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| Philips Consumer Electronics Company v. Kathy A.
E2000-00791-WC-R3-CV
This workers' compensation suit was instituted by the employer. The trial judge found the employer should pay all medical care necessary for the treatment of an injury at work, that no temporary total benefits were owed, and that the employee suffered no permanent disability. We affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: John K. Byers, Sr. J.
Originating Judge:Dale C. Workman, Judge |
Knox County | Workers Compensation Panel | 04/02/01 | |
| Jennifer Mcgarity v. Tecumseh Products Company, et al.
W1999-01704-WC-R3-CV
Defendant Tecumseh Products Company appeals the judgment of the Circuit Court of Henry County awarding plaintiff permanent partial disability asserting error as to issues of notice, statute of limitations, and causation. For the reasons stated in the opinion We affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Henry D. Bell, Sp. J.
Originating Judge:Hon. C. Creed Mcginley, Judge |
Henry County | Workers Compensation Panel | 04/02/01 | |
| State of Tennessee v. Anthony Ray Lawson
E2000-01419-CCA-R3-CD
Anthony Ray Lawson appeals his conviction of especially aggravated robbery and contests the sufficiency of the evidence. Upon review, we hold that the evidence is sufficient to sustain the conviction and therefore affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge J. Curwood Witt, Jr.
Originating Judge:Judge Richard R. Baumgartner |
Knox County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 04/02/01 | |
| Kitty Lou Kimbro v. Ferro Corporation
M2000-00400-WC-R3-CV
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) (1999) for hearing and reporting to the Supreme Court of findings of fact and conclusions of law. Ferro Corporation raises three issues on appeal, arguing that the trial court erred in (1) finding that the plaintiff had suffered a permanent injuryto the left upper extremity, (2) finding a 1 percent anatomical impairment to the left upper extremity, and (3) assessing awards of 45 percent permanent partial disability to the right upper extremity and 3 percent permanent partial disability to the left upper extremity. On review, the Panel concludes that the evidence does not preponderate against the trial court's finding of a permanent injury to the left upper extremity. Furthermore, though we conclude that the trial court's finding of 1 percent anatomical impairment to the left upper extremity was excessive, we nonetheless hold that the evidence does not preponderate against the trial court's awards of 45 percent permanent partial disability to the right upper extremity and 3 percent permanent partial disability to the left upper extremity. Tenn. Code Ann. _ 5-6-225(e) (1999) Appeal as of Right; Judgment of the Criminal Court Affirmed CAROL CATALANO, Sp. J., in which ADOLPHO A. BIRCH, JR., J., and JAMES L. WEATHERFORD, Sr. J., joined. Jill A. Hanson, Nashville, Tennessee, for the appellant, Ferro Corporation. Susan K. Bradley, Murfreesboro, Tennessee, for the appellee, Kitty Lou Kimbro. MEMORANDUM OPINION I. Facts and Procedural History Kitty Lou Kimbro,1 the plaintiff, began working for Ferro Corporation (Ferro),the defendant, in July 1987. Except for a two-year layoff which ended in 1993,2 she was employed by Ferro continuously. During her employment with Ferro, Kimbro occupied a variety of positions, working as a smelter operator, running machines in Ferro's milling department, and mixing, weighing, and packaging raw materials. Many of these tasks involved strenuous lifting of boxes and bags of materials. At some point while working in the milling department, Kimbro noticed that she was experiencing pain in her hands. In February 1998, Kimbro reported this pain to Ferro. Initially, Kimbro was treated conservatively for her injuries, but eventually she was referred to Joseph Weick, M.D., who performed a surgical "carpal tunnel release" on her right arm. Kimbro returned to work for Ferro on light duty the day after her surgery. Subsequently, Kimbro transferred to Ferro's "lab" department, where she worked full time and without restrictions, though she still experienced pain to her hands while writing and while operating air hoses used in the lab. During this time, Kimbro complained to Weick on numerous occasions that she was having difficulty with her grip strength and with controlling her thumb. Kimbro continued to work for Ferro for approximately nine months before she was terminated.3 At trial, Kimbro testified that she continued to have pain in the edges of her hands, through her thumbs and down the sides of her palms, and she also had symptoms of numbness and problems gripping. Kimbro also presented the deposition testimony of orthopedic surgeon Richard Fishbein, M.D., who assigned Kimbro an anatomical impairment rating of 5 percent to the left upper extremity and 12 percent to the right upper extremity. Ferro, on the other hand, presented the deposition testimony of Wieck, who assigned Kimbro an anatomical impairment rating of 5 percent to the right upper extremity, but no impairment rating to the left upper extremity. Wieck, however, conceded that he did not evaluate her left extremity in determining impairment. The trial court concluded that Kimbro had suffered a permanent vocational disability resulting from bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and it awarded Kimbro benefits based on findings of 45 percent permanent partial disability to the right upper extremity and 3 percent permanent partial disability to the left upper extremity. Ferro appealed, asserting that the trial court erred in (1) finding permanent injury to the left upper extremity; (2) finding a 1 percent anatomical impairment to the left upper extremity; and (3) assessing permanent partial disability awards of 45 percent to the 1At trial, Kimbro testified that she was forty years old and has obtained her GED. 2During the period in which she was laid off from Ferro, Kimbro worked in various jobs as a dock worker, waitress, and cashier. 3In her brief, Kimb ro intimates that she was wron gfully terminated because she was "fired . . . after giving her deposition in this workers' co mpensatio n action." Fe rro maintains that she was term inated for "atten dance rea sons." The allegatio n that Kimbro was fired wrongfully, however, is not part of the action before the Panel and will not be addressed. -2-
Authoring Judge: Carol Catalano, Sp. J.
Originating Judge:J. O. Bond, Judge |
Wilson County | Workers Compensation Panel | 03/30/01 | |
| Jesus M. Parra v. Rieth-Riley Construction Co.,
W1999-00419-WC-R3-CV
The trial judge found the plaintiff, Jesus M. Parra, suffered an 8 percent permanent partial disability to the right foot. The defendants, Rieth-Riley Construction Company and Zurich-American Insurance Group, contend the evidence does not support the award and further say the injury was limited to two toes rather than to the foot. We affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: John K. Byers, Sr. J.
Originating Judge:Robert L. Childers, Judge |
Shelby County | Workers Compensation Panel | 03/30/01 | |
| Darrell Smith vs. Chattanooga Medical Investors, Inc. d/b/a Life Care Center Chattanooga
E2000-01352-COA-R3-CV
Plaintiff's action for breach of contract for nursing home services was dismissed by the Trial Judge on Summary Judgment. On appeal, we hold plaintiff was third party beneficiary on contracts between the State of Tennessee and defendant.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Herschel P. Franks
Originating Judge:W. Frank Brown, III |
Hamilton County | Court of Appeals | 03/30/01 | |
| In Re: T. M. & M.M. vs. Department of Children's Svcs
E2000-01870-COA-R3-CV
Father sought to recover for childcare services ordered to be furnished by the Department of Children's Services in the Juvenile Court of Sevier County. The Circuit Court dismissed the Petition, but approved an award of attorney fees. On appeal, we affirm in part and reverse in part.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Herschel P. Franks
Originating Judge:W. Dale Young |
Blount County | Court of Appeals | 03/30/01 | |
| Anna Williams vs. James Williams, II
E2000-03005-COA-R3-CV
In this post-divorce case, Anna M. Williams ("Mother") filed a petition against James K. Williams, II ("Father"), seeking a modification of the parties' divorce judgment, which judgment, inter alia, had awarded the parties joint custody of their minor daughter, Ashlyn Brooke Williams (DOB: July 20, 1996). The petition sought an alteration of Father's visitation schedule and an increase in Father's child support obligation. In response, Father filed, inter alia, a petition for change of custody. The trial court found a substantial and material change in circumstances and awarded Father sole custody of Ashlyn. We reverse.
Authoring Judge: Judge Charles D. Susano, Jr.
Originating Judge:William R. Brewer |
Blount County | Court of Appeals | 03/30/01 | |
| State Farm Ins. Co. vs. Charles Schubert, et al
E2000-02054-COA-R3-CV
State Farm Insurance Company filed a declaratory judgment action seeking a determination as to its liability under the uninsured motorist ("UM") coverage of an automobile insurance policy issued to Charles Schubert. Schubert and his wife had obtained judgments against an uninsured motorist totaling $330,000. Of this amount, Schubert was awarded $260,000 for his injuries. His wife, Clara Schubert, was awarded $70,000 for loss of consortium. At the time of the automobile accident that gave rise to the underlying claims, Schubert was acting within the course and scope of his employment; as a result of his injuries, he received workers' compensation benefits of $89,518.08. We are asked to decide how much of the UM single-person coverage limit of $100,000 is payable in view of the language of the following provision of the policy as it applies to the UM coverages:
Authoring Judge: Judge Charles D. Susano, Jr.
Originating Judge:James B. Scott, Jr. |
Anderson County | Court of Appeals | 03/30/01 | |
| Bobby King vs. City of Gatlinburg
E2000-00734-COA-R3-CV
The Trial Court refused to entertain plaintiff's action on the grounds there was no justiciable controversy between the parties. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Herschel P. Franks
Originating Judge:Telford E. Forgerty, Jr. |
Sevier County | Court of Appeals | 03/30/01 | |
| Jennifer Gregg vs. Shirley McKay, Diane Farley, and Michael Floyd
E2000-01754-COA-R3-CV
This is a suit seeking damages for sexual harassment filed by the Plaintiff/Appellant, Jennifer Gregg, in the Circuit Court for Sevier County against the Defendants/Appellees, Shirley McKay and Diane Farley. The Trial Court sustained the Defendants' motion for summary judgment . We vacate the judgment of the Trial Court and remand for further proceedings consistent with this opinion. Costs of appeal are adjudged against the Defendants.
Authoring Judge: Judge Houston M. Goddard
Originating Judge:O. Duane Slone |
Sevier County | Court of Appeals | 03/30/01 | |
| Philip Workman v. Donal Campbell, et al.
M2001-01445-COA-R3-CV
This case involves the extent to which the State of Tennessee may regulate a condemned prisoner's right to be attended by his personal minister in the hours leading up to his execution. Prisoner sued the Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Corrections and the prison warden based upon the warden's denial of prisoner's request that his personal religious advisor be physically present at all times leading up to his execution. The chancery court ordered the issuance of a writ of mandamus requiring the prison warden to allow the prisoner's minister to attend the prisoner at all times until the prisoner enters the death chamber. We reverse and remand.
Authoring Judge: Judge W. Frank Crawford
Originating Judge:Ellen Hobbs Lyle |
Court of Appeals | 03/30/01 | ||
| The Weather Doctor Services Co., Inc., vs. Mark Stephens, et al
E2000-01427-COA-R3-CV
This is a suit in quantum meriut by The Weather Doctor Services Co., Inc., a subcontractor of David T. Goldnetz, d/b/a Architectural Custom Home Builders, Inc., against Mark Stephens and his wife Cindy Stephens. The Trial Court sustained the Stephenses' motion for summary judgment, finding that the undisputed facts did not sustain a cause of action in quantum meriut. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge Houston M. Goddard
Originating Judge:Daryl R. Fansler |
Knox County | Court of Appeals | 03/30/01 | |
| State of Tennessee v. Charlie M. Gardner
M1999-02214-CCA-R3-CD
The Defendant, Charlie M. Gardner, was found guilty by a Davidson County jury of one count of first degree premeditated murder and two counts of reckless aggravated assault. The jury sentenced the Defendant to life without the possibility of parole for the first degree murder conviction, and the trial court sentenced the Defendant to four years for each reckless aggravated assault conviction, all sentences to be served consecutively. In this appeal, the Defendant challenges (1) the admissibility of hearsay statements as falling within the excited utterance exception, (2) the sufficiency of the evidence as to all three convictions and (3) the fatal variance between the allegations in count two of the indictment and the proof offered at trial. Based upon our review, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Thomas T. Woodall
Originating Judge:Judge Cheryl A. Blackburn |
Davidson County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 03/30/01 | |
| Steven Hull vs. Susan Hull and Garth Eddy
E2000-02696-COA-R3-CV
In this action to recover proceeds on life insurance policies required by a divorce decree for the children, the Trial Judge held the children were entitled to the proceeds, rather than the beneficiary named in the policies. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Herschel P. Franks
Originating Judge:O. Duane Slone |
Jefferson County | Court of Appeals | 03/29/01 | |
| Doretha Currie v. Kaiser Aluminum & Chemical
W1999-00821-WC-R3-CV
The appellant presents the following issues for review: (1) Whether the trial court erred in finding that plaintiff sustained permanent partial disability as a result of a work-related injury on August 16, 1997; and (2) Whether the trial court's award of 35 percent permanent partial disability to the left arm was supported by a preponderance of the evidence. After a review of the entire record, briefs of the parties and applicable law, we affirm the trial court's judgment.
Authoring Judge: Wil V. Doran, Sp. J.
Originating Judge:Joe C. Morris, Chancellor |
Madison County | Workers Compensation Panel | 03/29/01 | |
| Jack Hutter, vs. Robert Cohen & John Hutter vs. Allen Bray
E1999-01859-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Herschel P. Franks
Originating Judge:James B. Scott, Jr. |
Blount County | Court of Appeals | 03/29/01 | |
| Tyrone V. Turner v. State of Tennessee
M2000-01949-CCA-R3-PC
The petitioner, Tyrone V. Turner, appeals the trial court's denial of post-conviction relief. The issue presented for review is whether the petitioner was denied the effective assistance of counsel on direct appeal. The judgment is affirmed.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Gary R Wade
Originating Judge:Judge J. S. Daniel |
Rutherford County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 03/29/01 | |
| Dexter L. Williams vs. State
E1999-00871-SC-R11-PC
Authoring Judge: Justice William M. Barker
Originating Judge:W. Dale Young |
Blount County | Supreme Court | 03/29/01 | |
| Randall B. Coward vs. Blount County
E2000-02378-COA-R3-CV
Randall B. Coward ("Plaintiff") was incarcerated in the Blount County jail after being charged with DUI. Plaintiff claims he was sitting on the bed in his cell when the mattress shifted causing him to fall to the floor, landing on his head. Plaintiff says there was a full size mattress on a twin size frame with the mattress extending over the frame by six to eight inches. Plaintiff sued alleging negligence and/or gross negligence on the part of Blount County ("Defendant"). Defendant filed a summary judgment motion and attached the affidavits of the Sheriff of Blount County and a deputy sheriff. Both of these individuals swear that there were two styles of mattresses in the jail, and both styles fit the bed frames. In response to the summary judgment motion, Plaintiff filed his own affidavit which stated that the mattress extended over the frame by six to eight inches and was a full size mattress on a twin size frame. The Trial Court granted Defendant's summary judgment motion. We conclude there is a genuine issue of material fact, and, therefore, vacate the judgment.
Authoring Judge: Judge David Michael Swiney
Originating Judge:W. Dale Young |
Blount County | Court of Appeals | 03/29/01 | |
| Carolyn Sue Moore v. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
W2000-00719-WC-R3-CV
The employer contends this claim is time barred by the statute of limitations and notice provisions and that the award to the workers' scheduled member was excessive. As discussed below, the panel concludes that the judgment of the trial court should be affirmed in all respects.
Authoring Judge: C. Creed Mcginley, Sp. J.
Originating Judge:Robert L. Childers, Judge By Interchange |
Moore County | Workers Compensation Panel | 03/29/01 | |
| Blanche Bunch vs. Robert Sharp
E1999-02524-COA-R3-CV
In this boundary line dispute, the Trial Judge established the boundary between the parties' lands and Plaintiff has appealed. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Herschel P. Franks
Originating Judge:Conrad E. Troutman, Jr. |
Claiborne County | Court of Appeals | 03/29/01 | |
| Dexter L. Williams vs. State
E1999-00871-SC-R11-PC
Authoring Judge: Justice William M. Barker
Originating Judge:D. Kelly Thomas, Jr. |
Blount County | Supreme Court | 03/29/01 | |
| Sandra G. Jackson v. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
W1999-01691-WC-R3-CV
The trial court determined that the plaintiff had suffered a 2% permanent partial disability to her right arm and a 3% permanent partial disability to her left arm as the result of bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome. The defendant submits that the awards are excessive and that the testimony of the independent medical evaluator should be disallowed due to his failure to utilize the AMA Guidelines in determining grip strength loss. For the following reasons, we disallow that portion of the independent medical evaluator's testimony dealing with grip strength loss but affirm the trial court's award of vocational disability.
Authoring Judge: J. Steven Stafford, Special Judge
Originating Judge:William Michael Maloan, Chancellor |
Obion County | Workers Compensation Panel | 03/29/01 | |
| Audie Lowe, et al vs. Bill Goad, et al
E2000-02056-COA-R3-CV
Audie Lowe, Hilda Lowe, and Sheilda Mills ("Plaintiffs") brought this boundary line suit against members of their family, Bill Goad, Mattie Goad, Eugene Olmstead, and Mae Olmstead ("Defendants"). Plaintiffs allege their predecessor-in-title, Arlie Overton, had an agreement with Defendants' predecessor-in-title, Sherman Overton, that a fence ("Fence") would serve as the boundary line. Plaintiffs' deed does not include the disputed area up to the fence. After a trial, the Trial Court dismissed Plaintiffs' complaint, holding that the Fence was not the boundary line by agreement or acquiescence. Plaintiffs appeal. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge David Michael Swiney
Originating Judge:Billy Joe White |
Scott County | Court of Appeals | 03/29/01 |