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| Norma Gail Flowers v. Emerson Motor Co.
02S01-9609-CH-00083
This workers' compensation appeal has been referred to the Special Workers' Compensation Appeals Panel of the Supreme Court inaccordance 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, Emerson Motor Company, contends the award of permanent partial disability benefits is excessive. The panel has concluded the judgment should be affirmed. The claimant, Flowers, is 43 years old and a high school graduate. She has a certificate as a nursing assistant, but no other vocational training or education. She has worked continuously for the employer since 1972, in a variety of jobs requiring repetitive use of her hands. On December 6, 1993, the claimant slipped and fell at work, landing on the palms of her hands. Although her wrists and hands had bothered her before the fall, she was not disabled and had not seen a doctor. Following the fall, she saw Dr. Ronald Bingham, who ordered NCS/EMG studies and diagnosed bilateral carpaltunnel syndrome, moderate on the left and moderate to moderately severe on the right. Another doctor diagnosed, in addition to bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, carpometacarpal subluxation and arthritis of the right thumb. Her carpal tunnel syndrome was found to be caused by repetitive use of her hands and wrists at work and the subluxation caused and the arthritis aggravated by the fall at work. Dr. Bourland assigned a permanent impairment rating of 15.8% to the claimant's right arm and none to the left. Dr. Joseph Boals assigned permanent impairment ratings of 2% to each arm. She is unable to perform her former duties for the employer and has pain and numbness in both hands. She cannot operate a keyboard. One vocational expert estimated her industrial disability at 6-65%; another opined she would be eligible for fewer than 25% of all available jobs. The chancellor awarded permanent partial disability benefits based on 5% to both arms. Appellate review is de novo upon the record of the trial court, accompanied by a presumption of correctness of the findings of fact, unless the preponderance of the evidence is otherwise. Tenn. Code Ann. section 5-6-225(e)(2). The extent of an injured worker's disability is an issue of fact. Jaske v. Murray Ohio Mfg. Co., 75 S.W.2d 15 (Tenn. 1988). The extent of an injured worker's vocational disability is a factual 2
Authoring Judge: Joe C. Loser, Jr., Special Judge
Originating Judge:Hon. George R. Ellis, |
Gibson County | Workers Compensation Panel | 04/17/97 | |
| Roberts vs. Lowe
03A01-9610-CC-00333
Originating Judge:Arden L. Hill |
Johnson County | Court of Appeals | 04/16/97 | |
| 02A01-9510-CV-00240
02A01-9510-CV-00240
Originating Judge:George R. Ellis |
Haywood County | Court of Appeals | 04/16/97 | |
| El Rayford vs. Stephen Leffler (Order)
02A01-9607-CV-00162
|
Court of Appeals | 04/16/97 | ||
| Brian Grant vs. Tonya Grant
02A01-9603-CV-00053
Originating Judge:Wyeth Chandler |
Court of Appeals | 04/16/97 | ||
| X2010-0000-XX-X00-XX
X2010-0000-XX-X00-XX
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Knox County | Court of Appeals | 04/16/97 | |
| 03C01-9601-CC-00016
03C01-9601-CC-00016
Originating Judge:E. Eugene Eblen |
Roane County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 04/16/97 | |
| State vs. John F. Wolard
01C01-9612-CC-00532
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Montgomery County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 04/16/97 | |
| 01A01-9508-CV-00377
01A01-9508-CV-00377
Originating Judge:Don R. Ash |
Rutherford County | Court of Appeals | 04/16/97 | |
| Gloria Gilliland vs. Gary Stanley
02A01-9603-GS-00056
Originating Judge:William A. Peeler |
Tipton County | Court of Appeals | 04/16/97 | |
| X2010-0000-XX-X00-XX
X2010-0000-XX-X00-XX
|
Hamblen County | Court of Appeals | 04/16/97 | |
| State., ex. rel., vs. United Physicians Ins.
01A01-9610-CH-00449
Originating Judge:Robert S. Brandt |
Davidson County | Court of Appeals | 04/16/97 | |
| 01A01-9610-JV-00493
01A01-9610-JV-00493
Originating Judge:Barry R. Brown |
Sumner County | Court of Appeals | 04/16/97 | |
| State vs. Theodore Howard
02C01-9508-CR-00237
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Shelby County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 04/11/97 | |
| Hymel vs. Hymel
01A01-9703-CV-00136
Originating Judge:Muriel Robinson |
Davidson County | Court of Appeals | 04/11/97 | |
| Warren, et. vir vs. Metro Gov't., et. al.
01A01-9606-CV-00277
Originating Judge:Thomas W. Brothers |
Davidson County | Court of Appeals | 04/11/97 | |
| Bryant vs. TN. Dept. of Safety
01A01-9509-CH-00398
Originating Judge:Robert S. Brandt |
Davidson County | Court of Appeals | 04/11/97 | |
| Sliger vs. Stokes, et. al.
01A01-9609-CH-00403
Originating Judge:Vernon Neal |
Putnam County | Court of Appeals | 04/11/97 | |
| Cashion vs. Robertson
01A01-9506-CH-00257
Originating Judge:Ben H. Cantrell |
Court of Appeals | 04/11/97 | ||
| Mcpherson vs. Stokes, et. al.
01A01-9505-CH-00216
Originating Judge:C. Allen High |
Davidson County | Court of Appeals | 04/11/97 | |
| Clemmye Berger vs. Marvin Ratner, et al
02A01-9604-CV-00077
Originating Judge:James E. Swearengen |
Shelby County | Court of Appeals | 04/11/97 | |
| Draper vs. Reaver, et. al.
01A01-9609-CV-00394
Originating Judge:Marietta M. Shipley |
Davidson County | Court of Appeals | 04/11/97 | |
| 03C01-9601-CR-00019
03C01-9601-CR-00019
|
Knox County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 04/10/97 | |
| X2010-0000-XX-X00-XX
X2010-0000-XX-X00-XX
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Shelby County | Court of Appeals | 04/10/97 | |
| X2010-0000-XX-X00-XX
X2010-0000-XX-X00-XX
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Shelby County | Court of Appeals | 04/10/97 |