APPELLATE COURT OPINIONS

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Handley v. Travelers

03S01-9611-CH-00113
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. Plaintiff, Merlin Stephen Handley, has appealed from the action of the trial court in dismissing his claim for benefits. The Chancellor held plaintiff had failed to carry the burden of proof in establishing his heart attack was caused by his work activity. Plaintiff, 44 years of age, was employed by defendant, Canteen Food Services, Inc., as a route salesman. His duties required him to stock and service vending machines on an established route. On December 13, 1994, he had moved a large number of soft drink cases (75-8) prior to servicing vending machines on his route. This work was at a time when the building where he was working was particularly warm. He began to feel unusually short of breath; had some pain in his chest and tingling under his arm. After some period of time, he decided to go to a doctor who concluded he was having or was about to have a "full blown" heart attack. He was immediately admitted to a hospital where he remained for less than one week. After being discharged, he was off work for about six weeks. Sometime after returning to work, he continued to experience further problems and eventually terminated his employment with defendant. He found employment involving desk work where his income at the time of trial was somewhat higher than his earnings as a route salesman. Plaintiff testified he had never experienced any heart problems prior to his heart attack; that his mother had a heart attack in her fifties and he had a couple of uncles who died at a young age from heart disease. He also admitted he had smoked since the age of twenty and was a heavy smoker consuming one and a half to two packs a day. The only expert medical testimony was the deposition of Dr. Gregory Brewer, a cardiologist who treated plaintiff. His diagnosis was acute myocardial infarction. He 2
Authoring Judge: Roger E. Thayer, Special Judge
Originating Judge:Hon. Earl H. Henley,
Knox County Workers Compensation Panel 10/22/97
State vs. Reneau

03C01-9610-CC-00367

Originating Judge:D. Kelly Thomas, Jr.
Blount County Court of Criminal Appeals 10/22/97
Emily Mills v. Baptist Hospital of East Tennessee, Inc.

03S01-9611-CV-00110
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 trial court found the plaintiff had sustained a 1 percent vocational impairment to her left lower extremity as a result of an injury to her knee on September 25, 1991. The trial court further found the plaintiff reached maximum medical improvement on March 3, 1993. Additionally, the trial court found the defendant was not liable for medical bills incurred by the plaintiff after March 3, 1993. The plaintiff appeals and claims the trial court erred in limiting the recovery to ten percent, that the period of temporary total disability should have extended until April 15, 1995, and that the trial court erred in holding the defendant was not liable for medical bills after March 3, 1993. The defendant raises as an issue the claim that the plaintiff has failed to show she sustained any disability as a result of her injury. We find the judgment of the trial court should be affirmed in all things except for the award of ten percent permanent vocational disability to the lower extremity. We find from the record the plaintiff is entitled to recover at the rate of 25 percent for the injury to her left lower extremity. The plaintiff was age 51 at the time of the trial; she had a high school diploma and was a certified nursing assistant. On September 25, 1991, she fell while working for the defendant. The medical evidence in this case was given by Dr. William M. Hovis, an orthopedic surgeon. Dr. Hovis found the plaintiff had a pre-existing arthritic condition in both knees. Dr. Hovis testified this can be exacerbated or accelerated by trauma. Dr. Hovis treated the plaintiff for the injury to her knee by various means. He testified she had reached maximum medical recovery on March 3, 1993. Dr. Hovis was of the opinion the plaintiff had a 15 percent impairment to her left leg, with five percent of this caused by the fall and the remainder by the arthritic condition. W hether Dr. Hovis placed restrictions on the plaintiff because of her injury when she returned to work is less than clear. He testified she should refrain from climbing, squatting and kneeling. Dr. Hovis testified the restrictions were based on her overall condition. 2
Authoring Judge: Senior Judge John K. Byers
Originating Judge:Hon. Dale C. Workman,
Knox County Workers Compensation Panel 10/21/97
State vs. Morrell

03C01-9511-CC-00344

Originating Judge:R. Jerry Beck
Sullivan County Court of Criminal Appeals 10/21/97
Alma Jean Grayson v. Healthtrust, Inc., The Hospital Co.

01S01-9607-CH-00153
Authoring Judge: Senior Judge James L. Weatherford
Originating Judge:Hon .
Rutherford County Workers Compensation Panel 10/21/97
Tracy Jenkins v. Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc.

01S01-9607-CV-00144
Robert S. Brandt, Senior Judge
Authoring Judge: Hon. Robert E. Corlew, III,
Originating Judge:Hon. Robert E. Corlew, III,
Rutherford County Workers Compensation Panel 10/21/97
State vs. Powers

03C01-9606-CC-00222
Blount County Court of Criminal Appeals 10/21/97
State vs. Ray Thompson

02C01-9608-CC-00249

Originating Judge:Joe G. Riley. Jr.
Lake County Court of Criminal Appeals 10/20/97
State vs. Sheline

03S01-9701-CR-00002
Supreme Court 10/20/97
State vs. Delvin Donehue

02C01-9701-CR-00034
Shelby County Court of Criminal Appeals 10/20/97
Carter vs. State

03S01-9612-CR-00119
Greene County Supreme Court 10/20/97
X2010-0000-XX-X00-XX

X2010-0000-XX-X00-XX
Roane County Court of Appeals 10/20/97
Stanbury vs. Bacardi

01S01-9609-CV-00178
Davidson County Supreme Court 10/20/97
State vs. Ray Thompson

02C01-9608-CC-00249

Originating Judge:Joe G. Riley. Jr.
Lake County Court of Criminal Appeals 10/20/97
Decker vs. Orosz

03A01-9704-CV-00143
Knox County Court of Appeals 10/20/97
Brown vs. Baird

01A01-9704-JV-00148

Originating Judge:David Loughry
Rutherford County Court of Appeals 10/17/97
State vs. Wilbert Rogers

02C01-9611-CR-00418

Originating Judge:Chris B. Craft
Shelby County Court of Criminal Appeals 10/17/97
State vs. Michael South

02C01-9610-CC-00325

Originating Judge:Joe G. Riley. Jr.
Lake County Court of Criminal Appeals 10/17/97
State vs. Mark Grimes

02C01-9610-CC-00337

Originating Judge:Joe G. Riley. Jr.
Lake County Court of Criminal Appeals 10/17/97
State vs. Harvey Qualls

02C01-9610-CC-00331

Originating Judge:Joe G. Riley. Jr.
Lake County Court of Criminal Appeals 10/17/97
State., ex. rel., Davis vs. Matikek

01A01-9702-CV-00090

Originating Judge:Muriel Robinson
Davidson County Court of Appeals 10/17/97
Adcox & Graef vs. SCT Products

01A01-9703-CV-00123

Originating Judge:James E. Walton
Robertson County Court of Appeals 10/17/97
First American Bank vs. National Project Services

01A01-9702-CH-00051

Originating Judge:Henry F. Todd
Court of Appeals 10/17/97
Montague vs. TN. Dept. of Correction

01A01-9602-CH-00065

Originating Judge:Robert S. Brandt
Davidson County Court of Appeals 10/17/97
State vs. James Loper

02C01-9611-CC-00398

Originating Judge:Joe G. Riley. Jr.
Lake County Court of Criminal Appeals 10/17/97