APPELLATE COURT OPINIONS

This workers' compensation appeal has been referred to the Special Workers'Compensation Appeals Panel of the Supreme Court in accordance with Tenn. Code Ann. section 50-6-225(e)(3) for hearing and reporting of findings of fact and conclusions of law. In this appeal, the employer questions the award of permanent partial disability benefits as being excessive and contends the award should be to the first phalange of the thumb rather than to the thumb. As discussed below, the panel has concluded the judgment should be modified.

This is an appeal from a Final Decree of Divorce entered January 5, 1996. Plaintiff, Sherry Denise Thearp Ervin (Wife), appeals from the order of the trial court granting her an absolute divorce from the defendant, Dale Edward Ervin (Husband). 1 In her first issue, Wife argues that the trial court should have awarded her the parties’ ski boat. We will consider this assertion with the second issue. 2 Wife appeals the trial court’s decision concerning the division of the marital property, the amount of child support, and the denial of an award of attorneys’ fees.

Johnny Glenn Hilliard (Father) appeals from the order of the trial court granting visitation rights to his son’s maternal grandmother. Father and Misty Lynn Hilliard (now Schrems) (Mother) married in 1992. Alexander Glenn Hilliard (Alex) was born in May 1993. The parents divorced in January, 1995 and temporary custody1 was awarded to Terry Minton, the maternal grandmother. At that time, Mother was living with her mother, Terry Minton. Mother currently resides in Florida with her present husband.