WPC" "%5발"R4$dxP?wUbuʑYNh<ܯfm۷ #!} It*uXm!)e) . -Zrge΁a fҴ(bk癓N@@đ⺳4碰 G VD=W $ +\p ]TV#Yȅ P4J.SgziU P扭 h S^FYv\򬢘j7Pd Tsxr $uP-bT!hIYn @E& p21Ě4X7M7ՊϪi3 eaj~:*"7͉ёen6>A@ l G%t9т .ȫP-[SMȥpJkT!zZځGW۟Q?Rk1# p d{ % 0D U:)wc4]qU : 0`O"U:q} 0$( 0 DU:.U:0f{2bU:U:IU:U:U:"U:# BJ#g#U:%U:)&c&L['O'U:*U:0+U:j++U:3.U:m.L.U:0a-1+3U:5U:5U:-6^g6U:9U:9\9:U:<U:<U: =oC=U:?U:?\&@U:BU:BU:B0CU:EU:%FU:_FF'GU:!JU:[JfJU:JO5KU:NU:NU:N2ODP RU:TU:LT^TU:WU:X XXU:cZU:ZZz\U:f`U:`b`U:?E@PABCDDEEFGH IJDKPLDMDNPOP QRSPTEUVWXDYDZD[D\]^_`aPbEcd{efEgh[ijPkPlDmnDoDpqDrsDtuDvwDx yz{E|}E~DDDUU PPUDVDDDL[[UUUeU[DU[UU[*UU*eaDDUӀy&+,,--../3|x,cAZ"Arial Regular(83Ĉ$ L!X   E =$X `   1     XPXX X~XXPJanSwallows,ahumanresourcesspecialistemployedbyTriCon,testifiedthatPaul  Longtoldheronthetelephonethat itwasnothing[Long]didatwork,thatshehad#~~k#~ ~Ԁgottenhurtoverthe n weekend.#~ ~#~ ~ԀPaulLongtestifiedhedidnotrecallmakingthisstatementandthathedidnotknowhowhis ,| wifehadhurtherselfatthetimehemadethistelephonecall.#XPX ~#Ԁ#XPXX XP#  ~X XP,  AZ"Arial Regular s   ` XXdVXX XXXdV(8(3=$ L!X   `   0  (#$  0  ,  AZ"Arial Regular $    3      XXdVXX XXXdV ` ,  AZ"Arial Regular  XdVXX X X XdV# XdVX -## XXX XdV# \ `  M X X# XX  M# q =$X `   4     XPXX X ~X XP # XPX ~~# ~X XPSimilarly,thetrialjudgefoundthatLongshusbandandmotherinlawwerealsocredible  witnesses.# ~ ~_# ~ ~Ԁ# XPX ~# ~X XPIncontrast,# ~ ~# ~ ~thejudgefoundthatthetestimonyoftwohumanresourcesemployeeswho  testifiedforTriConwasnotpersuasive becauseofthenatureofthetestimony...andthemannerinwhichtheytestifiedandsomeofthefactsandpositionsthattheytook.# ~ ~# X =$X `   5    XPXX X~XXP TheWorkersCompensationSpecialAppealsPaneldidnotaddressthisissuebecauseit  deemeditsholdingwithregardtothecausationissuedispositive.,  AZ"Arial Regular,rAZ"Arial Regular,cAZ"Arial Regular,  AZ"Arial Regular  $    1      XXdVXX XXXdV ` JanSwallows,ahumanresourcesspecialistemployedbyTriCon,testifiedthatPaulLongtold : heronthetelephonethat itwasnothing[Long]didatwork,thatshehad# ¾#Ԁgottenhurtovertheweekend.# ¿#Ԁ R PaulLongtestifiedhedidnotrecallmakingthisstatementandthathedidnotknowhowhiswifehadhurtherselfatthetimehemadethistelephonecall.,  AZ"Arial Regular,  AZ"Arial Regular d ~  X!XdVXX X!XXdV"JanSwallows,ahumanresourcesspecialistemployedbyTriCon,testifiedthatPaulLongtoldheronthe  telephonethat itwasnothing[Long]didatwork,thatshehad#! g#"Ԁgottenhurtovertheweekend.#! h#ԀPaulLong ^ testifiedhedidnotrecallmakingthisstatementandthathedidnotknowhowhiswifehadhurtherselfatthetimehemadethistelephonecall.,  AZ"Arial Regular,  AZ"Arial Regular X XdVXX X X XdV ` # M  #   M# M  ‰## XX  M;# B XdVXX X# XXX XdV# E =$X `   1     XPXX X~XXPJanSwallows,ahumanresourcesspecialistemployedbyTriCon,testifiedthatPaul  Longtoldheronthetelephonethat itwasnothing[Long]didatwork,thatshehad# ~~k# ~ ~Ԁgottenhurtoverthe  weekend.# ~ ~# ~ ~ԀPaulLongtestifiedhedidnotrecallmakingthisstatementandthathedidnotknowhowhis X| wifehadhurtherselfatthetimehemadethistelephonecall.# XPX ~#Ԁ# XPXX XP#   ~X XP,rAZ"Arial Regular,cAZ"Arial Regular,  AZ"Arial Regular  $    2      X*XdVXX X ` +XdVXXXdV+X XdVInAugustof1995,SchooleyfoundthatLonghadasecondherniateddiscatL4L5,whichwas : alsoremovedsurgically.#+XdVX ¾#+X XdVAfterthesurgeries,LongwasagainexaminedbyDr.Hudson,whoagain R maintained#* Ÿ#thatLongsinjurywasaspontaneousdegenerativeconditionandnotworkrelated.,  AZ"Arial Regular,  AZ"Arial Regular B $    3      X-XdVXX X-XXdV ` ThephysicaltestsincludedaCybexLiftask,ValparWholeBodyRangeofMotion,Beltone : Audiometer,Visual,andCybexlowbacktestsmeasuringtrunkextensionandtorsorotation.ThevocationaltestsincludedaWideRangeAchievementtest,RevisedBetaIntelligenceExamination,theWonderlicPersonneltest,theOASISAptitudeSurvey,andthePerceptualSpeedTest.,  AZ"Arial Regular W     3     `  XdVXX X X XdVThephysicaltestsincludedaCybexLiftask,ValparWholeBodyRangeofMotion,Beltone  Audiometer,Visual,andCybexlowbacktestsmeasuringtrunkextensionandtorsorotation.ThevocationaltestsincludedaWideRangeAchievementtest,RevisedBetaIntelligenceExamination,theWonderlicPersonneltest,theOASISAptitudeSurvey,andthePerceptualSpeedTest.# XdVX n#Ԁ# XXX XdVO# ! $    2    0M X X ` 1  MInAugustof1995,SchooleyfoundthatLonghadasecondherniateddiskatL4L5,which  wasalsoremovedsurgically.Afterthesurgeries,LongwasagainexaminedbyDr.Hudson,whoagainmaintained#0M  n#2M   MthatLongsinjurywasaspontaneousdegenerativeconditionandnotworkrelated.#0M  M#,cAZ"Arial Regular,  AZ"Arial Regular,rAZ"Arial Regular T $    4    4XdVXX X4X XdV ` #4XdVX b#4X XdVSimilarly,thetrialjudgefoundthatLongshusbandandmotherinlawwerealsocredible  witnesses.#5M  C#4  MԀ#4XdVX °#4X XdVIncontrast,#5M  m#4  Mthejudgefoundthatthetestimonyoftwohumanresourcesemployeeswho x testifiedforTriConwasnotpersuasive becauseofthenatureofthetestimony...andthemannerinwhichtheytestifiedandsomeofthefactsandpositionsthattheytook.#5M  #,  AZ"Arial Regular,cAZ"Arial Regular R $    2      X7M X X ` 8  MInAugustof1995,SchooleyfoundthatLonghadasecondherniateddiskatL4L5,whichwas : alsoremovedsurgically.Afterthesurgeries,LongwasagainexaminedbyDr.Hudson,whoagainmaintained#7M  Ÿ#9M   MthatLongsinjurywasaspontaneousdegenerativeconditionandnotworkrelated.#7M  M#,cAZ"Arial Regular,  AZ"Arial Regular,rAZ"Arial Regular e $    3      X;M X X ` <  MThephysicaltestsincludedaCybexLiftask,ValparWholeBodyRangeofMotion,Beltone : Audiometer,Visual,andCybexlowbacktestsmeasuringtrunkextensionandtorsorotation.ThevocationaltestsincludedaWideRangeAchievementtest,RevisedBetaIntelligenceExamination,theWonderlicPersonneltest,theOASISAptitudeSurvey,andthePerceptualSpeedTest.#;M  Ÿ#,cAZ"Arial Regular,  AZ"Arial Regular R $    2      X>M X X ` ?  MInAugustof1995,SchooleyfoundthatLonghadasecondherniateddiskatL4L5,whichwas : alsoremovedsurgically.Afterthesurgeries,LongwasagainexaminedbyDr.Hudson,whoagainmaintained#>M  Ÿ#@M   MthatLongsinjurywasaspontaneousdegenerativeconditionandnotworkrelated.#>M  M#,cAZ"Arial Regular,  AZ"Arial Regular,rAZ"Arial Regular      2     ` BM X XInAugustof1995,SchooleyfoundthatLonghadasecondherniateddiskatL4L5,which  wasalsoremovedsurgically.Afterthesurgeries,LongwasagainexaminedbyDr.Hudson,whoagainmaintainedCM   MthatLongsinjurywasaspontaneousdegenerativeconditionandnotworkrelated.#CXX MO##BXXXXI#BM X X D  M#BM  -#CM   M#BM  Mo#,cAZ"Arial Regular,rAZ"Arial Regular,  AZ"Arial Regular XXX XM XX# M  M## XX  M#  =$X `   3     GXXX XGM XXInAugustof1995,SchooleyfoundthatLonghadasecondherniateddiskatL4L5,which  wasalsoremovedsurgically.Afterthesurgeries,LongwasagainexaminedbyDr.Hudson,whoagainmaintained#HM  Mk#GM   MthatLongsinjurywasaspontaneousdegenerativeconditionandnotworkrelated.#GXX M##HXXXX#GXXX XGM XX (# #HM  M`##HXX  M#,rAZ"Arial Regular,cAZ"Arial Regular \ ` JM X X#JXX  M#,cAZ"Arial Regular E =$X `   1     LXXX XLM XXJanSwallows,ahumanresourcesspecialistemployedbyTriCon,testifiedthatPaul  Longtoldheronthetelephonethat itwasnothing[Long]didatwork,thatshehad#MM  Mk#N  MԀgottenhurtoverthe n weekend.#MM  ‹#N  MԀPaulLongtestifiedhedidnotrecallmakingthisstatementandthathedidnotknowhowhis 8 wifehadhurtherselfatthetimehemadethistelephonecall.#NXdVX Š#Ԁ#MXXX XdV#  MM X X,rAZ"Arial Regular,cAZ"Arial Regular,  AZ"Arial Regular XXX XM XX# M  M## XX  M#XXX XM XX# M  M## XX  M#  =$X `   2      ~X XInAugustof1995,SchooleyfoundthatLonghadasecondherniateddiskatL4L5,which  wasalsoremovedsurgically.Afterthesurgeries,LongwasagainexaminedbyDr.Hudson,whoagainmaintainedthatLongsinjurywasaspontaneousdegenerativeconditionandnotworkrelated. InAugustof1995,SchooleyfoundthatLonghadasecondherniateddiskatL4L5,whichwasalsoremovedsurgically.Afterthesurgeries,LongwasagainexaminedbyDr.Hudson,whoagainmaintainedRXXX XthatLongsinjurywasaspontaneousdegenerative | conditionandnotworkrelated.#SXXXX#RXXX XRM XX h #SM  Mq##SXX  M#,rAZ"Arial Regular,cAZ"Arial Regular T $    4    UXdVXX XUX XdV ` #UXdVX b#UX XdVSimilarly,thetrialjudgefoundthatLongshusbandandmotherinlawwerealsocredible  witnesses.#VM  C#U  MԀ#UXdVX °#UX XdVIncontrast,#VM  m#U  Mthejudgefoundthatthetestimonyoftwohumanresourcesemployeeswho x testifiedforTriConwasnotpersuasive becauseofthenatureofthetestimony...andthemannerinwhichtheytestifiedandsomeofthefactsandpositionsthattheytook.#VM  #,  AZ"Arial Regular,cAZ"Arial Regular InAugustof1995,SchooleyfoundthatLonghadasecondherniateddiskatL4L5,whichwasalsoremovedsurgically.Afterthesurgeries,LongwasagainexaminedbyDr.Hudson,whoagainmaintainedXXXX XthatLongsinjurywasaspontaneousdegenerative | conditionandnotworkrelated.#YXXXX#XXXX XXM XX h #YM  Mq##YXX  M#,rAZ"Arial Regular,cAZ"Arial Regular  =$X `   3     ~X X ThephysicaltestincludedaCybexLiftask,ValparWholeBodyRangeofMotion,Belton  Audiometer,Visual,andCybexlowbacktestsmeasuringtrunkextensionandtorsorotation.ThevocationaltestsincludedaWideRangeAchievementtest,RevisedBetaIntelligenceExamination,theWonderlicPersonneltest,theOASISAptitudeSurvey,andthePerceptualSpeedTest. p =$X `   4    \XdVXX X\X XdV #\XdVX ~#\X XdVSimilarly,thetrialjudgefoundthatLongshusbandandmotherinlawwerealsocredible  witnesses.#]M  _#\  MԀ#\XdVX #\X XdVIncontrast,#]M  ‰#\  Mthejudgefoundthatthetestimonyoftwohumanresourcesemployeeswho x testifiedforTriConwasnotpersuasive becauseofthenatureofthetestimony...andthemannerinwhichtheytestifiedandsomeofthefactsandpositionsthattheytook.#]M  #,  AZ"Arial Regular,cAZ"Arial Regular X =$X `   5    _XdVXX X_XXdV TheSpecialWorkersCompensationAppealsPaneldidnotaddressthisissuebecauseit  deemeditsholdingwithregardtothecausationissuedispositive.,  AZ"Arial Regular E =$X `   1     aXXX XaM XXJanSwallows,ahumanresourcesspecialistemployedbyTriCon,testifiedthatPaul  Longtoldheronthetelephonethat itwasnothing[Long]didatwork,thatshehad#bM  Mk#c  MԀgottenhurtoverthe n weekend.#bM  ‹#c  MԀPaulLongtestifiedhedidnotrecallmakingthisstatementandthathedidnotknowhowhis 8 wifehadhurtherselfatthetimehemadethistelephonecall.#cXdVX Š#Ԁ#bXXX XdV#  bM X X,rAZ"Arial Regular,cAZ"Arial Regular,  AZ"Arial Regular  =$X `   2     eM X XInAugustof1995,SchooleyfoundthatLonghadasecondherniateddiskatL4L5,which  wasalsoremovedsurgically.Afterthesurgeries,LongwasagainexaminedbyDr.Hudson,whoagainmaintainedthatLongsinjurywasaspontaneousdegenerativeconditionandnotworkrelated.,cAZ"Arial Regular  =$X `   3    gM X X ThephysicaltestincludedaCybexLiftask,ValparWholeBodyRangeofMotion,Belton  Audiometer,Visual,andCybexlowbacktestsmeasuringtrunkextensionandtorsorotation.ThevocationaltestsincludedaWideRangeAchievementtest,RevisedBetaIntelligenceExamination,theWonderlicPersonneltest,theOASISAptitudeSurvey,andthePerceptualSpeedTest.,cAZ"Arial Regular q =$X `   4    iXdVXX XiX XdV #iXdVX ~#iX XdVSimilarly,thetrialjudgefoundthatLongshusbandandmotherinlawwerealsocredible  witnesses.#jM  _#i  MԀ#iXdVX #iX XdVIncontrast,#jM  ‰#i  Mthejudgefoundthatthetestimonyoftwohumanresourcesemployeeswho x testifiedforTriConwasnotpersuasive becauseofthenatureofthetestimony...andthemannerinwhichtheytestifiedandsomeofthefactsandpositionsthattheytook.#jM  #,  AZ"Arial Regular,cAZ"Arial Regular X =$X `   5    lXdVXX XlXXdV TheWorkersCompensationSpecialAppealsPaneldidnotaddressthisissuebecauseit  deemeditsholdingwithregardtothecausationissuedispositive.,  AZ"Arial Regular  =$X `   2     n~X XInAugustof1995,SchooleyfoundthatLonghadasecondherniateddiskatL4L5,which  wasalsoremovedsurgically.Afterthesurgeries,LongwasagainexaminedbyDr.Hudson,whoagainmaintainedthatLongsinjurywasaspontaneousdegenerativeconditionandnotworkrelated.,cAZ"Arial Regular  =$X `   3    p~X X ThephysicaltestincludedaCybexLiftask,ValparWholeBodyRangeofMotion,Belton  Audiometer,Visual,andCybexlowbacktestsmeasuringtrunkextensionandtorsorotation.ThevocationaltestsincludedaWideRangeAchievementtest,RevisedBetaIntelligenceExamination,theϜWonderlicPersonneltest,theOASISAptitudeSurvey,andthePerceptualSpeedTest.,cAZ"Arial Regular q =$X `   4    rXdVXX XrX XdV #rXdVX ~#rX XdVSimilarly,thetrialjudgefoundthatLongshusbandandmotherinlawwerealsocredible  witnesses.#sO _#r OԀ#rXdVX #rX XdVIncontrast,#sO #r Othejudgefoundthatthetestimonyoftwohumanresourcesemployeeswho x testifiedforTriConwasnotpersuasive becauseofthenatureofthetestimony...andthemannerinwhichtheytestifiedandsomeofthefactsandpositionsthattheytook.#sO #,  AZ"Arial Regular,cAZ"Arial Regular X =$X `   5    uXdVXX XuXXdV TheWorkersCompensationSpecialAppealsPaneldidnotaddressthisissuebecauseit  deemeditsholdingwithregardtothecausationissuedispositive.,  AZ"Arial Regular- - q =$X `   4    xXPXX Xx~X XP #xXPX ~~#x~X XPSimilarly,thetrialjudgefoundthatLongshusbandandmotherinlawwerealsocredible  witnesses.#y~ ~_#x~ ~Ԁ#xXPX ~#x~X XPIncontrast,#y~ ~#x~ ~thejudgefoundthatthetestimonyoftwohumanresourcesemployeeswho n testifiedforTriConwasnotpersuasive becauseofthenatureofthetestimony...andthemannerinwhichtheytestifiedandsomeofthefactsandpositionsthattheytook.#y~ ~#,  AZ"Arial Regular,cAZ"Arial Regular  =$X `   2     {~X XInAugustof1995,SchooleyfoundthatLonghadasecondherniateddiskatL4L5,which  wasalsoremovedsurgically.Afterthesurgeries,LongwasagainexaminedbyDr.Hudson,whoagainmaintainedthatLongsinjurywasaspontaneousdegenerativeconditionandnotworkrelated.,cAZ"Arial Regular  =$X `   3    }~X X ThephysicaltestincludedaCybexLiftask,ValparWholeBodyRangeofMotion,Belton  Audiometer,Visual,andCybexlowbacktestsmeasuringtrunkextensionandtorsorotation.ThevocationaltestsincludedaWideRangeAchievementtest,RevisedBetaIntelligenceExamination,theϜWonderlicPersonneltest,theOASISAptitudeSurvey,andthePerceptualSpeedTest.,cAZ"Arial RegularC<< CLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(3$ !  (3$ !  ($$   1  ' dxdP Pd "  X2XX XXX2   Ad FILEDX2X  July12,1999CecilCrowson,Jr.AppellateCourtClerkdAh 'dxd,cAZ"Arial Regular L!X  ;;қXX2XX X;;TR[A' Legal3'A' Legal3'T72XXdXXd7  r~<,(j 8` `@E ` 8ttxPX  r@MMDINTHESUPREMECOURTOFTENNESSEE# X2XXX2ǵ#X2XX X2t~>.*jx1` `@EL` 8ttxP( tߛ@)DATNASHVILLE̜YY `     h      p Z  Zoj  jop񀀀pii FORPUBLICATION  0   `     h      p      x   (# ̀ p [  [r񀀀r hhlk  klqmmqFiled:na  anaabajabdcJulycddJulydcce1efe9efg2,1999g`_____________` ` `hh   TAMMYDELYNLONG, h     ) p     `     h     ) `  Appelslstlanttsees, h     ) p     `     h     )J p JYYK p KL  L\񀀀\OVERTONCIRCUIT |   `     h     ) p    b   `     h     )̜= ` =Vs. ` ?>```>?@ @   h     ) p M  MYY^^HONB.JOHNJ.MADDBCBOBCEDuDEFUFBX,JR.BAORABLEAAAYYO,O .R  `     h     )N p NNN_񀀀_N񀀀NI# X2XXX2u#JUDGEX2XX X2I x  GJOHNJ.MADDOX,JR.G 8  `     h     ) p   HJUDGEH   `     h     ) `     h     ) p   TRICONINDUSTRIES,LTD.,    ) p      x   (#   andHARTFORDACCIDENT    ) p     INDEMNITYCOMPANY, h     )S p STSnST]]UNO.UQ# X2XXX2Ǽ #QRQ񀀀 p QRQ01QVVQSQWWQ019708CV00176X2XX X2Q (# YY x  `    X̛ h  h  h X h     ) `  Appelluantsuveesv. h     )P񀀀 p P;;P;;01S01;;P;;P9708CV00176P Dh # X2XXX2p#X2XX X2 `     h      p # X2XXX2ǝ#X2XX X2̀ FortheAppellantwsw:  x h x     p   FortheAppelleeysy:  !   {Ronald{;;;;{Thurman{w;;w;;{# X2XXX24#{w{XPXX XP{w~  ~~ h ~~  ~~  ~~ p ~~  ~{{LynnC.Peterson     (#  (# zRon'ald'Thurmanz #! ;;;;x}Cookeville};;x;;x},T}xu}N}uxvennesseevxw}# XPXXXP#XPXX XPԛ}}} h wxx{zronaz{|RONALDTHURMAN&ASSOCIAT|}|IO|}~ES~       p   NORTON&;;LUHN;;;;  (#  $" М `  <#" Л `  `  h yCookeville,Tennesseey h      p   |Cookeville,TN|̛ `     h      p Knoxville,TsNsuutennesseet f%# ̜̜w# XPXXXP#wX2XX X2 `  `     h    b.(- Ѐ h   uXX2 @)DOPINION #X2Xu#Ԉ H/l). М̜WORKERSssCOMPENSATIONSPECIAL p      x ANDERSON,C.J 939 APPEALSPANELREVERSED;TRIALCOURTSJUDGMENTREINSTATED.   p      x # X2XXX2&#ANDERSON,C.JX2XX X2 R;v5; Л# X2XXX2Ǽ# ;B7=  ;B7= Л  t;5;9   v `  XUXX X2Wegrantedthisworkerscompensationmotionforreviewtodeterminewhether  theevidencepreponderatedagainstthetrialcourtsfindingthattheemployeesustainedacompensableinjurytoherbackarisingoutofandinthecourseofheremployment. ` Thetrialcourtdeterminedthattheemployeesuffered55percentpermanentpartialdisabilitytothebodyasawholeasaresultofabackinjuryarisingoutofandinthecourseofheremploymentwiththeemployer.TheWorkersCompensationSpecialAppealsPanelreversedanddismissed,however,afterconcludingthattheevidenceintherecordpreponderatedagainstthetrialcourtsjudgment. ` Afterourreviewoftherecordandconsiderationofthetrialcourtsdetailedfindingsoffact,weconcludethattheevidencedoesnotpreponderateagainstthetrialcourtsjudgment.Accordingly,wereversethePanelsjudgmentandreinstatethetrialcourtsjudgment.@hh*D BACKGROUND !   ` TammyDelynLong,age27atthetimeoftrial,beganworkingforTriCon #  Industries,Ltd.,( TriCon),inMarchof1992.Herresponsibilitiesinitiallyinvolvedsewingautomotivecarseatcovers.ShethenbecameaninspectorforTriCon,whichrequiredhertoliftupto40poundsandtostandforconsiderableperiodsoftimeeachday.Herworkalsorequiredrepetitivelifting,holding,andtwistingofherbodyduringtheday. ` LongtestifiedthatsheexperiencedpaininherhipandthelowerleftsideofherbackwhileworkingatthefactoryonSaturday,October15,1994.Thoughshenoticedthepaininherbackandfeltunusuallytired,Longdidnottellanyoneatworkabouthersymptomsorthatshehadbeeninjured.Shecouldnotidentifyaprecisemomentwhenthepainstartedoraspecificmotionormovementthatcausedthepain.Shehad, |826 however,worked55hoursthatweek,tying,inspectingandbundlingproducts,whilestandingatleast8hoursperday.̇ ` Longwenthomeandusedaheatingpadonherback.HerhusbandandafriendwhohadbeenvisitingtestifiedthatLongcomplainedaboutbackpainthatSaturdayevening.OnthefollowingSundaymorning,Longsbackhurtevenworse.AlthoughLongwenttochurch,shewasquiteuncomfortableduetothebackpain.OnMonday,Longwasunabletogotoworkduetothestiffnessandpaininherlowback.Herhusband,PaulLong,calledTriConandinformedHumanResourcesthatTammyLongwasunabletoworkduetobackpain.;;  #  1      כ# #  1      $ #  1      ;% ;;`;K #  1      ;;     ` OnTuesday,October17,1994,Longsawherpersonalphysician,Dr.Kenneth <` Colburn,ageneralpractitioner.Shedescribedherbackproblembutdidnottellhimwhenshehadinjureditorwhetheritwasatworkorathome.Longsaidthatshehadinjuredherbackonherleftsidethreeorfouryearsearlierandthatitoccasionallybotheredher.Longalsotestifiedthatshelaterfilledoutadisabilityinsuranceformthatindicatedtheinjurywasnotworkrelated.Sheexplained,however,thatsheinitiallydidnotknowwhatexactlyhadcausedthepainsheexperienced. ` Dr.ColburnsinitialexaminationrevealedthatLongwasinseverepain,hadonlyslightleftwardandforwardflexion,andwasunabletoliftherleftlegmorethan10to15degrees.Colburntreatedhersymptomatically,prescribingmusclerelaxantsandpainmedication.ShesawDr.ColburnagainonOctober24,1994andwasinsomewhatlesspainbutexperiencingnumbnessinherlegandaninabilitytoliftherleftlegmorethan30or35degrees.ColburnorderedanMRIexam,whichwasperformedthenextday.TheMRIrevealedthatLonghadherniateddisksatL4L5andatL5S1. ` LongsawDr.ColburnathirdtimeonOctober31,1994.AlthoughColburnhadinitiallysignedaninsurancedisabilityformonbehalfofLongthatindicatedherinjurywasnotduetoheremployment,ColburnsnotesfortheOctober31visitreflectedthat 4.4 TammyLongwasbeingtreatedfor significantdiscproblemsthatwere felttobeworkrelated.Colburnexplainedinhisdepositionthat:8 ` Idseenheronthe24th[ofOctober]andshewashavingsignificantproblems,andbythattimewedhadfurtherdiscussions,andinthelightofwhatkindofworkshewasdoing,repetitivebending,pickingup,soon,overandoverforaperiodoftime,Ifeltthattherewasareasonablechancethatworkexperiencecouldberelatedtothatinjury. ` (#` (# ColburnalsotestifiedthatonMarch8,1995,hehadwrittenaletteronbehalfofLong,whichsaidinpart:8 ` TammyLongisa25yearoldfemalepatientwhomIsawontwooccasions,on10/18/94and10/24/94forseverebackpain.ShewasaninspectoratTriCon,ajobwhichinvolvedturningtotheright,repetitivelybendingoverpickingitemsup,liftingthem,sittingdownagain.Shehaddonethisjobforseveralyears.AlthoughIfailedtodocumentthishistoricalfactineitherofmyofficenotesatthattime,Ididfeelthathertypeofworkhadpotentiallycausedherinjuryorpossiblyworsenedapreviousmoremildinjury. ` (#` (# Ӏ ` AfterbeingexaminedbyDr.Colburn,LongprovidedTriConanotefromColburnstatingthatLong isbeingtreatedforsignificantdiskproblemsandthatthecondition isfelttobeworkrelated.TriConthenprovidedalistofthreephysicians,includingDr.ToneyHudson,aninternistwhoexaminedLongonNovember1,1994.Dr.HudsontestifiedinadepositionthathisphysicalexaminationofLongrevealedno abnormalneurologicdeficits.Dr.HudsontestifiedthathereviewedtheMRI,whichrevealedonlya mildlybulgingdiskbutnoevidenceofaherniateddisk.AccordingtoDr.Hudson,LongreportedtohimthatherbackpaindevelopedwhileshewasinchurchonOctober16.Hethereforeconcludedthattheinjurywasnotworkrelated. ` Longthensawathirdphysician,Dr.WilliamSchooley,onareferralfromDr.Colburn.Schooley,aneurosurgeon,diagnosedLongwithaherniateddiskatL5S1.ThediskwasremovedsurgicallybySchooleyonNovember21,1994.Dr.SchooleyimposedrestrictionsagainstLongbendingatthewaistorlifting25poundsfrequentlyor 50poundsinfrequently.HeconcludedthatLongreachedmaximummedical ,8P28 improvementfromthisherniateddiskonApril27,1995anddeterminedthatLonghada10percentimpairmenttothebodyasawhole.;;) #  2      IA=6/ #  2      O #  2      ;;;Pzm;;d; #  2      ;;    ` Dr.JulianNadolsky,avocationalrehabilitationexpert,testifiedthathereviewedthemedicalrecordsandalsoadministeredseveralphysicalandvocationalteststoLong.;;, #  3      .v:t #  3      EWQFv #  3      ;;;Z|o;;f; #  3      ;;HeagreedwiththeliftingandbendingrestrictionsimposedonLongbyDr.   SchooleyandestimatedthatLongsvocationaldisabilitywas63percentduetoherbackinjuries.Hetestifiedthatshecouldperformworkofalightorsedentarynature.  ` Longtestifiedthattheinjurytoherbackhasadverselyaffectedherlife.Shesaid , sheisofteninpainandhaslimitedmovement.Shecannotstandorsitforextendedperiodsoftime,norcanshewalkupstairsordohouseworkwithoutpain.SheobtainedajobasacashierinDecember1996,buthadtoquitonemonthlaterduetothepaininherbackfromprolongedstanding.Longshusband,afriend,andhermotherinlaw,alltestifiedastothewaysthebackinjuryhasaffectedherlife. ` ThetrialcourtfoundthatLongsustainedaninjuryarisingoutofandinthecourseofheremploymentandthatshehad55percentpermanentpartialdisabilitytothebodyasawhole.Thetrialjudgemadedetailedfindingsoffactregardingtheevidenceandthecredibilityofthewitnesses.ThetrialjudgefoundthatTammyLong isatruthfulpersonandthatshetoldthetruthduringth[e]hearing.Thetrialcourtalsoreviewedthemedicalevidenceindetailandfoundthattheevidence,alongwiththetestimony,establishedthatLongsustainedaworkrelated,compensableinjury. ` Onappeal,theWorkersCompensationSpecialAppealsPanelreversedthetrialcourtsjudgment: 2,2 8 ` WefindthatthetotalevidenceinthiscasepreponderatesagainstthefindingthattheseinjuriesaroseoutofandinthecourseofMs.LongsemploymentbyTriConIndustries,Ltd.Shehadanadmittedhistoryofbackinjury.Sheinitiallydeniedthattheseinjurieswereworkrelated.Shehadafallathomethatcouldhavecausedinjury.Thepreponderanceoftheevidenceisthatonsetofpainwasawayfromherjob.Thesecondherniationoccurredmonthsaftersheceasedworkingforthedefendant.Therecordistotallylackinginevidenceofaspecificinjuringincidentatwork. ` (#` (# ThePanel,therefore,reversedanddismissed.WegrantedTammyLongsmotionforSupremeCourtreviewandnowreinstatethejudgmentofthetrialcourt. @+DCAUSATION "F   ` Inaworkerscompensationcase,appellatereviewonfactualissuesisdenovo  withapresumptionthatthetrialcourtsfindingsarecorrect,unlessthepreponderanceoftheevidenceisotherwise.Tenn.CodeAnn.506225(e)(2)(1991&Supp.1998);e.g.,Hillv.EagleBendMfg.,Inc.,942S.W.2d483,487(Tenn.1997).Whenatrial Rv courthasseenandheardwitnesses,andissuesofcredibilityandweightoftestimonyareinvolved,considerabledeferenceisaffordedthetrialcourtsfindingsoffact.Id.   ` Toprovea workrelatedinjury,aplaintiffmustestablishbyapreponderanceoftheevidencethatheorshesustainedaninjury arisingoutofandinthecourseoftheplaintiffsemployment.Tenn.CodeAnn.506102(a)(5)(Supp.1998).Thephrase arisingoutofreferstocauseororiginoftheinjury.Thephrase inthecourseofreferstothetime,place,andcircumstancesoftheinjury.E.g.,Jonesv.Hartford *$) Accident&Indem.Co.,811S.W.2d516,519(Tenn.1991). ~,&+  ` Inmostcases,aplaintiffmustestablishthecausationelementbyexpertmedicalevidence.E.g.,Ormanv.WilliamsSonoma,Inc.,803S.W.2d672,676(Tenn.1991). 1,1 Althoughcausationcannotbebaseduponspeculativeorconjecturalproof,absolutemedicalcertaintyisnotrequired,andreasonabledoubtmustbeextendedinfavoroftheemployee.Hill,942S.W.2dat487.Accordingly,atrialjudgemayproperly F7j17 predicateanawardinfavorofanemployeebasedonmedicalevidencethatanincident 9639  couldbethecauseoftheinjury,wherethetrialjudgehasalsoheardlaytestimonyfromwhichitreasonablyinferredthattheincidentwasinfactthecauseoftheinjury.Id.;seealsoJones,811S.W.2dat521;Orman,803S.W.2dat676. t   ` Webeginbynotingthatthetrialjudgemadedetailedfindingsbothwithrespecttotheoraltestimonyandthemedicalevidencecontainedindepositions.ThetrialjudgeexpresslyfoundthatTammyLongwascredibleandthathertestimonywastruthful.;;;wq;;h;[T3 #  4      ;;    ` Longtestifiedthatherworkincludedrepetitivelifting,twistingherbody,andstandingforextendedperiodsandthatonOctober15,1994,sheexperiencedpaininherhipandthelowerleftsideofherbackwhileatwork.Althoughshecouldnotidentifyoneincidentthattriggeredtheonsetofpain,shehadworked55hoursthatweek,whilestandingatleast8hoursperday.Longtestifiedthatthepaininherbackworsened,causinghertomissworkandtoseeherpersonalphysician.AlthoughLongdidnotatfirstreporttheinjuryasbeingworkrelated,thetrialcourtobservedthatLonginitiallydidnotknowwhathadcausedtheinjury. ` Thetrialcourtalsoreviewedindetailthedepositiontestimonyofthemedicalwitnesses.Dr.ColburnexaminedLongonthreeoccasions.Heobservedthatshewasinseverepain,hadlimitedflexionandmovement,andhadtendernessandpalpationsinherleftlowerback.HereferredherforanMRI,whichrevealedtwoherniateddisks:L4L5andL5S1.ColburnconcludedfromhisexaminationsofLongandtheresultsoftheMRIthattheinjuriesreasonablycouldhavebeenworkrelated.Dr.ColburnreferredLongtoDr.WilliamSchooley,aneurosurgeonwholikewisediagnosedandsurgicallyremoved,aherniateddiskatL5S1.Atalaterdate,SchooleydiagnosedandsurgicallyremovedasecondherniateddiskatL4L5. 4.4  ` Thetrialcourtdistinguishedthedepositiontestimonyoftheappelleesphysician,Dr.ToneyHudson:8 ` ThisCourtdoesnotgiveasmuchcredencetothedepositiontestimonyofDr.HudsonbecauseofthenatureofsomeofthestatementsthathemadeandbecauseofthefactthathelookedattheMRIsanddidnotreachadiagnosisofherniateddisksinherback.TheCourt,inreadingDr.Hudsonsdeposition,isnotaspersuadedbyhistestimonyas...bysomeoftheothermedicalinformationintheserecords. ` (#` (# ThetrialjudgealsoobservedthatHudsonsinitialexaminationofLongconsistedof askinghertoraisebothherlegsupwhileshewaslyingonherback,andthenlaterwhenshewasstandingup,hepushedherforward.Andthesearereallytheonlytwophysicalthingsthathedid. ` Weconcludethattheevidenceintherecorddoesnotpreponderateagainstthetrialcourtsfindings.Asnotedabove,causationdoesnotrequireabsolutecertainty.Dr.Colburnstestimony,whichthetrialcourtreviewedindetail,concludedthatLongsinjuryreasonablycouldbeworkrelated.Dr.ColburnsdiagnosiswasthesameasDr.Schooley,theneurosurgeonwhodiagnosedandsurgicallyremovedaherniateddisk.ThemedicalevidenceisalsocorroboratedbyLongstestimonythatthepaininherbackoccurredwhileshewasatwork.ThetrialjudgespecificallyfoundLongtobeatruthfulandcrediblewitness. ` Thereviewingcourtmustgiveconsiderabledeferencetothetrialcourtsfindingswithregardtotheweightandcredibilityoforaltestimony,asitisthetrialcourtwhichhadtheopportunitytoobservethewitnesssdemeanorandtoheartheincourttestimony.Hill,942S.W.2dat487.Accordingly,weconcludethattheevidencedoes 0/T). notpreponderateagainstthetrialcourtsjudgment.̜  `606 @QQ%D PHYSICALEXAMINATION;;;t;;k;^ #  5      ;;    ` AfterLongssurgeriestoremovetheherniateddisks,butpriortotrial,TriCon  filedamotionrequestingthatthetrialcourtorderLongtoundergoanotherphysicalexamination.ThemotionnotedthattheimpairmentratingassignedbyDr.Schooley wassignificantlyhigherthananticipatedandfurtherassertedthat additionalopiniontestimonyregardingtheamountofanypermanentimpairmentretainedby[Long]asaresultofherinjuryisnecessaryforthefairandcompleteadjudicationofthismatter. ` Thetrialcourtgrantedthemotion,butruledthattheadditionalexaminationwastobeperformedbyDr.Hudson,i.e.,thephysicianalreadyselectedbyLongfromthelistinitiallyprovidedtoherbyTriCon.TriConnowcontendsthatthetrialcourterredinlimitingtheadditionalexaminationofLongtoDr.Hudson,who,unlikeDr.Schooley,didnotpossessexpertiseinneurologyororthopedics.TriConcontendsthatitwasprejudicedbecausethetrialjudgesubsequentlygavelessweighttothetestimonyofDr.Hudson. ` Bothsidescitethefollowingstatutoryprovisionwithrespecttocompellinganemployeetoundergoaphysicalexamination:8 ` Theinjuredemployeemustsubmittotheexaminationbytheemployersphysicianatallreasonabletimesifrequestedtodosobytheemployer,buttheemployeeshallhavetherighttohavetheemployeesownphysicianpresentatsuchexamination,inwhichcasetheemployeeshallbeliabletosuchphysicianforsuchphysiciansservices. ` (#` (# Tenn.CodeAnn.506204(d)(1)(Supp.1998). ` TriConsargumentsarenotsupportedbytherecord.First,wenotethatTriConsmotiondidnotrequestthattheexaminationbeperformedbyanorthopedistorneurologist.Second,Dr.HudsonwasamongthethreephysiciansprovidedattheoutsetbytheemployertoLongasrequiredbythestatutes.Tenn.CodeAnn.506 `606 204(a)(4)(m1991&mSuppl.l.1998).Finally,Dr.Hudsonstatedinhisdepositionthatasaqualifiedinternist,heis muchmorequalifiedtoseeapatientwithabackproblemthanisanorthopedicsurgeon.nnHealsotestifiedthathe seesbackproblemseverydayoftheyearandis amplyqualifiedtoevaluateapatientorapersonwithabackproblem.Inshort,TriConhasfailedtoshowthatthetrialcourtabuseditsdiscretion.E.g.,  0 TibbalsFlooringCo.v.Marcum,218Tenn.509,<512,<404S.W.2d498,500(1966).   @*D CONCLUSION p    ` Ourreviewoftherecordshowsthattheevidencedoesnotpreponderateagainst <` thetrialcourtsfindingthatTammyLongsufferedacompensable,workrelatedinjuryamountingto55percentdisabilitytothebodyasawhole.Accordingly,wereversethejudgmentoftheoSpecialoWorkersCompensationpSpecialpAppealsPanelandreinstatethejudgmentofthetrialcourt. `  ` Costsofappealaretaxedtotheappellqeesqrantsrees. `     h      p ________________________________ `     h      p RiIlLeEyYAnNdDeErRsSoOnN,ChHiIeEfFJuUsStTiIcCeE Concur: '>!%  Birch,HolderandBarker,JJ. ($"& Drowota,J.,notparticipating