ÿWPCæ% Ìèö´~¢Ãrð¦®85Û b¹hÊlšÝ—ƒ£õÂp@¸”¸aÎ!EÁÕc÷{äO ÍbÖæã7L^(Z$ˆ¹œ£ÐÑFôŒ3Õ±QZ‡a×0 ¼—¤ï*BËdç ÛÕî`Hۤ>$“>!úÀ&Úµ7Nú0»0Ûá)MŸ,Ôâ[û°ôØ4ŸÈf-3ýpè¸k«›·D[¿Ÿ † Ø1Êk‡ ¬Ð s ¸P¦炦~£)K   Iã:×CÖ“‰;ò€üÉÈB~’žSüä}`A狃çÊ¥Õ¢yáaÜÂk¸Æ×‰çyÔÌ[¯‡¦-ÜÇcØš.&ž/ó5‡FnXË’¨2 Q ØÙs{¦þóÉZTWÿ߇uó]±Ž7ç ÂWƺ*!”Ƕ²ßðS­k¿Ä…ež«‰°Ëq[ù>‡^â%ÖJ޽Þhܪ:Dz<äy­=öÞN˜éÈàYÇrÏ‚ „"ñWq¸ØD~ô £~NŽw”mêÈr£„˜ò¶**ÕìQá¨Ï¦#îG£ƒõ,ïÑÝû€õfwåÀ|íÆØI0‹´×Êø… õ)b3w «:H@Ækg^¥l$Èså9½a¿ ZUÿÔÿÃÓ•3¡Ô°^— ßÃõ[‚µ£ÚNb %\^ b 0ˆnUNöwD4H\ zkÒå· m¹ #ÁÐ ‘ Æ™ Æ_ Æ% Æë U@±Nñ 1‡ó 72zE¬ 1u® 72# 0cUUU 0D¸UNüJJ-””ÚÁ;›-ÖÿÅbÇÇÇÇÇÇÇõÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏ 0 Ä Ä Ä Ä BÎ!Î! 0¤ë! D3" D-Â" 0Kï"ï" AS:#Æ# 0¤S$ 0D÷$ A«;%»–„ˆ) (`£ª$¡¡Ñ€.ÑÑ8€½­»»d»»d8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  Ó(í€"  Z6Times New Roman Regularõ}|)ê:i¢Ø+003|x ˜C:\PROGRA~1\COREL\WORDPE~1\TEMPLATE\CUSTOM~1\REVISE~1.WPTC:\Program Files\Corel\WordPerfect Office 2000\Template\Custom WP Templates\revised standard opinion.wpt ÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ˜HP LaserJet 4050 Series PCL 5eÈÈ,,,,ÈÈ0 Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5‚Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5„Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5…Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(ÆúI Z‹(Times New Roman (нCEKQW]cioAutoList1A.A.A.A.A.A.A.A.A.3#37=CIQYag­­1.a.i.(1)(a)(i)1)a)i)(;3£$´´Ô2#ÔÚ  Ú0Ú  Ú.Ô3  Ôà0  à(#Ã$òòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó(ÖÃ9 Z‹6Times New Roman Regular @Ý ƒRi7$ÝÓ  ÓÔ€»»»»Ôà  àòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôqÐò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔTenn.€Const.€art.€I,€ðð€1;€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðððð€16„3„501„503;€òòsee€alsoóó€òòPetition€of€Bursonóó,€Ð ° Ð909€S.W.2d€768,€773€(Tenn.€1995). #Ý ƒRi7$ÝÓ  ÓÔ€»»»»Ôà  àòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôqÐò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔòòSee,€e.g.óó,€òòState€v.€Turneróó,€913€S.W.2d€158,€160€(Tenn.€1995)€(ð ðIn€interpreting€statutes,€we€are€required€toÐ ° Ðconstrue€them€as€a€whole,€read€them€in€conjunction€with€their€surrounding€parts,€and€view€them€consistently€with€theÐ tÄ Ðlegislative€purpose.ðð);€òòState€ex€rel.€McGhee€v.€St.€Johnóó,€837€S.W.2d€596,€604€(Tenn.€1992)€(ð ðA€statute€must€be€construedÐ 8ˆ Ðas€a€whole€and€a€particular€section€should€not€be€read€in€isolation€of€the€remainder€of€the€statute.ðð);€òòIn€re€Adoption€ofÐ üL ÐHatcheróó,€16€S.W.3d€792,€795€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1999)€(ð ðWe€think€however€that€the€statute€should€be€read€as€a€whole,Ð À Ðbecause€statutes€similar€in€subject€matter€must€be€construed€so€as€to€make€the€legislative€scheme€operate€in€a€consistentÐ „Ô Ðmanner.ðð).Ð H ˜ Ðòòóó ÐÝ ƒRi7$ÝÓ  ÓÔ€»»»»Ôà  àòòÚ  Ú4Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôqÐò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔInterestingly€enough,€the€thirty„first€judicial€district€is€the€only€judicial€district€in€Tennessee€that€has€only€oneÐ ° Ðjudge€who€therefore€will€always€be€the€presiding€judge.€€Therefore,€this€portion€of€Rule€11€has€no€application€in€theÐ tÄ Ðthirty„first€judicial€district. 1Ñ#€CXÿÿd#ÑØØ #Ñ#€CXÿÿd#Ñ õÝ ƒRi7$ÝÓ  ÓÔ€»»»»Ôà  àòòÚ  Ú5Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôqÐò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔWe€also€note€that€orders€referring€cases€to€the€clerk€and€master€pursuant€to€Tenn.€R.€Civ.€P.€53€should€be€onÐ ° Ða€case„by„case€basis€rather€than€a€standing€order€of€reference.€€òòSee,€e.g.óó,€Tenn.€R.€Civ.€P.€53.01€(ð ðThe€court€in€which€anyÐ tÄ Ðaction€is€pending€may€appoint€a€Special€Master€therein.ðð). »Ý ƒRi7$ÝÓ  ÓÔ€»»»»Ôà  àòòÚ  Ú6Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôqÐò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔThe€proper€procedure€is€set€out€in€a€ð ðHandbook€for€Presiding€Judges,ðð€Supreme€Court€of€Tennessee,Ð ° ÐAdministrative€Office€of€the€Courts,€2000€Edition,€Chapter€3,€ð ðInterchange€and€Designation€of€Judges,ðð€attached€heretoÐ tÄ Ðas€Appendix€(1).€- ù- ëÝ ƒRi7$ÝÓ  ÓÔ€»»»»Ôà  àòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôqÐò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÔ_ÔFerrellÔ_Ô€also€argues€that€the€trial€court€improperly€referred€to€his€own€knowledge€of€the€difference€betweenÐ ° Ðconductive€and€sensorineural€loss,€based€in€part€on€what€the€judge€had€learned€in€high€school.€€While€the€judge€did€makeÐ tÄ Ðsuch€comments,€it€is€clear€from€the€record€that€the€courtððs€ruling€is€based€on€a€reading€of€the€medical€records,€which€ledÐ 8ˆ Ðthe€judge€to€question€Dr.€Bellððs€final€diagnosis.€€We€therefore€need€not€address€the€issue€of€judicial€notice,€which€Ô_ÔFerrellÔ_ÔÐ üL Ðargues€in€his€brief,€but€instead€confine€our€analysis€to€whether€the€evidence€in€the€record€preponderates€against€the€trialÐ À Ðcourtððs€dismissal€of€Ô_ÔFerrellÔ_Ôððs€claim.(›G2i7$¤¤Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÔ€»»»»Ôà  àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôqÐò»»Ô d(|3b$££Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝVVVV'ÿÿdxd)!ÈÈÈÈdxdx( ±þ$’’ò òFigure€Ú  Ú1Ú  Úó ó^_X`YEþÿ<<CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(|3b$¢¢Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó óX[Z&OLE 2.0 Box <=8ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿCÿÿ HKKKKÝ ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€»»ddÈ8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÑ  ÑÑ  ÑÔ€¼»»»ÔÑ8€YÉXXdì»»d8ÑÑ€"ôÑÑ€#û#Ñà@™ ™ ìàÔ‡î Œî»¼ÔÔ€î Œîîî ŒÔIN€THE€SUPREME€COURT€OF€TENNESSEEˆÐ ° Ðà@kk$ìàAT€NASHVILLEˆà0 È àÔ#†¼»îî Œ.#ÔÐÖ&È(#È(# ÐÓ  ÓOctober€5,€2000€SessionÐ üL ÐÔ‡XYÉX»¼ÔÌò òÔ#†¼»XXYÉH#ÔHAROLD€W.€FERRELL,€SR.òòóó€v.€CIGNA€PROPERTY€&€CASUALTYÐ úJ ÐINSURANCE€CO.,òòóóÔ‡XYÉX»¼Ôó ó€ò òòòÔ#†¼»àXYÉð#Ôet€al.ó óóóÔ‡XYÉX»¼ÔÐ  ^ ÐÌà@@½½ìàò ò€Appeal€from€the€Circuit€Court€for€Warren€County€Ð  ^ Ðà@@øøìàNo.€9962€€€Richard€McGregor,€Clerk€and€MasterÐ ú J ÐÌÌà@@ìì*ìàßA€V) °°` d€÷E<½` AßÐ ¾  ÐÌNo.€M1999„01669„WC„R3„CV€€„€Filed€December€8,€Ô_Ô2000Ô_Ô€€Ð ¹  ÐÌßA€V) °°` dE<` AßÐ ‘á  Ðó óÌÓ  ÓÔ#†¼»XXYÉH#ÔÔ€XYÉX»¼ÔThis€workersðð€compensation€case€presents€two€issues€for€review€concerning€the€merits€of€theÐ ŒÜ Ðemployeeððs€claim€for€benefits.€€The€first€is€whether€this€action€is€barred€by€the€statute€of€limitations.€Ð xÈ ÐThe€second€is€whether€the€preponderance€of€the€evidence€establishes€that€the€employeeððs€injury€wasÐ d´ Ðwork„related.€€The€trial€court€ruled€that€the€statute€of€limitations€had€expired,€and€it€also€addressedÐ P  Ðthe€merits€and€found€that€the€employee€failed€to€prove€that€his€injury€was€work„related.€€We€hold€thatÐ <Œ Ðthe€statute€of€limitations€had€not€expired,€and€we€further€hold€that€the€trial€courtððs€dismissal€of€theÐ (x Ðemployeeððs€claim€should€be€affirmed€on€the€merits€because€the€evidence€does€not€preponderateÐ d Ðagainst€the€trial€courtððs€finding€that€the€employeeððs€injury€was€not€work„related.€€In€addition€to€theÐ P Ðmerits€of€this€suit,€we€also€granted€review€to€determine€the€legality€of€the€trial€courtððs€practice€ofÐ ì< Ðreferring€workersðð€compensation€cases€to€a€clerk€and€master€for€trial.€€We€hold€that€the€properÐ Ø( Ðprocedure€for€appointing€a€special/substitute€judge€was€not€followed;€however,ØØ€reversal€is€notÐ Ä Ðrequired€because€the€Clerk€and€Master€was€acting€as€a€òòde€factoóó€judge.€€Ð ° ÐÌÓ[Óò òAppeal€pursuant€to€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€50„6„225(e);€Judgment€of€the€Ð ˆØ ÐCircuit€Court€Affirmed€as€Modifiedó óÐ t Ä ÐÌÓ  ÓòòFrank€F.€Drowota,€III,€Jóó.,€delivered€the€opinion€of€the€court,€in€which€òòE.€Riley€Anderson,€C.J.,Ð L"œ! ÐÔ_ÔAdolphoÔ_Ô€A.€Birch,€Jr.,€Janice€M.€Holder,€óóandòò€William€M.€Barker,€JJ.óó,€joined.Ð 8#ˆ" ÐÌWilliam€J.€Butler€and€Frank€D.€Farrar,€Lafayette,€Tennessee,€for€the€appellant,€Harold€W.€Ferrell,Ð %` $ ÐSr.Ð ü%L!% ÐÌTyree€B.€Harris,€IV€and€Alan€D.€Johnson,€Nashville,€Tennessee,€for€the€appellees,€Cigna€PropertyÐ Ô'$#' Ð&€Casualty€Insurance€Co.€and€APAC„Tennessee,€Inc.Ð À($( ÐÌÓ ÓÌâ âÓÓà@@OO&ìàò òOPINIONó óÐ „+Ô&+ý ÐÑ"ôÑâ "âÑ8€YÉXXdìXXdì8ÑØØâ "âÑ  ÑÓ  ÓÓÓà  àThe€employee,€Harold€W.€Ferrell,€Sr.€(ð ðFerrellðð),€began€working€for€APAC„Tennessee,€Inc.Ð ° Ðâ â(ð ðAPACðð),€a€construction€company,€in€1970.€€APAC,€an€appellee,€obtains€workersðð€compensationÐ œì Ðinsurance€through€Cigna€Property€&€Casualty€Insurance€Co.,€also€an€appellee.€€During€his€twenty„Ð ˆØ Ðeight€years€with€APAC,€Ferrell€worked€as€a€bulldozer€operator€on€construction€sites€and€then€as€aÐ tÄ Ðforeman.€€While€on€the€job€he€was€exposed€to€loud€noise€from€machinery€and€explosives.€€Ð `° ÐÌà  àFerrell€had€hearing€problems€since€he€was€a€child,€but€he€testified€that€his€hearing€lossÐ 8 ˆ Ðbecame€more€serious€when€he€started€working€for€APAC,€and€that€at€work€he€experienced€ringingÐ $ t Ðin€his€ears,€headaches,€and€dizziness.€€He€first€sought€treatment€in€1974€with€Dr.€Richard€Bryan€BellÐ  ` Ð(ð ðDr.€Bellðð),€an€ear,€nose,€and€throat€specialist,€who€became€his€sole€treating€physician€for€the€nextÐ ü L  Ðtwenty„four€years.€€As€part€of€his€treatment,€Dr.€Bell€performed€surgery€on€Ferrellððs€ears€in€1974,€inÐ è 8  Ð1983,€and€again€in€1994.€€Following€the€first€operation,€Ferrell€began€wearing€hearing€aids.€€Dr.€BellÐ Ô$  Ðdetermined€that€he€had€a€34%€combined€hearing€loss€to€both€ears€in€1974.€€By€1998,€according€toÐ À  ÐDr.€Bell,€he€had€sustained€a€100%€hearing€loss€in€the€right€ear,€an€81%€hearing€loss€in€the€left€ear,Ð ¬ü  Ðand€a€combined€hearing€loss€of€84%€to€both€ears.€€The€cause€of€this€deterioration€is€the€centerpieceÐ ˜è  Ðof€this€case:€€Ferrell€claims€his€hearing€declined€because€of€exposure€to€loud€noise€at€work;€APACÐ „Ô  Ðclaims€that€his€hearing€problem€is€structural€in€nature,€resulting€from€a€congenital€condition.Ð pÀ ÐÌà  àFerrell€testified€at€trial€that€he€did€not€seek€to€determine€whether€his€hearing€loss€was€work„Ð H˜ Ðrelated€until€he€stopped€working€for€APAC€in€April€1998.€€At€that€point€he€went€to€his€attorney,€who,Ð 4„ Ðaccording€to€Ferrell,€counseled€him€to€file€suit€on€the€theory€that€his€hearing€loss€might€be€work„Ð  p Ðrelated.€€Ferrell€testified€that€he€first€thought€his€hearing€loss€was€in€fact€work„related€on€August€25,Ð  \ Ð1999,€the€day€before€trial,€when€he€saw€a€Standard€Form€Medical€Report€for€Industrial€Injuries€(ð ðC„Ð øH Ð32€Formðð)€which€Dr.€Bell€filled€out€in€March€1999.Ð ä4 ÐÌà  àFerrell€stated€that€during€his€long€doctor„patient€relationship,€although€he€had€Ð ¼  Ðtalked€to€Dr.€Bell€about€his€work,€the€two€never€discussed€the€possibility€that€loud€noise€caused€hisÐ ¨ø Ðhearing€loss,€and€Dr.€Bell€never€cautioned€him€to€limit€his€exposure€to€loud€noise.€€He€also€testifiedÐ ”ä Ðthat€he€never€asked€Dr.€Bell€if€his€work€environment€contributed€to€his€hearing€loss.€€As€proof€ofÐ €Ð ÐFerrellððs€credibility€(which€the€trial€court€acknowledged),€Ferrell€notes€that€he€never€filled€outÐ l¼ Ðworkersðð€compensation€forms€when€he€had€his€three€surgeries€ð!ð€and€he€would€likely€have€done€soÐ X ¨ Ðif€he€believed€his€injury€was€work„related.€€He€notes€that€his€son,€who€also€works€at€APAC€and€hasÐ D!” Ða€hearing€problem,€received€notice€from€a€doctor€that€his€condition€was€probably€inherited€ratherÐ 0"€  Ðthan€work„related.€€Aware€of€this€notice,€Ferrell€had€further€reason€to€rely€on€his€long„held€beliefÐ #l! Ðregarding€the€cause€of€€his€hearing€loss.€€Finally,€Ferrell€only€had€an€eighth€grade€education.€Ð $X" ÐÌà  àThe€only€medical€evidence€presented€at€trial€was€the€C„32€Form.€€This€Form,€and€the€medicalÐ à%0!$ Ðrecords€attached€to€it,€indicate€that€Dr.€Bell€made€two€separate€diagnoses:€€(1)€conductive€hearingÐ Ì&"% Ðloss€and€(2)€permanent€sensorineural€loss.€€Dr.€Bellððs€records€indicate€that€the€second€diagnosis€isÐ ¸'#& Ðbased€on€the€harm€caused€to€the€nerves€by€exposure€to€loud€noise.€€The€first€diagnosis€of€conductiveÐ ¤(ô#' Ðloss,€however,€is€not€correlated€to€loud€noise€but€rather€appears€to€be€caused€by€physical€damage€toÐ )à$( Ðthe€inner€ear;€as€noted,€Ferrell€has€had€problems€with€his€ears€since€childhood.Ð |*Ì%) ÐÐ h+¸&* Ðà  àThese€records€also€show€that€Dr.€Bell€appeared€to€consistently€diagnose€€Ferrell€as€sufferingÐ ° Ðfrom€conductive€hearing€loss,€from€1974€through€1994,€for€during€this€time€no€mention€is€made€ofÐ œì Ðsensorineural€loss€or€exposure€to€loud€noise.€€Then,€after€the€1994€surgery,€Dr.€Bell€briefly€mentionsÐ ˆØ Ðin€his€post„operative€report€that€in€addition€to€conductive€loss€Ferrell€had€sustained€sensorineuralÐ tÄ Ðloss.€€The€only€other€mention€of€sensorineural€loss€is€when€he€treated€Ferrell€on€two€occasions€inÐ `° Ð1998.€€After€these€appointments,€Dr.€Bell€wrote€in€a€letter€and€then€in€a€report€that€forms€the€basisÐ L œ Ðof€the€C„32€Form€that€Ferrell€suffers€from€sensorineural€loss€because€of€his€exposure€to€loud€noiseÐ 8 ˆ Ðat€work.€€Since€Dr.€Bell€did€not€testify€at€trial€or€in€a€deposition€there€is€no€explanation€for€thisÐ $ t Ðapparent€inconsistency€in€the€record.€Ð  ` ÐÌà  àFerrell€testified€that€Dr.€Bell€never€told€him€that€his€exposure€to€noise€had€anything€to€doÐ è 8  Ðwith€his€hearing€problem;€he€testified€that€they€never€discussed€the€possible€causal€relation€betweenÐ Ô$  Ðhis€work€environment€and€hearing€loss€in€their€twenty„four„year€relationship.€€Again,€Dr.€BellððsÐ À  Ðmedical€reports,€without€his€testimony,€do€not€explain€or€clarify€this€unusual€fact.€€As€noted,€FerrellÐ ¬ü  Ðtestified€that€he€had€no€knowledge€of€the€sensorineural€diagnosis€until€the€day€before€trial.€Ð ˜è  ÐÌà  àAt€trial,€the€court€considered€Dr.€Bellððs€medical€reports€and€Ferrellððs€testimony.€€The€courtÐ pÀ Ðfound€that€Ferrell€failed€to€meet€the€statute€of€limitations€period.€€The€court€addressed€the€merits€ofÐ \¬ Ðhis€suit€and€concluded€that€his€injury€was€not€work„related:€€Dr.€Bellððs€twenty„year€conductive€lossÐ H˜ Ðdiagnosis€outweighed€his€more€recent€finding€of€sensorineural€loss.€€Ferrell€appealed€the€trial€courtððsÐ 4„ Ðdecision.€€The€case€was€referred€to€the€Special€Workersðð€Compensation€Appeals€Panel€but€wasÐ  p Ðwithdrawn€from€the€Panel€prior€to€its€issuance€of€a€memorandum€opinion€so€this€Court€could€reviewÐ  \ Ðseveral€issues.€€The€first€issue€is€whether€Ferrellððs€suit€is€barred€by€the€statute€of€limitations.€€TheÐ øH Ðsecond€is€whether€the€preponderance€of€the€evidence€establishes€that€Ferrellððs€hearing€loss€is€work„Ð ä4 Ðrelated.€€We€also€consider€the€procedure€used€by€the€trial€court€in€referring€workersðð€compensationÐ Ð  Ðcases€to€the€Clerk€and€Master.òòóóÐ ¼  ÐÓ  ÓÌÓ2,ÓÌà@‚‚!ìàòòò òStandard€Of€Reviewó óóóˆÐ €Ð ÐÌà  àThe€Workersðð€Compensation€Law€directs€that€ð ð[r]eview€of€findings€of€fact€by€the€trial€courtÐ X ¨ Ðshall€be€de€novo€upon€the€record€of€the€trial€court,€accompanied€by€a€presumption€of€the€correctnessÐ D!” Ðof€the€finding,€unless€the€preponderance€of€the€evidence€is€otherwise.ðð€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€50„6„Ð 0"€  Ð225(e)(2).€€Where€the€trial€judge€has€seen€and€heard€the€witnesses,€especially€where€issues€ofÐ #l! Ðcredibility€are€involved,€a€reviewing€court€must€give€considerable€deference€to€the€trial€courtððsÐ $X" Ðfindings.€€òòSeeóó€òò€Wells€v.€Tennessee€Board€of€Regentsóó,€9€S.W.3d€779,€783€(Tenn.€1999).€€No€suchÐ ô$D # Ðdeference€is€warranted€in€reviewing€documentary€proof.€€òòSeeóó€òòid.óó€at€783„84.€€Questions€of€law€areÐ à%0!$ Ðreviewed€de€novo,€without€a€presumption€of€correctness.€€òòSeeóó€òòNelson€v.€Wal„Mart€Stores,€Inc.óó,€8Ð Ì&"% ÐS.W.3d€625,€628€(Tenn.€1999).€€The€burden€of€proof€on€the€issue€of€causation,€as€with€everyÐ ¸'#& Ðessential€element€of€a€claim,€lies€with€the€employee.€€òòSeeóó€òòWhite€v.€Werthan€Indus.óó,€824€S.W.€2d€158,Ð ¤(ô#' Ð159€(Tenn.€1992).€€Ð )à$( ÐÓ  ÓÌò òòòÐ h+¸&* ÐÓ•1ÓÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÓÓANALYSISóóó óÐ ° ÐÓí1Óòòà@ôôìàò òA.€€The€Statute€of€Limitationsóóó óˆÐ œì ÐÓ  ÓÌà  àAn€employee€must€commence€a€workersðð€compensation€action€within€one€year€after€theÐ tÄ Ðaccident€resulting€in€injury€occurred.€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€50„6„203(a).€€This€statute€of€limitationsÐ `° Ðperiod€begins€to€run€when€a€party€knew,€or€in€the€exercise€of€reasonable€diligence€should€haveÐ L œ Ðknown,€that€he€sustained€a€compensable€injury.€€òòSeeóó€€òòÔ_ÔLivingstonÔ_Ô€v.€Shelby€Williams€Indus.,€Inc.óó,€811Ð 8 ˆ ÐS.W.2d€511,€515€(Tenn.€1991);€òòHawkins€v.€Consolidated€Aluminum€Corp.óó,€742€S.W.2d€253,€255Ð $ t Ð(Tenn.€1987).€€Ð  ` ÐÌà  àThe€trial€court€found€that€Ô_ÔFerrellÔ_Ô€failed€to€comply€with€the€one„year€time€limit.€When€pressedÐ è 8  Ðby€Ô_ÔFerrellÔ_Ôððs€attorney€to€specify€the€date€when€the€limitations€period€had€expired,€the€court€stated€thatÐ Ô$  Ðthe€period€would€never€have€expired€because€Ô_ÔFerrellÔ_Ôððs€injury€was€not€work„related;€Ô_ÔFerrellÔ_Ô€wouldÐ À  Ðnot€have€been€put€on€notice€that€he€sustained€a€compensable€injury€because€the€evidence€shows€thatÐ ¬ü  Ðhis€injury€was€not€compensable.€€As€Ô_ÔFerrellÔ_Ô€emphasizes,€this€reasoning€somewhat€confuses€the€issue.€Ð ˜è  ÐNevertheless,€we€think€that€the€trial€judgeððs€ruling€is€also€based€on€his€belief€that€€Ô_ÔFerrellÔ_Ô€had€noÐ „Ô  Ðreasonable€justification€for€waiting€until€1998€to€file€suit.€Ð pÀ ÐÌà  àÔ_ÔFerrellÔ_Ô€testified€that€he€first€became€aware€that€his€hearing€loss€was€work„related€when€heÐ H˜ Ðsaw€Dr.€Bellððs€C„32€Form€on€August€25,€1999,€the€day€before€trial.€€Dr.€Bell,€who€issued€this€reportÐ 4„ Ðin€March€1999,€found€that€Ferrellððs€condition€was€ð ðmore€probably€than€notðð€work„related.€€SinceÐ  p Ðthere€is€no€evidence€to€the€contrary,€we€conclude€that€Ferrell€had€no€actual€knowledge€that€hisÐ  \ Ðcondition€was€work„related€until€after€he€filed€his€complaint,€which€obviously€satisfies€the€statuteÐ øH Ðof€limitations.Ð ä4 ÐÌà  àWe€also€conclude€that€Ferrell€exercised€reasonable€diligence€in€determining€the€cause€of€hisÐ ¼  Ðhearing€loss.€€Unlike€an€accident€caused€by€a€machine€or€a€slippery€surface,€no€particular€event€orÐ ¨ø Ðseries€of€events€would€have€made€it€obvious€to€Ferrell€that€he€had€sustained€a€compensable€injury.€Ð ”ä ÐHe€first€encountered€problems€with€his€ears€as€a€child.€€After€starting€work€for€APAC,€his€hearingÐ €Ð Ðcondition€began€to€decline€and€then€gradually€deteriorated€over€the€course€of€twenty€years.€€Ferrell,Ð l¼ Ðunable€to€determine€the€cause€of€his€hearing€loss,€sought€out€Dr.€Bell€for€advice€and€treatment.€€HeÐ X ¨ Ðtold€Dr.€Bell€about€his€working€conditions,€but,€according€to€Ferrellððs€testimony,€Dr.€Bell€neverÐ D!” Ðdiscussed€with€him€the€possibility€that€his€work€caused€or€aggravated€his€hearing€loss,€nor€did€heÐ 0"€  Ðcaution€him€to€limit€his€exposure€to€loud€noise.€€Instead,€Dr.€Bell€consistently€diagnosed€Ferrell€forÐ #l! Ðover€twenty€years€as€having€conductive€hearing€loss.€Ð $X" ÐÌà  àBecause€of€his€doctorððs€consistent€advice€and€the€absence€of€any€warnings€to€avoid€exposureÐ à%0!$ Ðto€loud€noise,€Ferrell€reasonably€believed€that€he€had€not€sustained€a€compensable€injury.€€Normally,Ð Ì&"% Ðan€employee€ought€to€be€able€to€rely€on€his€doctorððs€advice.€€This€is€especially€true€in€the€case€of€aÐ ¸'#& Ðgradual€injury€whose€cause€cannot€be€determined€by€a€layperson.€€We€find€that€Ferrell€neither€knewÐ ¤(ô#' Ðnor€should€have€known€that€he€had€sustained€a€compensable€injury€until€literally€the€day€before€trial.€Ð )à$( ÐWe€therefore€hold€that€the€statute€of€limitations€had€not€expired.€€€€Ð |*Ì%) ÐÐ h+¸&* ÐÑ#û#Ñâ #âÑ8€YÉXXdìXXdì8Ñâ #âÑ  Ñòòà@ÅÅ$ìàò òB.€Causationóóó óˆÐ ° ÐÌà  àDespite€its€ruling€on€the€statute€of€limitations€issue,€the€trial€court€reached€the€merits€ofÐ ˆØ ÐFerrellððs€claim€and€found€Dr.€Bellððs€conclusion€that€his€hearing€problem€was€ð ðmore€probably€thanÐ tÄ Ðnotðð€work„related€difficult€to€believe.€€As€noted,€we€review€the€trial€courtððs€finding€ð ðdeÐ `° Ðnovo...accompanied€by€a€presumption€of€the€correctness€of€the€finding,€unless€the€preponderance€ofÐ L œ Ðthe€evidence€is€otherwise.ðð€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€50„6„225(e)(2).€Ð 8 ˆ ÐÌà  àFerrell€argues€that€the€trial€court€erred€because€the€only€medical€proof€offered€at€trial€was€theÐ  ` ÐC„32€FoØØrm€in€which€Dr.€Bell€states€that€he€suffers€from€sensorineural€loss,€caused€by€exposure€toÐ ü L  Ðloud€noise.Ô_Ô׃5×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×Ô_Ô€€While€it€is€true€that€he€suffered€from€a€hearing€condition€as€a€child,€Ô_ÔFerrellÔ_Ô€argues,€hisÐ è 8  Ðcondition€deteriorated€considerably€because€of€his€exposure€to€noise€at€work.€€Ô_ÔFerrellÔ_Ô€correctly€statesÐ Ô$  Ðthe€applicable€rule€of€law:€€exacerbation€of€a€preexisting€injury€is€compensable€if€it€causes€actualÐ À  Ðprogression€of€the€preexisting€condition.€€òòSeeóó€òòSweat€v.€Superior€Indus.€Inc.óó,€966€S.W.2d€31,€33Ð ¬ü  Ð(Tenn.€1998).Ð ˜è  ÐÌà  àThere€is€no€question€that€Ô_ÔFerrellÔ_Ô€was€exposed€to€loud€noise€for€many€years€while€doingÐ pÀ Ðconstruction€work€for€Ô_ÔAPACÔ_Ô.€€If€Dr.€Bellððs€medical€testimony€consisted€entirely€of€his€1998Ð \¬ Ðdiagnosis,€which€formed€the€basis€of€the€C„32€Form,€as€well€as€the€reference€to€sensorineural€lossÐ H˜ Ðin€the€1994€post„operative€report,€Ô_ÔFerrellÔ_Ô€would€have€a€solid€case.€€But€the€record€shows€many€yearsÐ 4„ Ðof€what€appears€to€be€the€contrary€diagnosis€of€conductive€loss.€€We€say€ð ðappearsðð€because€weÐ  p Ðcannot€be€certain€that€the€diagnosis€records€from1974€to€1999€are€irrefutably€inconsistent.€€TheÐ  \ Ðabsence€of€any€testimony€from€Dr.€Bell€leaves€too€many€questions€unanswered.€€For€instance,€isÐ øH Ðdiagnosis€in€this€area€so€difficult€that€a€doctor€could€be€mistaken€for€twenty€years€in€thinking€thatÐ ä4 ÐÔ_ÔFerrellÔ_Ô€suffered€from€conductive€loss?€€If€so,€why€does€Dr.€Bell€now€believe€that€Ô_ÔFerrellÔ_Ôððs€conditionÐ Ð  Ðis€ð ðmore€probably€than€notðð€work„related?€€€Perhaps€most€important€ð!ð€assuming€Ô_ÔFerrellÔ_Ôððs€testimonyÐ ¼  Ðis€accurate€ð!ð€why€did€Dr.€Bell€never€caution€Ô_ÔFerrellÔ_Ô€to€stay€away€from€loud€noise€at€work?Ð ¨ø ÐÌà  à€Without€answers€to€these€questions,€and€a€more€thorough€explanation€of€the€medical€records,Ð €Ð Ðwe,€like€the€trial€court,€find€the€presence€of€a€long„standing€diagnosis€of€one€condition€and€a€veryÐ l¼ Ðrecent€diagnosis€of€a€different€condition€puzzling.€€Under€the€circumstances,€we€cannot€say€that€theÐ X ¨ Ðevidence€preponderates€against€the€findings€of€the€trial€court.Ð D!” ÐÌÌÌÌÐ à%0!$ Ðà@ï ï ìàò òC.€€The€Procedure€for€Appointing€Special/Substitute€Judgesó óˆÐ ° ÐÔ‡XYÉXXXYÉÔÌà  àIn€the€exercise€of€our€supervisory€authority€over€the€judicial€system€of€this€State,׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€we€alsoÐ ˆØ Ðdeem€it€necessary€to€address€the€alleged€standing€order€by€which€the€Clerk€and€Master€wasÐ tÄ Ðdesignated€as€substitute€judge€(Circuit€Judge€Pro€Tem)€to€hear€this€and€all€other€workersððÐ `° Ðcompensation€cases€arising€in€the€thirty„first€judicial€district.Ð L œ ÐÌà  àArticle€VI,€ðð€11€of€the€Tennessee€Constitution€provides€thatÐ $ t ÐÌà8  àThe€Legislature€may€by€general€laws€make€provision€that€special€Judges€may€beÐ ü L  Ðappointed,€to€hold€any€Courts€the€Judge€of€which€shall€be€unable€or€fail€to€attend€orÐ è 8  Ðsit;€or€to€hear€any€cause€in€which€the€Judge€may€be€incompetent.€€ÐÔ$ Ð Ð  ÐÌà  àUnder€the€authority€of€this€constitutional€provision,€the€General€Assembly€has€enactedÐ ¬ü  Ðseveral€statutes€relating€to€the€appointment€of€special/substitute€judges€including€two€statutes€thatÐ ˜è  Ðare€pertinent€to€the€issue€in€this€appeal.€€Tennessee€Code€Annotated€section€17„2„118€provides€that:€Ð „Ô  ÐÌà8  àà ` à(a)€If,€for€good€cause,€including,€but€not€limited€to,€by€reason€of€illness,Ð \¬ Ðphysical€incapacitation,€vacation€or€absence€from€the€city€or€judicial€district€on€aÐ H˜ Ðmatter€related€to€the€judge's€judicial€office,€the€judge€of€a€state€or€county€trial€courtÐ 4„ Ðof€record€is€unable€to€hold€court,€such€judge€shall€appoint€a€substitute€judge€to€holdÐ  p Ðcourt,€preside€and€adjudicate.Ð \Ð Ð  ÐÌà8  àà ` à(b)€A€substitute€judge€shall€possess€all€of€the€qualifications€of€a€judge€of€theÐ ä4 Ðcourt€in€which€the€substitute€is€appointed.ÐÐ Ð Ð  ÐÌà8  àà ` à(c)€No€substitute€judge€may€be€appointed€for€a€period€of€more€than€three€(3)Ð ¨ø Ðdays;€€provided,€that€any€such€judge€appointed€pursuant€to€this€section€may€finish€anyÐ ”ä Ðtrial€that€is€commenced€during€the€period€of€appointment.ЀÐÐ Ð  ÐÌà8  àà ` à(d)€A€substitute€judge€appointed€pursuant€to€this€section€shall€have€noÐ X ¨ Ðauthority€to€award€fees€except€those€that€are€statutory.ÐD!”Ð Ð  ÐÌà8  àà ` à(e)€A€substitute€judge€shall€not€preside€over€a€cause€without€a€consent€formÐ #l! Ðsigned€by€all€litigants€who€are€present€at€the€beginning€of€the€proceeding.€€SuchÐ $X" Ðconsent€form€shall€plainly€state€that€the€substitute€judge€has€not€been€duly€elected€byÐ ô$D # Ðthe€citizens€of€the€judicial€district€or€appointed€by€the€governor€but€has€beenÐ à%0!$ Ðappointed€pursuant€to€this€section.€€Further,€the€consent€form€shall€include€the€nameÐ Ì&"% Ðof€the€lawyer€appointed€as€substitute€judge,€the€judge€of€the€court€in€which€suchÐ ¸'#& Ðsubstitute€judge€is€sitting,€the€date€for€which€the€substitute€judge€was€appointed,€andÐ ¤(ô#' Ðthe€reason€for€the€regular€judge's€absence.€€The€consent€form€shall€be€transmitted€andÐ ° Ðmaintained€on€file€for€public€inspection€at€the€administrative€office€of€the€courts€inÐ œì ÐNashville.ЈØÐ Ð  ÐÌà8  àà ` àòò(f)€The€provisions€of€subsections€(a)-(e)€shall€not€apply€where€a€judge€findsÐ `° Ðit€necessary€to€be€absent€from€holding€court,€and€appoints€as€a€substitute€judge:óóÐL œÐ Ð  ÐÌà  àà8 ` à(1)€A€duly€elected€or€appointed€judge€of€any€inferior€court;€€orÐ$ t` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àòò(2)€A€full-time€officer€of€the€judicial€system€under€the€judge'sÐ ü L  Ðsupervision€whose€duty€it€is€to€perform€judicial€functions,€such€as€aóóÐ è 8  Ðjuvenile€referee,€a€child€support€referee€or€òòclerk€and€master,€who€is€aÐ Ô$  Ðlicensed€attorney€in€good€standing€with€the€Tennessee€supreme€court.€Ð À  ÐSuch€judicial€officer€shall€only€serve€as€special€judge€in€mattersÐ ¬ü  Ðrelated€to€that€officer's€duties€as€a€judicial€officer.óóИè ` x` x ÐÌà8  àNotwithstanding€the€provisions€of€subsections€(a)-(e),€a€judge€shall€have€the€authorityÐ pÀ Ðto€appoint€a€substitute€judge€as€provided€in€this€subsection.Ð\¬Ð Ð  ÐÌ(Emphasis€added.)€€A€very€similar€statutory€provision€is€codified€at€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€17-2-122€andÐ 4„ Ðprovides:Ð  p ÐÌà8  à(a)€Notwithstanding€the€provisions€of€ðð€16-15-209€or€ðð€17-2-109€or€any€otherÐ øH Ðrelevant€provision€to€the€contrary,€a€judge€shall€have€the€authority€to€appoint€a€specialÐ ä4 Ðjudge€as€provided€in€this€section.ÐÐ Ð Ð  ÐÌà8  à(b)€òòThe€provisions€of€ðð€16-15-209€and€ðð€17-2-109€and€any€other€relevant€provision,Ð ¨ø Ðshall€not€apply€where€a€judge€finds€it€necessary€to€be€absent€from€holding€court,€andÐ ”ä Ðappoints€as€a€substitute€judge€an€officer€of€the€judicial€system€under€the€judge'sÐ €Ð Ðsupervision€whose€duty€it€is€to€perform€judicial€functions,€such€as€aóó€juvenile€referee,Ð l¼ Ða€child€support€referee€or€òòclerk€and€master,€who€is€a€licensed€attorney€in€goodÐ X ¨ Ðstanding€with€the€Tennessee€supreme€court.€€Such€judicial€officer€shall€only€serve€asÐ D!” Ðspecial€judge€in€matters€related€to€their€duties€as€judicial€officer.óóÐ0"€ Ð Ð  ЀÌ(Emphasis€added.)€€Where€a€judge€finds€it€necessary€to€be€absent€from€holding€court,€these€statutesÐ $X" Ðauthorize€the€judge€to€appoint€a€clerk€and€master€to€act€as€special€judge€so€long€as€the€clerk€andÐ ô$D # Ðmaster€is€both€a€licensed€attorney€in€good€standing€with€this€Court€and€is€serving€as€special€judgeÐ à%0!$ Ðonly€in€matters€related€to€his€or€her€duties€as€judicial€officer.Ð Ì&"% ÐÌà  àWe€emphasize€that€the€statute€directs€that€the€absence€be€necessary.€€A€judge€may€not€useÐ ¤(ô#' Ðmere€convenience€as€a€basis€for€being€ð ðabsent€from€holding€court.ðð€€€We€agree€with€the€AttorneyÐ )à$( ÐGeneral€that€ð ðnecessaryðð€as€used€in€this€context€should€be€understood€in€a€restrictive€sense,€ð ði.e.Ð |*Ì%) Ðindispensable€as€opposed€to€a€more€liberal€construction,€i.e.€convenient.ðð€€€Tenn.€Op.€Atty.€Gen.€No.Ð h+¸&* Ð96„003.€òòSeeóó€òòalsoóó€òòState€v.€Blackóó,€897€S.W.2d€680,€683€(Tenn.€1995)€(ð ðAlthough€opinions€of€theÐ ° ÐAttorney€General€are€not€binding€on€courts,€government€officials€rely€upon€them€for€guidance;€Ð œì Ðtherefore,€[such]€Ô_Ôopinion[sÔ_Ô]€[are]€entitled€to€considerable€deference.ðð)Ð ˆØ ÐÌà  àThese€statutes€permitting€a€trial€judge€to€appoint€a€clerk€and€master€as€a€special€judge,€likeÐ `° Ðall€statutes,€should€not€be€read€in€isolation.׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€Another€statute€imposes€upon€state€trial€court€judgesÐ L œ Ðan€affirmative€duty€to€interchange€under€certain€circumstances.€€Tennessee€€Code€Annotated€sectionÐ 8 ˆ Ð17„2„202€Ô#†XYÉXXXYÉGR#Ôprovides€that€a€judge€has€an€affirmative€duty€to€interchange€if:€€Ð $ t ÐÌà8  à(1)€A€judge€has€died€or€is€unable€to€hold€court;€(2)€Two€(2)€or€more€judges€haveÐ ü L  Ðagreed€to€a€mutually€convenient€interchange;€(3)€The€judge€is€incompetent€under€theÐ è 8  Ðprovisions€of€ðð€17„2„101;€or€(4)€The€chief€justice€of€the€supreme€court€has€assignedÐ Ô$  Ðby€order€a€judge€to€another€court€pursuant€to€Supreme€Court€Rule€11.ÐÀ Ð Ð  ÐÌIn€addition,€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€16„2„509€(e)€directs€thatÐ ˜è  ÐÌà8  à[Ô_Ôi]fÔ_Ô€a€presiding€judge€is€unable€to€correct€a€caseload€imbalance€or€reduce€docketÐ pÀ Ðdelays€utilizing€the€available€judges€within€the€district€over€which€the€judge€presides,Ð \¬ Ðòòit€is€the€affirmative€duty€of€such€presiding€judge€to€contact€other€presiding€judges€andÐ H˜ Ðrequest€assistance€or€contact€the€supreme€court€and€request€assistance€pursuant€to€ððÐ 4„ Ð16„3„502.óóÐ pÐ Ð  ÐÌ(Emphasis€added.)Ð øH ÐÌà  àJudges€have€an€obligation€to€discharge€the€affirmative€duties€imposed€by€these€statutes.€Ð Ð  ÐSupreme€Court€Rule€10,€Canon€3A€declares€that€ð ð[Ô_Ôt]heÔ_Ô€judicial€duties€of€a€judge€take€precedenceÐ ¼  Ðover€all€the€judgeððs€other€activitiesðð€and€that€a€judgeððs€judicial€duties€include€ð ðall€the€duties€of€theÐ ¨ø Ðjudgeððs€office€prescribed€by€law.ðð€€€The€term€ð ðlawðð€is€defined€by€Rule€10€to€include€ð ðcourt€rules€asÐ ”ä Ðwell€as€òòstatutesóó,€constitutional€provisions,€and€decisional€law.ðð€€(Emphasis€added.)€€Accordingly,Ð €Ð Ðreading€these€statutes€and€rules€together,€we€conclude€that€a€trial€judge€should€appoint€a€clerk€andÐ l¼ Ðmaster€to€act€as€a€special/substitute€judge€in€his€or€her€absence€only€if€the€trial€judge€determines€itÐ X ¨ Ðis€not€possible€either€to€interchange€pursuant€to€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€17„2„202€or€to€obtain€assistanceÐ D!” Ðfrom€another€presiding€judge€or€from€this€Court€pursuant€to€section€16„2„509(e).€€Consistent€withÐ 0"€  Ðthese€statutes,€Tennessee€Supreme€Court€Rule€11€VII(c)(3)€explains€the€procedures€that€must€beÐ #l! Ðfollowed€before€appointing€a€special€judge€as€follows:Ð $X" Ðà8  àWhere€a€judge€of€a€trial€court€of€record€is€.€.€.€unable€to€hold€court,€as€provided€in€Ð ° ÐTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€17-2-118,€the€following€procedure€shall€be€followed,€in€theÐ œì Ðsequence€designated,€for€the€selection€of€a€substitute€judge.€€ÐˆØÐ Ð  ÐÌà8  à(1)€The€judge€shall€seek€interchange€in€accordance€with€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€17-2-201Ð `° Ðet€seq.;ÐL œÐ Ð  ÐÌà8  à(2)€The€judge€shall€apply€to€the€presiding€judge€of€the€judicial€district€to€effect€anÐ $ t Ðinterchange€with€a€judge€of€that€judicial€district€in€accordance€with€Tenn.€Code€Ann.Ð  ` Ððð€16-2-509(d);׃!×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú4Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×Ðü L Ð Ð  ÐÌà8  à(3)€The€presiding€judge€of€the€judicial€district€shall€effect€an€interchange€with€a€judgeÐ Ô$  Ðfrom€another€judicial€district€in€accordance€with€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€16-2-509(e);ÐÀ Ð Ð  ÐÌà8  à(4)€The€presiding€judge€shall€request€from€the€director€of€the€Administrative€OfficeÐ ˜è  Ðof€the€Courts€the€designation€of€a€judge€by€the€chief€justice,€in€accordance€with€Tenn.Ð „Ô  ÐCode€Ann.€ðððð€16-3-502(3)(A)€and€€17-2-110.ÐpÀÐ Ð  ÐÌà  àIf€a€trial€judge€is€unable€to€interchange€or€obtain€assistance€from€another€presiding€judge€orÐ H˜ Ðthis€Court€and€therefore€appoints€the€clerk€and€master€or€another€judicial€officer,€the€order€ofÐ 4„ Ðappointment€should€be€either€for€a€definite€period€of€time€or€for€a€specific€case.€€A€standing€orderÐ  p Ðappointing€a€clerk€and€master€as€special/substitute€judge€to€hear€an€entire€class€of€cases€is€notÐ  \ Ðappropriate.׃$Ü×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú5Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€Ð øH ÐÌà  àApplying€these€principles€to€this€case,€it€appears€that€the€proper€procedure€was€not€followedÐ Ð  Ðwhen€the€clerk€and€master€was€appointed€ð ðCircuit€Judge€Pro€Tem.ðð׃%ð×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú6Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€Nonetheless,€this€proceduralÐ ¼  Ðerror€does€not€require€reversal.€€This€Court€has€explained€thatÐ ¨ø ÐÌà8  à[a]€judge€òòde€jureóó€is€one€who€is€exercising€the€office€of€a€judge€as€a€matter€of€right:Ð €Ð Ðthat€is,€one€legally€appointed€and€qualified€to€exercise€the€office.€€A€judge€òòde€factoóóÐ l¼ Ðis€one€acting€with€color€of€right€and€who€is€regarded€as,€and€has€the€reputation€of,Ð X ¨ Ðexercising€the€judicial€function€he€assumes.€€An€unconstitutional€statute€is€sufficientÐ D!” Ðto€give€color€of€right€or€authority€to€elect€or€appoint€a€judicial€officer,€and€a€personÐ 0"€  Ðelected€or€appointed€by€authority€of€such€a€statute€is€a€òòde€factoóó€judge.€€A€judge€whoÐ ° Ðactively€assumes€the€duties€of€his€office€after€he€has€been€appointed€by€the€governorÐ œì Ðof€the€state,€or€has€been€elected€by€the€people,€is€at€least€a€òòde€factoóó€judge€even€thoughÐ ˆØ Ðfacts€Ô_ÔaliundeÔ_Ô€might€disclose€irregularities€in€the€appointment€or€the€election.€€A€judgeÐ tÄ Ðòòde€factoóó€is€a€judge€òòde€jureóó€as€to€all€parties€except€the€state,€and€his€official€acts€areÐ `° Ðbinding€on€third€persons€and€the€public.òò€óó€€€€€€ÐL œÐ Ð  ÐÌà@ÙÙ'ìà*€*€*€*ˆÐ $ t ÐÌà8  àThe€judicial€acts€of€one€in€possession€of€a€judicial€office€created€and€in€existence€byÐ ü L  Ðlaw,€under€color€of€right,€assuming€and€exercising€the€functions€of€such€office€withÐ è 8  Ða€good€faith€belief€in€his€right€to€exercise€such€authority,€involved€and€acquiesced€inÐ Ô$  Ðby€the€parties,€the€bar,€court€officials€and€the€public,€are€those€of€a€òòde€factoóó€officer.€ÐÀ Ð Ð  ÐÌòòState€ex€rel.€Newsom€v.€Ô_ÔBiggersÔ_Ôóó,€911€S.W.2d€715,€718€(Tenn.€1995)€(internal€citations€andÐ ˜è  Ðquotations€omitted).€€Although€it€appears€that€the€proper€procedure€was€not€followed€in€this€case,Ð „Ô  Ðthe€Clerk€and€Master€unquestionably€was€acting€under€color€of€right.€€Two€statutes€specificallyÐ pÀ Ðauthorize€the€appointment€of€clerks€and€masters€as€special€judges.€€Moreover,€the€parties€consentedÐ \¬ Ðto€the€appointment€and€have€not€objected€on€appeal.€€Under€these€circumstances,€we€hold€that€theÐ H˜ ÐClerk€and€Master€is€a€òòde€facto€óójudge€and€therefore€affirm€the€judgment€of€the€trial€court€that€Ô_ÔFerrellÔ_ÔÐ 4„ Ðhas€not€sustained€a€loss€compensable€under€the€Workersðð€Compensation€Law.€€The€costs€of€thisÐ  p Ðappeal€are€taxed€to€the€appellant.Ð  \ ÐÌÌÌÌÓ  Óà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àòò€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€óóÐ ¨ø Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àFRANK€F.€Ô_ÔDROWOTAÔ_Ô,€III,€JUSTICEà Ð àÐ  ”ä Ðòòò òà@]]$ìàAPPENDIX€(1ó ó)óóˆÐ ° ÐÌà  àWhere€a€judge€of€a€trial€court€is€incompetent€to€try€a€case,€or€fails€to€attend,€or€is€unableÐ ŒÜ Ðto€hold€court,€the€following€procedure€shall€be€followed,€in€the€sequence€designated,€for€theÐ xÈ Ðselection€of€a€substitute€judge.Ð d´ ÐÌò òA.à0  àINTERCHANGE€PROCEDURE€(PURSUANT€TO€SUPREME€COURT€RULE€11Ð < Œ ÐAND€APPLICABLE€STATUTES.)€€FOLLOW€IN€THE€SEQUENCEÐ ( x ÐDESIGNATED.ó óÐ d(#(# ÐÌà0  à1)à0` (#(#àThe€judge€shall€seek€to€interchange€with€another€trial€court€judge.Ðì < ` (#` (# ÐÌà0  à2)à0` (#(#àThe€judge€shall€apply€to€the€presiding€judge€of€the€judicial€district€to€effect€anÐ Ä  Ðinterchange€with€an€active€judge€of€that€judicial€district.€ò òó óа ` (#` (# ÐÌà0  à3)à0` (#(#àThe€presiding€judge€of€the€judicial€district€shall€effect€an€interchange€with€theÐ ˆØ  Ðpresiding€judge€from€another€judicial€district.ÐtÄ` (#` (# ÐÌà0  à4)à0` (#(#àThe€presiding€judge€of€the€judicial€district€shall€request€from€the€AdministrativeÐ Lœ ÐOffice€of€the€Courts€the€designation€of€a€judge€by€the€Chief€Justice.Ð8ˆ` (#` (# ÐÌà0  àOnly€if€the€procedures€set€forth€above€fail€to€provide€a€judge€to€preside€over€the€docket€orÐ ` Ðcase€will€a€judge€appoint€a€lawyer€to€preside€as€a€substitute€judge.€€Such€appointmentsÐ üL Ðmust€conform€to€the€following€requirements:Ðè8(#(# ÐÌò òB.à0  àALTERNATE€PROCEDURE€„€LAWYER€AS€SUBSTITUTE€JUDGEó óÐÀ(#(# ÐÌà0  à1)à0` (#(#àThe€attorney€appointed€as€a€substitute€judge€must€possess€all€the€qualifications€ofÐ ˜è Ða€judge,€including€age€and€residency€requirements,€and€must€be€in€good€standing.€Ð „Ô ÐThe€substitute€judge€shall€be€subject€to€the€Code€of€Judicial€Conduct.ÐpÀ` (#` (# ÐÌà0  à2)à0` (#(#àThe€substitute€judge€shall€take€an€oath€of€office€as€provided€in€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ððÐ H!˜ Ð17„2„120,€and€the€substitute€judge€shall€certify€compliance€by€affixing€his€or€herÐ 4"„  Ðsignature€to€the€consent€form.Ð #p!` (#` (# ÐÌà0  à3)à0` (#(#àThe€authority€of€a€substitute€judge€to€fix€fees€pursuant€to€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€17„2„Ð ø$H # Ð118€is€limited€to€cases€in€which€the€exact€amount€of€the€fees€is€set€by€statute.Ðä%4!$` (#` (# ÐÌà0  à4)à0` (#(#àThe€substitute€judge€must€ensure€that€all€litigants€who€are€present€at€the€beginningÐ ¼' #& Ðof€each€proceeding€give€their€consent€to€the€use€of€a€substitute€judge€in€their€case.€Ð ¨(ø#' ÐAll€litigants€who€are€present€at€the€beginning€of€the€proceedings€in€a€case€and€theÐ ”)ä$( Ðattorneys€of€record€for€all€parties€who€consent€tot€he€service€of€a€substitute€judgeÐ €*Ð%) Ðmust€complete€Part€B€of€the€substitute€judge€consent€form.€€Without€such€consent,Ð l+¼&* Ðthe€substitute€judge€shall€not€preside€on€that€case.€€Part€C€of€the€substitute€judgeÐ ° Ðconsent€form€must€be€completed€by€the€substitute€judge€in€each€case€in€which€thatÐ œì Ðjudge€presides.ЈØ` (#` (# ÐÌà0  à5)à0` (#(#àThe€incompetent€or€absent€judge€must€complete€Part€A€of€the€substitute€judgeÐ `° Ðconsent€form.€€The€judge€must€specify€the€reason€for€his€or€her€incompetence€orÐ L œ Ðabsence.€€If€the€judge€cites€absence€for€a€cause€other€than€a€reason€listed€in€Tenn.Ð 8 ˆ ÐCode€Ann.€ðð€17„2„118(a),€the€specific€reason€for€the€absence€must€be€set€forth€onÐ $ t Ðthe€form.Ð `` (#` (# ÐÌà0  à6)à0` (#(#àThe€clerk€of€the€court€shall€certify€that€the€appointment€was€made€and€that€theÐ è 8  Ðsubstitute€judge€took€the€statutory€oath€of€office€and€that€the€oath€of€office€wasÐ Ô$  Ðfiled€in€the€clerkððs€office.€€The€certification€shall€be€made€on€Part€D€of€theÐ À  Ðsubstitute€judge€consent€form.Ьü ` (#` (# ÐÌà0  à7)à0` (#(#àAt€the€end€of€each€month,€all€substitute€judge€consent€forms€will€be€transmittedÐ „Ô  Ðby€the€presiding€judge€of€the€judicial€district€to€the€Administrative€Office€of€theÐ pÀ ÐCourts,€Suite€600,€Nashville€City€Center,€511€Union€Street,€Nashville,€TennesseeÐ \¬ Ð37219,€where€they€will€be€available€for€public€inspection€during€regular€businessÐ H˜ Ðhours.€€Such€forms€shall€be€maintained€on€file€at€the€Administrative€Office€of€theÐ 4„ ÐCourts€for€at€least€eight€(8)€years€after€they€are€received.Ð p` (#` (# ÐÌà0  àThe€substitute€judge€provisions€listed€above€shall€not€apply€where€a€judge€appoints€as€aÐ øH Ðsubstitute€judge:Ðä4(#(# Ѐ€€€€Ð Ð  Ðà0  àa)à0` (#(#àa€duly€elected€or€appointed€judge€of€any€inferior€court;€orм ` (#` (# ÐÌà0  àb)à0` (#(#àa€full„time€officer€under€the€judgeððs€supervision€whose€duty€it€is€to€performÐ ”ä Ðjudicial€functions,€such€as€a€juvenile€referee,€a€child€support€referee,€or€clerk€andÐ €Ð Ðmaster,€who€is€a€licensed€attorney€in€good€standing€with€the€Tennessee€SupremeÐ l¼ ÐCourt.ÐX ¨` (#` (# ÐÌà8  à(See€Supreme€Court€Rule€11€and€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€17„2„118.)€€