ÿWPCt ­œùK<Áım?:­7Wþ5~ùÛhѨ4dš„5P¬´Ê!ðáB,H®P+6géŽîˆ¨QPDéÀU WØ„{(E†qÍ#ÁŸÆØA¥«Æ2®£óðHøNúëësÍU ¿}¤¼ƒXä`—ݳ¤Ò§\‘y(Ø?Í#߬dÉlgþ£îp¥a]æiÅÞ¿|A¿S›ÕršŸªÒÚwÇ™t¶ŒbÆÄ·‚'Vú7) V—¨Lk@­ƒuÛvþÓöú"{¿B‡˜!“àØt„g>¾*@ßy~Øé Ôà›¾Éåw€ÈIìð/Ø[¼4‰Ý{i´Eoù÷˶%=ùU1öJVjlõH0µÙMÆM29ns½-=Ë~Àhݹ^ÙÚ0U±´º9ßj '‘¸ß½Ùk·C—¨\1¦Žî óKuöngºædû™Fä(}Ê`°ê(èÌ¿ôB6},XÛ»lm%VuÏcƒdZèúiŽä¯–HÓÏŸÔ³Z¨WªF–: f$|zöqNÁvÞ3l};’H} @#˜„œâ KnˆhÕŒ:?!|¿Ž¼g‹‚3ñ>ÃÈüÏ£‡gTŒñã{øÇá[…ÿPšý¹kŸâMŸE¼›aUNN %œ 0(¢#!Ê në¦Y wÿ 4  N& 6( U:^ N˜ Æš ^` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ¾ ¾ NÀ ^  mÎ å í õ ý      %  - 77777777777777777777777777777777777777777777 B= ASZÆ­ 0Ds 0D· 0Dûû D5?(ÖÃ9 Z ‹6Times New Roman RegularX($¡¡˜HP LaserJet 8000 Series PSØÚØÚÚØØÚ0˜C:\PROGRA~1\COREL\WORDPE~1\TEMPLATE\CUSTOM~1\JO.WPTC:\Program Files\Corel\WordPerfect Office 2000\Template\Custom WP Templates\jo.wpt”@q'\P'.#Backup3|x ,Ý ƒ\¯"ÝÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÔ€ XæüXXXÔÔ€ vVX XæüÔÓ  Óò òÔ Ad ÔFILEDÔ€ XæüX vVÔÐ  ÐÌNovember€19,€1999ÌÌCecil€Ô_ÔCrowsonÔ_Ô,€Jr.ÌAppellate€Court€ClerkÔdAxÔó ó,c½¬AZ‹"Arial RegularLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5 TÝ ƒ\¯"ÝÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÔ€ X'ÐXXXÔÔ€ y X X'ÐÔÓ  Óò òÔ Ad ÔFILEDÔ€ X'ÐX y ÔÐ  ÐÌNovember€19,€1999Ð    ÐÌCecil€Ô_ÔCrowsonÔ_Ô,€Jr.Ð xx ÐAppellate€Court€ClerkÔdAxÔó ó”~s'L ÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ12345678910H d[\]^`Eþÿ<<CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(3¯$¢¢Ý ƒ!ÝÝ  Ý(3¯$££Ý ƒ!ÝÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó óYYYY)ÿÿ!dxdxÝ ƒ!ÝÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÔ% €- ÔÒ°ÒÑTR[° AØ'ÿ Legal3Ø' AØ'ÿ Legalÿ3Ø'TÑÔ‡¼,R»XXÔÔ_Ôßv€Z `@0,j:`  `€€@ÿEÈÝ ` 8ttxPÜ ð  vßÔ_ÔÔ_Ôà@¹ ¹ àò òòòIN€THE€SUPREME€OF€TENNESSEEˆÐ Ü  ÐÌà@ÒÒ'àAT€NASHVILLEˆÌÌó óÌÔ% ‡# ÔMARRIOTT€INTERNATIONÔ%†#ÎÔAL,€INC.à@éé-à}ˆà p àÔ% ‡$ ÔDAVIDSON€CIRCUITÔ%†$(ÔÐ &J Ðà@éé-à}ˆà p àNo.€Below€Ô% ‡% Ô97C„2529Ô%†%•ÔÐ 8\ Ðà ` àPlaintiff/Appellantà@éé-à}ˆÐ Jn Ðà@éé-à}ˆà p àHon.€Ô% ‡& ÔMary€Ashley€NicholsÔ%†&=ÔÐ \€ Ðvs.à@-àˆàHéé-à}ˆÐ n’  Ðà@éé-à}ˆÌà@éé-à}ˆà p àNo.€Ô% ‡' ÔM1998„00242„WC„R3„CVÔ%†'ûÔÐ ’¶  ÐÔ% ‡( ÔLYNN€€SALTERÔ%†(BÔà@éé-à}ˆÐ ¤È  Ðà@éé-à}ˆÌà ` àDefendant/AppellÔ% ‡) ÔeeÔ%†)ÆÔà@éé-à}ˆà p àÔ% ‡* ÔAFFIRMEDÔ%†*ÔÐ Èì ÐÌÌà@&àJUDGMENT€ORDERóóˆÐ þ" ÐÌÌÓÓà ` àòòThis€case€is€before€the€Court€upon€the€entire€record,€including€theÐ 4 X Ðorder€of€referral€to€the€Special€Workersðð€Compensation€Appeals€Panel,€andÏthe€Panelððs€Memorandum€Opinion€setting€forth€its€findings€of€fact€andÏconclusions€of€law,€which€are€incorporated€herein€by€reference.Ìà ` àWhereupon,€it€appears€to€the€Court€that€the€Memorandum€Opinion€ofÏthe€Panel€should€be€accepted€and€approved;€andÌà ` àIt€is,€therefore,€ordered€that€the€Panelððs€findings€of€fact€andÏconclusions€of€law€are€adopted€and€affirmed,€and€the€decision€of€the€PanelÏis€made€the€judgment€of€the€Court.Ìà ` àCosts€will€be€paid€by€Ô% ‡+ Ôappellant,€Marriott€International,€Inc.Ô%†+) Ô,€€forÏwhich€execution€may€issue€if€necessary.Ìà ` àIT€IS€SO€ORDERED€on€Ô% ‡, ÔNovember€19,€1999Ô%†,½ Ô.Ìà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àà p àPER€CURIAMóóÐ ä9/, Ðà ` àÔ#†X®XX»¼úTš#ÔÐ  Ü5,1. ÐÒ€ÒÒÀ°ÒÔ‡¼úT»XX®XÔò òòòÑ8€®XXXdìdÈ8ÑÑ  ÑÌÌà@‘ ‘ ÌàóóIN€THE€SUPREME€COURT€OF€TENNESSEEˆÐ  P Ðà@q q ÌàSPECIAL€WORKERSðð€COMPENSATION€APPEALS€PANELˆÐ ( x Ðà@]](ÌàAT€NASHVILLEòòˆÐ P   Ðóóà@bb#Ìà(July€15,€1999€Session)òòˆÐ xÈ  ÐÓÓÌÌóóó óMarriott€International,€à à àà 8 àà  à)Ð È ÐInc.,à Ø àà 0 àà ˆ àà à àà 8 àà  à)à è àDavidson€CircuitÐ Ú* Ðà Ø àà 0 àà ˆ àà à àà 8 àà  à)à è àM1998„00242„Ô_ÔWCÔ_Ô„R3„CVÐ ì< Ðà Ø àPlaintiff/Counter„à à àà 8 àà  à)Ð þN Ðà Ø àDefendant/Appellant,à 8 àà  à)Ð ` Ðà Ø àà 0 àà ˆ àà à àà 8 àà  à)Ð "r Ðv.à Ø àà 0 àà ˆ àà à àà 8 àà  à)à è àMary€Ashley€Ô_ÔNicholsÔ_Ô,òòÐ 4„ Ðà Ø àà 0 àà ˆ àà à àà 8 àà  àóó)à è àJudgeòòÐ F– ÐóóLYNN€SALTERà ˆ àà à àà 8 àà  à)Ð X¨ Ðà Ø àà 0 àà ˆ àà à àà 8 àà  à)Ð jº Ðà Ø àDefendant/€Counter„à 8 àà  à)Ð |Ì Ðà Ø àPlaintiff/Appellee,à 8 àà  à)òòÐ ŽÞ ÐÌóóÌÌÌÌòòò òFor€Appellant:à ˆ àà à àà 8 àà  àà è àFor€Appellee:ó óóóÐ ú%J! ÐJane€Ô_ÔStahlÔ_Ôà 0 àà ˆ àà à àà 8 àà  àà è àSarah€SteinÐ '^"  ÐÔ_ÔShumackerÔ_Ô€&€Thompsonà 8 àà  àà è àNashville,€TennesseeÐ  (p#! ÐChattanooga,€Tennessee€Ð 2)‚$" ÐÌÌÌÌà@%Ìàò òòòMEMORANDUM€OPINIONóóó óˆÐ Œ.Ü)' ÐÌà@$$*ÌàMailed:€€ˆÐ ²0,) ÐÌÌÌÌà@¤¤$ÌàòòMembers€of€the€Panel:óóˆÐ  6\1. ÐÌà@“ “ ÌàFrank€F€Ô_ÔDrowotaÔ_Ô,€III,€Associate€Justice,€Supreme€CourtˆÐ 08€30 Ðà@„„ÌàFrank€Clement,€Jr.,€Special€Ô_ÔJudge.Ô#†X®XX»¼úT #ÔÔ‡¼úT»XX®XÔÔ_ԈРB9’41 Ðà@´´Ìà€Samuel€L.€Lewis,€Special€Judge.ˆÐ T:¤52 Ðà@ÌÌ.ÌàˆÐ f;¶63 ЇÌAFFIRMEDà ˆ àà à àà 8 àà  àà è àSamuel€L.€Lewis,€Special€JudgeÐ Â ÐÌÌÔ_ÔÌÌÌà@%Ìàò òòòMEMORANDUM€OPINIONóóó óˆÐ . ~ ÐÌÌÓÓà Ø àThis€workersðð€compensation€appeal€has€been€referred€to€the€SpecialÐ f¶  ÐWorkersðð€Compensation€Appeals€Panel€of€the€Supreme€Court€in€accordanceÐ ŠÚ  Ðwith€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€50„6„225(e)(3)€for€hearing€and€reporting€to€theÐ ®þ ÐSupreme€Court€of€findings€of€fact€and€conclusions€of€law.€€In€this€appeal,€theÐ Ò" Ðemployer/appellant,€Marriott€International,€Inc.€(ð ðMarriottðð),€contends€thatÐ öF Ð(1)€€the€trial€judge€was€not€duly€elected€and,€therefore,€the€trial€was€inÐ j Ðviolation€of€the€state€constitution;€(2)€€permanent€partial€disability€should€notÐ >Ž Ðbe€awarded€to€Lynn€Salter,€employee/appellee€(ð ðSalterðð);€and€(3)€temporaryÐ b² Ðtotal€disability€payments€should€be€returned€to€Marriott.€€Therefore,€theÐ † Ö Ðemployer€requests€that€this€panel€reverse€the€judgment€of€the€trial€court€andÐ ª"ú Ðremand€for€further€proceedings.€€As€discussed€below,€the€panel€affirms€theÐ Î$  Ðjudgment€of€the€trial€court.Ð ò&B"  ÐÔ#†X®XX»¼úTò#Ôà Ø àÔ‡¼úT»XX®XÔLynn€Salter€is€42€years€old€and€is€a€high€school€graduate.€€She€is€aÐ )f$" Ðcertified€office€assistant€but€has€worked€as€a€waitress€most€of€her€life.€€SalterÐ :+Š&$ Ðwas€injured€on€May,€14€1996,€while€setting€up€a€buffet€for€her€employer,Ð ^-®(& ÐMarriott.€€As€Salter€was€lifting€a€case€of€pastries€off€a€cart€in€order€to€placeÐ ‚/Ò*( Ðthe€pastries€on€the€buffet,€the€pastries€started€to€fall.€€Salter€tried€to€set€theÐ ¦1ö,* Ðpastries€back€onto€the€cart.€€When€she€did,€the€cart€rolled,€Salter€lost€herÐ Ê3/, Ðbalance€and€fell€to€the€marble€floor€injuring€her€lower€back.€€Ð î5>1. Ðà Ø àSalter€was€taken€to€the€Baptist€Hospital€emergency€room€by€herÐ 8b30 Ðdaughter.€€At€the€emergency€room,€Salter€was€diagnosed€with€a€lumbar€strainÐ ° Ðwith€spasm.€€Six€days€later,€Salter€went€to€see€the€orthopedic€surgeon€ofÐ Ô$ ÐMarriottððs€choosing.€€This€physician,€Dr.€Jack€Miller,€observed€a€palpableÐ øH Ðback€spasm€that€was€both€ð ðobjectiveðð€and€could€not€be€ð ðfeignedðð€by€a€patient.€Ð  l ЀSalter€continued€treatment€with€Dr.€Miller.€€She€was€treated€by€him€fourteenÐ @  Ðtimes€over€a€fourteen„month€period.€€Ð d´  Ðà Ø àSalter€had€a€previous€back€injury€in€1991€that€required€her€to€seekÐ ˆØ  Ðmedical€treatment.€€This€injury€was€treated€conservatively,€and€she€was€ableÐ ¬ü Ðto€return€to€her€waitress€job€in€about€a€year.€€Salters€was€given€no€impairmentÐ Ð  Ðrating€in€1991.€€She€did€undergo€an€MRI€scan€for€her€1991€injury€which€wasÐ ôD Ðcompared€to€an€MRI€from€the€1996€injury€by€a€radiologist,€Dr.€MarkÐ h ÐFreeman.€€The€1996€MRI€showed€some€changes€to€Salterððs€spine€that€wereÐ <Œ Ðnot€present€in€the€1991€MRI.€€Dr.€Miller€used€the€1996€MRI€as€well€as€theÐ `° Ðinformation€he€gathered€from€physical€examination€to€diagnose€and€to€treatÐ „ Ô ÐMs.€Salter.€€Ð ¨"ø Ðà Ø àOn€July€28,€1997,€Dr.€Miller€assessed€Salter€as€having€a€permanentÐ Ì$  Ðimpairment€of€10€percent€to€the€body€as€a€whole.€€Also,€Dr.€Miller€placedÐ ð&@"  Ðpermanent€restrictions€on€Salter€as€a€result€of€her€injury€of€May€14,€1996.€Ð )d$" ÐThose€restrictions€were:€€ten€pounds€maximum€lifting,€and€no€repetitiveÐ 8+ˆ&$ Ðstooping€or€bending€or€picking€anything€up€off€the€floor€repetitively€.€Ð \-¬(& Ðà Ø àSalter€was€not€able€to€return€to€her€waitress€job€at€Marriott,€andÐ €/Ð*( ÐMarriott€was€not€able€to€find€her€another€position€within€her€restrictions.€Ð ¤1ô,* ÐMarriott€paid€temporary€total€disability€payments€and€full€medical€benefits€ofÐ È3/, Ð$253.05€weekly€to€Salter€during€the€time€she€was€temporarily€totallyÐ ì5<1. Ðdisabled.€€Salter€tried€to€run€a€catering€business€out€of€her€home€which€lost€aÐ 8`30 Ðsubstantial€amount€of€money€and€eventually€failed.€€During€the€time€she€wasÐ ° Ðengaged€in€the€catering€business,€Salter€stayed€within€the€permanentÐ Ô$ Ðrestrictions€set€by€Dr.€Miller.€€After€reaching€maximum€medicalÐ øH Ðimprovement,€Salter€took€a€job€with€a€credit€collection€agency€doing€clericalÐ  l Ðwork.Ð @  Ðà Ø àThe€trial€court€awarded€Salter€35%€permanent€partial€disability€as€wellÐ d´  Ðas€future€medical€expenses€for€this€injury.€€In€making€the€award,€the€judgeÐ ˆØ  Ðrelied€exclusively€on€Dr.€Millerððs€assessment€of€Salter.Ð ¬ü Ðà Ø àAppellate€review€is€òòde€novoóó€upon€the€record€of€the€trial€court,Ð Ð  Ðaccompanied€by€a€presumption€of€correctness€of€the€findings€of€fact,€unlessÐ ôD Ðthe€preponderance€of€the€evidence€is€otherwise.€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€50„6„Ð h Ð225(e)(2)€(1991€&€Supp.€1998).€€This€appellate€court€must€conduct€anÐ <Œ Ðindependent€examination€of€the€record€to€determine€where€the€preponderanceÐ `° Ðof€the€evidence€lies.€€òòHill€v.€Eagle€Bend€Mfg.,€Inc.óó,€942€S.W.2d€483,€487Ð „ Ô Ð(Tenn.€1997).Ð ¨"ø Ðà Ø àMarriott€argues€that€the€judge€who€heard€this€case€was€not€a€dulyÐ Ì$  Ðelected€judge€and€the€trial€was€in€violation€of€the€state€constitution.€€MarriottÐ ð&@"  Ðobjected€to€this€judge€at€trial€and€did€not€sign€a€consent€form€pursuant€toÐ )d$" ÐTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€17„2„118(e).€€At€oral€argument€an€order€was€entered€byÐ 8+ˆ&$ Ðstipulation€of€the€parties€which€provided€that€Mar€Ashley€Nichols,€the€actingÐ \-¬(& Ðjudge€in€the€case€was€appointed€pursuant€to€the€controlling€provisions€ofÐ €/Ð*( ÐTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€17„2„188(f)(2).€€Judge€Nichols€was€appropriatelyÐ ¤1ô,* Ðappointed€pursuant€to€the€statute€and€was€legally€sitting.€The€controllingÐ È3/, Ðportions€of€that€statute€are:Ð ì5<1. ÐÓ °ÓÓÓà Ø à(f)€€€€€€The€provisions€of€subsections€(a)„(e)€shall€not€à ð àÐ 8`30 Ðà Ø àapply€where€a€judge€finds€it€necessary€to€be€absent€from€à ð àÐ "9r41 Ðà Ø àholding€court,€and€appoints€a€substitute€judge:Ð ° ÐÓ °0ÓÓ °Óà Ø à(2)à 0 àA€full„time€officer€of€the€judicial€system€under€the€Ð  Ðà Ø àà 0 àjudgeððs€supervision€whose€duty€it€is€to€performÐ Ô$ Ðjudicial€à 0 àà ˆ àfunctions...Ð æ6 ÐÌÌÓ °Ï1ÓÓ0ÓIn€this€case,€Judge€Nichols€was€the€Special€Master€for€the€Circuit€Courts€inÐ  l ÐDavidson€County;€therefore,€she€was€ð ða€full„time€officer...ðð€who€became€aÐ @  Ðsubstitute€judge€in€accordance€with€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€17„2„118(f)(2).€HereÐ d´  Ðthe€parties€were€not€required€to€consent.€Here€the€restrictions€set€forth€inÐ ˆØ  ÐTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€17„2„118(f)€were€met€and€sections€(a)„(e)€did€not€apply.Ð ¬ü Ðà Ø àNext,€Marriot€argues€that€the€trial€court€should€have€accepted€theÐ Ð  Ðdiagnosis€of€Dr.€Freeman,€a€radiologist€who€never€treated€Salter,€instead€ofÐ ôD ÐDr.€Miller,€the€treating€physician€of€Marriottððs€choosing.€€Based€on€aÐ h Ðcomparison€of€two€MRIs€taken€before€and€after€the€injury,€Dr.€FreemanÐ <Œ Ðtestified€that€he€was€unable€to€tell€if€there€were€any€anatomical€change€inÐ `° ÐSalterððs€back€that€could€have€been€caused€by€the€fall€on€May€14,€1996.€€InÐ „ Ô Ðcontrast,€Dr.€Miller€testified€that€his€diagnosis€was€determined€by€tests€andÐ ¨"ø Ðprocedures€as€well€as€by€a€comparison€of€the€two€MRIs.Ð Ì$  Ðà Ø àIn€his€testimony€by€deposition,€Dr.€Miller€testified€that€Salter€displayedÐ ð&@"  Ðobjective€symptoms€of€a€back€injury€six€days€after€the€fall.€€The€symptomsÐ )d$" Ðwere€in€the€form€of€palpable€back€spasms€that,€in€the€words€of€Dr.€Miller,€Ð 8+ˆ&$ Ðcould€not€be€ð ðfeignedðð€by€a€patient.€€While€Marriott€makes€several€argumentsÐ \-¬(& Ðthat€the€trial€court€should€have€used€Dr.€Freemanððs€diagnosis€instead€of€Dr.Ð €/Ð*( ÐMillerððs,€we€are€not€persuaded€that€the€preponderance€of€the€evidence€weighsÐ ¤1ô,* Ðin€Marriottððs€favor.Ð È3/, Ðà Ø àWhere€the€issues€involve€expert€medical€testimony€and€all€the€medicalÐ ì5<1. Ðproof€is€contained€in€the€record€by€deposition,€as€it€is€in€this€case,€then€thisÐ 8`30 ÐCourt€may€draw€its€own€conclusions€about€the€weight€and€credibility€of€thatÐ ° Ðtestimony,€since€we€are€in€the€same€position€as€the€trial€judge.€€òòKrick€v.€CityÐ Ô$ Ðof€Lawrenceburgóó,€945€S.W.2d€709,€712€(Tenn.€1997).€€€From€a€careful€reviewÐ øH Ðof€the€record€and€consideration€of€the€circumstances€of€this€case,€we€find€noÐ  l Ðerror€by€the€trial€judge€in€accepting€the€opinions€of€Dr.€Miller.Ð @  Ðà Ø àFinally,€we€turn€to€the€issue€of€whether€the€temporary€total€disabilityÐ d´  Ðpayments€that€Marriott€made€to€Salter€should€be€returned.€€Marriott€arguesÐ ˆØ  Ðthat€Salter€made€a€return€to€work€while€she€was€still€receiving€temporary€totalÐ ¬ü Ðdisability€payments€and€those€payments€should€be€reimbursed€to€Marriott.Ð Ð  Ðà Ø àThe€facts€are€undisputed€that€Salter€did€attempt€to€run€a€catering€andÐ ôD Ðcake€decorating€business€while€she€was€still€receiving€temporary€totalÐ h Ðdisability€payments.€€Salter€stayed€within€the€physical€restrictions€set€for€herÐ <Œ Ðby€her€treating€physician.€€€Over€the€fourteen„month€temporary€total€disabilityÐ `° Ðperiod,€Salter€was€only€able€to€bake€cakes€and€make€gift€baskets€for€MarriottÐ „ Ô Ðand€her€church€on€a€sporadic€basis.€€Furthermore,€the€business€lost€aÐ ¨"ø Ðsubstantial€amount€of€money€during€this€period.€Ð Ì$  Ðà Ø àThe€law€in€Tennessee€has€long€been€settled€that€the€temporary€totalÐ ð&@"  Ðdisability€period€is€the€healing€period€during€which€the€employee€is€totallyÐ )d$" Ðprevented€from€working.€€òòGluck€Bros.,€Inc.€v.€Coffeyóó,€431€S.W.2d€756,€759Ð 8+ˆ&$ Ð(Tenn.€1968).€€Furthermore,€temporary€total€disability€benefits€are€determinedÐ \-¬(& Ðeither€by€the€ability€to€return€to€work€or€the€attainment€of€maximum€recovery.€Ð €/Ð*( ÐòòSimpson€v.€Satterfieldóó,€564€S.W.2d€953,€955€(Tenn.€1978).€€These€principlesÐ ¤1ô,* Ðhave€been€reiterated€by€the€Tennessee€Supreme€Court€as€recently€as€1992.€Ð È3/, ÐòòSeeóó€òòThompson€v.€Leon€Russell€Enterprisesóó,€834€S.W.2d€927,€929„30€(Tenn.Ð ì5<1. Ð1992).€€Ô_ÔÐ 8`30 Ðà Ø àThe€issue€in€this€case€is€whether€Salter€returned€to€meaningfulÐ ° Ðemployment€during€the€temporary€total€disability€period.€€We€believe€that€sheÐ Ô$ Ðdid€not.€€Salter€was€able€to€perform€sporadic€functions€to€bake€cakes€or€teachÐ øH Ðcake€decorating.€€However,€this€sporadic€activity€does€not€rise€to€the€level€ofÐ  l Ða€€meaningful€return€to€work.€€Marriott€cites€several€instances€where€SalterÐ @  Ðprepared€a€cake€or€cupcakes€for€Marriott€functions€during€the€period€ofÐ d´  Ðtemporary€total€disability.€€However,€over€a€fourteen„month€periodÐ ˆØ  Ðoccasional€cake€baking€does€not€constitute€a€meaningful€return€to€work.€Ð ¬ü ÐSalter€was€totally€unable€to€work€as€a€waitress.€€Consequently,€we€find€thatÐ Ð  ÐSalter€was€totally€unable€to€return€to€meaningful€employment€during€theÐ ôD Ðtemporary€total€disability€period€nor€had€she€attained€maximum€medicalÐ h Ðimprovement.€€Therefore,€the€trial€court€correctly€awarded€temporary€totalÐ <Œ Ðdisability€payments.€Ð `° Ðà Ø àAccordingly,€the€judgment€of€the€trial€court€is€affirmed.€€Costs€onÐ „ Ô Ðappeal€are€taxed€to€the€appellant,€Marriott.Ð ¨"ø ÐÌÓÓà Ø àà 0 àà ˆ àà à àà 8 àà  àà è àà @ àà ˜ àà ð àà H! àà  # à¼à Ø àà 0 àà ˆ àà à àà 8 àà  àà è à_________________________Ð (R#! Ðà Ø àà 0 àà ˆ àà à àà 8 àà  àà è àSamuel€L.€Lewis,€Special€JudgeÐ )d$" ÐÌÌò òCONCUR:ó óÐ J,š'% ÐÌ____________________________Ð p.À)' ÐFrank€F.€Ô_ÔDrowotaÔ_Ô,€III,€Associate€JusticeÐ ‚/Ò*( ÐSupreme€CourtÐ ”0ä+) ÐÌ________________________________Ð ¸2.+ ÐFrank€Clement,€Jr.,€Special€JudgeÔ#†X®XX»¼úT(#ÔÐ  Ê3/, ÐÔ‡¼úT»XX®XÔò òòòÑ  ÑÌÌà@‘ ‘ ÌàóóIN€THE€SUPREME€COURT€OF€TENNESSEEˆÐ Ø( Ðà@q q ÌàSPECIAL€WORKERSðð€COMPENSATION€APPEALS€PANELˆÐ ì< Ðà@]](ÌàAT€NASHVILLEòòˆÐ  P Ðóóà@bb#Ìà(July€15,€1999€Session)òòˆÐ  d ÐÌÌóóó óMarriott€International,€à à àà 8 àà  à)Ð P   ÐInc.,à Ø àà 0 àà ˆ àà à àà 8 àà  à)à è àDavidson€CircuitÐ b²  Ðà Ø àà 0 àà ˆ àà à àà 8 àà  à)à è àM1998„00242„Ô_ÔWCÔ_Ô„R3„CVÐ tÄ  Ðà Ø àPlaintiff/Counter„à à àà 8 àà  à)Ð †Ö  Ðà Ø àDefendant/Appellant,à 8 àà  à)Ð ˜è  Ðà Ø àà 0 àà ˆ àà à àà 8 àà  à)Ð ªú  Ðv.à Ø àà 0 àà ˆ àà à àà 8 àà  à)à è àMary€Ashley€Ô_ÔNicholsÔ_Ô,òòÐ ¼  ÐÔ_Ôßv€Z`@0,j:`  `€€@ÿE»Ó` 8ttxPóÎð  vßÔ_Ôà Ø àà 0 àà ˆ àà à àà 8 àà  àóó)à è àJudgeòòÐ Î ÐóóLYNN€SALTERà ˆ àà à àà 8 àà  à)Ð à0 Ðà Ø àà 0 àà ˆ àà à àà 8 àà  à)Ð òB Ðà Ø àDefendant/€Counter„à 8 àà  à)Ð T Ðà Ø àPlaintiff/Appellee,à 8 àà  à)òòÐ f ÐÌóóÌÌÌÌòòò òFor€Appellant:à ˆ àà à àà 8 àà  àà è àFor€Appellee:ó óóóÐ ‚Ò ÐJane€Ô_ÔStahlÔ_Ôà 0 àà ˆ àà à àà 8 àà  àà è àSarah€SteinÐ – æ ÐÔ_ÔShumackerÔ_Ô€&€Thompsonà 8 àà  àà è àNashville,€TennesseeÐ ¨!ø ÐChattanooga,€Tennessee€Ð º"  ÐÌÌÌÌà@%Ìàò òòòMEMORANDUM€OPINIONóóó óˆÐ (d#! ÐÌà@$$*ÌàMailed:€€ˆÐ :*Š%# ÐÌÌÌÌà@¤¤$ÌàòòMembers€of€the€Panel:óóˆÐ ”/ä*( ÐÌà@“ “ ÌàFrank€F€Ô_ÔDrowotaÔ_Ô,€III,€Associate€Justice,€Supreme€CourtˆÐ ¸1-* Ðà@„„ÌàFrank€Clement,€Jr.,€Special€Judge.Ô#†X®XX»¼úTÁL#ÔÔ‡¼úT»XX®XԈРÊ2.+ Ðà@´´Ìà€Samuel€L.€Lewis,€Special€Judge.ˆÐ Ü3,/, Ðà@ÌÌ.ÌàˆÌÌÌAFFIRMEDà ˆ àà à àà 8 àà  àà è àSamuel€L.€Lewis,€Special€JudgeÐ $8t30 ÐÌÌÐ Z;ª63 ÐÔ_Ô‡Ìà@%Ìàò òòòMEMORANDUM€OPINIONóóó óˆÐ  ÐÌÌÓÓà Ø àThis€workersðð€compensation€appeal€has€been€referred€to€the€SpecialÐ úJ ÐWorkersðð€Compensation€Appeals€Panel€of€the€Supreme€Court€in€accordanceÐ  n Ðwith€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€50„6„225(e)(3)€for€hearing€and€reporting€to€theÐ B ’ ÐSupreme€Court€of€findings€of€fact€and€conclusions€of€law.€€In€this€appeal,€theÐ f¶  Ðemployer/appellant,€Marriott€International,€Inc.€(ð ðMarriottðð),€contends€thatÐ ŠÚ  Ð(1)€€the€trial€judge€was€not€duly€elected€and,€therefore,€the€trial€was€inÐ ®þ Ðviolation€of€the€state€constitution;€(2)€€permanent€partial€disability€should€notÐ Ò" Ðbe€awarded€to€Lynn€Salter,€employee/appellee€(ð ðSalterðð);€and€(3)€temporaryÐ öF Ðtotal€disability€payments€should€be€returned€to€Marriott.€€Therefore,€theÐ j Ðemployer€requests€that€this€panel€reverse€the€judgment€of€the€trial€court€andÐ >Ž Ðremand€for€further€proceedings.€€As€discussed€below,€the€panel€affirms€theÐ b² Ðjudgment€of€the€trial€court.Ð † Ö ÐÔ#†X®XX»¼úTãV#Ôà Ø àÔ‡¼úT»XX®XÔLynn€Salter€is€42€years€old€and€is€a€high€school€graduate.€€She€is€aÐ ª"ú Ðcertified€office€assistant€but€has€worked€as€a€waitress€most€of€her€life.€€SalterÐ Î$  Ðwas€injured€on€May,€14€1996,€while€setting€up€a€buffet€for€her€employer,Ð ò&B"  ÐMarriott.€€As€Salter€was€lifting€a€case€of€pastries€off€a€cart€in€order€to€placeÐ )f$" Ðthe€pastries€on€the€buffet,€the€pastries€started€to€fall.€€Salter€tried€to€set€theÐ :+Š&$ Ðpastries€back€onto€the€cart.€€When€she€did,€the€cart€rolled,€Salter€lost€herÐ ^-®(& Ðbalance€and€fell€to€the€marble€floor€injuring€her€lower€back.€€Ð ‚/Ò*( Ðà Ø àSalter€was€taken€to€the€Baptist€Hospital€emergency€room€by€herÐ ¦1ö,* Ðdaughter.€€At€the€emergency€room,€Salter€was€diagnosed€with€a€lumbar€strainÐ Ê3/, Ðwith€spasm.€€Six€days€later,€Salter€went€to€see€the€orthopedic€surgeon€ofÐ î5>1. ÐMarriottððs€choosing.€€This€physician,€Dr.€Jack€Miller,€observed€a€palpableÐ 8b30 Ðback€spasm€that€was€both€ð ðobjectiveðð€and€could€not€be€ð ðfeignedðð€by€a€patient.€Ð ° ЀSalter€continued€treatment€with€Dr.€Miller.€€She€was€treated€by€him€fourteenÐ Ô$ Ðtimes€over€a€fourteen„month€period.€€Ð øH Ðà Ø àSalter€had€a€previous€back€injury€in€1991€that€required€her€to€seekÐ  l Ðmedical€treatment.€€This€injury€was€treated€conservatively,€and€she€was€ableÐ @  Ðto€return€to€her€waitress€job€in€about€a€year.€€Salters€was€given€no€impairmentÐ d´  Ðrating€in€1991.€€She€did€undergo€an€MRI€scan€for€her€1991€injury€which€wasÐ ˆØ  Ðcompared€to€an€MRI€from€the€1996€injury€by€a€radiologist,€Dr.€MarkÐ ¬ü ÐFreeman.€€The€1996€MRI€showed€some€changes€to€Salterððs€spine€that€wereÐ Ð  Ðnot€present€in€the€1991€MRI.€€Dr.€Miller€used€the€1996€MRI€as€well€as€theÐ ôD Ðinformation€he€gathered€from€physical€examination€to€diagnose€and€to€treatÐ h ÐMs.€Salter.€€Ð <Œ Ðà Ø àOn€July€28,€1997,€Dr.€Miller€assessed€Salter€as€having€a€permanentÐ `° Ðimpairment€of€10€percent€to€the€body€as€a€whole.€€Also,€Dr.€Miller€placedÐ „ Ô Ðpermanent€restrictions€on€Salter€as€a€result€of€her€injury€of€May€14,€1996.€Ð ¨"ø ÐThose€restrictions€were:€€ten€pounds€maximum€lifting,€and€no€repetitiveÐ Ì$  Ðstooping€or€bending€or€picking€anything€up€off€the€floor€repetitively€.€Ð ð&@"  Ðà Ø àSalter€was€not€able€to€return€to€her€waitress€job€at€Marriott,€andÐ )d$" ÐMarriott€was€not€able€to€find€her€another€position€within€her€restrictions.€Ð 8+ˆ&$ ÐMarriott€paid€temporary€total€disability€payments€and€full€medical€benefits€ofÐ \-¬(& Ð$253.05€weekly€to€Salter€during€the€time€she€was€temporarily€totallyÐ €/Ð*( Ðdisabled.€€Salter€tried€to€run€a€catering€business€out€of€her€home€which€lost€aÐ ¤1ô,* Ðsubstantial€amount€of€money€and€eventually€failed.€€During€the€time€she€wasÐ È3/, Ðengaged€in€the€catering€business,€Salter€stayed€within€the€permanentÐ ì5<1. Ðrestrictions€set€by€Dr.€Miller.€€After€reaching€maximum€medicalÐ 8`30 Ðimprovement,€Salter€took€a€job€with€a€credit€collection€agency€doing€clericalÐ ° Ðwork.Ð Ô$ Ðà Ø àThe€trial€court€awarded€Salter€35%€permanent€partial€disability€as€wellÐ øH Ðas€future€medical€expenses€for€this€injury.€€In€making€the€award,€the€judgeÐ  l Ðrelied€exclusively€on€Dr.€Millerððs€assessment€of€Salter.Ð @  Ðà Ø àAppellate€review€is€òòde€novoóó€upon€the€record€of€the€trial€court,Ð d´  Ðaccompanied€by€a€presumption€of€correctness€of€the€findings€of€fact,€unlessÐ ˆØ  Ðthe€preponderance€of€the€evidence€is€otherwise.€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€50„6„Ð ¬ü Ð225(e)(2)€(1991€&€Supp.€1998).€€This€appellate€court€must€conduct€anÐ Ð  Ðindependent€examination€of€the€record€to€determine€where€the€preponderanceÐ ôD Ðof€the€evidence€lies.€€òòHill€v.€Eagle€Bend€Mfg.,€Inc.óó,€942€S.W.2d€483,€487Ð h Ð(Tenn.€1997).Ð <Œ Ðà Ø àMarriott€argues€that€the€judge€who€heard€this€case€was€not€a€dulyÐ `° Ðelected€judge€and€the€trial€was€in€violation€of€the€state€constitution.€€MarriottÐ „ Ô Ðobjected€to€this€judge€at€trial€and€did€not€sign€a€consent€form€pursuant€toÐ ¨"ø ÐTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€17„2„118(e).€€At€oral€argument€an€order€was€entered€byÐ Ì$  Ðstipulation€of€the€parties€which€provided€that€Mar€Ashley€Nichols,€the€actingÐ ð&@"  Ðjudge€in€the€case€was€appointed€pursuant€to€the€controlling€provisions€ofÐ )d$" ÐTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€17„2„188(f)(2).€€Judge€Nichols€was€appropriatelyÐ 8+ˆ&$ Ðappointed€pursuant€to€the€statute€and€was€legally€sitting.€The€controllingÐ \-¬(& Ðportions€of€that€statute€are:Ð €/Ð*( ÐÓ °ÓÓÓà Ø à(f)€€€€€€The€provisions€of€subsections€(a)„(e)€shall€not€à ð àÐ ¤1ô,* Ðà Ø àapply€where€a€judge€finds€it€necessary€to€be€absent€from€à ð àÐ ¶2.+ Ðà Ø àholding€court,€and€appoints€a€substitute€judge:Ð È3/, ÐÓ °bqÓÓ °Óà Ø à(2)à 0 àA€full„time€officer€of€the€judicial€system€under€the€Ð Ú4*0- Ðà Ø àà 0 àjudgeððs€supervision€whose€duty€it€is€to€performÐ ì5<1. Ðjudicial€à 0 àà ˆ àfunctions...Ð þ6N2/ ÐÌÐ "9r41 ÐÓ °°rÓÓpqÓIn€this€case,€Judge€Nichols€was€the€Special€Master€for€the€Circuit€Courts€inÐ ° ÐDavidson€County;€therefore,€she€was€ð ða€full„time€officer...ðð€who€became€aÐ Ô$ Ðsubstitute€judge€in€accordance€with€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€17„2„118(f)(2).€HereÐ øH Ðthe€parties€were€not€required€to€consent.€Here€the€restrictions€set€forth€inÐ  l ÐTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€17„2„118(f)€were€met€and€sections€(a)„(e)€did€not€apply.Ð @  Ðà Ø àNext,€Marriot€argues€that€the€trial€court€should€have€accepted€theÐ d´  Ðdiagnosis€of€Dr.€Freeman,€a€radiologist€who€never€treated€Salter,€instead€ofÐ ˆØ  ÐDr.€Miller,€the€treating€physician€of€Marriottððs€choosing.€€Based€on€aÐ ¬ü Ðcomparison€of€two€MRIs€taken€before€and€after€the€injury,€Dr.€FreemanÐ Ð  Ðtestified€that€he€was€unable€to€tell€if€there€were€any€anatomical€change€inÐ ôD ÐSalterððs€back€that€could€have€been€caused€by€the€fall€on€May€14,€1996.€€InÐ h Ðcontrast,€Dr.€Miller€testified€that€his€diagnosis€was€determined€by€tests€andÐ <Œ Ðprocedures€as€well€as€by€a€comparison€of€the€two€MRIs.Ð `° Ðà Ø àIn€his€testimony€by€deposition,€Dr.€Miller€testified€that€Salter€displayedÐ „ Ô Ðobjective€symptoms€of€a€back€injury€six€days€after€the€fall.€€The€symptomsÐ ¨"ø Ðwere€in€the€form€of€palpable€back€spasms€that,€in€the€words€of€Dr.€Miller,€Ð Ì$  Ðcould€not€be€ð ðfeignedðð€by€a€patient.€€While€Marriott€makes€several€argumentsÐ ð&@"  Ðthat€the€trial€court€should€have€used€Dr.€Freemanððs€diagnosis€instead€of€Dr.Ð )d$" ÐMillerððs,€we€are€not€persuaded€that€the€preponderance€of€the€evidence€weighsÐ 8+ˆ&$ Ðin€Marriottððs€favor.Ð \-¬(& Ðà Ø àWhere€the€issues€involve€expert€medical€testimony€and€all€the€medicalÐ €/Ð*( Ðproof€is€contained€in€the€record€by€deposition,€as€it€is€in€this€case,€then€thisÐ ¤1ô,* ÐCourt€may€draw€its€own€conclusions€about€the€weight€and€credibility€of€thatÐ È3/, Ðtestimony,€since€we€are€in€the€same€position€as€the€trial€judge.€€òòKrick€v.€CityÐ ì5<1. Ðof€Lawrenceburgóó,€945€S.W.2d€709,€712€(Tenn.€1997).€€€From€a€careful€reviewÐ 8`30 Ðof€the€record€and€consideration€of€the€circumstances€of€this€case,€we€find€noÐ ° Ðerror€by€the€trial€judge€in€accepting€the€opinions€of€Dr.€Miller.Ð Ô$ Ðà Ø àFinally,€we€turn€to€the€issue€of€whether€the€temporary€total€disabilityÐ øH Ðpayments€that€Marriott€made€to€Salter€should€be€returned.€€Marriott€arguesÐ  l Ðthat€Salter€made€a€return€to€work€while€she€was€still€receiving€temporary€totalÐ @  Ðdisability€payments€and€those€payments€should€be€reimbursed€to€Marriott.Ð d´  Ðà Ø àThe€facts€are€undisputed€that€Salter€did€attempt€to€run€a€catering€andÐ ˆØ  Ðcake€decorating€business€while€she€was€still€receiving€temporary€totalÐ ¬ü Ðdisability€payments.€€Salter€stayed€within€the€physical€restrictions€set€for€herÐ Ð  Ðby€her€treating€physician.€€€Over€the€fourteen„month€temporary€total€disabilityÐ ôD Ðperiod,€Salter€was€only€able€to€bake€cakes€and€make€gift€baskets€for€MarriottÐ h Ðand€her€church€on€a€sporadic€basis.€€Furthermore,€the€business€lost€aÐ <Œ Ðsubstantial€amount€of€money€during€this€period.€Ð `° Ðà Ø àThe€law€in€Tennessee€has€long€been€settled€that€the€temporary€totalÐ „ Ô Ðdisability€period€is€the€healing€period€during€which€the€employee€is€totallyÐ ¨"ø Ðprevented€from€working.€€òòGluck€Bros.,€Inc.€v.€Coffeyóó,€431€S.W.2d€756,€759Ð Ì$  Ð(Tenn.€1968).€€Furthermore,€temporary€total€disability€benefits€are€determinedÐ ð&@"  Ðeither€by€the€ability€to€return€to€work€or€the€attainment€of€maximum€recovery.€Ð )d$" ÐòòSimpson€v.€Satterfieldóó,€564€S.W.2d€953,€955€(Tenn.€1978).€€These€principlesÐ 8+ˆ&$ Ðhave€been€reiterated€by€the€Tennessee€Supreme€Court€as€recently€as€1992.€Ð \-¬(& ÐòòSeeóó€òòThompson€v.€Leon€Russell€Enterprisesóó,€834€S.W.2d€927,€929„30€(Tenn.Ð €/Ð*( Ð1992).€€Ð ¤1ô,* Ðà Ø àThe€issue€in€this€case€is€whether€Salter€returned€to€meaningfulÐ È3/, Ðemployment€during€the€temporary€total€disability€period.€€We€believe€that€sheÐ ì5<1. Ðdid€not.€€Salter€was€able€to€perform€sporadic€functions€to€bake€cakes€or€teachÐ 8`30 Ðcake€decorating.€€However,€this€sporadic€activity€does€not€rise€to€the€level€ofÐ ° Ða€€meaningful€return€to€work.€€Marriott€cites€several€instances€where€SalterÐ Ô$ Ðprepared€a€cake€or€cupcakes€for€Marriott€functions€during€the€period€ofÐ øH Ðtemporary€total€disability.€€However,€over€a€fourteen„month€periodÐ  l Ðoccasional€cake€baking€does€not€constitute€a€meaningful€return€to€work.€Ð @  ÐSalter€was€totally€unable€to€work€as€a€waitress.€€Consequently,€we€find€thatÐ d´  ÐSalter€was€totally€unable€to€return€to€meaningful€employment€during€theÐ ˆØ  Ðtemporary€total€disability€period€nor€had€she€attained€maximum€medicalÐ ¬ü Ðimprovement.€€Therefore,€the€trial€court€correctly€awarded€temporary€totalÐ Ð  Ðdisability€payments.€Ð ôD Ðà Ø àAccordingly,€the€judgment€of€the€trial€court€is€affirmed.€€Costs€onÐ h Ðappeal€are€taxed€to€the€appellant,€Marriott.Ð <Œ ÐÌÓÓà Ø àà 0 àà ˆ àà à àà 8 àà  àà è àà @ àà ˜ àà ð àà H! àà  # à¼à Ø àà 0 àà ˆ àà à àà 8 àà  àà è à_________________________Ð –!æ Ðà Ø àà 0 àà ˆ àà à àà 8 àà  àà è àSamuel€L.€Lewis,€Special€JudgeÐ ¨"ø ÐÌÌò òCONCUR:ó óÐ Þ%.! ÐÌ____________________________Ð (T#! ÐFrank€F.€Drowota,€III,€Associate€JusticeÐ )f$" ÐSupreme€CourtÐ (*x%# ÐÌ________________________________Ð L,œ'% ÐFrank€Clement,€Jr.,€Special€JudgeÔ#†X®XX»¼úT ]#ÔÔ_Ô