APPELLATE COURT OPINIONS

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Morris vs. State

01S01-9804-BC-00076
Supreme Court 06/21/99
Carter v. Morristown-Hamblen

03S01-9806-CV-00055
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 employee, Jean E. Carter, has appealed from the action of the trial court in dismissing her claim by sustaining a motion for summary judgment filed by the employer, Morristown-Hamblen Hospital Association. The circuit judge ruled the claim was barred because of the expiration of the one year statute of limitations. The record indicates plaintiff was injured at work on June 24, 1992. The complaint for workers' compensation benefits was filed on September 16, 1997, which was over five years after the accident. It is apparent the accident was treated as a compensable claim as the insurance company had paid medical bills totaling $69,495.23 prior to the period of time in question and had also paid a total of $7,182. in temporary total disability benefits for the periods June 25, 1992 through July 2, 1992 and December 7, 1993 through May 1, 1994. Also a total of $16,791.13 in "temporary partial disability payments" had been paid to plaintiff for the period May 2, 1994 through February 18, 1996. Defendant's motion for summary judgment is supported by the affidavit of Deborah Howard, an insurance claims adjuster. It establishes the last payment of benefits was during March 1996 and the last payment of a medical expense was on July 8, 1996 in the sum of $7.96 for medication purchased during December 1993. Plaintiff responded to the motion by filing an affidavit, attaching letters which she had received from the insurance company and filing defendant's answers to interrogatories. Her affidavit stated she was 72 years of age and had been employed as a registered nurse at the hospital; that she had sustained injuries to both knees and she was not aware there was a time limit requiring her to take any action concerning her claim; that she never thought about it being necessary to file a lawsuit; that the insurance company had paid her medical bills and had been paying her for her injuries; that the only time a suggestion was made concerning a period of time to take action was when she received the August 27, 1997 letter advising the time 2
Authoring Judge: Roger E. Thayer, Special Judge
Originating Judge:Hon. Kindall Lawson,
Carter County Workers Compensation Panel 06/21/99
Taylor vs. State

02S01-9806-CR-00054
Shelby County Supreme Court 06/21/99
Ryan v. Hancock Fabrics, Inc.

03S01-9803-CH-00025
This workers' compensation appeal has been referred to the Special Workers' Compensation Appeals Panel in accordance 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 contends the chancellor erred in finding "that the claimed bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome was proximately caused through the 18 days of Mr. Ryan's employment.". As discussed below, the panel has concluded the judgment should be affirmed. The employee or claimant, Ryan, initiated this action to recover medical and disability benefits. The employer denied any liability. As stated in the employer's brief, the issue in the case involves the trial court's finding that there was a causal connection between the employment and the injury. Because the issue is one of fact, we have reviewed the case 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 claimant began working for the employer on or about August 1, 1995, doing remodeling work, including carpentry, painting, installing tile and other general labor, all involving repetitive use of the hands. On August 17, 1995, he fell from a ladder, attempting unsuccessfully to catch himself with his hands. He received emergency and follow-up care at Physicians Care, but continued working until the employer's remodeling project was completed. On August 31, 1995, he complained of numbness in his left arm, both hands and his neck and shoulder. On October 18, 1995, the claimant was seen by Dr. Lester Littell, who, according to his notes, diagnosed "moderate right carpal tunnel syndrome" and "C6 radiculitis." On November 24, 1995, a magnetic resonance report from Erlanger Medical Center, reflected "minimal spurring on the left at the C3-C4 level." On March 3, 1996, Dr. Littell again examined the claimant and diagnosed "mild damage to the left C6 cervical root." The doctor continued to follow the claimant's progress and found maximum medical improvement on May 15, 1996. On June 6, 1996, the doctor assigned the claimant's permanent impairment first at "5% based on spine pain," then at "8% to the upper extremity," using appropriate guidelines. When the claimant continued to have symptoms, Dr. Littell recommended a second opinion. In his deposition, the doctor did not express an opinion as to whether the injuries were causally related to the employment. However, in a letter, he stated that the bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome was unrelated to the fall at work. On August 2, 1996, still in pain, the claimant went to work for Custom Curb, Inc., as a welder. Custom Curb is not a party to this litigation. On February 21, 1997, the claimant was seen by Dr. Carl W. Dyer, Jr., who diagnosed, after thorough examination, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and possible cervical radiculopathy consistent with the accident at work or other work activities. After a second examination on March 27, 1997, this doctor opined that the carpal tunnel injury was directly related to the fall at work, to 2
Authoring Judge: Joe C. Loser, Jr., Special Judge
Originating Judge:Hon. R. Vann Owens,
Knox County Workers Compensation Panel 06/21/99
State vs. Meyer

03S01-9812-CR-00140
McMinn County Supreme Court 06/21/99
State vs. Brown

02S01-9710-CR-00085
Supreme Court 06/21/99
Lance Lanier v. Hubert Bane

M2000-03199-COA-R3-CV
Plaintiff guest passenger appeals the trial court's denial of recovery in his action against his host driver for injuries suffered in a one car accident. The jury found him to be 50% responsible for his own injuries and upon such verdict the trial court entered judgment for the defendant. We affirm the action of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge William B. Cain
Originating Judge:Clara W. Byrd
Smith County Court of Appeals 06/19/99
Taylor vs. State

01A01-9707-CH-00338
Shelby County Court of Appeals 06/18/99
Tucker et al vs. Turner

01A01-9708-CV-00426

Originating Judge:James E. Walton
Montgomery County Court of Appeals 06/18/99
In re: Estate of Harold Jenkins

01A01-9804-PB-00223

Originating Judge:Tom E. Gray
Sumner County Court of Appeals 06/18/99
Miglin vs. Miglin

01A01-9802-CH-00080

Originating Judge:Jim T. Hamilton
Maury County Court of Appeals 06/18/99
State vs. Joseph Wayne Russell

01C01-9810-CR-00390

Originating Judge:Cheryl A. Blackburn
Davidson County Court of Criminal Appeals 06/18/99
State vs. Jeffrey Lee Miller

01C01-9801-CC-00029
Montgomery County Court of Criminal Appeals 06/18/99
03A01-9810-CV-349

03A01-9810-CV-349

Originating Judge:Jerry Kerley, Larry Futrell
Court of Appeals 06/18/99
State vs. Larry Johnson

02C01-9807-CC-00218
Dyer County Court of Criminal Appeals 06/18/99
State vs. Mildred Maupin

02C01-9809-CC-00273

Originating Judge:R. Lee Moore Jr.
Dyer County Court of Criminal Appeals 06/18/99
Owens vs. Owens vs. Owens

01A01-9709-CH-00471

Originating Judge:William B. Cain
Lawrence County Court of Appeals 06/18/99
Schindel vs. Bass

01A01-9711-CV-00655

Originating Judge:Barbara N. Haynes
Davidson County Court of Appeals 06/18/99
Larry Anthony Bosheers v. Spontex, Inc. And/Or Total U.S. Group

01S01-9712-CV-00275
Authoring Judge: Per Curiam
Originating Judge:Larry Anthony Bosheers,
Lawrence County Workers Compensation Panel 06/18/99
Charles Jones v. Tridon, WaUSAu Ins. Co., Royal Ins. Co.& Liberty Mut. Ins. Co.

01S01-9712-CV-00272
Authoring Judge: Per Curiam
Originating Judge:Hon. Robert E. Corlew,
Rutherford County Workers Compensation Panel 06/18/99
State vs. Mario Perkins

02C01-9805-CR-00127

Originating Judge:Bernie Weinman
Shelby County Court of Criminal Appeals 06/18/99
State vs. Denny James McAbee

01C01-9712-CR-00561

Originating Judge:J. Randall Wyatt, Jr.
Davidson County Court of Criminal Appeals 06/18/99
Williams vs. 7-11

01A01-9710-CV-00560

Originating Judge:Thomas Goodall
Sumner County Court of Appeals 06/18/99
State vs. Michael Lee McCormick

03C01-9802-CR-00052

Originating Judge:James Curwood Witt
Hamilton County Court of Criminal Appeals 06/17/99
King of Clubs vs. William Gibbons

02A01-9801-CV-00024

Originating Judge:George H. Brown
Shelby County Court of Appeals 06/17/99