00165

Originating Judge:Carroll L. Ross
McMinn County Court of Criminal Appeals 06/26/98
State vs. Jones

03C01-9710-CR-00428

Originating Judge:Rebecca J. Stern
Hamilton County Court of Criminal Appeals 06/26/98
Sanjurjo vs. Woods

03A01-9708-CH-00330
Court of Appeals 06/26/98
State vs. Lily Baker

02C01-9707-CC-00264
McNairy County Court of Criminal Appeals 06/26/98
Fye vs. Kennedy

03A01-9707-CV-00287
Hamilton County Court of Appeals 06/26/98
03A01-9712-CV-00532

03A01-9712-CV-00532
Court of Appeals 06/26/98
City of Knox vs. Garuin

03A01-9801-CV-00038
Court of Appeals 06/26/98
State vs. Flanigan

03C01-9708-CR-00330
Sullivan County Court of Criminal Appeals 06/26/98
State vs. Stout

03C01-9706-CR-00228
Washington County Court of Criminal Appeals 06/26/98