APPELLATE COURT OPINIONS

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State vs. Larry Wayne King a/k/a Key & Andrew Byers

01C01-9601-CC-00002

Originating Judge:Donald P. Harris
Williamson County Court of Criminal Appeals 08/22/97
State vs. Delmer Ray Hall

01C01-9608-CR-00353

Originating Judge:Henry Denmark Bell
Williamson County Court of Criminal Appeals 08/22/97
State vs. Arthur E. Chandler

01C01-9608-CC-00345

Originating Judge:Thomas T. Woodall
Court of Criminal Appeals 08/22/97
Morris Donegan vs. State

01C01-9608-CR-00354

Originating Judge:Jane W. Wheatcraft
Sumner County Court of Criminal Appeals 08/22/97
Douglas Mattes vs. State

01C01-9609-CC-00398

Originating Judge:James K. Clayton, Jr.
Rutherford County Court of Criminal Appeals 08/22/97
State vs. William H. Stitts

02C01-9602-CC-00053
Madison County Court of Criminal Appeals 08/22/97
W2001-01724-COA-R3-JV

W2001-01724-COA-R3-JV
Authoring Judge: Judge Holly M. Kirby
Originating Judge:Christy R. Little
Madison County Court of Appeals 08/22/97
State, ex. rel., Alsobrooks vs. Rowlett

01C01-9605-CC-00211

Originating Judge:Robert E. Burch
Stewart County Court of Criminal Appeals 08/22/97
Thomas V. Case vs. State

01C01-9610-CC-00444

Originating Judge:Robert E. Burch
Dickson County Court of Criminal Appeals 08/22/97
State vs. Jimmy L. McCurry

02C01-9706-CC-00201
Lake County Court of Criminal Appeals 08/21/97
Mcdaniel v. Universal

03S01-9612-CV-00121
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. T. C. A. _ 5-6-241(a)(2) authorizes the Court to "reconsider upon the filing of a new cause of action the issue of industrial disability" and enlarge a previous award in appropriate cases where the employee is no longer employed by the pre-injury employer and files a timely application for an increase in benefits. This complaint was filed September 1, 1994. The plaintiff alleged that she had suffered a job-related back injury in 1993 which was resolved under the workers' compensation law on July 18, 1994 by a judgment approving a lump-sum settlement based on a finding of 2 percent vocational disability, with the proviso that she be allowed to return to work "within her medical restrictions."1 The judgment provided for the payment of future medical expenses provided the plaintiff consulted the defendant before seeking treatment from an authorized medical provider. She further alleged that she returned to work on July 11, 1994 and on August 17, 19942 during the course of her employment she again injured her back which resulted in total disability for which she sought an enlargement of the previous award. The plaintiff's job was sedentary. It involved "putting screws in bags." Upwards of eight one-inch screws were placed in a small glassine bag, total weight less than one ounce. She testified that owing to the laziness of fellow workers she occasionally had to stretch her arms in order to reach the materials and on August 17, 1994 "pulled her back" resulting in the alleged new injury and increased disability. The defendant denied that the plaintiff was injured as alleged and asserted that her anatomical impairment was no greater than as found by the Court on July 18, 1994. The trial judge found that this was not "an appropriate case under the provisions of T. C. A. _ 5-6-241(a)(2)" and dismissed the case. The plaintiff 1These "medical restrictions" are not otherwise defined or explicated. 2Twenty-nine days after the settlement. 2
Authoring Judge: William H. Inman, Senior Judge
Originating Judge:Hon. Ben K. Wexler
Knox County Workers Compensation Panel 08/21/97
Ebasco v. Rice

03S01-9701-CH-00009
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 paraphrased issue in this case is whether the finding of 15% permanent partial disability is supported by a preponderance of the evidence under our standard of review as mandated by Rule 13(d), T.R.A.P. and T.C.A. _ 5-6-225(e)(2). It is not disputed that the appellee suffered a job-related accidental back injury on August 12, 1993, while using a 2-pound drill with one hand because of close working quarters. Officially, he lost no time from work but was assigned to lighter duties until he was laid off in July 1994. He testified that during the year following his injury, he missed about 25-3 days because of back pain. In October 1994 he was employed by another company as a pipefitter but was laid off after only three weeks because he could not do heavy lifting. He took re-training courses in valve technology and obtained satisfactory employment not involving the lifting of heavy materials. He testified that he can no longer engage in physical activities which require heavy lifting. Dr. Herbert Dodge was his treating physician. He initially prescribed conservative treatment for a spondylolisthesis at the lowest part of the low back, with accompanying muscle spasms. He did not relate the spondylolisthesis to an injury, because it was congenital, but said the muscle spasm was caused by trauma. Dr. Dodge continued to see the appellee who complained of pain but followed instructions with respect to light work. He opined that the appellee had a three (3%) percent medical impairment to his whole body as a result of his injury. Dr. Lester Littell examined the appellee on one occasion, March 2, 1994, for the purpose of evaluation. He concurred in the diagnosis of spondylolisthesis and testified that if the condition is symptomatic, i.e., if the patient suffered a reported injury which was documented and if he complains of pain, the AMA Guidelines call for a seven (7%) percent impairment rating. 2
Authoring Judge: William H. Inman, Senior Judge
Originating Judge:Hon. Jeffrey F. Stewart,
Knox County Workers Compensation Panel 08/21/97
State vs. Dunlap

03C01-9607-CR-00251

Originating Judge:Ray L. Jenkins
Knox County Court of Criminal Appeals 08/21/97
State vs. Jerry Blaylock

02C01-9602-CC-00069

Originating Judge:C. Creed Mcginley
Hardin County Court of Criminal Appeals 08/21/97
Decatur Co. Bank vs. Welborn Duck, et al

02A01-9603-CH-00057

Originating Judge:John Walton West
Decatur County Court of Appeals 08/19/97
Ronald Wade Allen v. Bosch/General Electric d/b/a B.G.A.M., Inc.

01S01-9504-CH-00062
This workers' compensation appeal from the Sumner County Chancery Court has been referred to the Special Workers' Compensation Appeals Panel of the Supreme Court in accordance with Tenn. Code Ann. _5-6-225(e) for hearing and reporting to the Supreme Court of findings of fact and conclusions of law. The dispositive issue before us is whether the chancellor erred in dismissing plaintiff's suit for benefits due to plaintiff's failure to provide timely notice of his injury to the employer as required by Tenn. Code Ann. _5-6-21. For the reasons set forth below, We affirm the judgment of the trial court. The plaintiff, Ronald Wade Allen, began working for the defendant, Bosch/General Electric, d/b/a B.G.A.M., Inc., on November 8, 199. Plaintiff claims that on December 2, 199, he was lifting a tray of motors with two other employees, Clara Branham and Marilyn Rogan, when he felt a sharp pain and burning sensation in his back. According to plaintiff, he put the motors down and told Branham and Rogan that he had hurt his back. He then left the employer's place of business and went home without telling the employer's nurse or the plaintiff's supervisors about the injury. Plaintiff testified that on the following day, December 21, 199, he told his supervisors, Donald Felts and Cornise Gillespie, about the incident lifting the motors the day before. Gillespie purportedly told plaintiff that he needed to see Jill Richardson, the company nurse. According to plaintiff, he saw Richardson who gave him ice packs for his back. Rogan, one of the employees working with plaintiff at the time he claims 2
Authoring Judge: John Maddux, Special Judge
Originating Judge:Hon. Tom E. Gray,
Sumner County Workers Compensation Panel 08/19/97
State vs. Kerwin Walton

02C01-9610-CR-00321
Shelby County Court of Criminal Appeals 08/19/97
Beard v. Quadrex

03S01-9610-CH-00109
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. Defendants, Quadrex Corporation and Liberty Mutual Insurance Company, have appealed from the trial court's award of 5% permanent partial disability to the body as a whole. They contend the court was in error in fixing any disability for plaintiff's psychological injury and that the award exceeded the statutory cap of six times the medical impairment rating of 5%. Plaintiff, Timmy Ray Beard, sustained a low back injury in a work-related accident on December 13, 1993. He was 36 years of age at the time of the trial and had completed the 11th grade. He was qualified to do manual labor jobs. He returned to work during June 1994 but had to stop working because he said he was hurting so much he could not work. He has not returned to work. Plaintiff came under the care of Dr. Donald D. Dietze, a neurosurgeon, who testified by deposition. He stated the lumbosacral injury resulted in a 5% medical impairment. Plaintiff was treated with medication and therapy followed by a work- hardening program. The doctor placed certain restrictions on his lifting, standing, stooping, etc. activities. Plaintiff eventually was seen by Dr. Catherine E. Gyurik, a psychiatrist, whose testimony was presented by two depositions. The first deposition was taken on December 4, 1995 and the second deposition was recorded on June 27, 1996. Dr. Gyurik first saw plaintiff on June 12, 1995, which was about eighteen months after the accident. She told the court plaintiff had gained about fifty pounds; he was not sleeping; he was not socially active; and he was irritable and agitated. She gave a diagnosis of classical depression with moderate impairment, which meant he was greatly impaired in connection with his vocational ability. She said this would result in a 25-5 percent impairment for his psychological condition. The doctor prescribed anti-depressant medication and was of the opinion the depression was due to the physical injury he had sustained on the job. 2
Authoring Judge: Roger E. Thayer, Special Judge
Originating Judge:Hon. Frank V. Williams, III,
Knox County Workers Compensation Panel 08/19/97
Adams TV of Memphis vs. Comcorp of TN, et al

02A01-9606-CH-00142

Originating Judge:D. J. Alissandratos
Shelby County Court of Appeals 08/19/97
Ronald Merriman v. Dekalb County Highway Dept. & Aetna Casualty Ins. Co.

01S01-9610-CH-00221
Authoring Judge: William S. Russell, Retired Judge
Originating Judge:Hon.
DeKalb County Workers Compensation Panel 08/19/97
Joseph Leibovich, et al vs. The Kroger Co., et al

02A01-9608-CV-00192

Originating Judge:D'Army Bailey
Shelby County Court of Appeals 08/19/97
Carver v. State

03C01-9703-CR-00096
Polk County Court of Criminal Appeals 08/19/97
State vs. Monroe Davis

02C01-9608-CR-00291

Originating Judge:Arthur T. Bennett
Shelby County Court of Criminal Appeals 08/19/97
Gary Higginbotham v. Grinnell Corp.

02S01-9611-Ch-00101
This worker's compensation appeal has been referred to the Special Workers' Compensation Appeals Panel of the Supreme Court in accordance with Tennessee Code Annotated _ 50-6-225 (e) (3) for hearing and reporting of findings of fact and conclusions of law.
Authoring Judge: Robert A. Lanier, Special Judge
Originating Judge:Hon. Joe C. Morris
Chester County Workers Compensation Panel 08/18/97
Sharon Rivers v. Cigna Property & Casualty Co.

02S01-9612-CV-00105
This workers' compensation appeal has been referred to the Special Workers' Compensation Appeals Panel of the Supreme Court in accordance with Tennessee Code Annotated Section 5-6-225(e)(3) for hearing and reporting of findings of fact and conclusions of law. The first issue presented to the Court is whether or not the trial court erred in finding that the plaintiff was entitled to benefits for permanent partial disability based upon fif ty percent (5%) to the left lower extremity. It is not disputed that the claimant sustained an accidental injury arising out of and in the course of her employment with the defendant on January 24, 1995, when her left foot became crushed between pieces of equipment. She did not have a fracture but had a crush injury of the soft tissue to the left foot. She was placed in a cast and given medication and recommendations for exercise and warm soaks. She eventually returned to work around March 1, 1995. She was under the treatment of the physician provided by the employer but was released to resume her work and she did resume her regular work as a stacker machine operator for approximately one year. She continued to have complaints of pain and irritation in her ankle from time to time and saw the company doctor. Some time after July 11, 1995, her supervisor told her that the employer would not be responsible for her doctor's bill for the preceding visit to the company doctor. Subsequent to that, however, she returned to see the company doctor, who saw her without expense to her. He felt that she reached maximum medical recovery on July 25, 1995 and opined that she had not suffered any permanent impairment. He concluded that she had sustained a soft tissue injury without any fracture or disarrangement of the joint. On January 17, 1996, Plaintiff's attorney referred her to a rheumatologist in Memphis without prior notice or consultation with the employer. She was subsequently seen and treated by the rheumatologist. She had been satisfied with the treatment given to her by the company doctor before her supervisor told her that his bill would not be paid. The rheumatologist has testified that the claimant suffered a fifteen percent (15%) permanent impairment to her left lower extremity. He based his opinion upon his 2
Authoring Judge: Robert A. Lanier, Circuit Judge
Originating Judge:Hon. Whit S. Lafon
Madison County Workers Compensation Panel 08/18/97