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| Kotouc v. Star Knitwear
03S01-9807-CH-00076
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. Th e p la in tiff in ju re d h is le ft a rm in a n in d u s tria l a c c id e n t o n A ugus t 4, 1995. He w as t r ea t ed by N ei l H . Spi t al ny, or t hopedi c s ur geon, w ho di agnos ed t he pr obl em as a par t i al bi ceps m uscl e t ear . C on ser vat i ve t r eat m ent w as r ecom m end ed, w hi ch e s sent i al l y i nv ol ved bri ef i m m ob i l i t y o f t he arm . F urt her tre a tm e n t w as in d ic a te d bec aus e t he pl ai nt i f f cont i nued t o com pl ai n of pai n on ro ta tio n of hi s ar m . E xam i nat i ons by ot her s pec i al i s t s convi nce d D r . Spi t al ny t hat th e p la in tiff w a s s u ff e rin g f r om a c om pr es s i on of an ul nar ner ve, fo r th e c o rr e c tio n of w hi ch he per f or m ed a s ur gi ca l r el ea s e on A ugus t 27, 1996. Th e s ur gi ca l pr oce dur e w as onl y pa r t i al l y s ucc essfu l. T h e p la in tiff cont i nued t o ex peri ence p ai n ca u se d by c ont r ac t i ons of m us cl e, w i t h s om e di s com f or t at t rib u ta b l e t o a c er vi ca l pr obl em unr el at ed t o t he A ugus t 4, 1995 pr obl em . He r eached m axi m um m edi ca l i m pr ovem ent on Febr uar y 7, 1997, w i t h a m e d ica l i m p a irm e n t ratin g o f ten p e rc e n t t o h is a rm . Th e C h a n c e ll o r fo u n d th a t t h e p lain ti ff h a d a d is a b ility " w ith in th e m e a n in g of t he w or ker s ' com pens a tio n la w " o f 7 5 p e rc e n t to h is le ft a rm . T h e e m p lo y e r ap p ea l s, in s is tin g th a t th e a w a rd o f 7 .5 tim e s th e im p a irm e n t ra tin g is ex ce ssi v e and is not s uppor t ed by t he pr oof . E m pl oye r al s o com pl ai ns t hat t he C hanc el l or f ound th a t D r. S p ita ln y d id n o t c o rr e c tly in te rp re t th e A M A G u id e lin e s and r el i ed upo n hi s per sonal anal ysi s of t he G u id e lin e s . Our review of the findings of fact made by the trial court is de novo upon the record of the trial court, accompanied by a presumption of the correctness of the 2
Authoring Judge: William H. Inman, Senior Judge
Originating Judge:Hon. How E L L N. P E Op L E S |
Knox County | Workers Compensation Panel | 03/18/99 | |
| Herron v. Hornady Truck
03S01-9807-CH-00072
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
Authoring Judge: William H. Inman, Senior Judge
Originating Judge:Hon. Earl Henley, |
Knox County | Workers Compensation Panel | 03/18/99 | |
| West v. Maytag
03S01-9803-CH-00026
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.
Authoring Judge: William H. Inman, Senior Judge
Originating Judge:Hon. Earl H. Henley, |
Knox County | Workers Compensation Panel | 03/18/99 | |
| Helen Mccurrie v. Eaton Corporation
02S01-9805-CH-00047
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.
Authoring Judge: John K. Byers, Senior Judge
Originating Judge:Hon. George E. Ellis, |
Gibson County | Workers Compensation Panel | 03/11/99 | |
| Cora Moton v. Kellogg USA, Inc.
02S01-9803-CV-00023
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. Review of the findings of fact made by the trial court is de novo upon the record of the trial court, accompanied by a presumption of the correctness of the findings, unless the preponderance of the evidence is otherwise. Tenn. Code Ann. _ 5-6-225(e)(2); Stone v. City of McMinnville, 896 S.W.2d 548, 55 (Tenn. 1995). The application of this standard requires this Court to weigh in more depth the factual findings and conclusions of the trial court in a workers' compensation case. See Corcoran v. Foster Auto GMC, Inc., 746 S.W.2d 452, 456 (Tenn. 1988). The trial court found that the plaintiff did not make a meaningful return to work and therefore that the statutory cap of 2.5 times the anatomical impairment rating did not apply. The trial court awarded the plaintiff benefits based on 3.5 times Dr. Weems' rating of fifteen percent for a total permanent partial disability award of 52.5 percent to the body as a whole. The defendant raises the following issues: 1. Whether the trial court erred in finding that Plaintiff did not make a meaningful return to work? 2. Whether the trial court erred in relying on the deposition testimony of Dr. Thomas D. Weems rather than the deposition testimony of Dr. James T. Galyon? 3. Whether the trial court erred in awarding Plaintiff a permanent partial disability rating for vocational disability purposes of 52.5%? We affirm the judgment of the trial court. BACKGROUND The plaintiff, age 37 at the time of trial, is a high school graduate. She took over five years of college classes in English, Biology, and Chemistry from various institutions, but she holds no degrees. She is certified as a pharmacy technician and has worked in that field at a rate of $9.5 per hour. She also has work experience as a chemical analyst. In January 199, the plaintiff went to work for the defendant as an FMC operator in the manufacturing process of frozen waffles. She earned $11.65 per 2
Authoring Judge: John K. Byers, Senior Judge
Originating Judge:Hon. James S. Russell, |
Shelby County | Workers Compensation Panel | 03/11/99 | |
| Suerth v. Red Kap
03S01-9803-CH-00024
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.
Authoring Judge: Roger E. Thayer, Special Judge
Originating Judge:Hon. Frank V. Williams, III, |
Knox County | Workers Compensation Panel | 03/10/99 | |
| Hopson v. Philips
03S01-9710-CV-00141
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 appeal has resulted from the action of the trial court in awarding plaintiff, Linda S. Hopson, 55% permanent partial disability to the left arm as a result of an accident while working for defendant, Philips Consumer Electronics. The circuit judge dismissed the case against the Second Injury Fund. Plaintiff, being dissatisfied with the award of benefits, contends the award should be increased. Linda Hopson was 42 years of age and is a high school graduate. She does not have any vocational training. She sustained a prior injury to her back during 1991 and was awarded 75% permanent partial disability to the body as a whole during a contested hearing in the Chancery Court for Greene County. The injury in the present action occurred on defendant's production line where she was required to use an air gun and to make repetitive arm movements. Her injury was to her left wrist and she is left-handed. She underwent surgery on November 8, 1994, when Dr. Christopher T. Lechner, an orthopaedic surgeon, repaired a partial tear of the ligament and noticed she had some synovitis (swelling); she was seen on regular basis and was still complaining of pain four months later. The doctor testified by deposition and said pain that late after surgery was not normal. He x-rayed her arm and noticed changes consistent with Kienbach's disease, which is a condition where the blood supply to lunate is not normal and the bone collapses. He stated this was a painful condition and required further surgery. The second surgery was performed on March 28, 1995 when the lunate was removed and the wrist was stabilized "by fusing three of the remaining six bones together". He also described the event as "taking the painful bone out and then to give her a stable wrist, although she knew that it would be a stiffer wrist as well". This surgery went well but she still had discomfort after a reasonable healing period and Dr. Lechner recommended she get a second opinion from another hand surgeon. Plaintiff saw Dr. Joseph C. DeFiore, Jr. and his report was introduced into evidence. He concurred with Dr. Lechner's diagnosis and treatment and stated "it is 2
Authoring Judge: Roger E. Thayer, Special Judge
Originating Judge:Hon. Ben K. Wexler, |
Knox County | Workers Compensation Panel | 03/10/99 | |
| Adkins v. Beech Grove Processing
03S01-9804-CH-00042
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.
Authoring Judge: William H. Inman, Senior Judge
Originating Judge:Hon. Billy Joe White, |
Knox County | Workers Compensation Panel | 03/08/99 | |
| Underwood v. Robinson Mfg.
03S01-9802-CH-00019
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.
Authoring Judge: John K. Byers, Senior Judge
Originating Judge:Hon. Jeffrey F. Stewart, |
Knox County | Workers Compensation Panel | 03/08/99 | |
| Ralph Warren v. Tml Insurance Pool
02S01-9801-CV-00007
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. In his complaint, the plaintiff charges that his "hypertension and heart problems" were caused or aggravated by stress of working as a law enforcement officer. After finding that "the record does not reveal any single triggering incident that would necessarily bring this case within the purview of _ 7-51-21 of the Tennessee Code Annotated," the trial court found "[t]here is, however, a series of events, any one of which standing alone would have sufficed." The defendant stipulated that plaintiff suffered permanent and total disability to the body as a whole and the court entered judgment in favor of the plaintiff accordingly. On this appeal, the defendant, Tennessee Municipal League, presents issue attacking the trial court's finding that plaintiff's hypertension and heart disease were causally related to his employment as a police officer. Plaintiff began his employment with the City of Parsons, Tennessee Police Department in 1975 and was promoted to Chief of Police in 1992. On September 25, 1995, while en route to patrol the industrial park in Parsons, plaintiff fell asleep at the wheel of his patrol car and it left the roadway. Plaintiff awoke when the automobile was on the shoulder, and thus there was no accident or injury. Plaintiff was experiencing chest pain and had experienced chest pain for years prior to this occurrence. On October 3, 1995, he sought medial attention for chest pain. The plaintiff was first diagnosed with hypertension in 1977. He was hospitalized in May, 1989 and underwent heart catheterization and angiography which showed significant heart artery blockage. His blood pressure was "moderately elevated," and he continued to have hypertension. Plaintiff was placed on medication for hypertension control and for heart artery blockage. Plaintiff was treated in 1989 by Dr. Joseph Blankenship and plaintiff returned to Dr. Blankenship on October 3, 1995. Dr. Blankenship, a cardiologist,testifying by deposition, stated that hypertension has an effect on the heart in that it enlarges and damages the heart muscles, increases the risk 2
Authoring Judge: F. Lloyd Tatum, Special Judge
Originating Judge:Hon. Julian P. Guinn |
Warren County | Workers Compensation Panel | 03/01/99 | |
| Bohannon v. Asplundh Tree Expert
03S01-9709-CH-00119
This Worker's 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.
Authoring Judge: John S. Mclellan, III
Originating Judge:Hon. Earl Henley, Chancellor |
Knox County | Workers Compensation Panel | 03/01/99 | |
| Ronald C. Tillman v. Madison County Sheriff's Department
02S01-9803-CH-00026
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.
Authoring Judge: John K. Byers, Senior Judge
Originating Judge:Hon. Joe C. Morris, |
Madison County | Workers Compensation Panel | 03/01/99 | |
| James v. Travelers Ins. Co.
03S01-9802-CV-00012
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. Review of the findings of fact made by the trial court is de novo upon the record of the trial court, accompanied by a presumption of the correctness of the findings, unless the preponderance of the evidence is otherwise. Tenn. Code Ann. _ 5-6-225(e)(2); Stone v. City of McMinnville, 896 S.W.2d 548, 55 (Tenn. 1995). The application of this standard requires this Court to weigh in more depth the factual findings and conclusions of the trial court in a workers' compensation case. See Corcoran v. Foster Auto GMC, Inc., 746 S.W.2d 452, 456 (Tenn. 1988). The trial court awarded the plaintiff 55 percent vocational disability to the left leg. The defendant raises the following issues: I. Whether the evidence preponderates against the trial court's determination that plaintiff sustained vocational disability of 55% to the leg, where no medical restrictions were imposed on his activities, he was able to resume and sustain his pre-accident employment, and retained the ability to perform other pre-accident employments. II. Whether the evidence preponderates against the trial court's determination that plaintiff sustained vocational disability in the amount of 55% to the leg, where its decision was based on findings of fact that were either improper to consider or not supported by a preponderance of evidence. We affirm the judgment. The plaintiff, age 57 at the time of trial, graduated from high school and received vocational training as a hydraulic mechanic while serving in the U.S. Air Force. His employment history includes working as a roustabout, a truck crane oiler, a machine operator, a fork crane operator, and a tractor-trailer truck driver. In March 1975, he went to work for the predecessor of Titan Tire or Dico Tire, where he still works as a spray operator or green tire sprayer. The plaintiff testified that on May 21, 1996 the sprayer he was using malfunctioned and began spraying paint on the floor. He explained that he continued to work until his feet got twisted around and he fell with his left leg beneath 2
Authoring Judge: John K. Byers, Senior Judge
Originating Judge:Hon. James B. Scott, Jr., |
Knox County | Workers Compensation Panel | 03/01/99 | |
| Jerry Wayne Adams v. Jimmy Dean Foods, et al
02S01-9804-CH-00037
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. This is an appeal by the plaintiff's employer, Jimmy Dean Foods, and its insurance carrier, The Travelers Insurance Company, presenting the sole issue as to whether the preponderance of the evidence supports the trial court's award to the plaintiff, based on a finding of 5 percent permanent partial disability to both arms. After a careful review of the record, we conclude that the findings and judgment of the trial court must be affirmed. We first summarize the evidence. The plaintiff testified in open court. He stated that he was 37 years of age with a high school education. He attended Lane College for six months. The only other education he had was vocational training as an automobile mechanic while in high school. The plaintiff's history includes three years employment at Brown Shoe Company operating a machine in the manufacture of shoes. He worked for ten years at Kellwood Plant using a mechanical press to press coats. He then went to work for the defendant, Jimmy Dean Foods, as a "blocker," which is a worker who takes the shoulders and the blade out of a hog using both hands and arms. He was terminated in January of 1997 because he was frequently absent from work. The plaintiff testified that in 1996, he began having swelling, throbbing, and tingling in his hands and arms and felt like little pins were sticking in them. He reported his difficulty to his employer and was ultimately seen by Dr. William Bourland, an orthopedic surgeon. When the plaintiff went to Dr. Bourland, in addition to the difficulty he was having with his hands and arms, his long finger and ring finger on the left hand were locking. He testified that Dr. Bourland operated on his right wrist and "did something" to the two fingers on his left hand. After his surgery, he returned to work at Jimmy Dean, earning a wage equal to the wage he earned before the accident. Since being terminated from Jimmy Dean, plaintiff testified that he has worked at 2
Authoring Judge: F. Lloyd Tatum, Special Judge
Originating Judge:Hon. George R. Ellis, Chancellor |
Wayne County | Workers Compensation Panel | 02/25/99 | |
| James Michael Richardson v. A. O. Smith Company
02S01-9804-CH-00039
This workers' compensation appeal was referred to the Special W orkers' Compensation Appeals Panel of the Supreme Court pursuant to Tenn. Code Ann. _5-6- 225(e)(3) (Supp. 1998) for hearing and reporting to the Supreme Court of findings of fact and conclusions of law. This case was tried on February 24, 1998. The chancellor found that there was no period of temporary total disability, but awarded the plaintiff fifteen percent (15%) permanent partial disability to the whole body as a result of a work-related accident in December 1988 or January 1989. Defendant, A. O. Smith Company, has appealed the chancellor's decision as not supported by a preponderance of the evidence. After careful review, we find that the judgment of the trial court must be reversed. At the time of trial, the Plaintiff, James Michael Richardson, testified that he was a 5-year-old man with a high school education and vocational training as an industrial electrician. His post-high school employment experience involved mostly electrical work. He was subsequently employed by the defendant as an electrical, mechanical maintenance man and was working as an appraiser for an insurance adjusting company at the time of trial. He recounted the events surrounding his back injury as follows. In late December of 1988 or early January of 1989, the plaintiff felt "a hurting" in his lower back while helping another employee lift a 25-horsepower electric motor onto a stand. He reported the injury to his supervisor immediately. Believing that the injury was a minor strain, the plaintiff sought two or three treatments from a chiropractor, but his symptoms worsened. He was ultimately seen by Dr. Jerry Engelberg, a neurosurgeon. After an MRI was performed, Dr. Engelberg told the plaintiff that he had a tumor, an ependymoma, in his spine that had caused some spinal damage. According to the plaintiff's testimony, Dr. Engelberg told him he needed immediate surgery, because there was a risk that he might never walk again if he were to stumble or miss a step. After surgery was performed, the plaintiff received radiation and chemotherapy treatments under the supervision of an oncologist, Dr. Kirby Smith. At the time of the trial, the plaintiff still had complaints of low back cramps, difficulty 2
Authoring Judge: F. Lloyd Tatum, Special Judge
Originating Judge:Hon. George R. Ellis, Chancellor |
Gibson County | Workers Compensation Panel | 02/25/99 | |
| Craig R. Pitmon v. Reliance Insurance Company
01S01-9801-GS-00011
Authoring Judge: Joe C. Loser, Jr., Special Judge
Originating Judge:Hon. Barry Medley |
Warren County | Workers Compensation Panel | 02/22/99 | |
| Cna Insurance Companies v. James Woods
01S01-9804-CV-00061
Authoring Judge: Per Curiam
Originating Judge:Hon. Hamilton Gayden, Jr. |
Davidson County | Workers Compensation Panel | 02/22/99 | |
| Virginia N. Templeton v. The Aerostructures Corporation
01S01-9804-CH-00067
Authoring Judge: Per Curiam
Originating Judge:Hon. Carol L. Mccoy |
Davidson County | Workers Compensation Panel | 02/22/99 | |
| Pedro Gutierrez v. Travelers Insurance Company, et al
01S01-9801-CV-00016
Authoring Judge: Per Curiam
Originating Judge:Hon. Thomas W. Brothers |
Davidson County | Workers Compensation Panel | 02/22/99 | |
| Dianna M. Hughes v. National Healthcare, Inc.
01S01-9806-CH-00112
This workers' compensation appeal has been referred to the Special Workers' Compensation Appeals Panel of the Supreme Court in accordance with Tenn. Code Ann. § 50-6-225(e)(3) for hearing and reporting to the Supreme Court of findings of fact and conclusions of law. The plaintiff alleged that during the course of her employment, on February 10, 1994, she injured her back while assisting a patient to move from a bed to a wheelchair and that she is entitled to benefits for permanent disability. The defendant admitted the occurrence of the injury as alleged, agreed that the plaintiff was entitled to benefits for temporary total disability together with medical expenses, but denied the allegations of permanent impairment or disability. The complaint was dismissed “as it related to any request or demand for permanent partial disability, past temporary total disability, and past medical expenses.” The plaintiff appeals and presents for review the propriety of the finding that she failed to carry the burden of proving her allegation of permanent partial disability. Our review of the findings of fact made by the trial court is de novo upon the record of the trial court, accompanied by a presumption of the correctness of the finding, unless the preponderance of the evidence is otherwise. Tenn. Code Ann. § 50-6-225(e)(2); Stone v. City of McMinnville, 896 S.W.2d 548, 550 (Tenn. 1995).
Authoring Judge: William H. Inman, Senior Judge
Originating Judge:Hon. William B. Cain |
Lawrence County | Workers Compensation Panel | 02/22/99 | |
| Robert J. Keel v. Saturn Corporation
01S01-9803-CV-00046
Authoring Judge: Joe C. Loser, Jr., Special Judge
Originating Judge:Hon. Jim T. Hamilton |
Maury County | Workers Compensation Panel | 02/22/99 | |
| Blankenship v. Mars
03S01-9709-CH-00105
Authoring Judge: Roger E. Thayer, Special Judge
Originating Judge:Earl H. Henley, Chancellor |
Bradley County | Workers Compensation Panel | 02/18/99 | |
| Freeman v. American Motorist
03S01-9803-CH-00023
This workers' compensation appeal has been referred to the Special Workers' Compensation Appeals Panel of the Supreme Court in accordancewith Tenn. Code Ann. _ 5-6-225(e)(3) for hearing and reporting to the Supreme Court of findings of fact and conclusions of law. George Edward Freeman (employee), sustained an injury to his left eye while grinding metal at work, when a piece of metal penetrated his safety glasses and lodged in his cornea. The trial court awarded 7 percent permanent partial disability to the left eye, which the employer appeals as excessive. We affirm the judgment of the trial court. Employee had worked for Vinylex Corporation (employer), as a machine technician and maintenance fabricator for eleven years when he was involved in the above-described industrial accident on February 18, 1995. He was taken to an emergency room, where examination by Dr. Leslie Cunningham revealed a central corneal laceration, with inflammation, and a triangular metallic foreign body in his left eye. Dr. Cunningham surgically removed the foreign body, cleansed the wound and patched Mr. Freeman's eye. She advised the employee to leave the patch on the eye and to remain off work for six weeks. Mr. Freeman testified that he went back to work three days later owing to family financial responsibilities requiring him to earn his full salary. Dr. Cunningham assessed three to five percent permanent partial impairment to the left eye, but opined that if the employee works in bright sunlight or under bright lights or drives at night, then his medical impairment to the left eye would be 16 to 18%, and that he retains a permanent corneal scar. 2
Authoring Judge: William H. Inman, Senior Judge
Originating Judge:Hon. Billy Joe White, |
Knox County | Workers Compensation Panel | 02/18/99 | |
| Mcgaha v. U.S. Marine
03S01-9711-CV-00137
Authoring Judge: John S. Mclellan, III
Originating Judge:Hon. Ben W. Hooper, Circuit Judge |
Knox County | Workers Compensation Panel | 02/17/99 | |
| Hamilton v. Life Care Center
03S01-9712-CH-00143
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 5-6-225(e)(3) for hearing and reporting of findings of fact and conclusions of law. In this appeal, the employer, Life Care Center, insists the evidence preponderates against the trial court's finding that the injury to the employee or claimant, Hamilton, is permanent or, alternatively, that the award of permanent partial disability benefits is excessive. As discussed below, the panel has concluded the judgment should be affirmed. It is undisputed that, on September 15, 1993, the claimant slipped on a wet floor and fell backward, hitting the back of her head on a hard floor, while working for the employer. After a trial, the trial judge awarded permanent partial disability benefits based on forty percent to the body as a whole. 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). Thus, 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 claimant was forty-five years old at the time of her injury, with a high school education. She worked for Life Care Center as a nurse's assistant and had a second job as a greeter for Wal-Mart. Her work for Life Care required some heavy lifting and other strenuous work, whereas her work as a greeter for Wal-Mart was not very strenuous. She has never before made a claim for an injury to her head or neck. On the day of the accident, it had been raining heavily. As the claimant entered the building to attend classes for obtaining certification as a nurse's aide, her feet suddenly went out from under her and she fell, striking the back of her head on the tile floor. According to her testimony, accredited by the findings 2
Authoring Judge: Joe C. Loser, Jr., Special Judge
Originating Judge:Hon. Earl Henley, |
Knox County | Workers Compensation Panel | 02/17/99 |