APPELLATE COURT OPINIONS

State of Tennessee v. Odus Eugene Long

98130-CCA-R3-CD

Originating Judge:J. O. Bond
Jackson County Court of Criminal Appeals 05/25/00
William T. Taff vs. William B. Milton

E1999-01174-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge Houston M. Goddard
Originating Judge:R. Jerry Beck
Sullivan County Court of Appeals 05/25/00
Williams vs. Bell

M1999-02124-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge Ben H. Cantrell
Originating Judge:Carol L. Soloman
Davidson County Court of Appeals 05/25/00
Madison, et al vs. Pickett Co. Bank & Trust

M1999-00003-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge William B. Cain
Originating Judge:John A. Turnbull
Pickett County Court of Appeals 05/25/00
Rutherford vs. Campbell, et al

M1999-02789-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge William B. Cain
Originating Judge:Irvin H. Kilcrease, Jr.
Davidson County Court of Appeals 05/25/00
Howard vs. Norwood

M1999-00838-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge David R. Farmer
Originating Judge:Robert E. Corlew, III
Rutherford County Court of Appeals 05/25/00
Amonette vs. Amonette

M1999-01283-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge Ben H. Cantrell
Originating Judge:Vernon Neal
Putnam County Court of Appeals 05/25/00
State vs. James R. Horn, Sr.

M1999-00301-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge Thomas T. Woodall
Originating Judge:W. Charles Lee
Marshall County Court of Criminal Appeals 05/25/00
Judith Trent Denton vs. Herbert Jackson Denton, Jr.

E1999-02713-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge Charles D. Susano, Jr.
Originating Judge:Richard E. Ladd
Sullivan County Court of Appeals 05/25/00
State vs. Jumbo Kuri

M1999-00638-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge Thomas T. Woodall
Originating Judge:Walter C. Kurtz
Davidson County Court of Criminal Appeals 05/25/00
Brenda K. Bascko v. St. Paul Fire and Marine Insurance Company and A.J. Metler Hauling & Rigging Company, Inc.

03S01-9907-CV-00083
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 appellants, St. Paul Fire and Marine Insurance Company and A. J. Metler Hauling & Rigging Company, Inc., contend that the preponderance of the evidence does not support the trial court's finding that there was a causal connection between the fatal heart attack suffered by Richard I. Bascko and his driving a tractor-trailer rig. 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 finding, 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 courts in workers' compensation cases. Corcoran v. Foster Auto GMC, Inc., 746 S.W.2d 452, 456 (Tenn. 1988). This case was tried upon stipulations and depositions of medical doctors. As relevant to this decision, the stipulations are as follows: 1. Richard I. Bascko died on October 15, 1993 while driving a tractor-trailer rig for A.J. Metler. The truck was found at 2:48 a.m. on October 15 and Mr. Bascko was unresponsive over the driver's wheel. 2
Authoring Judge: Howell N. Peoples, Special Judge
Originating Judge:Hon. Ben W. Hooper
Knox County Workers Compensation Panel 05/25/00
State vs. Michael E. Mills

M1999-00842-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge Jerry Smith
Originating Judge:Seth W. Norman
Davidson County Court of Criminal Appeals 05/25/00
B. Rothstein and A. Rothstein , & as next of kin of Lisa G. Rothstein, Dec. vs. Orange Grove Center, Inc., and Christopher D. Prater, M.D.

E1999-00900-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Herschel P. Franks
Originating Judge:W. Neil Thomas, III
Hamilton County Court of Appeals 05/25/00
State vs. Karen Bandy

M1999-01870-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge Joe G. Riley
Originating Judge:Robert W. Wedemeyer
Robertson County Court of Criminal Appeals 05/25/00
State of Tennessee v. Brown & Williamson Tobacco Company, et al., v. Gregory Bennett Perry and Steve Lloyd Champion, et al.

M1999-00455-SC-R3-CV

A petition for rehearing has been filed on behalf of the Beckom appellants pursuant to Tennessee Rules of Appellate Procedure Rule 39. After consideration of the same, the Court is of the opinion that the petition should be and the same hereby is denied at the cost of the Beckom appellants. Enter this 24th day of May, 2000.

Authoring Judge: Per Curiam
Davidson County Supreme Court 05/24/00
Dotson vs. Blake, et al

W1998-00710-SC-R11-CV
This is an appeal from the Circuit Court of Weakley County, which refused to permit the jury in a personal injury case to allocate fault to tortfeasors who successfully asserted a statute of repose defense. The Court of Appeals affirmed the trial court. We granted review to decide whether fault may be attributed to tortfeasors who cannot be held liable because of a statute of repose. After examining the record, considering the arguments of the parties, and analyzing the applicable law, we conclude that the courts below erred in not allowing fault to be assigned to the tortfeasors who successfully asserted a statute of repose to the claims against them. Accordingly, for the reasons explained hereafter, the lower courts are reversed.
Authoring Judge: Justice Frank F. Drowota, III
Originating Judge:William B. Acree
Weakley County Supreme Court 05/24/00
Landstar Poole, Inc. v. George Hugh Rhoades, Jr.

M1999-00040-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) (1999) for hearing and reporting of findings of fact and conclusions of law. Appellate review of factual issues in workers' compensation cases is de novo with a presumption that the trial court's findings are correct, unless the preponderance of the evidence is otherwise. Tenn. Code Ann. _5-6-225(e)(2) (1999); Hill v. Eagle Bend Mfg., Inc., 942 S.W. 2d 483, 487 (Tenn. 1997). When a trial court has seen and heard witnesses and issues of credibility and weight of testimonyare involved, considerable deference is afforded the trial court's findings of fact. See Humphrey v. David Witherspoon, Inc., 734 S.W. 2d 315, 315-16 (Tenn. 1987). Tenn. R. App. P. 3 Appeal as of Right; Judgment of the Chancery Court Affirmed SAMUEL L. LEWIS, SP. J., in which FRANK F. DROWOTA, III, J., and TOM E. GRAY, SP. J., joined. Kent. E. Krause, Nashville, Tennessee, for the appellant, Landstar Poole, Inc. Alan Wise, Nashville, Tennessee, for the appellee, George Hugh Rhoades, Jr. OPINION 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) (1999) for hearing and reporting of findings of fact and conclusions of law. Appellate review of factual issues in workers' compensation cases is de novo with a presumption that the trial court's findings are correct, unless the preponderance of the evidence is otherwise. Tenn. Code Ann. _5-6-225(e)(2) (1999); Hill v. Eagle Bend Mfg., Inc., 942 S.W. 2d 483, 487 (Tenn. 1997). When a trial court has -2-
Authoring Judge: Samuel L. Lewis, Sp. J.
Davidson County Workers Compensation Panel 05/24/00
State vs. Carl McKissack

W1999-01136-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge David H. Welles
Originating Judge:Roy B. Morgan, Jr.
Madison County Court of Criminal Appeals 05/24/00
Elizabeth Bosi vs. Kevin Bosi

W1999-01533-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Alan E. Highers
Originating Judge:Karen R. Williams
Shelby County Court of Appeals 05/24/00
State vs. Thomas Williams

W1999-01748-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge Alan E. Glenn
Originating Judge:Roy B. Morgan, Jr.
Madison County Court of Criminal Appeals 05/24/00
State vs. Patrick Maxwell

E1999-00124-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge Alan E. Glenn
Originating Judge:R. Jerry Beck
Sullivan County Court of Criminal Appeals 05/24/00
Dotson vs. Blake, et al

W1998-00710-SC-R11-CV
This is an appeal from the Circuit Court of Weakley County, which refused to permit the jury in a personal injury case to allocate fault to tortfeasors who successfully asserted a statute of repose defense. The Court of Appeals affirmed the trial court. We granted review to decide whether fault may be attributed to tortfeasors who cannot be held liable because of a statute of repose. After examining the record, considering the arguments of the parties, and analyzing the applicable law, we conclude that the courts below erred in not allowing fault to be assigned to the tortfeasors who successfully asserted a statute of repose to the claims against them. Accordingly, for the reasons explained hereafter, the lower courts are reversed.
Authoring Judge: Justice Frank F. Drowota, III
Originating Judge:William B. Acree
Weakley County Supreme Court 05/24/00
BVT Lebanon Shopping Cehter, Ltd. vs. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., et al

M1997-00059-SC-R11-CV
Authoring Judge: Justice Janice M. Holder
Originating Judge:Bobby H. Capers
Wilson County Supreme Court 05/24/00
Richard Leemis vs. Paul Russell Jr.

W1999-00352-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge David R. Farmer
Originating Judge:Robert A. Lanier
Shelby County Court of Appeals 05/24/00
Linda Liles v. The Yasuda Fire & Marine Insurance

M1999-00016-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)(1999) for hearing and reporting of findings of fact and conclusions of law. Appellate review of factual issues in workers' compensation cases is de novo with a presumption that the trail court's findings are correct, unless the preponderance of the evidence is otherwise. Tenn. Code Ann. _5-6- 225(e)(2)(1999); Hill v. Eagle Bend Mfg., Inc., 942 S.W. 2d 483, 487 (Tenn. 1997). When a trial court has seen and heard witnesses and issues of credibility and weight of testimony are involved, considerable deference is afforded the trial court's findings of fact. See Humphrey v. David Witherspoon, Inc., 734 S.W. 2d 315, 315-16 (Tenn.1987). Tenn. R. App. P. 3 Appeal as of Right; Judgment of the Chancery Court Affirmed SAMUEL L. LEWIS, SP. J., in which FRANK F. DROWOTA, III, J., and TOM E. GRAY, SP. J., joined. A. Gregory Ramos, Nashville, Tennessee, for the appellant, The Yasuda Fire & Marine Insurance Company of America, Inc. Christina Henley Duncan, Manchester, Tennessee, for the appellee, Linda Liles. OPINION 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)(1999) for hearing and reporting of findings of fact and conclusions of law. Appellate review of factual issues in workers' compensation cases is de novo with a presumption that the trail court's findings are correct, unless the preponderance of the evidence is otherwise. Tenn. Code Ann. _5-6- -2-
Authoring Judge: Samuel L. Lewis, Sp. J.
Franklin County Workers Compensation Panel 05/24/00