APPELLATE COURT OPINIONS

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John W. Johnson v. Bernice Wade, et al.

W1999-01651-COA-R3-CV

This appeal arises from an action for ejectment filed by Plaintiff John W. Johnson ("Plaintiff") against Defendant Bernice Wade ("Defendant"). Plaintiff filed suit in the Gibson County Circuit Court alleging that he was the sole owner of the tract of land where both Plaintiff's and Defendant's residences are located. Prior to Defendant's filing on an answer, Plaintiff filed a motion for default judgment. Thereafter, Defendant filed an answer, a motion to dismiss, and a motion to compel Plaintiff to appear for deposition. Following Plaintiff's failure to appear for deposition, failure to prepare an order as directed by the court, and an attempt to file a premature appeal, the trial court dismissed Plaintiff's case for failure to properly prosecute. Plaintiff appeals.

Authoring Judge: Judge Alan E. Highers
Originating Judge:Judge Dick Jerman, Jr.
Gibson County Court of Appeals 09/06/00
Howard vs. Howard

M1999-00670-COA-R3-CV
This appeal arises from a dispute over a contractual provision in a Marital Dissolution Agreement ("MDA") between the parties. Susan Trabue Howard ("Mother") filed a Petition for Enforcement of Contractual Obligation, alleging that Robert Mark Howard ("Father") had failed to abide with a provision in the MDA providing that Father would be responsible for Daughter's "related costs of education." The court below found in favor of Mother, holding that Father was responsible for all of Daughter's expenses for the time specified in MDA. Father appeals.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Alan E. Highers
Originating Judge:Russell Heldman
Williamson County Court of Appeals 08/31/00
Sloan vs. Perryman

M1999-00828-COA-R3-CV
This appeal arises from a breach of contract suit and action to assert priority of a mechanics lien filed by Jason Sloan ("Contractor") against Shelby Ray Perryman ("Owners") and First Farmers & Merchants National Bank ("Bank"). Contractor sought recovery for labor and materials under the contract including expenses that exceeded Contractor's original bid price. In the alternative, Contractor sought recovery under quantum meruit. The court granted Bank's motion for summary judgment on the issue of priority of liens. Following trial, the court awarded Contractor damages under an implied contract theory, limiting Contractor's recovery to the bid price. In addition, the court denied Contractor's claim for alternative recovery in quantum meruit. Contractor appeals.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Alan E. Highers
Originating Judge:Stella L. Hargrove
Maury County Court of Appeals 08/31/00
Union Planters Bank vs. Choate

M1999-01268-COA-R3-CV
This appeal arises from a breach of contract case filed against Mickie Davis ("Davis") by Carole Choate ("Choate"). Choate alleged that Davis breached her contractual and fiduciary duties by authorizing release of funds to Rochford Realty ("Rochford") for a construction project. The trial court granted Davis' motion for summary judgment. Choate appeals.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Alan E. Highers
Originating Judge:Ellen Hobbs Lyle
Davidson County Court of Appeals 08/31/00
Shuman vs. Parkhurst

M1999-02043-COA-R3-CV
James Parkhurst d/b/a Parkhurst Home Improvement appeals the trial court's final judgment awarding Ken Shuman $8,021.14 in actual damages for breach of oral construction contract and $2,406.33 in attorney's fees based upon a finding of fraud in violation of the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act. Parkhurst raised two issues on appeal, contending that the damages awarded in this home construction dispute were not legally warranted and that the trial court erred in finding fraud, therefore justifying an award for attorney's fees under the Act. We conclude that Shuman presented sufficient proof to find a violation of the Act and to support his claim for damages and for attorney's fees. Accordingly, we affirm the trial court's judgment.
Authoring Judge: Judge David R. Farmer
Originating Judge:Carol L. Soloman
Sumner County Court of Appeals 08/31/00
Zettersten vs. Zettersten

M1999-01186-COA-R3-CV
This appeal arises from an action for divorce and division of marital assets. The court below granted Linda Jean Zettersten ("Wife") a divorce on grounds of Rolf Birger Zettersten's ("Husband's") stipulation of inappropriate marital conduct; awarded Wife alimony in futuro and rehabilitative alimony and child support for the parties' minor child; awarded Wife $11,923.50 in attorney's fees, discretionary costs and court costs. Wife appeals.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Alan E. Highers
Originating Judge:Donald P. Harris
Williamson County Court of Appeals 08/31/00
Scholz vs. S.B. International

M1997-00215-COA-R3-CV
This appeal arises from a dispute over the severance benefits in an employment contract. Following his termination, a corporate officer filed suit against his former employer in the Chancery Court for Davidson County seeking his severance benefits. The employer asserted that its former officer was not entitled to the severance benefits. Following a jury trial, the trial court entered a judgment awarding the officer $111,623.33 but denying his requests for prejudgment interest and discretionary costs. On this appeal, the officer asserts that the trial court erred by failing to award him prejudgment interest and discretionary costs. We agree and, therefore, remand the case for further proceedings.
Authoring Judge: Judge William C. Koch, Jr.
Originating Judge:Ellen Hobbs Lyle
Davidson County Court of Appeals 08/31/00
Spurlock vs. Jackson Co.

M1999-01407-COA-R3-CV
The appellants were hurt in a collision with a subject allegedly being pursued by county officers in a high speed chase. They sued the county, and the Circuit Court of Jackson County granted the county summary judgment. We affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Ben H. Cantrell
Originating Judge:John D. Wootten, Jr.
Jackson County Court of Appeals 08/31/00
Streeter vs. TDOC

M1999-02267-COA-R3-CV
A prison inmate claimed that he was entitled to be released, because he had earned the required sentence reduction credits. The Department of Correction disagreed. The trial court granted summary judgment to the Department on the basis of laches. We affirm the trial court's judgment, but upon a different basis.
Authoring Judge: Judge Ben H. Cantrell
Originating Judge:Carol L. Mccoy
Davidson County Court of Appeals 08/31/00
Kibby vs. Kibby

M1999-00906-COA-R3-CV
This appeal presents a dispute of custody, visitation, and attorney fees. The parties are parents of one child, Ian Kibby, who is the subject of this dispute. The father was awarded primary custody when the parties divorced in May of 1996. The mother filed a Petition for Contempt and Modification seeking primary residential placement of Ian and later requested that the court refer this matter to mediation. The father filed a counter-petition requesting a change in the mother's visitation privileges and attorney's fees. The trial court dismissed the mother's petition but granted the father's petition reducing the mother's visitation rights. The court also refused to refer this matter to mediation and did not award attorney fees to the father. The mother now appeals the court's dismissal of her petition, failure to refer the matter to mediation, and change in visitation; the father also appeals the failure of the trial court to award attorney fees to him. We agree with the trial court on all issues and affirm its ruling. We also award attorney's fees necessitated by this appeal to the father and remand to the trial court for a determination of this amount.
Authoring Judge: Judge William B. Cain
Originating Judge:Buddy D. Perry
Sequatchie County Court of Appeals 08/31/00
Home Builders Assoc. of Middle TN vs. Maury Co.

M1999-02383-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge Ben H. Cantrell
Originating Judge:Stella L. Hargrove
Maury County Court of Appeals 08/31/00
Miller vs. Miller

M1999-00724-COA-R3-CV
In this divorce, both Husband and Wife have appealed contesting the trial court's division of marital property and alimony awards. The division of marital property is affirmed, alimony awards are modified, and the case is remanded for a determination of the value of Husband's retirement plan and a proper division thereof.
Authoring Judge: Judge W. Frank Crawford
Originating Judge:Muriel Robinson
Davidson County Court of Appeals 08/31/00
Cruse vs. Peak

M1999-02228-COA-R3-CV
This appeal arises from the trial court's refusal to grant the appellant's request for visitation with her granddaughter. We affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Ben H. Cantrell
Originating Judge:Muriel Robinson
Davidson County Court of Appeals 08/31/00
Home Builders Assoc. of Middle TN vs. Maury Co.

M1999-02383-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge Ben H. Cantrell
Originating Judge:Stella L. Hargrove
Maury County Court of Appeals 08/31/00
Tennessee Farmers vs. Judy Cobb, et al

W1999-01729-COA-R3-CV
This appeal involves a motion to set aside a default judgment. The trial court entered a default judgment against the defendants based on their failure to respond to the lawsuit. Seven months later, the defendants filed a motion to set aside the default judgment. The trial court denied the motion, and the defendants appealed. We affirm, finding no abuse of discretion in the denial of the motion to set aside the default.
Authoring Judge: Judge Holly M. Kirby
Originating Judge:J. Steven Stafford
Dyer County Court of Appeals 08/31/00
Miller vs. Miller

M1999-00724-COA-R3-CV
In this divorce, both Husband and Wife have appealed contesting the trial court's division of marital property and alimony awards. The division of marital property is affirmed, alimony awards are modified, and the case is remanded for a determination of the value of Husband's retirement plan and a proper division thereof.
Authoring Judge: Judge W. Frank Crawford
Originating Judge:Muriel Robinson
Davidson County Court of Appeals 08/31/00
Alfred Tompkins vs. Annie's Nannies

W1999-00372-COA-R3-CV
Plaintiffs' nine year old child, Alexandria, while under the direction of her day care center, broke both kneecaps while participating in a downhill race. Plaintiffs sued the day care center on a negligence theory, arguing that the day care center breached their duty of care. The trial court directed a verdict for the day care center, finding that the injuries sustained by the nine year old were not foreseeable, and, thus, no duty of care arose. Additionally, at trial, plaintiffs' counsel made an offer of proof whereby testimony was introduced that two girls fell and bumped heads in a race immediately preceding Alexandria's. The trial court excluded this testimony from the jury. Plaintiffs allege error. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge David R. Farmer
Originating Judge:George H. Brown
Shelby County Court of Appeals 08/30/00
Clemmye Berger vs. Brenda O'Brien vs. Sylvia Berger

W1999-00861-COA-R3-CV
This case involves the settlement of an estate. After the estate was settled, the trial court assessed a portion of the fees and expenses of the guardian ad litem and the attorney ad litem as costs against an intervening defendant and beneficiary of the estate. The intervening defendant appealed the assessment of these expenses to this Court. On appeal, we affirm the decision of the trial court, finding that the trial court was within its discretion to assess a portion of the fees and expenses of the guardian ad litem and attorney ad litem against the intervening defendant as discretionary costs.
Authoring Judge: Judge Holly M. Kirby
Originating Judge:D. J. Alissandratos
Shelby County Court of Appeals 08/30/00
Jennifer Thomas vs. Stephen Thomas

W1999-00284-COA-R3-CV
In this divorce case, the trial court, among other things, made a division of marital property, awarded Wife alimony in solido, made an award of child support, and ordered payments of various debts by the parties. Both parties have appealed presenting issues concerning the court's above stated actions.
Authoring Judge: Judge W. Frank Crawford
Originating Judge:Floyd Peete, Jr.
Shelby County Court of Appeals 08/30/00
Teddy Tedder/Maurice Tedder vs. Union Planters

W1999-01971-COA-R3-CV
The plaintiff worked for a temporary employment agency and was assigned to work for a bank. The plaintiff fell in the bank parking lot as she was reporting to work. She filed a negligence lawsuit against the bank for her injuries. The trial court granted the bank's motion for summary judgment on the basis that the plaintiff was a co-employee of the bank under the loaned servant doctrine; therefore, the suit was precluded under the workers' compensation statute. The plaintiff appeals. We affirm, finding that the plaintiff was a co-employee of the bank under the loaned servant doctrine.
Authoring Judge: Judge Holly M. Kirby
Originating Judge:James F. Russell
Shelby County Court of Appeals 08/30/00
Mertis Johnson vs. Willie Steverson

W1999-00627-COA-R3-CV
This appeal arises from a dispute between Plaintiff Mertis Johnson and Defendant Willie A. Steverson regarding an automobile accident involving Ms. Johnson and Virden Steverson, Mr. Steverson's son. Ms. Johnson filed a complaint against Mr. Steverson alleging that the negligence of Virden was the cause of this accident and seeking damages for her personal injuries. At the conclusion of a jury trial on the matter, Mr. Steverson made a motion for a directed verdict, which was denied by the trial court. The jury subsequently returned a verdict in favor of Ms. Johnson and awarded her damages in the amount of $14,000.00. Mr. Steverson filed a motion for a judgment notwithstanding the verdict or, in the alternative, for a new trial, which was also denied by the trial court. For the reasons set forth below, we affirm the ruling of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge David R. Farmer
Originating Judge:John R. Mccarroll, Jr.
Shelby County Court of Appeals 08/30/00
Jerry Worrell vs. Ann Worrell

W1999-01786-COA-R3-CV
This appeal arises from a dispute over insurance proceeds between Nephews, as remaindermen of their Aunt's life estate, and their Aunt, as the life tenant of certain property. The trial court awarded the Aunt sole rights to insurance proceeds obtained after the destruction of that property to the exclusion of the Nephews. The Nephews appeal that ruling as well as the trial court's omission of certain hearsay testimony, and its failure to award them declaratory judgment. We affirm the rulings of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge David R. Farmer
Originating Judge:L. Terry Lafferty
Crockett County Court of Appeals 08/29/00
W1999-01393-COA-R3-CV

W1999-01393-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge David R. Farmer
Originating Judge:George R. Ellis
Gibson County Court of Appeals 08/29/00
Bailey vs. Bailey

W1999-01000-COA-R3-CV
This is a divorce case involving child custody. Mother and Father are divorced and have one minor child. The trial court granted custody of the minor child to Father. Mother appeals, arguing that the trial court erroneously based its decision on her lack of relationship with her father, the child's maternal grandfather. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge Holly M. Kirby
Originating Judge:Joe C. Morris
Chester County Court of Appeals 08/29/00
Nancy Nichols vs. Howard Nichols

W1999-00566-COA-R3-CV
This is a post-divorce action on modification of child support. The parties' original divorce decree required the father to pay child support and, in addition, pay the private school tuition of one of the parties' children. Months later, the father filed a petition to eliminate his obligation to pay the tuition. The trial court referred the issue to a referee, issued an order consistent with the referee's ruling, and then later set it aside. The trial court then referred the issue to a special master for findings of fact. Adopting the findings of the special master, the trial court eliminated the father's obligation to pay the child's private school tuition. The mother appeals, arguing that there was not a significant variance justifying modification of the child support award. We reverse, finding that the basis for the trial court's modification were facts that were before the trial court at the time of the initial award, and that there are no facts in the record sufficient to support modification.
Authoring Judge: Judge Holly M. Kirby
Originating Judge:Walter L. Evans
Shelby County Court of Appeals 08/29/00