ÿWPCÜ %§N:VÓè0 Õ‹9Rá¨à„‘ ¡¿ïL+¿1T[ ;”cè¿Õö"{sjÈü}ZBB9aÏñªíB[ h¦H5Ë è?ÅqòmÒ?x{Í_"\E3t:ŸËŠ2m±9x¹Žg8pGò†n˜ò®Ìà~a“ÝJ­ÓOõu„J˜liƒ¼_…S1ÆDY=m6¢+@ý5“Íüzt ŒåµoUçsÅFn¥˜QM÷×b7„§î›±dj¿‘ÃTà íišÄäÞ<–ýÍ &%6„¿™r’åƒh5¡ý ’UÀ½«ZHaùW&jÔ­Švè\ +į Q1õ4«_𮮥º2>þæ+£F‘þ2Å&« ù$SÛYZþì ÚÅž`a›¼³©Qxe[è;öGdQ–‹<¼ØT}ð¤“þÓotý™=0)š9©ð™2)ªŸÎµãÍÙÆ v£©óáaŸá[îÄ ·Ãády°áVz‘ ©âAç›yÑéð‘£G2½ýÃϬ1l¹©']L8ëR'Û`òLë¿gä"bÙdþD)  ™ í›Ú’«[àRf?µd<ÅMhÍ8~Êl3Ð2€¤KúŠT/>®Õwßb#Á\ % ^ # 0ˆ/ U&N· w 4 z Ò— i x mz  ‘ Æ Æc Æ)Æï 0DµNù—û—’E)U N+UNyNÇÇÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉbÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑ 0ëÙÙÙÙ BÄÄ 0¤á D3… D-¸ 0Kåå AS0ƃ 0¤I 0Dí A«1˜HP LaserJet 4Si,ü,,,,,ü0»í‚)â (`£ª$¡¡Ñ€.ÑÑ8€½­»»d»»d8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  Ó(í€"  Z6Times New Roman Regular9?Æ(˜C¬ÒŸ ˜C:\PROGRA~1\COREL\WORDPE~1\TEMPLATE\CUSTOM~1\REVISE~1.WPTC:\Program Files\Corel\WordPerfect Office 2000\Template\Custom WP Templates\revised standard opinion.wpt3|x ÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ Ý ƒR¨ã$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôÐtò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔDr.€Rankine€testified€that€Ô_ÔkyphosisÔ_Ô€ð ðis€a€fancy€medical€way€of€saying€a€kinking€of€the€spine.ððLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5‚Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5„Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5…Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(#Ã$òòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó Ý ƒR¨ã$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôÐtò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔDr.€Gallagher€defined€ð ðkyphosisðð€as€ð ðsomeone€who€has€a€stooped€type€of€posture€if€you€will€such€as,€forÐ ° Ðexample,€an€elderly€woman€with€severe€osteoporosis€who€develops€a€really€hunched€back€would€be€an€extremeÐ xÈ Ðexample.ðð Ý ƒR¨ã$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôÐtò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔIn€the€current€case,€on€the€fourth€day€of€trial,€the€parties€announced€the€following€stipulation€to€the€jury:€Ð ° Ðð ðLadies€and€gentlemen,€itððs€stipulated€that,€on€January€25,€1991,€Mr.€Ô_ÔBiddleÔ_Ô€filed€suit€against€Norfolk€Southern€RailwayÐ xÈ ÐCompany€in€the€Circuit€Court€in€Memphis,€Shelby€County,€and€claimed€injuries€because€of€the€negligence€of€theÐ @ ÐRailroad€by€requiring€him€to€walk€upon€large,€unevenly€shaped,€hard€and€unstable€rock.€€And€the€injury€was€„€„€was€notÐ X Ða€back€injury.€€The€injury,€rather,€was€severe€bruising,€contusion€and€straining€of€both€feet€with€bruising,€contusion,Ð Ð  Ðwrenching,€spraining,€straining,€twisting,€tearing,€Ô_ÔherniationÔ_Ô€of€and€trauma€to€the€nerves,€tissues,€ligaments,€vessels,Ð ˜è Ðmuscles,€fibers€and€joints€thereof,€with€resulting€traumatic€arthritis€of€his€ankles€and€Ô_ÔneuromasÔ_Ô€of€both€feet.ðð(ÖÃ9 Z‹6Times New Roman Regular(ÖÃ9 Z ‹6Times New Roman Regular - ù-(|G2¨ã$¤¤Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€º¬»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôÐtò»»Ô d(|3A$$££Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€º¬»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝVVVV'ÿÿdxd)!ÈÈÈÈdxdx( ±þ$’’ò òFigure€Ú  Ú1Ú  Úó ó^_X`YEþÿ<<CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(|3A$$¢¢Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€º¬»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó óX[Z&OLE 2.0 Box <=8ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿCÿÿ HKKKKÝ ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€º¬»»ddÈ8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÑ  ÑÔ€¼º¬»»»ÔÑ8€¸ûXXdð»»d8ÑÑ  Ñà@ü ü ìàÔ‡îöº¬ÔIN€THE€COURT€OF€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEˆÐ ° Ðà@WW$ìàAT€KNOXVILLEÔ#†¼º¬»îîö #ԈРÜ, ÐÓ  ÓJune€2000€SessionÐ X ÐÔ‡X¸ûX»¼º¬ÔÌÌò òÔ#†¼º¬»XX¸ûî#ÔWALTER€J.€BIDDLE,€SR.€€v.€€NORFOLK€SOUTHERN€RAILWAYÐ  P ÐCOMPANYÔ‡X¸ûX»¼º¬Ôó óÐ  h ÐÌÌà@@½½ìàò ò€Appeal€from€the€Circuit€Court€for€Hamilton€CountyÐ `  Ðà@@øøìàNo.€97C2682€€€€€€Hon.€Samuel€H.€Payne,€JudgeÐ P  ÐÌFILED€AUGUST€22,€Ô_Ô2000Ô_ÔÐ à0  Ðà@@ìì*ìàßA€V) °°` d€÷E<Ï` AßÐ Ð  ÐÌà@@TTìàNo.€E1999„025840„COA„R3„CVÐ Ï ÐÌßA€V) °°` dE<®` AßÐ ¯ÿ Ðó óÌÌÓ  ÓÔ‡X½åXXX¸ûÔPlaintiff€injured€his€feet€and€ankles€by€walking€on€large€rock€ballast€in€his€employerððs€train€yard€andÐ žî Ðbrought€suit€against€this€Defendant€for€those€injuries€in€1991.€€That€suit€was€resolved.€€The€currentÐ ŠÚ Ðsuit€was€brought€by€Plaintiff€in€1997,€alleging€injury€to€his€back€from€the€same€cause.€€In€this€case,Ð vÆ ÐPlaintiff€testified€that€he€had€several€incidents€at€work€which€caused€strain€to€his€back€but€that€thoseÐ b² Ðresolved,€and€that€walking€on€the€rock€caused€his€permanent€back€impairment.€€Co„workers€testifiedÐ Nž Ðfor€Plaintiff€that€the€rock€was€too€large€and€therefore€unsafe.€€Supervisors€testified€that€the€rock€wasÐ :Š Ðnot€dangerous.€€Two€physicians€gave€ambiguous€testimony€as€to€causation.€€The€jury€found€that€theÐ &v Ðrock€in€the€train€yard€was€too€large,€and,€therefore,€Defendant€was€negligent.€€The€jury€also€foundÐ b Ðthat€Plaintiff€had€failed€to€prove€that€his€back€condition€was€caused€by€Defendantððs€negligence.€Ð þN ÐPlaintiff€appealed,€asking€this€Court€to€find€that€the€jury€verdict€was€not€supported€by€the€evidenceÐ ê: Ðand€that€the€Trial€Court€had€erred€in€an€evidentiary€ruling.€€We€hold€the€Trial€Court€did€not€abuseÐ Ö& Ðits€discretion€in€its€evidentiary€ruling€and€that€the€jury€verdict€is€supported€by€material€evidence.€€WeÐ   Ðaffirm.Ô#†X¸ûXXX½åÉ#ÔÔ#†¼º¬»XX¸û„#ÔÔ‡X¸ûX»¼º¬ÔÐ ®!þ  ÐÓ½ÓÌÌò òT.R.A.P.€Rule€3;€Judgment€of€the€Trial€Court€Affirmed.ó óÐ z$Ê# ÐÌÌòòÓ  ÓÔ#†¼º¬»àX¸ûñ #ÔÔ‡X¸ûX.¼º¬ÔD.€Michael€Swiney,€J.óó,€delivered€the€opinion€of€the€court,€in€which€òòHerschel€P.€Franks,€J.óó€andÐ J'š"& ÐòòCharles€D.€Susano,€Jr.,€J.óó,€joined.Ð :(Š#' ÐÌClarence€E.€Walker,€Chattanooga,€Tennessee,€and€Patrick€S.€OððBrien,€St.€Louis,€Missouri,€for€theÐ *j%) ÐAppellant,€Walter€J.€Biddle,€Jr.Ð  +Z&* ÐÌEverett€B.€Gibson€and€Scott€B.€Ô_ÔPeatrossÔ_Ô,€Memphis,€Tennessee,€for€the€Appellee,€Norfolk€SouthernÐ ê,:(, ÐRailway€Company.Ð Ú-*)-ý° ÐÓ ÓÌò òOPINIONó óÔ#†¼º¬»XX¸û¼ #ÔÔ‡X¸ûX»¼º¬ÔÐ  ð ÐÌòòóóÔ#†¼º¬»XX¸ûB#ÔÓ  ÓÔ€X¸ûX»¼º¬ÔÓÓà@ÛÛ%ìàò òòòBackgroundˆÐ €Ð ÐÓÓà  àà ` àó óóóWalter€J.€Biddle€(Plaintiff)€worked€for€Norfolk€Southern€Railway€CompanyÐ ` ° Ð(Defendant)€from€1967€until€August€1996.€€His€job€as€a€carman€required€him€to€walk€around€the€train€Ð P   Ðyard€inspecting€and€repairing€freight€cars€on€the€tracks.€€His€work€area€was€covered€with€rocks€calledÐ @  Ðð ðballast.ðð€Plaintiff€walked€on€the€ballast€daily.€€There€are€various€sizes€or€grades€of€ballast€forÐ 0 € Ðvarious€uses.€€The€ballast€used€on€the€main€train€line€is€normally€larger€than€the€ballast€in€the€yard.€Ð  p  ÐThe€company€standard€required€that€ballast€on€the€main€line€be€#3€ballast,€rocks€up€to€two€inchesÐ `  Ðin€diameter.€€In€the€yard,€the€ballast€was€to€be€#5€ballast,€rocks€no€larger€than€3/4€inch€in€diameter.€Ð P  ÐIn€Defendantððs€train€yard€in€Chattanooga,€the€company€standard€was€not€met,€as€the€ballast€in€thatÐ ð@  Ðparticular€train€yard€generally€was€#3€ballast,€not€#5.€€For€many€years€employees€complained€aboutÐ à0  Ðthe€size€of€the€ballast€and€the€potential€for€ankle€injuries€and€asked€the€company€to€replace€the€#3Ð Ð  Ðballast€with€smaller€ballast,€but€this€change€was€never€made.€€Plaintiff€injured€his€feet€and€anklesÐ À Ðwhile€working€on€the€ballast€in€1987,€and€his€1989€claim€for€that€injury€was€addressed€by€this€CourtÐ ° Ðin€an€earlier€lawsuit€in€1997.׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€Plaintiff€brought€this€second€suit€under€the€Federal€EmployersððÐ  ð ÐLiability€Act€(Ô_ÔFELAÔ_Ô)€against€Defendant€on€December€24,€1997,€alleging€injury€to€his€back€fromÐ à Ðworking€on€the€large€ballast€in€the€train€yard.Ð €Ð ÐÌà  àà ` àPlaintiff€sought€medical€treatment€for€back€pain€from€neurologist€Dr.€David€RankineÐ `° Ðin€June€1996.€€Dr.€Rankineððs€medical€records€indicate€that€Plaintiff€came€to€see€him€on€SeptemberÐ P  Ð3,€1996,€complaining€of€ð ðback€pain€on€and€off€for€years.ðð€€He€was€54€years€old.€€MRI€of€the€lumbarÐ @ Ðspine€revealed€L4„5€disc€degeneration€with€minimal€annular€bulging€and€L5„S1€disc€degenerationÐ 0€ Ðwith€bulging€of€the€disc€across€the€canal.€€MRI€of€the€thoracic€spine€revealed€moderate€thoracicÐ  p Ðkyphosis׃ ×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€and€diffuse€degenerative€changes€and€end€plate€spurring€but€no€herniation.€€MRI€of€theÐ ` Ðcervical€spine€revealed€no€significant€abnormalities.€€Plaintiff€soon€left€his€job,€and€Dr.€RankineÐ P Ðagreed€with€his€assertion€that€he€was€unable€to€do€the€work€because€of€pain€in€his€back.€€Ð ð@ ÐÌà  àà ` àWhen€Dr.€Rankine€was€questioned,€he€was€told€to€assume€that€Plaintiff€had€a€priorÐ Ð  Ðinjury€to€his€feet€and€ankles€from€working€on€large€ballast.€€He€was€then€asked€to€state€his€medicalÐ À! Ðopinion€as€to€whether€Plaintiffððs€back€problems€were€also€related€to€working€on€large€ballast.€€HeÐ °"  Ðreplied:Ð  #ð! Їà8  àà8` Ð Ð à.€.€.€the€injuries€that€Mr.€Biddle€has€suffered€have€been€related€toÐ ° Ðsurface€contact€and€working€contact€including€his€feet,€his€ankle,€andÐ  ð Ðhis€knee€injuries€simply€to€paraphrase€the€ankle€bone€is€connected€toÐ à Ðthe€knee€bone,€the€knee€bone€is€connected€to€the€hip€bone,€the€hipÐ €Ð Ðbone€is€connected€to€the€lower€back€and€basically€the€forces€whichÐ pÀ Ðare€felt€in€your€feet€have€to€be€generated€and€expelled€in€someÐ ` ° Ðmanner€and€they€will€be€transmitted€into€your€axial€and€lower€spine.ÐP  ` x` x ÐÌà  àà ` àDr.€Rankine€referred€Plaintiff€to€Dr.€Shah,€a€rheumatologist,€who€diagnosedÐ 0 € Ðpolymyalgia€rheumatica€and€prescribed€anti„inflammatory€medication.€€Dr.€Rankine€also€referredÐ  p  ÐPlaintiff€to€neurosurgeon€Dr.€Michael€Gallagher,€who€ordered€a€whole€body€bone€scan€to€furtherÐ `  Ðevaluate€Plaintiffððs€complaints€of€back€pain.€€The€results€of€that€scan€showed€active€degenerativeÐ P  Ðchanges€of€the€thoracic€spine.€€Dr.€Gallagher€treated€him€conservatively€and€last€saw€him€onÐ ð@  ÐFebruary€26,€1998,€with€diagnoses€of€ð ðthoracic€kyphosis׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€suspected€secondary€to€osteoporosisðð€andÐ à0  Ðlumbar€pain.€€Plaintiff€had€multiple€areas€of€degenerative€disk€changes,€particularly€in€the€thoracicÐ Ð  Ðarea,€but€also€disk€disease€at€L5„S1€with€a€diffuse€disk€protrusion.€€Plaintiff€was€to€continueÐ À Ðconservative€measures€including€analgesic€medication€and€physical€therapy€and€return€as€needed.€Ð ° ÐDr.€Gallagher€was€asked€about€any€causal€relationship€between€Plaintiffððs€work€and€his€backÐ  ð Ðcondition.€€He€responded€thusly:Ð à ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àItððs€difficult€to€scientifically€precisely€delineate€the€cause€ofÐ pÀ Ðdegenerative€changes€in€the€spine€in€that€different€sub„populations€ofÐ `° Ðpatients€who€have€different€work€environments€may€all€have€„€„€mayÐ P  Ðhave€a€similar€appearing€MRI€scan€for€example;€in€other€words,Ð @ Ðsomeone€could€be€a€banker€and€have€a€similar€MRI€scan€as€Mr.Ð 0€ ÐBiddle€conceivably.€€However,€I€believe€the€other€side€of€that€coin€soÐ  p Ðto€speak€is€that€certainly€someone€who€has€a€lot€of€mechanicalÐ ` Ðdemand€upon€their€back,€there€probably€is€some€role€in€thoseÐ P Ðmechanical€or€environmental€factors€if€you€will€in€the€evolution€ofÐ ð@ Ðdegenerative€change€and€potentially€the€production€of€symptoms€thatÐ à0 Ðcan€be€associated€with€that.ÐÐ ` x` x Ðà@uu$ìà*€€€*€€€*€€€ˆÐ À! Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àTo€phrase€it€differently€in€realistic€terms€most€likely€anyone€withÐ °"  Ðmulticentric€degenerative€changes€and€chronic€symptoms€of€theÐ  #ð! Ðcharacter€that€weððre€discussing€here,€probably€the€genesis€of€that€sortÐ $à" Ðof€picture€is€multifactorial€and€to€definitively€be€able€to€say€thatÐ €%Ð # Ðfactor€A€or€B€or€C€is€a€cause€is€I€think€extremely€difficult.€€However,Ð p&À!$ Ðâ âI€would€not€find€it€unrealistic€to€say€that€someone€who€has€a€job€thatÐ `'°"% Ðplaces€heavy€mechanical€demands€on€their€back€may€incur€some€sortÐ ° Ðof€degenerative€change€and€pain€on€that€basis.Рð` x` x Ðâ âÌà  àà ` àFormer€employees€Tim€Miller€and€James€Wright€testified€at€trial€that€they€hadÐ €Ð Ðworked€for€Norfolk€Southern€for€many€years€in€the€train€yard€and€that€the€ballast€was€too€large€toÐ pÀ Ðsafely€work€around€because€a€worker€would€slide€on€it€and€twist€an€ankle€or€fall.€€Miller€testified€thatÐ ` ° Ðhe€had€injured€his€feet€and€ankles€by€working€on€the€ballast€in€the€train€yard€and€is€bringing€suitÐ P   Ðagainst€Norfolk€and€Southern€because€of€those€injuries.€€€Ð @  ÐÌà  àà ` àEmployee€Phillip€Brashear€testified€that€he€had€worked€with€Plaintiff€in€the€train€yardÐ  p  Ðfor€over€twenty„five€years€and€that€the€rock€in€that€particular€yard€always€contained€at€least€60€to€70Ð `  Ðpercent€large€rock,€over€one€inch€in€diameter.€€Numerous€employees€complained€to€the€DefendantÐ P  Ðabout€the€size€of€the€rock€but€it€was€never€replaced€with€smaller€rock.€€Brashear€left€his€job€forÐ ð@  Ðmedical€reasons€in€1998€and€filed€suit€against€the€Defendant€alleging€work„related€disability.Ð à0  ÐÌà  àà ` àCoburn€(ð ðTomðð)€Radar€testified€that€he€has€been€employed€by€the€Defendant€inÐ À Ðvarious€jobs€since€1978.€€He€was€an€inspector€for€about€fourteen€years.€€This€job€required€him€toÐ ° Ðwalk€on€the€large€ballast€where€Plaintiff€worked.€€He€testified€that€the€ballast€was€big,€the€walkingÐ  ð Ðarea€was€Ô_ÔunlevelÔ_Ô,€and€there€were€a€lot€of€obstacles€to€trip€over,€such€as€old€brake€shoes,€air€hoses€andÐ à Ðpulp€wood.€€ð ðYour€feet€will€rock€on€it,€and,€you€know,€some€of€it€you€may€even€trip€on€or€stumbleÐ €Ð Ðon.€€Your€footing€is€just€not€sure.ðð€€Some€of€the€older€employees€complained€to€Defendant€about€theÐ pÀ Ðwalking€conditions€but€no€changes€were€made.€€After€he€worked€in€the€yard€and€then€was€transferredÐ `° Ðto€a€different€job€for€several€years,€he€returned€to€the€yard€and€began€walking€on€the€large€ballastÐ P  Ðagain.€€It€made€his€feet,€ankles€and€knees€hurt,€and€he€complained€ð ðto€anybody€who€would€listen,ððÐ @ Ðincluding€Charles€Higgins,€a€supervisor,€and€at€monthly€safety€meetings.€€Ð 0€ ÐÌà  àà ` àWilliam€Ellison€testified€that€he€started€working€for€Defendant€in€1972€and€hasÐ ` Ðworked€most€of€the€time€in€the€train€yards€in€Chattanooga.€€He€had€problems€working€in€the€yardÐ P Ðbecause€of€large€ballast.€€He€complained€to€supervisors€about€the€large€rock€in€the€yard€and€aboutÐ ð@ Ðloose€ballast,€feed€that€spilled€and€mud€and€water€in€the€yard,€but€nothing€was€ever€done.€€HeÐ à0 Ðtestified€that€the€only€medical€problem€he€has€had€from€working€in€the€yard€is€callouses€on€his€feet.€Ð Ð  ÐHe€did€sprain€an€ankle€once€and€fell€several€times€trying€to€walk,€but€he€never€sustained€a€majorÐ À! Ðinjury,€only€a€bruise.€€Ð °"  ÐÌà  àà ` àDavid€Poe€testified€that€he€started€working€for€Defendant€in€1972€at€the€same€job€asÐ $à" ÐPlaintiff,€and€worked€in€the€train€yards€in€Chattanooga€until€April€1996,€when€he€left€the€job€andÐ €%Ð # Ðfiled€a€claim€against€the€Defendant€for€a€back€injury€he€alleged€was€caused€by€working€in€the€yard.€Ð p&À!$ ÐHe€testified€that€he€always€had€problems€with€his€ankles€and€legs€which€he€attributed€to€walking€onÐ `'°"% Ðthe€large€ballast.€€He€and€others€complained€in€safety€meetings€and€he€complained€to€the€union,€butÐ P( #& Ðnothing€was€ever€done.€€Plaintiff€later€called€David€Poe€for€an€offer€of€proof€concerning€hisÐ @)$' Ðknowledge€of€other€employees€who€had€allegedly€sustained€injuries€caused€by€working€on€the€largeÐ 0*€%( Ðâ âballast€in€the€train€yard.€€Poe€testified€that€employees€Benny€Moon€and€Wayne€Honeycutt,€andÐ  +p&) Ðanother€employee€whose€name€he€could€not€remember,€had€been€so€injured.€€The€Trial€CourtÐ ° Ðdeclined€to€permit€this€testimony€to€be€heard€by€the€jury.€€€Ð  ð Ðâ âÌà  àà ` àAvery€Durwood€Buckner€testified€that€he€had€worked€for€the€Defendant€from€1948Ð €Ð Ðuntil€his€retirement€in€1991.€€He€testified€that€the€safety€committee€was€established€in€1969€andÐ pÀ Ðcomplaints€were€made€to€that€committee€every€week€in€the€1970's€and€1980's€about€the€ballast€in€theÐ ` ° Ðtrain€yard.€€He€testified€that€the€ballast€was€unsafe€because€ð ðit€was€not€stable.€€It€would€roll€with€you.€Ð P   ÐYour€ankle€would€turn€on€it.€€You€didnððt€have€a€solid€footing.ðð€€He€further€testified€that€over€theÐ @  Ðyears€he€had€suffered€knee€and€ankle€problems€which€he€attributed€to€walking€on€the€large€ballast.Ð 0 € ÐÌà  àà ` à€Plaintiff€testified€that€he€is€57€years€old€and€began€working€for€Defendant€in€1967.€Ð `  ÐHe€stated€that,€in€the€early€1980's,€the€employees€were€encouraged€to€complain€about€any€safetyÐ P  Ðissues€related€to€their€work,€and€they€immediately€began€to€complain€at€safety€meetings€about€theÐ ð@  Ðlarge€ballast€in€the€train€yard.€€He€started€having€problems€with€his€knees€and€ultimately€had€surgeryÐ à0  Ðon€his€ankle€and€feet€in€1992.€€He€filed€a€claim€against€the€Defendant€and€that€claim€was€resolved.€Ð Ð  ÐHe€went€back€to€work€and€continued€to€complain€about€the€ballast€to€Mr.€Higgins.€€The€large€rocksÐ À Ðcaused€unstable€footing€ð ðand€youððd€stump€your€toes€and€your€ankles€would€rock€back€and€forth€aÐ ° Ðlot.ðð€€He€further€testified€about€bending,€stooping€or€squatting€on€the€rock:Ð  ð ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à.€.€.€[it]€would€affect,€of€course,€your€knees€and€your€ankles€and€theÐ €Ð Ðlower€part€of€your€back€and€while€you€were€in€that€position€you€mightÐ pÀ Ðbe€putting€on€a€brake€shoe€and,€of€course,€that€would€put€moreÐ `° Ðpressure€on€your€upper€part€of€your€body,€your€back,€neck.ÐP ` x` x ÐÌà  àà ` àPlaintiff€testified€that€he€started€having€trouble€with€his€back€in€June€1996.€€He€feltÐ 0€ Ðpressure€in€his€lower€back€and€pain€between€his€shoulders€and€his€midback€as€if€something€wereÐ  p Ðpressing€against€his€back,€and€it€felt€as€if€ð ðneedle€sticks€or€pinsðð€were€sticking€him€in€the€lower€partÐ ` Ðof€his€neck.€€He€went€to€see€Dr.€Rankine,€who€ran€some€tests€and€referred€him€to€Dr.€Gallagher.€€HeÐ P Ðtried€to€continue€working€from€June€1996€until€August€1996€but€was€unable€to€work€due€to€pain.€Ð ð@ ÐDr.€Rankine€notified€the€Defendant€that€the€Plaintiff€could€not€continue€to€work€because€of€his€backÐ à0 Ðproblems.€€Plaintiff€testified€that€on€an€average€day,€ð ðanything€causes€me€discomfort€.€.€.€usually€theÐ Ð  Ðmiddle€of€my€back€will€be€the€first€thing€that€starts€hurting€.€.€.€if€Iððm€walking€it€would€be€my€legsÐ À! Ðthat€start€hurting€first.ðð€€He€has€back€pain€every€day,€and€he€can€only€walk€about€100€feet€before€heÐ °"  Ðhas€to€sit€down.€€He€has€not€tried€to€find€other€work€since€he€left€the€railroad€because€he€€hasnððtÐ  #ð! Ðfound€anything€that€he€could€do€on€a€regular€basis.€€He€testified€that€before€he€began€having€backÐ $à" Ðproblems,€he€hunted€deer€and€turkey€every€other€weekend€in€season€for€many€years€with€his€friends.€Ð €%Ð # ÐSince€1996,€when€he€began€having€back€pain,€he€has€only€been€able€to€go€hunting€seven€or€eightÐ p&À!$ Ðtimes€a€season.€€On€cross„examination,€he€testified€that€he€had€injured€his€back€at€work€in€1991€whenÐ `'°"% Ða€garage€door€came€down€and€hit€him€ð ðin€the€front€part€of€the€hardhat.ðð€€He€experienced€pain€in€theÐ P( #& Ðback€and€neck€but€did€not€consult€a€doctor,€and€he€has€recovered€from€that€incident.€€He€also€hasÐ @)$' Ðstrained€his€back€occasionally€at€work,€including€one€occasion€when€he€fell€over€a€rail€anchor€andÐ 0*€%( Ðanother€time€when€he€was€picking€up€debris.€€Ð  +p&) ÐÐ ,`'* Ðà  àà ` àCharles€Higgins,€Defendantððs€Senior€General€Foreman,€testified€by€deposition€thatÐ ° Ðhe€discussed€the€conditions€of€the€train€yard€with€Defendantððs€assistant€division€engineer€and€theÐ  ð Ðengineer€toured€the€yard,€but€he€does€not€know€whether€any€written€report€or€management€discussionÐ à Ðresulted.€€William€Mason,€another€supervisor,€testified€that€he€supervised€Plaintiff€throughout€mostÐ €Ð Ðof€his€career.€€In€that€capacity,€he€listened€to€the€employeesðð€complaints€about€safety€concerns€in€theÐ pÀ Ðtrain€yard.€€Although€the€employees€complained€about€the€size€of€the€ballast€and€the€uneven€surfaceÐ ` ° Ðin€the€train€yard,€he€never€found€it€to€be€an€unsafe€place€to€work.€€He€reviewed€safety€meeting€reportsÐ P   Ðfor€the€years€1994,€1995€and€half€of€1996€and€testified€that€large€ballast€was€mentioned€only€threeÐ @  Ðtimes€during€that€two€and€one„half€year€time€frame.€€He€did€not€know€until€1994€that€there€wereÐ 0 € Ðstandards€for€the€sizes€of€ballast€to€be€used€in€different€parts€of€Norfolk€Southern€Railway€property.€Ð  p  ÐÌà  àà ` àFloyd€Smith,€a€track€supervisor€employed€by€Defendant,€testified€that€he€supervisedÐ P  Ðthe€inspection€and€safety€repairs€in€the€train€yard€from€1989€through€1995.€€During€that€time,€heÐ ð@  Ðmainly€received€complaints€about€mud€in€the€yard,€which€his€crew€corrected€several€times.€€He€firstÐ à0  Ðdrained€the€mud€and€put€in€smaller€ballast,€but€that€did€not€solve€the€problem,€so€he€drained€it€againÐ Ð  Ðand€put€in€larger€ballast.€€He€testified€that€he€only€put€the€larger€ballast€between€the€tracks,€not€in€theÐ À Ðwalkways.€€He€stated€that€he€also€received€complaints€about€the€size€of€the€rock,€and€his€crew€ð ðwentÐ ° Ðin€and€some€places€we€took€the€rock,€you€know,€picked€the€track€up,€tamped€it€off,€tamped€it€upÐ  ð Ðunder€the€ties.€€Other€places€we€took€a€grade„all€machine€with€a€big€dump€truck€and€cleaned€it€up,Ð à Ðhauled€it€out.ðð€€His€crews€routinely€put€ballast€wherever€needed€on€Defendantððs€property,€and€whenÐ €Ð Ðthey€fill€the€main€line€with€large€ballast,€some€of€those€rocks€stay€in€the€train€car€that€hauls€theÐ pÀ Ðballast.€€Then€when€they€put€smaller€ballast€in€that€car€and€empty€it€onto€the€walkways€in€the€yard,Ð `° Ðthe€large€rocks€mix€with€it.€€The€large€ballast€is€hauled€75€percent€of€the€time,€so€there€is€frequentlyÐ P  Ðleftover€large€ballast€in€the€train€car€when€smaller€ballast€is€put€in€for€the€train€yards.€€His€jobÐ @ Ðrequires€him€to€walk€on€the€large€ballast€on€the€main€line€frequently,€and€he€has€walked€many€milesÐ 0€ Ðon€it.€€He€opined€that€walking€on€the€larger€rock€is€ð ðbetter€footing.€€Itððs€more€stable,€it€has€betterÐ  p Ðcompaction€and€it€also€has€better€drainage.ðð€€Ð ` ÐÌà  àà ` àDonald€Cleland€testified€that€he€is€an€assistant€division€engineer€in€the€Division€ofÐ ð@ ÐTrack€Maintenance€for€Defendant.€€He€is€responsible€for€1200€miles€of€track€including€main€lineÐ à0 Ðtracks€and€yards€between€Bristol€and€Memphis.€€In€December€1995€he€replaced€Floyd€Smith,€andÐ Ð  Ðworked€at€that€job€until€October€1998.€€Some€time€between€December€1995€and€August€1996,€heÐ À! Ðreceived€a€complaint€from€the€local€chairman€of€the€carmanððs€union€about€large€ballast€in€the€trainÐ °"  Ðyard.€€He€inspected€the€area,€removed€the€stone€in€the€area€complained€about,€and€resurfaced€it€withÐ  #ð! Ðsmaller€ballast.€€€Ð $à" ÐÌà  àà ` àAt€the€close€of€all€the€proof,€Plaintiff€and€Defendant€each€moved€for€directed€verdict.Ð p&À!$ ÐThe€Trial€Court€denied€both€motions.€€The€jury€retired€and,€upon€deliberation,€returned€a€verdictÐ `'°"% Ðfinding€Defendant€negligent€but€also€finding€that€Defendantððs€negligence€did€not€cause€or€contributeÐ P( #& Ðto€Plaintiffððs€back€injury.€€Judgment€for€Defendant€was€entered.Ð @)$' ÐÌà@))%ìàò òòòDiscussionˆÐ  +p&) ÐÐ ,`'* Ðà  àà ` àó óóóPlaintiff€appeals€and€raises€the€following€issues,€which€we€quote:Ð ° ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à1.à0¸ ` x` xàWas€the€verdict€returned€by€the€jury€finding€that€theÐ à ÐDefendant€was€negligent€but€that€Defendantððs€negligence€didÐ €Ð Ðnot€cause€or€contribute€to€cause€Plaintiffððs€injury€unsupportedÐ pÀ Ðby€material€evidence€.€.€.€.Ð` °¸ x¸ x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à2.à8¸ ` x` xàDid€the€Court€err€in€refusing€to€allow€evidence€ofÐ @  Ðprior€injuries€of€Wayne€Honeycutt€and€Benny€MoonÐ 0 € Ðto€show€the€fact€that€working€on€large€ballast€didÐ  p  Ðindeed€cause€physical€injury?Ð` ¸ ¸  ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à3.à8¸ ` x` xàDid€the€Court€err€in€not€granting€a€directed€verdict€toÐ ð@  ÐPlaintiff€at€the€close€of€the€case?Ðà0 ¸ ¸  ÐÌÔ‡X½åXXX¸ûÔà  àà ` àCongress€has€granted€federal€and€state€courts€concurrent€jurisdiction€to€determineÐ À Ðclaims€under€the€Ô_ÔFELAÔ_Ô.€€òòSee€óó45€U.S.C.A.€ðð€56€(West€1986).€€In€Ô_ÔFELAÔ_Ô€cases€tried€in€state€courts,€theÐ ¬ü Ðapplicable€state€rules€generally€govern€procedural€matters,€while€federal€law€controls€as€to€all€mattersÐ ˜è Ðof€substantive€law.€€òòJennings€v.€Illinois€Cent.€R.€Co.,€óó993€S.W.2d€66,€70€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1998).€€OurÐ „Ô Ðstate€appellate€procedural€rules€provide€that€findings€of€fact€by€a€jury€in€civil€actions€shall€be€setÐ pÀ Ðaside€only€if€there€is€no€material€evidence€to€support€the€verdict.€€Rule€13(d),€Tennessee€Rules€ofÐ \¬ ÐAppellate€Procedure.€€Therefore,€our€standard€of€review€as€to€Plaintiffððs€first€issue€is€limited€to€aÐ H˜ Ðdetermination€of€whether€there€is€any€material€evidence€to€support€the€jury€verdict.€€òòShivers€v.Ð 4„ ÐRamsey,€óó937€S.W.2d€€945,€947€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1996).Ð  p ÐÌà  àà ` àThe€United€States€Supreme€Court€has€held€that€a€juryððs€determination€in€a€FederalÐ øH ÐEmployersðð€Liability€Act€(Ô_ÔFELAÔ_Ô)€case€is€entitled€to€great€weight€on€appeal:Ð ä4 ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àOnly€when€there€is€a€complete€absence€of€probative€facts€to€supportÐ ¼  Ðthe€conclusion€reached€[by€the€jury]€does€a€reversible€error€appear.Шø` x` x ÐÌòòDennis€v.€Denver€&€Rio€Grande€Western€R.R.€Co.,€óó375€U.S.€208,€84€S.€Ct.€291,€293,€11€L.€Ed.€2dÐ €!Ð Ð256€(1963)€(quoting€òòLavender€v.€Kurn,€óó327€U.S.€645,€66€S.€Ct.€740,€744,€90€L.€Ed.€916€(1946)).€€InÐ l"¼  ÐòòLavender,óó€the€Court€stated€that€in€an€FELA€case,€where€the€circumstances€evidence€a€reasonableÐ X#¨! Ðbasis€for€the€juryððs€verdict,€an€appellate€court€may€not€weigh€the€evidence€or€assess€the€credibilityÐ D$”" Ðof€witnesses€and€arrive€at€a€contrary€conclusion.€€òòLavender,óó€66€S.€Ct.€at€744.€€The€Court€furtherÐ 0%€ # Ðnoted:€Ð &l!$ ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àThe€appellate€courtððs€function€is€exhausted€when€that€evidentiaryÐ ô'D#& Ðbasis€becomes€apparent,€it€being€immaterial€that€the€court€might€drawÐ à(0$' Ða€contrary€inference€or€feel€that€another€conclusion€is€moreÐ Ì)%( Ðreasonable.и*&)` x` x ÐòòÐ ¤+ô&* ÐId.óó€€The€federal€Ô_ÔFELAÔ_Ô€standard€for€appellate€review€of€a€jury€verdict,€which€requires€reversal€only€Ð ° Ðif€ð ðthere€is€a€complete€absence€of€probative€facts€to€support€the€conclusion€reached€by€the€jury,ðð€mayÐ œì Ðgive€even€more€deference€to€jury€verdicts€than€the€state€standardÔ#†X¸ûXXX½åWa#ÔÔ‡X½åXXX¸ûÔ€which€requires€reversal€only€if€thereÐ ˆØ Ðis€ð ðno€material€evidence€to€support€the€jury€verdict.ðð€€We€need€not€decide€whether€these€standardsÐ tÄ Ðare€different€because€Tennessee€procedural€standards€apply,€and€in€any€event,€both€standards€are€metÐ `° Ðin€this€case.€€€Ð L œ ÐÔ#†X¸ûXXX½å4m#ÔÔ‡X½åXXX¸ûÔÌà  àà ` àThe€jury€found€that€Defendant€was€negligent€due€to€the€size€ballast€used€by€theÐ $ t ÐDefendant€in€its€yard.€€That€jury€determination€is€not€questioned€in€this€appeal.€€What€is€challengedÐ  ` Ðis€the€juryððs€determination€that€the€Defendantððs€negligence€did€not€cause€Plaintiffððs€back€injuries.Ð ü L  ÐÌà  àà ` àPlaintiff€argues€that€the€medical€testimony€shows€that€working€on€large€ballast€causedÐ Ô$  Ðor€contributed€to€his€back€injury€and€that€there€was€no€rebuttal€of€the€treating€doctorsðð€testimony.€Ð À  ÐWe€have€carefully€reviewed€the€testimony€of€Drs.€Rankine€and€Gallagher€and€find€their€testimonyÐ ¬ü  Ðto€be€equivocal€on€the€issue€of€causation.€€The€jury€did€not€find€the€medical€testimony€supported€aÐ ˜è  Ðfinding€that€working€on€the€large€ballast€caused€or€contributed€to€Plaintiffððs€back€problems.€€PlaintiffÐ „Ô  Ðadmitted€that€he€had€suffered€other€accidents€at€work€which€might€have€contributed€to€his€backÐ pÀ Ðproblems.€€He€injured€his€back€when€a€garage€door€came€down€and€hit€him€in€the€head,€he€strainedÐ \¬ Ðhis€back€occasionally€at€work,€and€he€fell€over€a€rail€anchor.€We€hold€the€record€contains€materialÐ H˜ Ðevidence€from€which€the€jury€could€have€concluded€that€Defendantððs€negligence€did€not€play€anyÐ 4„ Ðpart,€ð ðeven€the€slightest,ðð€in€Plaintiffððs€back€injury.€€Our€role€is€confined€to€determining€whether€theÐ  p Ðrecord€reflects€material€evidence€from€which€the€jury€could€have€reached€the€conclusion€that€it€did.€Ð  \ ÐÌÌà  àà ` àPlaintiff€next€raises€the€issue€that€the€Trial€Court€erred€in€ð ðrefusing€to€allow€evidenceÐ Ð  Ðof€prior€injuries€of€Wayne€Honeycutt€and€Benny€Moon€to€show€the€fact€that€working€on€large€ballastÐ ¼  Ðdid€indeed€cause€physical€injury.ðð€€Our€standard€of€review€of€the€Trial€Courtððs€evidentiary€rulingsÐ ¨ø Ðis€whether€the€Trial€Court€abused€its€discretion:Ð ”ä ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àIn€Tennessee,€admissibility€of€evidence€is€within€the€sound€discretionÐ l¼ Ðof€the€trial€judge.€€When€arriving€at€a€determination€to€admit€orÐ X ¨ Ðexclude€even€that€evidence€which€is€considered€relevant€trial€courtsÐ D!” Ðare€generally€accorded€a€wide€degree€of€latitude€and€will€only€beÐ 0"€  Ðoverturned€on€appeal€where€there€is€a€showing€of€abuse€of€discretion.€Ð #l! ÐòòÐ ` x` x ÐOtis€v.€Cambridge€Mut.€Fire€Ins.€Co.,€óó850€S.W.2d€439,€442€(Tenn.€1992).€ò òòòóóó óÔ#†X¸ûXXX½åÌn#Ô€€The€Trial€Court€refusedÐ ô$D # Ðto€allow€testimony€that€Plaintiffððs€co„workers,€Benny€Moon€and€Wayne€Honeycutt,€had€been€injuredÐ ô%D!$ Ðby€working€on€large€ballast€in€the€train€yard.€€The€Court€held€that€the€proffered€testimony€was€notÐ ä&4"% Ðrelevant,€since€ð ð[i]t€has€nothing€to€do€with€this€case.€€Weððre€not€going€to€try€three€or€four€cases.€Ð Ô'$#& ÐWeððre€going€to€try€one.ðð€€The€jury€found€that€the€Defendant€was€negligent.€€The€determinative€issueÐ Ä($' Ðlost€by€the€Plaintiff€in€this€case€was€whether€the€ballast€caused€Plaintiffððs€particular€back€injury.€Ð ´)%( ÐSecond„hand€testimony€about€injuries€allegedly€sustained€by€other€employees€would€have€addedÐ ¤*ô%) Ðnothing€to€Appellantððs€case€on€that€causation€issue.€€The€issue€presented€to€the€jury€was€not€whetherÐ ”+ä&* Ðother€employees€had€been€injured€on€the€job,€or€even€whether€Plaintiff€had€suffered€a€back€injuryÐ ° Ðbecause€of€his€work€for€the€Defendant,€but€rather€whether€or€not€Plaintiffððs€back€injury€was€casuallyÐ  ð Ðconnected€to€Defendantððs€negligence.€€We€find€the€Trial€Court€did€not€abuse€its€discretion€in€refusingÐ à Ðto€allow€such€testimony.Ð €Ð ÐÌà  àà ` àFinally,€Plaintiff€raises€the€issue€that€the€Trial€Court€erred€ð ðin€not€granting€a€directedÐ ` ° Ðverdict€to€Plaintiff€at€the€close€of€the€case.ðð€€This€Court€summarized€our€standard€of€review€of€a€trialÐ P   Ðcourtððs€decision€on€a€motion€for€directed€verdict€in€òòState€Farm€General€Ins.€Co.€v.€Wood,€óó1€Ô‡X½åXXX¸ûÔS.W.3dÔ#†X¸ûXXX½ås€#ÔÐ @  Ð658€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1999):Ð @  ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA€directed€verdict€is€appropriate€only€when€the€evidence€isÐ  p  Ðsusceptible€to€but€one€conclusion.€€òòEaton€v.€McLain,€óó891€Ô‡X½åXXX¸ûÔS.W.2dÔ#†X¸ûXXX½å¯#Ô€587,Ð `  Ð590€(Tenn.€1994);€òòLong€v.€Mattingly,€óó797€Ô‡X½åXXX¸ûÔS.W.2dÔ#†X¸ûXXX½å@‚#Ô€889,€892€(Tenn.€Ct.Ð `  ÐApp.€1990).€€We€must€ð ðtake€the€strongest€legitimate€view€of€theÐ `  Ðevidence€favoring€the€opponent€of€the€motion.ðð€òòId.óó€€In€addition,€allÐ P  Ðreasonable€inferences€in€favor€of€the€opponent€of€the€motion€must€beÐ ð@ Ðallowed,€and€all€evidence€contrary€to€the€opponentððs€position€must€beÐ à0 Ðdisregarded.€€òòEaton,€óó891€Ô‡X½åXXX¸ûÔS.W.2dÔ#†X¸ûXXX½å?„#Ô€at€590;€òòLong,€óó797€Ô‡X½åXXX¸ûÔS.W.2dÔ#†X¸ûXXX½å „#Ô€at€892.ÐÐ ` x` x ÐÌòòState€Farm€General€Ins.€Co.€v.€Wood,€óó1€Ô‡X½åXXX¸ûÔS.W.3dÔ#†X¸ûXXX½å=…#Ô€658,€663€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1999).€€Applying€thisÐ À Ðstandard€and€taking€the€strongest€legitimate€view€of€the€evidence€favoring€Defendant,€we€hold€thatÐ À Ðthe€evidence€in€this€case€is€susceptible€to€more€than€one€conclusion.€€Accordingly,€the€evidence€wasÐ ° Ðsusceptible€to€a€conclusion€contrary€to€that€proposed€by€the€Plaintiff,€and€the€Trial€Court€did€not€errÐ  ð Ðin€refusing€to€grant€Plaintiff€a€directed€verdict.Ð à ÐÌò òòòÔ‡X½åXXX¸ûÔà@FF%ìàCONCLUSIONóóó óˆÐ pÀ ÐÌà  àà ` àThe€judgment€of€the€Trial€Court€is€affirmed€and€this€cause€is€remanded€to€the€TrialÐ H˜ ÐCourt€for€such€further€proceedings€as€may€be€required,€if€any,Ô#†X¸ûXXX½åƒ‡#ÔÔ‡X½åXXX¸ûÔ€consistent€with€this€Opinion,€and€forÐ 4„ Ðcollection€of€the€costs€below.€€The€costs€on€appeal€are€assessed€against€the€Appellant,€Walter€J.Ð  p ÐÔ_ÔBiddleÔ_Ô,€Sr.Ô#†X¸ûXXX½å¼ˆ#ÔÔ‡X½åXXX¸ûÔà ` àÔ#†X¸ûXXX½åÚ‰#ÔÐ  !\ ÐÌÌÌÌÌÌÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à___________________________________€Ð ˆ(Ø#& Ðò òòòóóó óà  àà0 ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àD.€MICHAEL€SWINEY,€JUDGE