WPCL jYS1oAvחp=t-OЏJ}hn0I֙hsgm(Ӡ7o8ZtA?̑7_L0@;"8L{d.F:'اz' Nasux y6=CFڳh;B` hk7:m?#{JZSGieXj(1i/SLH`iNR$e*`x@믁WG0䱟GH4.HV:Y j" :[g[c[ 5&5_z8R@e>p&+'猺9z_ty>l^@\# M)_!Rr=wz^hAㄙ`7:iZ%^Ъ/_#ڙ: \Cq=H'_Xn&{{Gp* }_"KQcqb#\ %% ^ + 07 UN w 4 z%  q  m 0D   i/UNNCCEE????????????????????????bAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA 0IIII B44 0Q D3 D-( 0KUU AS 0 0D] A\\IB01S02\CLERKJAC,,,,0BV/ (`$.8dd8    ("  Z6Times New Roman Regularlk.01s02 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|xU(#$  0  Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(9 Z6Times New Roman Regular  Rq$      1    _Rule10oftheRulesoftheCourtofAppealsofTennesseeprovides:  8   ` ThisCourt,withtheconcurrenceofalljudgesparticipatinginthecase,mayaffirm,reverse 2 ormodifytheactionsofthetrialcourtbymemorandumopinionwhenaformalopinionwouldhave C noprecedentialvalue.Whenacaseisdecidedbymemorandumopinionitshallbedesignated  "MEMORANDUMOPINION",shallnotbepublished,andshallnotbecitedorreliedonforany u reasoninanyunrelatedcase.6    - -(|G2q$ !.8dd8         0   d(|3?$ !.8dd8     VVVV'dxd)!dxdx( $ Figure  1  ^_X`YE<<CLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(|3?$ !.8dd8     ($$   1  X[Z&OLE 2.0 Box <=8C HKKKK !.8dd8     _  8XXdd8  р@ tINTHECOURTOFAPPEALSOFTENNESSEE  @%ATJACKSON#t #Ԉ #   September17,2003Session F XX #XX#JANET_BURKHEAD_,etal.v.LISAM._RODEN_XX  ? @@ DirectAppealfromtheCircuitCourtforChesterCounty  9 @@No.014351RoyB.Morgan,Jr.,Judge  # @@*AV) ` dE<` A   @@TTNo.W200300697_COA_ԄR3CVFiledOctober22,_2003_   AV) ` dE<]` A ^     Xh2XXXThisappealarisesfromapersonalinjurycauseofactioninwhichDefendantconcededliability.The V  juryreturnedaverdictforDefendant,findingDefendanthadnotcausedPlaintiffinjury.Weaffirm. ? #XXXXh2##XXϯ#XX Tenn.R.App.P.3AppealasofRight;JudgmentoftheCircuitCourtAffirmed;and J Remanded  4   #X]#XX.DavidR.Farmer,J.,deliveredtheopinionofthecourt,inwhichAlanE._Highers_,J.andHolly  M.Kirby,J.,joined.  ScottG.Kirk,Jackson,Tennessee,fortheappellants,Janet_Burkhead_ԀandHarry_Burkhead_. r StephenCraigKennedy,_Selmer_,Tennessee,fortheappellee,LisaM._Roden_. D  MEMORANDUMOPINION#XXK#?| Xh2X ?|  #  1      #XXXXh2 ##XX #  8    XXXh2XXX     ThisdisputearisesfromanAugust2000automobileaccident.DefendantLisaM._Roden_ " " (Ms._Roden_)struckPlaintiffJanet_Burkhead_s(Ms._Burkhead_)vehiclefrombehindwhileMs. ## _Burkhead_Ԁwasstopped.Ms._Burkhead_Ԁandherhusband,Harry_Burkhead_Ԁ(Mr._Burkhead_; $$ collectively, the_Burkheads_)filedthislawsuitinAugust2001,seekingdamagesforpermanent v% % injurytoMs._Burkhead_,whichtheyallegeresultfromtheaccident,andlossofconsortiumtoMr.  _Burkhead_.Ms._Roden_Ԁadmittedliability,butdeniedtheaccidentcausedanyinjurytoMs._Burkhead_.  Mr._Burkhead_Ԁwasnonsuitedpriortotrial.    ThematterwastriedbeforeajuryinJuly2002.Atthecloseofproof,the_Burkheads_Ԁmoved T foradirectedverdict,whichthetrialcourtdenied.ThejuryreturnedaverdictinfavorofMs. =  _Roden_,findingMs._Burkhead_Ԁhadnotsustainedanyinjurythatwascausedbytheaccident.The & v _Burkheads_ԀnowappealtothisCourt.  _   IssuesPresented   1    The_Burkheads_Ԁraisethefollowingissues,aswerestatethem,forreviewbythisCourt:   8  (1)0`   WhetherthereismaterialevidencetosupportthejurysfindingthatMs.   _Roden_ԀdidnotcauseMs._Burkhead_Ԁinjury.o ` `  8  (2)0`   Whetherthetrialcourterredindenyingthe_Burkheads_motionforadirected A verdict.*z` `  Additionally,Ms._Roden_Ԁappealsthetrialcourtsdenialofhermotionfordiscretionarycosts. L   StandardofReview   k  Ms._Roden_Ԁadmittedliability,thustheinitialdeterminationforthetrialcourtwaswhether  theaccidentcausedinjurytoMs._Burkhead_.Thiswasafacttobedeterminedbythejury.See  Staplesv._CBL_Ԁ&Assoc.,15S.W.3d83,91(Tenn.2000);Andersonv.CityofChattanooga,978 s S.W.2d105,107(_Tenn.Ct.App_.1998).Findingsoffactbyajuryshallbesetasideonlyifthereis \ nomaterialevidencetosupporttheverdict._Childress_Ԁv.UnionRealtyCo.,97S.W.3d573,576 E (_Tenn.Ct.App_.2002);Tenn._R.App_.P.13(d).Uponreview,thisCourtwillnotre-weighthe .~ evidence,butwilltakethestrongestviewpossibleoftheevidenceinfavoroftheprevailingparty, g anddiscardevidencetothecontrary.Id.Wewillallowallreasonableinferencestoupholdthe  P jury'sverdict,settingitasideonlyifthereisnomaterialevidencetosupportit.Id.  9   Analysis  " !   Thedetailsoftheaccidentgivingrisetothislawsuitareundisputed.Theaccidentoccurred $# onAugust18,2000,onWestMainStreetinHenderson.Ms._Burkhead_ԀhadbroughtherChrysler w% $ Concordetoastopwhilewaitingforthevehicleaheadofhertoturn.Ms._Roden_Ԁwastraveling `&!% behindMs._Burkhead_.AsMs._Roden_Ԁtraveledoverahill,sheglanceddowntomakesurehersoft I'"& drinkhadnotturnedover.Whenshelookedbackup,shesawMs._Burkhead_svehiclestoppedin 2(#' frontofher,appliedherbrakes,butwasnotabletoavoidacollision.Ms._Roden_svehicle,aFord )k$( Tempo,struckMs._Burkhead_sfrombehind. *T%)   *=&*   Ms._Burkhead_ԀtestifiedthathercardidnotmoveforwardatallwhenstruckbyMs._Roden_s.   Shefurthertestifiedthatshedidnotrecallhittinganypartofherbodyagainsttheinteriorofher  vehicle,andthatshedidnotthinkshewashurtimmediatelyaftertheimpact.Ms._Burkhead_Ԁalso  statedthatimmediatelyafterbeinghit,shetelephonedherhusbandandgotoutofhercartospeak k withMs._Roden_.Mr._Burkhead_Ԁarrivedshortlyaftertheaccident,followedbyapoliceofficer.Ms. T _Burkhead_Ԁtestifiedthatshebegantofeelpaininherhead,neckandbacksometimebetweenthe =  arrivalofherhusbandandthepoliceofficer,andthatshetoldthepoliceofficerthatsheheadadull & v acheinherheadandasharppaininherneck.  _   AnambulancewascalledtotheaccidentandAllan_Maness_,aparamedic,attendedMs.  1  _Burkhead_.Mr._Maness_Ԁtestifiedthatwhenhearrived,Ms._Burkhead_Ԁwasholdingherrightarm,and    thatshetoldhimshehadaheadacheandthatherrightarmhurt.HefurthertestifiedthatMs.   _Burkhead_Ԁdeniedanyneckorbackpain.Ms._Burkhead_ԀdirectedthatshebetakentoHenderson   PrimeCareratherthanthehospital.Mr._Maness_ԀtestifiedthathelookedatMs._Burkhead_scar,and   thattherewasminimaldamage nobentplace.Maybesomescratches. n    Ms._Burkhead_ԀtestifiedthatwhenshearrivedatPrimeCare,shewastoldthattheydidnot @ havexrayfacilitiesandthatshedidnotreceivedanykindofmedicaltreatment.Mr._Burkhead_Ԁthen )y droveMs._Burkhead_ԀtoJacksonMadisonCountyHospital.Ms._Burkhead_Ԁtestifiedthatenroute,she b begantofeelanumbingsensationinbotharmsandhands,andthatherhead,backandneckbegan K tohurt.Otherthanreceivingsomepainmedication,Ms._Burkhead_Ԁreceivednotreatmentatthe 4 hospitalonthedayoftheaccident.    Ms._Burkhead_Ԁtestifiedthatshedidnotseekfurthertreatmentuntil acoupleofweekslater,  andthatshecontinuedtoexperiencepaininherbackandneckandanumbingsensationinherarms.  Overthenextseveralmonths,Ms._Burkhead_Ԁconsultedseveralphysicians,underwentseveral q diagnostictestsincludinganMRI(magneticresonanceimaging)and_EMG_Ԁ(electromyography),and Z wasdiagnosedashavingarthritisinherneck.Sheunderwentphysicaltherapyforabriefperiod. C Shealsounderwentanerveconductionstudyonherleftarm,theresultsofwhichwerenormal.Ms. ,| _Burkhead_ԀlastconsultedaphysicianforinjuriesallegedlyrelatedtotheaccidentinApril2001. e   IntheirAugust2001complaint,the_Burkheads_ԀallegeMs._Burkhead_Ԁsustainedinjurytoher  7 neckandbackasaresultoftheAugust2000accident.Attrial,Ms._Burkhead_Ԁtestifiedthatshe !   continuestoexperiencepaininherlefthand,upperback,andparticularlyinherleftarm.Shestated " ! thatshedoesnotanticipatehavingsurgeryortreatmentforhercondition,however. #"   TheonlyexpertmedicalproofofferedattrialwasthevideodepositionofJamesMichael t% $ Glover,M.D.(Dr.Glover),anorthopedicsurgeon.The_Burkheads_ԀcontendthatDr.Glovers ]&!% undisputedtestimonywasthatthecollisioncausedMs._Burkhead_ԀtosustainaninjurytotheC6 F'"& nerveinherneck,whichhasresultedinpain,tingling,andnumbnessinherleftarm.Theysubmit /(#' thatbecauseDr.Gloverstestimonywasnotrefuted,thereisnomaterialevidencetosupportthe )h$( jurysfindingthattheaccidentdidnotcauseMs._Burkhead_Ԁinjury. *Q%)   *:&*   Dr.GloverfurthertestifiedthathefirsttreatedMs._Burkhead_ԀinMarch2001,sevenmonths   aftertheaccident.HestatedthatMs._Burkhead_Ԁhadadegenerativediskinherbackandalargebone  spurontheleftside,betweenthe5thand6thvertebrae,whichslightlycompressedthespinalcordand  narrowedtheleftforamenatthesamelevel.HealsotestifiedthatMs._Burkhead_Ԁhadasmallbone k spuratC67thatdidnotcauseanysignificantcompression.Whenaskedwhatthelikelycauseof T Ms._Burkhead_scontinuedpainwas,Dr.Gloverresponded: =  Ѐ8  Well,hersymptomsthatshedescribedinitiallytome,asIsaid,wasaC6  _ distribution.Thatnerveexitsthisforamenatthislevel.And,so,basedonher  H complaintsofherarmpainalongthatdistributionofthenerve,itwouldcorrelate  1  withthebonespurandthe_foraminal_Ԁnarrowingonthe_myelogram_/CTscan.AndI    wouldthinkthatshesomehow,youknow,injuredthenerve,eitherthroughsome   typeofhypertensionmechanism,or"Imean,Idontthinkshehadcomplainedof   anysymptomsbeforeheraccident,butsomehowsheirritatedthenerverootfrom   whateverhappenedtoher.n    Whenquestionedaboutthepotentialtraumaofarearendcollision,Dr.Glovertestified: @ 8  [_H]ow_Ԁmuchtraumayougetfromthatjustdependsonthe,youknow"howmuch b force.Youknow,howhard.Imean,theresdifferentdegreesoftraumafromit,but K itjustdependsonhowhardyourehitfromthevehiclebehind.4     Dr.GlovertestifiedthatalthoughtheaccidentdidnotcauseMs._Burkhead_sarthritisorbone  spur, theaccident...morelikelythannotdidaggravateherarmsymptoms.However,Dr.Glover  alsotestifiedthattheaccidentdidnotcausethedegenerativechangesinMs._Burkhead_sneck,but  thatitcouldhaveaggravated oneparticularareaenoughtocausepain.HefurtherstatedthatMs. q _Burkhead_sconditionshouldnotresultinanyrestrictiononherdailyactivities,andthatitwas Z somethingthatmight waxandwaneand maygetbetter.Dr.GloverreferredMs._Burkhead_Ԁto C Dr.FrankJordanforpaintreatment,butstatedthatMs._Burkhead_Ԁapparently changedhermind ,| aboutseeingDr.Jordan.Dr.GloverlasttreatedMs._Burkhead_ԀinApril2001,andtestifiedthathe e didnotknowwhatherconditionwasatthetimehisvideodepositionwastakeninJune2002. N   ThejuryinthiscasefoundthattheaccidentdidnotcauseMs._Burkhead_Ԁinjury.The !   _Burkheads_ԀsubmitthattherewasnomaterialevidencetosupportthisfindingbecauseDr.Glovers " ! testimonythattheaccidentcouldhaveaggravatedMs._Burkhead_scondition,causingpaininher #" arm,wasundisputed.However,the_Burkheads_Ԁboretheburdenofprooftoshow,bya $# preponderanceoftheevidence,thatMs._Roden_snegligencewastheproximatecauseofinjuryto t% $ Ms._Burkhead_._Wielgus_Ԁv.DoverIndus.,Inc.,39S.W.3d124,131(Tenn.Ct.App.2000).Further, ]&!% theweighttobegiventoalltheevidenceisaquestiontobedeterminedbythetrieroffact._Stovall_ F'"& v.Clarke,No.M200100810SCR11CV,"S.W.3d",2003WL22038773(Tenn.Sept.2, /(#' 2003).ThosedeterminationswhichrestonwitnesscredibilitywillnotbereevaluatedbythisCourt )h$( absentclearandconvincingevidencetothecontrary.SeeWellsv.TennesseeBd.ofRegents,9 *Q%) S.W.3d779,783(Tenn.1999). *:&*  +#'+   Inlightofthetotalityoftheevidence,includingthetestimonyofMr._Maness_ԀandMs.  _Burkhead_Ԁabouttheaccidentitself,wefindthereismaterialevidencetosupportthejurys  determinationthattheAugust2000accidentwasnottheproximatecauseofaninjurytoMs.  _Burkhead_.Clearly,theaccidentdidnotcauseMs._Burkhead_sarthritis,thedegenerativecondition k ofherneck,orthebonespur.AlthoughDr.Gloverstestimonyindicatesthatitispossiblethatthe T accidentcouldhaveaggravatedhercondition,causingthepaininherarm,whetherthisiscredible =  inlightofthetotalityoftheevidenceisamattertobedeterminedbythejury.The_Burkheads_ & v simplyfailedtocarrytheirburdenofproofonthisissue.Inlightoftheforegoing,itisunnecessary  _ toaddressthe_Burkheads_contentionthatthetrialcourterredindenyingtheirmotionforadirected  H verdict.  1    WenextaddressMs._Roden_sassertionthatthetrialcourterredindenyinghermotionfor   discretionarycosts.Thesecostsinclude$296.05forthediscoverydepositionofMr._Burkhead_;   $89.25fortheproofdepositionofDr.Glover;$385.30intrialcourtreporterfeesfordepositions;   $125forfeesofthecourtreporterattrial. n    Discretionarycosts,asthenameimplies,aretobeawardedwithinthediscretionofthetrial @ court.Thetrialcourtsdecisionwillnotbeoverturnedabsentashowingofanabuseofdiscretion. )y SeeHodgesv.S.C._Toof_Ԁ&Co.,833S.W.2d896,902(Tenn.1992).Uponreviewoftherecord,we b findnoabuseofdiscretioninthetrialcourtsdenialofMs._Roden_smotionfordiscretionarycosts. K   Weaffirmthejudgmentofthetrialcourtinthiscase.Costsofthisappealaretaxedtothe  appellants,Janet_Burkhead_ԀandHarry_Burkhead_,andtotheirsurety,forwhichexecutionmayissue  ifnecessary.  #XXXXh2 #   `     h     ____________________________ C    `     h     DAVIDR.FARMER,JUDGE