Rita Werne v. Robert Sanderson, et al.
W2002-02118-COA-R3-CV
The trial court found Plaintiff was the owner of disputed stock, but had failed to prove monetary damages. We affirm in part and remand for further proceedings regarding damages.
Authoring Judge: Judge David R. Farmer
Originating Judge:Chancellor Walter L. Evans |
Shelby County | Court of Appeals | 06/02/04 | |
State of Tennessee v. Salvatore Brunetti
M2003-00476-CCA-R3-CD
The defendant, Salvatore Brunetti, was convicted of voluntary manslaughter. The trial court imposed a sentence of five years in the Department of Correction. In this appeal, the defendant asserts that the trial court erred by denying an alternative sentence. The judgment of the trial court is affirmed.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Gary R Wade
Originating Judge:Judge Allen W. Wallace |
Dickson County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 06/01/04 | |
Robert L. Drew v. State of Tennessee
M2003-00593-CCA-R3-CD
The petitioner, Robert L. Drew, appeals the denial of his petition for post-conviction relief. The issue is whether he was denied the effective assistance of counsel. The judgment of the post-conviction court is affirmed.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Gary R. Wade
Originating Judge:Judge Steve R. Dozier |
Davidson County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 06/01/04 | |
State of Tennessee v. Jamie Crawford
E2003-02192-CCA-R3-CD
Following a revocation hearing, the trial court revoked the probation of Defendant, Jamie Michelle Crawford, and ordered her to serve the remainder of her sentence in confinement. Defendant does not appeal the revocation of her probation but argues that the trial court erred in not imposing a sentence of split confinement. After a thorough review of the record in this matter, we affirm the judgment of the trial court revoking probation and ordering Defendant to serve her sentence in confinement.
Authoring Judge: Judge Thomas T. Woodall
Originating Judge:Judge R. Jerry Beck |
Sullivan County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 06/01/04 | |
Jerry Dickerson v. State of Tennessee
E2003-02854-CCA-R3-PC
Petitioner, Jerry W. Dickerson, appeals from the trial court's dismissal of his pro se petition for writ of habeas corpus. Petitioner alleges that his conviction and sentence are void because the trial record was improperly authenticated and contained inaccuracies. Following a review of the record in this matter, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Thomas T. Woodall
Originating Judge:Judge Robert E. Cupp |
Johnson County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 06/01/04 | |
State of Tennessee v. Donald Keel
W2003-00638-CCA-R3-CD
The Appellant, Donald Keel, was convicted in the Gibson County Circuit Court of aggravated
Authoring Judge: Judge David G. Hayes
Originating Judge:Judge Clayburn L. Peeples |
Gibson County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 05/28/04 | |
Robert S. Shipley v. Ryder Truck Rentals, Inc.
E2003-01346-WC-R3-CV
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 its findings of fact and conclusions of law. In this appeal the employer complains that the trial court was in error (1) by allowing the surprise live testimony of Dr. C. M. Salekin contrary to the agreement of the parties and the court's prior orders; and (2) in awarding the employee 1 percent permanent disability to the left eye when the employee was legally blind in the left eye prior to the alleged injury and plaintiff failed to prove any loss of use. We disagree and affirm the trial court on these two issues. The employer also complains that the trial court erred in awarding prejudgment interest. We agree and reverse. Tenn. Code Ann. _ 5-6-225(e) (1999) Appeal as of Right; Judgment of the Chancery Court Affirmed in Part, Reversed in Part and Remanded H. DAVID CATE, SP. J., in which WILLIAM M. BARKER, J., and ROGER E. THAYER, Sp. J., joined. Daniel C. Todd, Nashville, Tennessee, for Appellant, Ryder Truck Rental, Inc. David H. Dunaway, LaFollette, Tennessee, for Appellee, Robert S. Shipley MEMORANDUM OPINION I. Factual and Procedural Background The employee, Robert S. Shipley, was fifty-eight years old at the time of trial. He went to the eighth grade in school. He drove a truck, farmed and became a long-haul truck driver. He has been employed as a long-haul truck driver during substantially all of his employed years. He became employed by Ryder Truck Rental, Inc., the employer, in 1998. The employer leased its trucks to Universal Furniture, and the employee began hauling furniture in March 1998. In May 1999, the employee sustained a detached retina of the left eye, while unloading furniture. There was no workers' compensation claim made for this injury. In June 1999, the retina of his left eye again detached. It was reattached surgically on July 3, 1999, by Dr. John Hoskins, an ophthalmologist. On January 1, 2, Dr. Hoskins did a follow-up procedure on the left eye, amounting to a removal of silicone oil from the eye. In February 2, he had another left eye recurrent retinal detachment, which was repaired surgically on February 28, 2. After this surgery on July 24, 2, the vision in his left eye tested at 2/4, which was considered to be legally blind.1 Although he was driving a truck for the employer, the lack of vision would have prohibited him from having a commercial driver's license. On August 1, 2, the employee was driving a truck for the employer when the truck was struck by another vehicle traveling the wrong way on Interstate 75 near Chattanooga, Tennessee. The employee observed the injuries of the other driver and watched as he died. He sustained a head injury on the left-hand side of the door and his eye started quivering. The employee was seen at the Cleveland Community Hospital emergency room the day of the accident. While there, approximately four hours after the accident, the employee had a diastolic blood pressure reading of 113. A normal diastolic reading would be below 85 or 8, depending on the doctor. He has suffered from hypertension for several years. The employee worked approximately three weeks in September 2, but has not worked since. Since the accident the employee has been treated by the following physicians: Dr. Luis C. Pannocchia, family practice doctor; Dr. John C. Hoskins, ophthalmologist; and Dr. Kelley Walker, a psychiatrist. He has been evaluated by the following: Dr. Ben Bursten, a psychiatrist; Dr. C.M. Salekin, a neurologist; and Dr. Norman E. Hankins, a vocational evaluator. The vision in his left eye has decreased since the accident from 2/4 and reading the larger "E" on the chart to counting fingers at two feet and not being able to read the larger "E" on the chart. After this cause was commenced, a scheduling order was entered on May 29, 22, which provided that the parties would disclose their Rule 26 experts and statements and no expert would 1 The employee had a detached retina of the right eye but he has normal vision in that eye. -2-
Authoring Judge: H. David Cate, Sp. J.
Originating Judge:Richard Ladd, Chancellor By Designation |
Knox County | Workers Compensation Panel | 05/28/04 | |
David Hartsell v. State of Tennessee
E2003-03080-CCA-R3-PC
The petitioner, David Johnson Hartsell, appeals the order of the Circuit Court for Washington County dismissing his post-conviction relief petition. The State has filed a motion requesting that this Court affirm the trial court's denial of relief pursuant to Rule 20, Rules of the Court of Criminal Appeals. The petition fails to present a cognizable claim for relief. Accordingly, the State's motion is granted and the judgment of the trial court is affirmed.
Authoring Judge: Judge Norma McGee Ogle
Originating Judge:Judge Lynn W. Brown |
Washington County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 05/28/04 | |
State of Tennessee v. Billy Gene Rich
W2003-01495-CCA-R3-CD
The Appellant, Billy Gene Rich, was convicted of driving under the influence (DUI), second offense, and was sentenced to serve eleven months and twenty-nine days in jail. On appeal, Rich argues that: (1) the evidence is insufficient to support his conviction and (2) his sentence is excessive. After review, the conviction and sentence are affirmed.
Authoring Judge: Judge David G. Hayes
Originating Judge:Judge Roger A. Page |
Chester County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 05/28/04 | |
State of Tennessee v. David Hester
E2003-01507-CCA-R3-CD
The defendant, David Hester, pled guilty to statutory rape. The trial court imposed a one-year sentence to be served on supervised probation and directed community service. In this appeal, he asserts that the trial court erred by denying judicial diversion. The judgment of the trial court is affirmed.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Gary R Wade
Originating Judge:Judge Richard R. Vance |
Sevier County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 05/28/04 | |
Kevin Demers v. Walter Whittenburg - Concurring
M2003-00184-COA-R3-CV
While I concur with the decision to affirm the trial court’s dismissal of Mr. Demers’s claims in this case, I write separately to point out that the outcome may very well have been different had we employed the standard customarily used to review orders granting a Tenn. R. Civ. P. 12.02(6) motion to dismiss. However, by using affidavits to oppose the motion to dismiss, Mr. Demers has succeeded in converting the Tenn. R. Civ. P. 12.02(6) motion to a motion for summary Thus, rather than reviewing Mr. Demers’s amended complaint to determine whether it states claims upon which relief can be granted, we need only determine whether, based on the undisputed facts, the defendants have demonstrated that they are entitled to a judgment as a matter of law.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge William C. Koch, Jr.
Originating Judge:Judge John H. Gasaway, III |
Robertson County | Court of Appeals | 05/27/04 | |
State of Tennessee, et al., v. Jamie Burnette, et al.
M2003-01742-COA-R3-PT
This appeal involves the juvenile court's termination of parental rights to two children, A.L.B. (d.o.b. 10/25/96), and B.L.B. (d.o.b. 12/01/98). Appellant argues that the trial court's findings regarding abandonment of the children, persistent conditions, and the children's best interests are unsupported by clear and convincing evidence. We affirm the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge William B. Cain
Originating Judge:Judge Charles F. Crawford |
Lincoln County | Court of Appeals | 05/27/04 | |
State of Tennessee v. Anthony Carter
E2003-02172-CCA-R3-CD
The defendant, Anthony Lebron Carter, appeals the revocation of his probation. We affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Joe G. Riley
Originating Judge:Judge Rebecca J. Stern |
Hamilton County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 05/27/04 | |
Cheryl O'Brien v. Rheem Manufacturing Company
M2003-00530-COA-R3-CV
In this appeal an unsuccessful plaintiff seeks review of a jury verdict approved by the trial court, in favor of the defendant manufacturer. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge William B. Cain
Originating Judge:Judge John H. Gasaway, III |
Montgomery County | Court of Appeals | 05/27/04 | |
State of Tennessee v. Darrell Sanderlin
W2003-01546-CCA-R3-CD
The Appellant, Darrell Sanderlin, appeals from the sentencing decision of the Haywood County Circuit Court. Sanderlin pled guilty to one count of child abuse of his six-year-old son, a class D felony. Pursuant to a negotiated plea agreement, he was sentenced as a Range I, standard offender, with the length and manner of service to be determined by the trial court. Following a sentencing hearing, the trial court imposed a sentence of four years incarceration. On appeal, Sanderlin argues that the trial court erred by ordering a sentence of total confinement rather than a less restrictive alternative. After review, the sentencing decision is affirmed.
Authoring Judge: Judge David G. Hayes
Originating Judge:Judge Clayburn L. Peeples |
Haywood County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 05/27/04 | |
Dana Friedenstab v. Martha Short
M2003-00603-COA-R3-CV
The plaintiffs bring this appeal from the trial court’s summary judgment in favor of the defendant. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge William B. Cain
Originating Judge:Judge Donald P. Harris |
Williamson County | Court of Appeals | 05/27/04 | |
Dana Friedenstab, et al., v. Martha Short - Dissenting
M2003-00603-COA-R3-CV
The majority has determined that summary judgment was proper because the plaintiff failed to establish that the defendant owed her a duty and that the plaintiff was responsible for no less that 50% of her own injuries. I respectfully disagree.
Authoring Judge: Judge Frank G. Clement, Jr.
Originating Judge:Judge Donald P. Harris |
Williamson County | Court of Appeals | 05/27/04 | |
Author R. Turner v. State of Tennessee
W2003-02889-COA-R3-CV
This case involves a claim for negligence brought by Appellant, an inmate in the custody of the Tennessee Department of Correction. Appellant filed a claim with the Tennessee Division of Claims Administration, which was subsequently transferred to the Tennessee Claims Commission. The Commission determined the claim was time barred, and Appellant appealed this decision to this Court. We reverse and remand for further proceedings.
Authoring Judge: Judge Alan E. Highers
Originating Judge:Nancy C. Miller-Herron, Commissioner |
Court of Appeals | 05/27/04 | ||
Carla Lynn Downing v. Joseph Wade Downing
W2003-00561-COA-R3-CV
This is an appeal from the trial court’s order, which increases Appellant/Father’s child support obligation to an amount consistent with the Tennessee Child Support Guidelines. Appellant contends that the trial court erred in failing to consider his extensive visitation with the child in declining to deviate downward from the guidelines. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge W. Frank Crawford
Originating Judge:Chancellor Joe C. Morris |
Madison County | Court of Appeals | 05/27/04 | |
Kevin Demers v. Walter Whittenburg
M2003-00184-COA-R3-CV
This case involves two Rule 12.02(6) motions to dismiss converted to motions for summary judgment through the filing of additional affidavits with Plaintiff’s response to these motions. Although the trial court dismissed all claims against Defendants for failure to state a claim under Rule 12.02(6), we must review the evidence using a Rule 56 motion for summary judgment standard. Plaintiff alleged numerous business torts, conspiracy, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and defamation in this action against Defendants. However, Plaintiff failed to provide any evidence from which a jury could return a verdict in favor of Plaintiff on any count alleged. The trial court also granted Rule 11 sanctions against Plaintiff. The judgment of the trial court is affirmed, but on summary judgment grounds.
Authoring Judge: Judge William B. Cain
Originating Judge:Judge John H. Gasaway, III |
Robertson County | Court of Appeals | 05/27/04 | |
John McVoy v. Mary Ann Parks
M2003-01841-COA-R3-CV
This appeal involves an order of protection. After several public confrontations with his former girlfriend, the petitioner sought an order of protection from the Chancery Court for Sumner County. The trial court granted the order of protection, and the former girlfriend appealed to this court. Because the evidence does not preponderate against the trial court's decision, we affirm.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge William C. Koch, Jr.
Originating Judge:Chancellor Tom E. Gray |
Sumner County | Court of Appeals | 05/27/04 | |
State of Tennessee v. Timerell Nelson
W2003-01474-CCA-R3-CD
The Appellant, Timerell Nelson, appeals the verdict of a Shelby County jury finding him guilty of first degree felony murder. On appeal, Nelson raises the single issue of whether the evidence is sufficient to support his conviction. After review, we find the evidence to be more than sufficient. Accordingly, the judgment of conviction is affirmed.
Authoring Judge: Judge David G. Hayes
Originating Judge:Judge John P. Colton, Jr. |
Shelby County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 05/27/04 | |
Matthew Moates v. State of Tennessee
E2003-01926-CCA-R3-PC
The petitioner, Matthew L. Moates, appeals the Monroe County Criminal Court's denial of his petition for post-conviction relief from his conviction for aggravated robbery and resulting sixteen-year sentence. He claims (1) that he received the ineffective assistance of counsel because his attorney failed to call witnesses to testify at trial about the length of his hair at the time of the robbery, (2) that the state improperly struck an African-American juror from the jury, (3) that he is entitled to a new trial because he was not present during a conference in which the state and his trial attorney discussed the African-American juror's dismissal, and (4) that a state witness improperly communicated with a juror during his trial. We affirm the trial court's denial of the petition.
Authoring Judge: Judge Joseph M. Tipton
Originating Judge:Judge Carroll L. Ross |
Monroe County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 05/27/04 | |
Sharon D. Keller v. National Healthcare Corporation
2003-01527-WC-R3-CV
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 trial court awarded the employee 42 percent permanent partial disability as a result of a rotator cuff tear injury. The employer contends the evidence preponderates against the award. Other issues relate to the award of temporary total benefits, proper notice and the statute of limitations. The judgment is affirmed. Tenn. Code Ann. _ 5-6-225(e) (1999) Appeal as of Right; Judgment of the Chancery Court is Affirmed ROGER E. THAYER, SP. J., in which WILLIAM M. BARKER, J., and H. DAVID CATE, SP. J., joined. Paul Campbell III, Chattanooga, Tennessee, for Appellant, National Healthcare Corporation. John Mark Griffin, Chattanooga, Tennessee, for Appellee, Sharon D. Keller. MEMORANDUM OPINION The employer, National Healthcare Corporation, has appealed from the trial court's action in awarding the employee, Sharon D. Keller, 42 percent permanent partial disability to the body as a whole. Factual Background The employee, a fifty-one year old high school graduate, was working as a medical receptionist during March 19991 when she testified she injured her right shoulder while moving a box of medical records. She described the incident as causing a "stabbing horrible pain" in her shoulder. She said she immediately told office Manager Tina Cline, who was also working in the general area. Ms. Cline admitted being told of the incident and said she told Ms. Keller to not do anymore lifting. She stated she did not fill out an accident report but probably should have. When pressed by counsel as to why she did not fill out a report, she responded that the office was in the process of closing, records were being packed and sent to another location, and it was just a chaotic time and she just never got around to doing it. She also testified that her supervisor, Janet Avery, was aware of Ms. Keller having hurt her shoulder while working. Ms. Cline left this employment during May 1999. The employee sought medical treatment from Dr. Lester F. Littell, a physician she had been seeing for other problems. An MRI report indicated she had a right rotator cuff tear and surgery was performed on May 2, 1999. After recovering from surgery, she worked on a part- time basis for Dr. Littell from August 1, 2 until December 2, when he relocated his practice. She also worked some for a Dr. Driskin, who took over Dr. Littell's practice. Since then and up to the time of the trial, she has worked as a sitter for different patients. Witness Janet Avery testified she was the regional contract account manager for the employer and that her first knowledge of a work-related injury was not until August 1999 when she talked with Ms. Keller by phone. Dr. Lester F. Littell, an orthopedic surgeon, was the only medical witness and testified by deposition. He stated Ms. Keller had been under his care for some period of time and that he had operated on both of her knees due to a congenital condition. He repaired the rotator cuff tear on her right shoulder during May 1999 and felt by history she had sustained the injury while lifting or moving the box of medical records. He was of the opinion she had a 7 percent medical impairment to the body as a whole and said her recovery period would be from three to six months. His records were filed as an exhibit to his deposition and they indicated she reached maximum medical improvement during November 1999. Other statements in the records indicated she was totally disabled from April 13, 1999 to August 27, 1999. Restrictions on reaching and lifting were imposed. Issues on Appeal The employer has raised a number of questions on appeal which we find narrows down to the following issues. The employer contends (1) the employee failed to give proper notice of the injury, (2) the statute of limitations had run on the claim, (3) the court was in error in awarding temporary total disability payments, and (4) the evidence preponderates against the award of 42 1 The time of the incident was in dispute. The employee originally stated the incident happened during February 1999 but later amended the complaint to allege the injury occurred during mid-March 1999. -2-
Authoring Judge: Roger E. Thayer, Sp. J.
Originating Judge:W. Frank Brown III, Chancellor |
Knox County | Workers Compensation Panel | 05/26/04 | |
State of Tennessee v. Herbert Russell Johnson, Alias
E2003-02580-CCA-R3-CD
The defendant, Herbert Russell Johnson, appeals the revocation of his probation, arguing that the trial court erred in failing to consider further alternatives to incarceration before revoking his probation and ordering the reinstatement of his original sentence. Because the record reveals there was substantial evidence in support of the trial court's decision, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Alan E. Glenn
Originating Judge:Judge Mary Beth Leibowitz |
Knox County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 05/26/04 |