Darlene Taylor as surviving spouse of Darrell Taylor v. Dale's Recycling, et al.

This is an appeal from the Workers' Compensation Appeals Board, which affirmed the
judgment of the Court of Workers' Compensation Claims awarding death benefits. On
June 22, 2023, Employee, a professional truck driver, was stopped by a deputy sheriff after
the officer observed pieces of metal falling out of Employee's trailer. During this stop,
Employee suffered a heart attack and died on scene. Employee's wife filed a petition for
benefit determination, and the case ultimately proceeded to a hearing where the parties
disputed causation. The Court of Workers' Compensation Claims ("Trial Court") awarded
benefits, finding that Employee's wife had shown to a reasonable degree of medical
certainty that the June 22, 2023 work incident contributed more than fifty percent to
Employee's heart attack and death when considering all causes. The Workers'
Compensation Appeals Board ("Appeals Board") affirmed. Employer has appealed and
the appeal has been referred to the Special Workers' Compensation Appeals Panel pursuant
to Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 51. We affirm.