WPC ,y#(A=g> sT?c^ "T.Rq+X)3Y6wQ+!̕UF#]?ƸClJf)U,r!b$T,cَ&LfP;58'\g$f +{_%i~H ,ϥN\q0s iMF'uB$"xŌ7U:zXe?D@ABCDӀu[%3|xM 3  C$X   1    pXXTherecordreflectsthatWalkerinitiallyreceivedtreatmentfromDr.Parsons,butbeganseeing  Dr.Thomas,whowasinthesamepracticegroup,inJuneof1994.((3la$ >>>=XXdd=ӜA@ INTHESUPREMECOURTOFTENNESSEE  @*ATNASHVILLE  @HH/SHARONWALKER,   8   )   80   0      8   A>>A)  FILED:December21,1998A>>A    A>>APlaintiff/AppellantA>>A   8   )       0      8   )  MAURYCIRCUIT   V.  0      8   )     0      8   )  HON.JIMT.HAMILTON,   SATURNCORPORATION, 8   )  JUDGE     0      8   ) A>>ADefendant/AppelleeA>>A 8   )  No.01S019703CV00048 h`   0      8   )  0      8   )A>>AA>>AFortheA>>APlaintiff/Appellant:A>>A   8     FortheA>>ADefendant/Appellee:A>>A  A>>AJ.AnthonyArena     8     ThomasH.>>Peebles>>,IVA>>A  A>>A>>Schulman>>,LeRoy&Bennett,P.C.    DanaC.>>McLendon>>A>>A ~v A>>ANashville,Tennessee   8     >>Waller>>,>>Lansden>>,>>Dortch>>&DavisA>>A d\   0      8     A>>AColumbia,TennesseeA>>A  0      8       0   0      8     @- XXOPINION #XX #Ԉ \0T). A>>AA>>AREVERSED 0      8     >A9 P 9A>>A WegrantedtheplaintiffsmotionforfullcourtreviewoftheSpecialA>>AWorkersA>>ACompensationAppealsPanelsfindingsoffactandconclusionsoflawtodeterminewhetherthePanelerredindeciding:(1)thattheevidencepreponderatesagainstthetrialcourtsfindingthatplaintiffsufferedapermanentpartialdisabilitytotherightarm;and(2)A>>AthatA>>Atheevidencepreponderatesagainstaneightyfivepercentpermanentpartialdisabilitytotheplaintiffsleftarm.Forthereasonscontainedherein,weconcludethatthePanelerredinfindingnopermanentdisabilitytotherightarmandinreducingthedisabilitytoherleftA>>Aarmtosixtypercent.A>>AAccordingly,thedecisionofthePanelisreversedandthetrialcourtsjudgmentisaffirmed.A>>AA>>A@+ BACKGROUND   A>>AA>>A Theplaintiff,SharonWalker,wasthirtythreeyearsoldatthetimeoftrialandhadbeenemployedbySaturnCorporationsinceitopeneditsSpringHillplantin1990.ShewasemployedasamemberofaworkA>>Ateam, A>>A andhertasksincludedinstalling < 4 seatbeltsandseatrampsintonewautomobilesandinsertingnumerousscrewsintocarA>>Aframes.ThoseA>>Aactivitiesrequiredtherepetitiveuseofpowertools.OnApril22,1994,WalkerreportedtotheSaturnMedicalDepartmentcomplainingofpaininherleftwristandnumbnessinherlefthand,thumb,andfingers.ShewaseventuallyreferredtoDr.PaulParsonsandDr.PaulThomasfortreatment.  #  1       8)0"& A>>AA>>A Dr.Parsonsdiagnosedtheplaintiffsconditionastenosynovitisandfollowedaconservativetreatmentregimen.ThattreatmentprovedunsuccessfulandwhentheplaintiffsawDr.ThomasonJune13,1994,shecomplainedofpersistentleftthumbpain.Hefoundthatshehad leftthumbDequervainsA>>A>>stenosising>>A>>Atenosynovitisandrecommendedsurgerytoreleasethepressurefromthetendons.Dr.Thomas 4,2 performedsurgeryonJune15,A>>A1994,A>>AandA>>Afollowingphysicaltherapy,theplaintiffA>>AreturnedtoworkonSeptember14,A>>A1994,A>>Awithrestrictionsontheuseofherlefthand. A>>A OnA>>AOctober26,1994,plaintiffcomplainedtotheSaturnMedicalDepartmentofnumbnessandtinglinginherrightwrist.ShereturnedtoDr.ThomaswithcomplaintsofpaininherrightthumbandstatedthatitworsenedwithheractivitiesatSaturn.OnJanuary26,1995,Dr.Thomasdiagnosedtheplaintiffwith rightwristDequervainsstenosising tenosynovitisandplacedheronpermanentrestrictionsA>>AagainstrepetitiveA>>A   thumbactivitiessuchasgraspingorpinching.HehopedthatthepermanentrestrictionswouldavoidanyfurtherproblemswiththeA>>AemployeesrightA>>AA>>Aarm.A>>A A>>A Ms.WalkerA>>AagainvisitedDr.ThomasonMarch16,1995,complainingofnumbnessinthefourthandfifthfingersofherlefthand.Dr.ThomasbelievedA>>AsheA>>Ahadaprobableentrapmentoftheulnarnerveinherleftelbow,adiagnosiswhichwaslaterconfirmedwithnerveconductionstudies.Afterconservativetreatmentfailed,Dr.Thomasagainperformedsurgery,thistimeatranspositionoftheulnarnerveoftheplaintiffsleftelbow. A>>A Dr.A>>AThomastestifiedbydepositionthatthetenosynovitisinplaintiffsA>>AwristsA>>AwascausedbyherworkatSaturn.HeopinedthatA>>AtheplaintiffA>>Awasabletowork,providedsheobservedthepermanentrestrictionofnorepetitiveuseofthethumbsforpinchingorgrippingandavoidedtheuseofpowertools.Healsosaidthattheplaintiffshouldavoidrepetitivebendingofherleftelbow.UsingtheAMAguidelines,Dr.ThomasdeterminedthattheplaintiffsufferedathreepercentpermanentimpairmenttoA>>AherA>>AleftA>>Aupperextremity.A>>ADr.Thomastestifiedoncrossexaminationthatanothermethodofevaluatingthepermanentimpairmentcouldresultinanimpairmentratingofsixpercenttotheleftarm.Dr.Thomasdidnotassignanimpairmentratingtothe 5.4 plaintiffsrightA>>Awristorhand,A>>Astatingthathercomplaintsinthatregardhadbeensporadic. A>>A OnA>>AFebruary6,1996,Dr.DavidGawperformedanindependentmedicalexaminationontheplaintiff.HereviewedrecordsfromDr.ParsonsandDr.Thomas,andmedicalrecordsfromSaturnCorporation.Relyinguponthatinformation,aswellashisownexamination,hedeterminedthatMs.Walkersufferedafivepercentpermanentimpairmenttoherleftupperextremityasaresultofthetenosynovitisintheleftthumbandwrist.Atenpercentpermanentimpairmentresultedfromtheulnartransposition,culminatinginacombinedfifteenpercentimpairmenttoherleftupperextremity.InaccordwithDr.Thomas,Dr.Gawstatedthattheplaintiffshouldavoidrepetitiveuseofherleftelbowandwrist.HefoundnopermanentimpairmenttoherrightarmbecauseMs.Walkerdidnotreport anyhistoryofproblemswiththat.Headmitted,however,thattherecordshereviewedcontainedplaintiffscomplaintsaboutherrightA>>Awristandthumb.A>>A A>>A RebeccaA>>AWilliams,avocationalspecialist,testifiedthatsheevaluatedtheplaintiffonAugust1,1996,toassessanyvocationaldisabilityA>>AMs.WalkerA>>Asufferedfromherinjuries.Ms.WilliamstestifiedthatsheconsideredtheplaintiffslimitationstobothhandsandleftelbowpertherestrictionsfromDr.ThomasandDr.Gaw.Shecharacterizedtheplaintiffsjobasunskilledlaborandsaidthatherpreviousskillsfrombartendingandwaitressingwerenontransferableandoflittleuseinanyotherjob.Ms.WalkerA>>ApreviouslyobtainedA>>AaGEDandhadattendedsomecollegeandvocationalclasses,specificallyreceivingtraininginkeypunch,anowobsoletemethodofcomputerdataentry. A>>A 3,2  TheA>>Aplaintiffsreading,spelling,andmathskillswerepoorforherage.Followingadexterityexamination,Ms.Williamsfoundthattheplaintifflackeddexterityinbothhands,whichA>>AsheA>>Aconsideredadisablingfactor.A>>AA>>A BecauseA>>AtheA>>AA>>AplaintiffhadA>>Anotransferablejobskillsandsignificantphysicallimitations,Ms.Williamsopinedthattheplaintiffhadnoreasonableexpectationofemploymentinthelocaljobmarket.Ofthe10,980jobsinMauryCountyforwhichplaintiffwasqualified,only348wereavailabletoherA>>AbecauseA>>Aofherdisability.Thenumber 348"representedthenumberofjobsandnotthenumberofpositionsactuallyopen.A>>AConsideringMs.A>>AWalkerseducationlevelandlackofacquiredjobskills,combinedwiththepermanentrestrictionsonbothhandsandherleftelbow,Ms.WilliamstestifiedthattheplaintiffA>>AhadA>>Aaninetysevenpercentoccupationaldisability.A>>AA>>A Theplaintifftestifiedthatherworkattheautomobileassemblyplaintrequiredrepetitiveactivitywithherwristandelbow,includingextensiveuseofpowertoolsduringA>>AherA>>AentiretenhourA>>Ashifts.A>>AWhileshehadpreviouslyworkedasabartenderandwaitress,shetestifiedthatshecouldnolongerperformthosejobsbecausetheyrequiredexcessiveuseofherwristsandelbow.A>>AA>>A Followingthefirstsurgeryonherwrist,theplaintiffsaidthatshehadbeenunabletoreturntoworkasafullyfunctionalteammemberbecauseofthepermanentrestrictions.A>>A> >A>>A  #  2      A>>AInspiteofutilizingtheplacementprocessatSaturn,Ms.Walkerwas ,%* unabletofindanotherjobattheplantwhichshecouldperformgivenherrestrictions.ShetestifiedthatshewasplacedonlongtermdisabilityleaveMay10,A>>A1996,A>>Aandhadnotworkedsincethen.SheA>>AhadA>>Aneverdoneanyworkthatdidnotinvolverepetitiveuseofthethumbsorbendingoftheelbow.Inadditiontoexperiencingpaininher 3,2 handsandwrist,theplaintifftestifiedthattheextensionofherleftarmislimited,whichaffectsherabilitytodohouseworkandplaysports.A>>AA>>A Thetrialcourtfoundthattheplaintiffsufferedaneightyfivepercentpermanentpartialdisabilitytobotharmsandgrantedhermotionforalumpsumaward.Uponreview,thePanelfoundthattheexpertmedicaltestimonydidnotsupportafindingofanypermanentimpairmenttoherupperrightextremity.A>>ATheA>>APanelA>>AalsodeterminedA>>Athatthetrialcourtsawardofaneightyfivepercentpermanentpartialdisabilitytotheplaintiffsleftarmwasexcessiveandnotsupportedbytheevidence.TheA>>APanelA>>Areducedtheawardbaseduponafindingthattheplaintiffhadsustainedasixtypercentpermanentpartialdisabilitytoherleftarm.A>>AA>>A@, ANALYSIS   A>>AA>>A Webeginouranalysisbystatingafewwellsettledprinciples.OurreviewofthefindingsoffactmadebythetrialcourtisXDXXXdenovo#XXXXD,5#Ԁupontherecordofthetrialcourt, " accompaniedbyapresumptionofcorrectness,unlessthepreponderanceoftheevidenceisotherwise.Tenn.CodeAnn.A>>A506225(e)(2)A>>A(Supp.1998).Becausetheissueandextentofapermanentvocationaldisabilityarequestionsoffactforthetrialcourttodetermine,wealsoreviewthoseissuesundertheXDXXXdenovo#XXXXD6#Ԁstandardofreview. <)4"& Jaskev.MurrayOhioMfg.Co.Inc.,750S.W.2d150,151(Tenn.1988);Corcoranv.  +$( FosterAutoGMC,Inc.,746S.W.2d452,458(Tenn.1988).Inourreview,wearenot ,%* boundbythetrialcourtsfactualfindings,butratherexaminethemindepthandconductanindependentexaminationtodeterminewherethepreponderanceoftheevidencelies.Gallowayv.MemphisDrumServ.,822S.W.2d584,586(Tenn.1991). <24+0 A>>A 4-2 A>>A Withtheforegoinginmind,wefirstconsiderwhethertheevidencesupportedthetrialcourtsfindingthattheplaintiffhadsustainedapermanentpartialdisabilitytoherrightupperextremity.ThePanelfoundnodisabilitytotherightarmbecausethemedicalexpertsdeclinedtofindanypermanentXDXXXanatomical#XXXXD:#Ԁimpairmenttothe l d plaintiffsrightwristorhand.However,webelievetherewasA>>AotherA>>AevidencewithintheA>>ArecordsufficientA>>Atosupportthetrialcourtsfindingofpermanentindustrialdisabilitytoplaintiffsrightupperextremity.A>>AA>>A Ananatomicalimpairmentratingisnotalwaysindispensabletoatrialcourtsfindingofapermanentvocationalimpairment.SeeNewmanv.NationalUnionFire 80 Ins.Co.,786S.W.2d932,934(Tenn.1990);Corcoran,746S.W.2dat457.Infact,  anatomicalimpairmentisdistinctfromtheultimateissueofvocationaldisabilitythatthetrialcourtmustassess.Wilkesv.ResourceAuth.ofSumnerA>>ACounty,A>>A932S.W.2d  458,463(Tenn.1996);Perkinsv.EnterpriseTruckLines,Inc.,896S.W.2d123,125 h` (Tenn.1994).Anemployeeshouldnotbedeniedcompensationsolelybecausesheisunabletopresentawitnesswhowilltestifytotheexactpercentageofhermedicalimpairment.Corcoran,746S.W.2dat457.Asaresult,thePanelerredinfindingno #  disabilitytotheplaintiffsrightA>>AarmA>>Abasedsolelyonthelackofananatomicalratingtothatscheduledmember.A>>AA>>A Incontrast,theevidenceestablishedthatMs.Walkerhasadisablingconditioninherrightwristandhand.OnAugust11,1993,Dr.Parsonsnotedinplaintiffsmedicalrecordsthatshehad alittlebitofDequervainsextensortenosynovitisintherightwrist.PlaintifflaterreportedproblemswithherrightwristtotheSaturnMedicalDepartmentinOctoberof1994.Then,onJanuary26,1995,Dr.Thomasdiagnosedtheplaintiffwith rightwristDequervainsstenosisingtenosynovitis. 5.4  Dr.Thomascharacterizedtheconditionas chronicandwentontosaythatgraspingorpinchingactivitiesatworkwouldworsenhersymptoms.Asaresult,Dr.Thomasplacedheronpermanentrestrictionsagainstrepetitivethumbactivitiessuchasgraspingorpinching.Dr.Thomascharacterizationoftheconditionas chronicandtheplacementofpermanentrestrictionsontheuseofherrightthumbissufficienttoA>>AproveA>>Athatplaintiffsthumbandwristconditionimpairedherabilitytouseherrightarmandthattheconditionwaspermanent.SeeHillv.RoyalIns.Co.,937S.W.2d   873,876(Tenn.1996)(basingpermanentimpairmentontheimpositionofpermanentrestrictionswherenoanatomicalimpairmentwasgiven).A>>AA>>A Thesecondissuehasbeenredefinedbyourdeterminationthattheplaintiffsufferedapermanentimpairmenttoherrighthand.TheproperinquirynowiswhethertheevidencepreponderatesagainsttheA>>ApercentageofpermanentA>>ApartialdisabilitytoA>>AbothofplaintiffsA>>Aarmsassessedbythetrialcourt.ThePanelreducedthetrialcourtsindustrialdisabilityratingtoherleftarmbecauseoftheA>>AsmallA>>AanatomicalimpairmentratingandbecauseofitsconclusionthattheproofshowedanimpairmentonlyofherabilitytoworkatSaturn.Inreachingitsdecision,thePanelfailedtoconsiderrelevantevidenceregardingA>>AhowMs.A>>AWalkersearningcapacityhadbeendiminishedintheopenlabormarket.A>>AA>>A ThePanelcorrectlyheldthatavocationalimpairmentismeasurednotbywhethertheemployeecanreturntoherformerjob,butwhethershehassufferedadecreaseinherabilitytoearnaliving.SeeCorcoran,746S.W.2dat458.ThisCourt .', statedinCorcoranthatavocationaldisabilityresultswhen theemployeesabilityto \0T). earnwagesinanyformofemploymentthatwouldhavebeenavailabletohiminanuninjuredconditionisdiminishedbyaninjury.A>>AId.A>>Aat459. 3,2 A>>A 5.4 A>>A Inassessingtheextentofanemployeesvocationaldisability,thetrialcourtmayconsidertheemployeesskillsandtraining,education,age,localjobopportunities,anatomicalimpairmentrating,andhercapacitytoworkatthekindsofemploymentavailableinherdisabledcondition.Tenn.CodeAnn.A>>A506241(b)A>>A(Supp.1998);Worthingtonv.ModineMfg.Co.,798S.W.2d232,234(Tenn.1990); 80 Robersonv.LorettoCasketCo.,722S.W.2d380,384(Tenn.1986).Further,the   claimantsownassessmentofherphysicalconditionandresultingdisabilitiescannotbedisregarded.UptainA>>A>>Constr>>.A>>ACo.v.McClain,526S.W.2d458,459(Tenn.1975);   TomStillTransferCo.v.Way,482S.W.2d775,777(Tenn.1972).Thetrialcourtis h` notboundtoacceptphysiciansopinionsregardingtheextentoftheplaintiffsdisability,butshouldconsideralltheevidence,bothexpertandlaytestimony,todecidetheextentofanemployeesdisability.Hinsonv.WalMartStores,Inc.,654  S.W.2d675,677(Tenn.1983).A>>AA>>A TheevidenceshowedthattheplaintiffcouldnotreturntoheractivitiesattheSaturnfacility.A>>ATheA>>AtestimonyofRebeccaA>>AWilliamsA>>AA>>AalsoA>>AestablishedthatMs.WalkersdisabilityseverelyhamperedherabilitytoearnalivingintheopenlabormarketinMauryCounty.A>>AA>>A Finally,weconsidertheplaintiffsownassessmentofhercondition.Shetestifiedthatsheisnolongerabletoperformthefortyorfiftyjobsthatshehasdoneinhercareerintheautomobilemanufacturingindustrybecauseoftherestrictionontherepetitiveuseofherelbowandthumbs.Likewise,theplaintifftestifiedthatalthoughshehasworkedasabartenderandwaitress,shecouldnolongerworkasabartenderorwaitressbecauseofthedemandthosejobsplaceonherwristsandelbow.TheplaintiffhasneverdoneanyworkthatwouldnotrequirerepetitiveuseofherthumbsforgrippingorrepetitivebendingoftheA>>Aelbow.A>>A 706 Ї Althoughthemedicaltestimonydidnotestablishagreatpercentageofanatomicalimpairment,thetrialcourtobviouslygavesubstantialcredencetothetestimonyofthevocationalexpertA>>AregardingMs.A>>AWalkersabilitytowork.Therecordonappealdoesnotpreponderateagainstthetrialcourtsfindings.A>>AA>>A InviewA>>AofMs.A>>AWalkerslimitedtraining,hereducation,considerablemedicalrestrictions,lackoftransferablejobskills,andthelocaljobopportunities,theplaintiffscapacitytoworkinareaspreviouslyavailabletoherhasbeensignificantlyreducedbyhercurrentdisability.Accordingly,weconcludethatthetrialcourtsfindingofaneightyfivepercentpermanentpartialdisabilitytobotharmsissupportedbyA>>AtheA>>Apreponderanceoftheevidence.Therecordindicatesthattheemployer,SaturnCorporation,complainedbeforethePaneloftheproprietyofthetrialcourtsjudgmentcommutingtheemployeesdisabilityawardtoalumpsumpayment.ThePaneldidnotaddressthatissueonthemerits.A>>ABecauseSaturnA>>Ahasnotraisedthatissuebeforeus,A>>AweA>>Awillnotaddressitatthistime.Thejudgmentofthetrialcourtisaffirmedinallrespects.CostsaretaxedtoSaturnCorporation.  0      8     _______________________________  0      8     WilliamM.Barker,JusticeA>>AA>>AA>>ACONCUR:A>>AAnderson,C.J.,Birch,Holder,JJ.Drowota,J.,notA>>Aparticipating 706  P     ;;ADDDr )<,(j 8` `@E  ` 8ttxPX  rߛD@0C@>>$XXSUPREMECOURT,NASHVILLE#XX.d#Ԉ  @HH/SHARONWALKER,   8   )   d \   0      8   )   JB  Plaintiff/Appellant   8   )  MAURYCIRCUIT 0(    0      8   )  NO.6647Below   V.  0      8   )     0      8   )  NO.01S019703CV00048   SATURNCORPORATION, 8   )       0      8   ) Defendant/Appellee. 8   )  SpecialWorkersCompensation     0      8   )  AppealsPanelReversed zr   0      8   )  0      8   )@TT,JUDGMENT   ThiscasewasheardupontherecordonappealfromtheSpecialWorkersCompensationAppealsPanel,pursuanttoTenn.CodeAnn.50625(e)(5)(B)(Supp.1997),andinconsiderationthereof,thisCourtisoftheopinionthatthetrialcourtsfindingofaneightyfive(85)percentpermanentpartialdisabilitytoeachofappellantsarmsissupportedbythepreponderanceoftheevidence. Inaccordancewiththeopinionfiledherein,itis,therefore,orderedandadjudgedthatthejudgmentofthePanelisreversed,andthecaseisremandedtothetrialcourtforexecutionofthisCourtsjudgmentandforthecollectionofcosts. Costsofthisappealwillbetaxedtotheappellee,SaturnCorporation,forwhichexecutionwillissueifnecessary.i12/21/98XXCBSUPREMECOURT,NASHVILLEB#XXl#B  @HH/SHARONWALKER,   8   )   ~ v   0      8   )   d \  Plaintiff/Appellant   8   )  MAURYCIRCUIT JB   0      8   )  NO.6647Below 0(  V.  0      8   )     0      8   )  NO.>>01S01>>9703CV00048   SATURNCORPORATION, 8   )       0      8   ) Defendant/Appellee. 8   )  SpecialWorkersCompensation     0      8   )  AppealsPanelReversed     0      8   )  0      8   )<<@TT,JUDGMENT   ThiscasewasheardupontherecordonappealfromtheSpecialB?w?B@W@orkersCompensationAppealsPanel,pursuanttoTenn.CodeAnn.50625(e)(5)(B)(>>Supp>>.1997),andinconsiderationthereof,thisCourtisoftheopinionthatthetrialcourtsfindingofaneightyfive(85)percentpermanentpartialdisabilitytoappellantsbotharmsissupportedbythepreponderanceoftheevidence. Inaccordancewiththeopinionfiledherein,itis,therefore,orderedandadjudgedthatthejudgmentofthePanelisreversed,andthecaseisremandedtothetrialcourtforexecutionofthisCourtsjudgmentandforthecollectionofcosts. Costsofthisappealwillbetaxedtotheappellee,SaturnCorporation,forwhichexecutionwillissueifnecessary.i12/21/98B=̛̛=>>