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AV) ` dE<` A     XXXX OnDecember14,1995,MemphisPoliceLieutenantMichael_Cheslock_ԀappearedbeforethePension  BoardofMemphis,Tennessee,torequestalineofdutydisabilitypensionasprovidedbythe   MemphisCodeofOrdinances,Section251(27).Mr._Cheslock_Ԁhadbeendiagnosedbytwo  psychiatristsasdisabledbyjobrelatedPostTraumaticStressDisorder.ThePensionBoardrefused  thelineofdisabilitypension,determiningthatMr._Cheslock_Ԁdidnotmeettherequirementsas ~ definedbythecode.Mr._Cheslock_ԀfiledapetitionforwritofcertiorariintheChanceryCourtof j ShelbyCounty.Thepetitionwasdeniedandthisappealfollowed.Weaffirm. V  #X XXX;##DXX #X XD/Tenn.R.App.P.3AppealasofRight;JudgmentoftheChanceryCourtAffirmed;and .~ Remanded  n   #DX ; #X X.DDavidR.Farmer,J.,deliveredtheopinionofthecourt,inwhichW.FrankCrawford,P.J.,W.S., N andHollyK.Lillard,J.,joined. > ThomasE.HansomandDebraL._Fessenden_,Memphis,Tennessee,fortheAppellant,Michael   _Cheslock_. !  RobertL.J.Spence,Jr.,CityAttorneyandStevenD._Townsdin_,AssistantCityAttorney,Memphis, #" Tennessee,fortheAppellee,BoardofAdministrationCityofMemphisRetirementSystem. $#   OPINION #DXX % #X XD n&!% #DXX #  X XDXXXX   Michael_Cheslock_ԀhadbeenaMemphisPoliceOfficerforover25yearswhenheappeared N(#' beforethePensionBoardinDecemberof1995torequestalineofdutydisabilitypension.In1995, :)$( Mr._Cheslock_ԀwasanofficerwiththeTacticalUnit(TACT)ofthepolicedepartment,andwas &*v%) diagnosedbytwopsychiatristsappointedbytheBoardassufferingfromPostTraumaticStress +b&* Disorder(PTSD).ThisdiagnosisfollowedaDecember24,1994,incidentinwhichMr._Cheslock_ +N'+ encounteredaseverelyabused23dayoldinfantwholaterdiedoftheseinjuries,andaFebruary, ,:(, 1995,murdersceneatwhichMr._Cheslock_Ԁbegantofeelillandhadtoberelievedbyafellow -&)-G officer.Subsequently,Mr._Cheslock_Ԁexperiencedflashbacksandextremeanxiety,includingnausea,  diarrhea,shortnessofbreath,tachycardia,tremorandlightheadedness.Hehadunpredictablecrying  spells,developedinsomniaandwithdrewemotionally.InAprilof1995hewashospitalizedfor23  daysforthesesymptoms. Duringhistenurewiththepolicedepartment,Mr._Cheslock_Ԁhad t encounteredanumberofstressfulsituations,includingwitnessingthetortureanddeathofafellow ` officerandbeingshotatnumeroustimes. PsychiatristsDr.Barbara_Chamberlin_ԀandDr.Richard L  FarmerdeterminedthatMr._Cheslock_ԀwasdisabledbyjobrelatedPTSD. 8    Afterreviewingtheevidence,thePensionBoarddeterminedthatMr._Cheslock_Ԁdidnotmeet  ` therequirementsforlineofdutydisabilityundertheMemphisCode.  #  1      ׀Mr._Cheslock_Ԁwasgranted  L  aserviceretirementwithoutwaivingorprejudicinghisrighttoappealthedenialofalineofduty  8  pension. Mr._Cheslock_ԀfiledapetitionforwritofcertiorariofthedenialinChanceryCourtforthe $  ThirtiethJudicialDistrict.ThematterwasheardonAugust28,2000,andthepetitionwasdenied.   AnorderwasenteredupholdingtheBoardsdecision,holding,asamatteroflaw,thattheBoarddid   notactarbitrarily,capriciously,illegallyorunlawfullyindenyingthelineofdutydisabilitypension.    Thisappealfollowed.    @pp#Issuepresented  `   TheissuepresentedtousonappealinthiscaseiswhetherthetrialcourterredindenyingMr. 4 _Cheslock_sPetitionforWritofCertiorari.  p  @!StandardofReview  H   Thisisacommonlawwritofcertiorari.TennesseeCodeAnnotated.278101(2000)  provides:  8  Thewritofcertiorarimaybegrantedwheneverauthorizedbylaw,andalsoinall  caseswhereaninferiortribunal,board,orofficerexercisingjudicialfunctionshas | exceededthejurisdictionconferred,orisactingillegally,when,inthejudgmentof h thecourt,thereisnootherplain,speedy,oradequateremedy.T      Reviewundersuchawritislimitedtowhethertheinferiorboardortribunalexceededits ,"|  jurisdictionoractedillegally,arbitrarily,orfraudulently. _Splain_Ԁv.CityofMemphis ,No.02A01 #h! 9511CH00259,1996WL383297,at*2(Tenn.Ct.App.July10,1996)( noperm.app.filed ) $T" (citing _McCallen_Ԁv.CityofMemphis ,786S.W.2d633,638(Tenn.1990)).ThePensionBoards $@ # decisionmustbeupheldifthereisanymaterialevidencetosupportitsfindings. _Splain_ ,1996WL %,!$ 383297,at*2(citing DavisonvCarr ,659S.W.2d361,363(Tenn.1983)).Neitherthetrialcourt &"% norareviewingcourtmayweightheevidence. Wattsv.CivilServ.Bd.forColumbia ,606S.W.2d, '#&  277(Tenn.1980).Therefore,ifthereisanymaterialevidencetosupportthePensionBoards (#' determinationthatMr._Cheslock_Ԁdidnotqualifyforalineofdutydisabilitypension,thisCourt  cannotreversethatdetermination.     PursuanttoTenn.CodeAnn.506106(1999),theCityofMemphishasoptedoutofthe t Tennesseeworkerscompensationlawandisselfinsured.TheCityofMemphisCodeof ` Ordinances251(27)governslineofdutydisabilitypensionawards.However,therangeof L  disabilitieswhichjustifieslineofdutydisabilitypensionundertheMemphisCodeiscomparable 8  tothosefoundinTennesseeworkerscompensationlaw. See_Splain_ ,1996WL383297,at*3.Thus $ t contrarytoRespondentscontentionotherwise, theholdingsoftheTennesseeSupremeCourt  d regardingcompensabilityrequirementspursuanttotheworkerscompensationstatutesupona  P  findingofPostTraumaticStressDisorderarepertinenttoourdiscussionhere. See_Splain_ ,1996WL  <  383297,at*3. (    UndertheMemphisCode,alineofdutydisabilitypensionismeritedupon   8  [a]physicalormentalconditionarisingasthedirectandproximateresultofan   accidentsustainedbyaparticipant,afterhebecameaparticipantandwhileinthe t actualperformanceofdutiesforthecityatsomedefinitetimeandplacewithout ` willfulnegligenceonhispartwhichtotallyandpermanentlypreventshimfrom L engaginginthedutiesforwhichhewasemployedbythecity.Thedeterminationof 8 thelineofdutydisabilityofaparticipantshallbemadeonmedicalevidencebyat $t leasttwo(2)qualifiedphysicians.`     ItisundisputedthatMr._Cheslock_ԀissufferingfromPostTraumaticStressDisorderandthat 8 heisnolongerabletocarryoutthedutiesofapoliceofficer.WhatisatissueiswhetherMr. $ _Cheslock_sdisorderistheresultofan accidentwhichoccurredintheperformanceofhisduties   atsomedefinitetimeandplace,asrequiredbytheMemphisCode.  @jj& Accident     Indefiningaccidentforthepurposesofworkerscompensation,theTennesseeSupreme \  Courthasstated: H! 8  Anaccidentisgenerallyanunlookedformishap,anuntowardevent,whichisnot  #p! expectedordesigned....compensableinjuryshouldbetheresultofsomething  $\" happeningbyaccidentalmeansthoughtheactinvolvingtheaccidentwasintentional $H # ....Itisproducedbymeanswhichwereneitherdesignednorcalculatedtocause %4!$ it.& "%    BrownShoeCo.v.Reed ,350S.W.2d65,69(Tenn.1961). (#'   TheCourthasdeterminedthatmentalstimulus,suchasfright,shockorexcessiveand *%) unexpectedanxietycouldamounttoanaccidentmeritinganawardforresultantmentalornervous l+&* disorders. _Gatlin_Ԁv.CityofKnoxville ,822S.W.2d587,589(Tenn.1991)(citing Josev._Equifax_,  Inc. ,556S.W.2d82,84(Tenn.1977)).WhiletheCourthasinterpretedinjurybyaccidentliberally,  suchinjurydoesnotincludethestressesandstrainsofdailylifeoreveryundesirableexperienceof  carryingoutthetermsofonesemployment. Josev._Equifax_,Inc .,556S.W.2dat84(citing St. t PaulIns.Co.v._Waller_ ,524S.W.2d478(Tenn.1975)); BrownShoeCo. ,350S.W.2d65.An ` accidentforthepurposeofcompensationunderworkerscompensationmustbeaparticularevent. L   _Gatlin_ ,822S.W.2dat590.Moreover,suchanaccidentmustbeaneventorexperiencewhichfalls 8  outsideofthecategoryoftheusualstressesandstrainsencounteredinthecourseofemployment. $ t  Id . SeealsoHenleyv.RoadwayExpress ,699S.W.2d150(Tenn.1985); Beckv.State ,779S.W.2d  ` 367(Tenn.1989).  L     `   In _Splain_ ,MemphispoliceofficerVincent_Splain_Ԁappliedforalineofdutydisabilitypension $  afterbeingdiagnosedwithjobrelatedPTSDfollowingaworkrelatedleginjury.ThePensionBoard   denied_Splain_sapplication,determiningthatthisdisabilitywasnotcausedbyaparticularaccident   orincidentatadefinitetimeorplace.Withoutfindingwhethertherewasanymaterialevidenceto   supporttheBoardsdecision,thetrialcourtreversedtheBoardupon_Splain_spetitionforawritof   certiorari.Afterreviewingtherecord,thisCourtfoundthattherewasmaterialevidencetosupport p theBoardsdecisiondenying_Splain_sapplication,andthattheBoarddidnotactarbitrarily, \ capriciouslyorillegally.ThejudgmentoftheChancellorwasoverturnedandthedecisionofthe H Boardreinstated. _Splain_ ,1996WL383297,at*4. 4   In _Gatlin_Ԁv.CityofKnoxville ,policeofficer_Gatlin_Ԁwasdiagnosedaspermanentlydisabled  \ duetojobrelatedstressafter12yearsofservice,includingserviceinespeciallydangerous H specializedunits. _Gatlin_ ,822S.W.2dat58788.Thetrialcourtfound_Gatlin_sdisorder 4 compensableasanoccupationaldiseaseandawardeddisabilitybenefits. Id. at588.OnAppeal,   theTennesseeSupremeCourtreversed. Id. at592.TheCourtheldthatforamentalinjurytoarise  outofemploymentitmustbetheresultofanidentifiableevent,notagradualstressbuildingupover  aperiodoftime. Id. at591.TheCourtaddedthatthestressmustbe extraordinaryandunusualin  comparisontothestressordinarilyexperiencedbyanemployeeinthesametypeofduty. Id. at592.    Petitionerhereidentifiestwoincidentsinparticularasaccidentswhichprecipitatedhis \  experienceofPTSD.First,theDecember1994experiencewithaseverelyabused23dayoldinfant H! wholaterdiedfromtheinjuries.Second,theFebruary1995calltoaparticularlygruesomemurder 4"  scene.Suchincidentsclearlycouldbeaccidentsinthattheycausedexcessiveandunexpected  #p! anxietyasdefinedin _Gatlin_ and Jose .However,wefindthatthereismaterialevidenceintherecord  $\" tosupportafindingthattheseincidentsarenotoutsidethecategoryorstressesandstrainstobe $H # expectedbyanofficerintheTacticalUnit(TACT).Thejobsummaryforapolicelieutenantin %4!$ TACTincludes: respondstocriticalincidentssuchashostagesituations,barricadedandarmed & "% suspects....[_d]irects_Ԁassaults,teargasplacement....[_d]irects_Ԁhighriskapprehension....[_w]ork_ ' #& involveshazardtolifeandsafety.ThemedicalreportsubmittedbyDr.Chamberlainstatesthat, (#' duringthecourseofhisemployment,Mr._Cheslock_Ԁhadtoshootasuspectwholaterdiedfromhis )$( wounds,witnessedthedeathbytortureofafellowpoliceofficer,andwasfireduponatleast26 *%) times.Inthatthereismaterialevidencetosupportafindingthattheotherwiseextremeincidents l+&* experiencedbyMr._Cheslock_Ԁwerenotoutsidethescopeofwhatisencounteredbyanofficerin  TACT,weareboundtoupholdthePensionBoardsdetermination.   @DefiniteTimeandPlace t    WhilePostTraumaticStressDisordermaybecompensableasamentalinjuryarisingfrom H  anaccident,itisnotcompensablewhencausedbyagradualbuildupofstressoveraperiodoftime 4  orbyrepetitivementaltrauma. See_Splain_ ,1996WL383297,at*3; _Gatlin_ ,822S.W.2dat589;  p  Jose ,556S.W.2dat84.Liketheworkerscompensationstatutes,theMemphisCodedoesnot  \ permitrecoveryforPostTraumaticStressDisorderwhichresultsfromthebuildupofstressover  H  time,butrequiresittobethedirectresultofanaccidentwhichoccurredatsomedefinitetimeand  4  place. _Splain_ ,1996WL383297,at*3; _Gatlin_ ,822S.W.2dat59192.      PetitionerherearguesthattheFebruary1995murderscenewasthetriggeringeventofhis   disablingPTSD.RespondentdoesnotdisputethatMr._Cheslock_Ԁisdisabledandunabletoperform   hisdutiesasapoliceofficer.Respondentcontends,however,thatMr._Cheslock_sconditionisnot   theresultofanincidentwhichoccurredataspecifictimeandplaceasrequiredbytheMemphis l Code.RespondentarguesthatMr._Cheslock_spastexperiencewithdepressionshouldbeconsidered X asacontributingfactor,andthatMr._Cheslock_sdisablingstressiscumulative. D   InlightofthespecificdeterminationbytheexaminingphysiciansthatMr._Cheslock_s l experienceofPTSDwasjobrelated,however,werejectRespondentsargumentsthatMr. X _Cheslock_spreviousexperiencesofdepressionshouldbeconsideredascontributingfactorstohis D PTSD.In Beckv.State ,theTennesseeSupremeCourtconsideredaworkerscompensationclaim 0 whereanemployeesufferedmentalinjuryafterbeingsexuallyassaultedatherplaceofemployment.   Beckv.State ,779S.W.2d367(Tenn.1989).EvidencewaspresentedthatBeckspsychological  conditionpredisposedhertosufferanacutereactionasaresultoftheassault. Id. at370.TheCourt  held, [_a]n_Ԁemployertakesanemployeeashefindshim,andassumestheriskthatanemployeewith  aweakenedconditionmaybeaggravatedbysomeinjurywhichmightnotaffectanormalperson. |  Id .at371. h   RespondentspositionthatMr._Cheslock_sPTSDwasnotcausedbytherequisitespecific @! accidentatadefinitetimeandplace,however,isnotwithoutsupportintherecord.Petitionerargues ,"|  thathisexperienceofPTSDsymptomsbeganatthemurdersceneinFebruaryof1995.Dr.Farmer #h! notesthatinadditiontotheFebruaryincident,Mr._Cheslock_ԀreferstoDecember24,1994,asa $T"  criticalday.Evenassumingthatthetwoincidentsoccurringwithinaperiodoflessthantwo $@ # monthswouldsufficeasanidentifiableaccident,orthattheFebruaryincidentalonewouldsuffice, %,!$ evidenceinMr._Cheslock_scaseisambiguousregardingwhetherhisexperienceofPTSDwas &"% directlycausedbytheparticularincident(s),ordevelopedgraduallyasaresultofextremestressover '#& aperiodoftime.Dr.Chamberlainsevaluationstates: (#' 8  Thekeyeventsthatprecipitatedfullblownsymptomsseemedtohavebeen x*%) involvementinachildabusecaseinDecember1994withaninfantwhohadbeen d+&* severelyabusedanddiedoftheseinjuries.Inaddition,hewastheofficerincharge  ofaverygruesomemurder...inFebruaryof1995.Itwasatthesceneofthis  murder...thathebegantofeelphysicallyill....       BothDr.ChamberlainandDr.FarmerdiagnosedMr._Cheslock_ԀassufferingfromPTSD.Dr. ` Chamberlainreportstates, Thisisthemostclearcut,unequivocalcaseofdisabilityfrompost L  traumaticstressdisorderthatIhaveevaluatedinrecentyears. Dr.Farmernotes, Thisillnessis 8  indeedjobrelated.... Dr.Farmersevaluation,however,indicatesthatMr._Cheslock_Ԁalreadywas $ t  havingsymptomsofacutestresswhenhepreviouslywasdiagnosedashavingAttentionDeficit  ` Disorder. Underthestandardsannunciatedin Jose andreiteratedbytheSupremeCourtin _Gatlin_ ,  L  anaccumulationofstressovertimedoesnotmeetthestatutoryrequirementofaprecipitatingevent  <  whichoccursatadefinitetimeandplace.Asnotedin _Splain_ ,theMemphisCodedoesnotpermit (  alineofdutydisabilitypension foreveryemployeewhohassufferedajobrelated,disablingmental   condition....Italsorequiresthementalconditioncomplainedoftobethedirectandproximate   resultofanaccidentoccurringatsomedefinitetimeandplace. Splain ,1996WL383297,at*3.     GiventheambiguityofDr.Chamberlainsevaluationregardingthetriggeringevent,coupled t withDr.FarmersobservationthatMr._Cheslock_Ԁwasexhibitingsymptomsofseverestresswhenhe ` wastreatedforattentiondeficitdisorderin1994,wecannotfindthattherewasnomaterialevidence L tosupportthePensionBoardsdeterminationthatMr._Cheslock_sexperienceofPTSDwasnotthe 8 resultofanaccidentoccurringatadefinitetimeandplace,butrathercausedbyagradualbuildup $t ofstress. `   SincethereismaterialevidenceintherecordtosupportthedeterminationthatMr._Cheslock_ 8 hasnotmettherequirementsforalineofdutypensionasdelineatedintheMemphisCode,thetrial $ courtisaffirmed.CostsofthisappealaretaxedtotheAppellant,Michael_Cheslock_,andhissurety.  #X XXX贖 #   `     h     ___________________________________ p    `     h     DAVIDR.FARMER,JUDGE