Special Judge Hamilton v. Gayden, Jr. 03S01-9702-CV-00024
Authoring Judge: Special Judge Irvin H. Kilcrease, Jr.
Trial Court Judge: Hon. Ben K. Wexler, Circuit Judge
This workers' compensation appeal has been referred to the Special Workers' Compensation Appeals Panel of the Supreme Court inaccordance with Tenn. Code Ann. 5-6-225 (e)(3) for hearing and reporting of findings of fact and conclusions of law. In this appeal, the employer, Lear Seating Corporation, contends that the trial court erred in awarding the employee, Janet L. Brooks, workers' compensation benefits based upon the court's finding that she suffered from "reflex sympathetic dystrophy or some psychiatric symptoms." The employer contends further that the trial court erred in determining the period of time in which the employee was eligible to for temporary total disability benefits. Finally, the employer challenges as excessive the trial court's award of permanent partial disability benefits based on a vocational disability rating of 85% to the body as a whole. We affirm the judgment of the trial court in all respects. At the time of the trial, the employee was forty-one (41) years old. She completed high school and attended one year of business college. Her work history includes jobs as a retail cashier and assembly line worker. The employee performed various functions for the employer from the time she began her employment there in November of 1985. When the employee was injured, she was operating a hand press which had overhead control buttons. On February 18, 1994, a 3-pound piece of steel fell off of the press bench and struck her left foot causing a crushing injury. She immediately saw the company nurse who referred her to the emergency room. At the emergency room, the employee was placed in a walking shoe and referred to an orthopedist. The employee was first treated by Dr. William Hovis, an orthopedic surgeon, on February 21, 1994. Dr. Hovis examined her and took x-rays of her left foot. He diagnosed her to have contusion of the left foot. On a return visit on March 14, 1994, in addition to the bruising and swelling, the employee also complained of knee pain which intensified when she sat for a long time. On examination, Dr. Hovis determined that the employee's knee was normal and that the contusion in her foot was resolving. Dr. Hovis opined that the employee would not have any permanent impairment or work restrictions as a result of her injury. Dr. Hovis saw the employee again on April 25, 1996 at the request of the employer for the 2
State vs. Darryl Webb W1999-01585-CCA-R3-CD
Authoring Judge: Judge Robert W. Wedemeyer
Trial Court Judge: Joseph B. Dailey
The Defendant appeals from a jury trial conviction for aggravated burglary, a Class C felony. In this appeal, the Defendant alleges the evidence was not sufficient to support his conviction. Concluding that the evidence was sufficient, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.
David Richards v. Saturn Corporation 01S01-9706-CV-00131
Authoring Judge: Joe C. Loser, Jr., Special Judge
Trial Court Judge: Hon. Jim T. Hamilton,
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. The appellant states the issues as follows: 1. "Whether the trial court improperly granted Plaintiff's Motion to Permit Additional Proof after entering a final order of judgment; 2. "Assuming arguendo that the trial court properly granted Plaintiff's Motion to Permit Additional Proof, whether the proof introduced at both trials preponderates against the trial court's finding that Plaintiff was one hundred percent occupationally disabled; and 3. "Whether the "Amended Final Order" entered by the trial court inaccurately reflected the trial proceeding." Fairly stated, the issue is whether the evidence preponderates against an award of permanent partial disability based on one hundred percent to both arms and in favor of a lesser award. As discussed below, the panel has concluded the judgment should modified. This trial began on May 8, 1996 and was taken under advisement after both sides rested on May 8, 1996. On May 28, 1996, the plaintiff applied for leave to reopen its proof. The next day, the trial judge, apparently without having seen the motion to reopen, entered an order awarding the claimant permanent partial disability benefits based on twenty-percent to the body as a whole. The motion was argued two days later, on May 31, 1996, and was granted by an order entered on June 17,1996. Thereafter, additional proof was allowed and, on December 19, 1996, the trial court entered an amended final order allowing an additional eighty percent permanent partial disability to both arms. The appellant argues the trial judge abused his discretion by reopening the proof and that the amended judgment was void for lack of subject matter jurisdiction. Since the motion to reopen was timely made, the panel concludes the trial court had jurisdiction, in the exercise of its discretion, to reopen the proof. Moreover, we find no abuse of that discretion. The first issue is resolved in favor of the appellee. The employee or claimant, Richards, is thirty-eight years old, who has worked for General Motors since 1977. He began working for Saturn in 1993 and was, at that time, in excellent physical condition. From repetitive use of his hands on the production line, he gradually developed chronic overuse syndrome of both arms. As a result, he is unable to perform any job requiring the use of power tools or be placed in any of the present job openings at Saturn. He has thus been placed by Saturn on long term disability leave of absence. The employer concedes the injury is work related. Dr. Paul Parsons, who treated the claimant, opined by deposition on February 27, 1996 that the claimant was not permanently impaired. Dr. David Gaw, who examined the claimant, assessed a permanent medical impairment rating of ten percent to both arms and advised him to permanently 2
