ÿWPC˜ t‘ý:bçv1É–¦'ËîÞÞ@n—oÈ4NŽÆ*zH¸™ #–‰»^åQgXù  Ÿx¸µõRêÇ·D+¶lÞôN‘8&œŸ›Ä·Gjú?V¬eþƒãúbqzÚÚ*cÎÇf„(³a8‘6Ú¯`kèçoáÄà;‘‚ß5¯Ú ÂÄÿØf7Qߨ¢ªáä S:Œ|Ž®öª·+g‘L W¤È¬;8vm¤à„‘×\yÅâAúýÛ‚)ÀñÇħ(¦é¼ß~5Ç㞢=»ýÙ§ÆUyîQ «l‘ A§Gu=[ CNS?žhl³UäЧ¼5d¤R?5W£E…»Ý¬ø:ÛF@×’Ñ[†IïW*[+‰„¦ÀŒ™¿`fnñgi‰& )”P8-Ÿ¹k²åñÁµdBª„ÿX!Û…Ä`;¥Ìµ‰ŸD˜­K"Sýü”T P3‘ '™$”ß ˜¼ L×—ŠÑ) Q›¿¸ ƒbȬ#PÍŸ¨Gæ>êIJäãÖ"Ÿ\’b/?¶Zþ Þïòø…+˜)ÄnÆ(íËÅuÛÑu¯Ó^ð·}¸76À0ÉàïÝdó’3üN8€áK~nð®ð Ràd¯ð²ô:ñéÃʧe#o.êžfå)# >UNI %— 0(4ÅÙèw@èU:( bhÕp 0lE 0D±TõTI AQ î U:ò , U:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Æj 0D0 0Dt 0D¸ Bü D/ BH D3e˜HP LaserJet 4 PlusHPPCL5MS,ð,,,,,ð0vLhÎ(ÈhH  Z ‹6Times New Roman RegularX($¡¡ªBy%x3|x¦ ‹ŒEŽDVî‘Ó€›œÓ€¦, øð AZ‹"Arial RegularH ËÝ ƒ y$ÝÒH°ÒÒ°ÒÔ‡ Xè»XXXÔà ` àòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý€€This€does€not€require€the€return€of€the€$63,587.95€paid€by€the€health€plan.((3üÝ$¤¤Ý ƒ!ÝÝ  Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó(#Ã$òòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó JÝ ƒ y$ÝÒH°ÒÒ°ÒÔ‡ Xè»XXXÔà ` àòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€50„6„241€is€not€applicable€in€this€case€because€theÐ À Ðinjury€occurred€prior€to€the€effective€date€of€the€Act.€€Thus,€the€limitations€in€the€ActÏare€not€applicable. JÝ ƒ y$ÝÒH°ÒÒ°ÒÔ‡ Xè»XXXÔà ` àòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€50„6„241€is€not€applicable€in€this€case€because€theÐ À Ðinjury€occurred€prior€to€the€effective€date€of€the€Act.€€Thus,€the€limitations€in€the€ActÏare€not€applicable. !"#%Cþÿ<< Cÿÿ úÝ ƒ!¯"ÝÝ  ÝÔ€X”?XXXÔÔ€K.XX”?ÔÓ  Óò òÔ Ad ÔFILEDÔ€X”?XK.ÔÐ  ÐÌNovember€25,€1998ÌÌCecil€W.€CrowsonÌAppellate€Court€ClerkÔdAhÔó ó,c½¬AZ‹"Arial Regular úÝ ƒ!¯"ÝÝ  ÝÔ€X”?XXXÔÔ€K.XX”?ÔÓ  Óò òÔ Ad ÔFILEDÔ€X”?XK.ÔÐ  ÐÌNovember€25,€1998ÌÌCecil€W.€CrowsonÌAppellate€Court€ClerkÔdAhÔó ó,c½¬AZ‹"Arial RegularƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(3¯$¢¢Ý ƒ!ÝÝ  Ý(3¯$££Ý ƒ!ÝÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó ó d'''÷ÿ dxdüÿP Pd$$$$'ÿÿdxdÝ ƒ!ÝÝ  ÝÒ°ÒÒ£°ÒòòÔ€»(»XXÔÑTR[  AØ'ÿ Legal3Ø' AØ'ÿ Legalÿ3Ø'TÑñ›ññ‘ñßr€(<,(j 8` `€€@EÚ±` 8ttxP°ð  rßñ‘ññ›ññ›ññ›ñà@¯ ¯ àIN€THE€SUPREME€COURT€OF€TENNESSEEˆÌñ›ñßt€(>.*jxÉÿ ` `€€@EžÉ` 8ttxPÖÀð tßñ›ñÌà@  )àAT€NASHVILLEˆÌÌÌÌà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à}à p àDAVIDSON€CHANCERYÐ  ` ÐERMA€LITTLEà  àà h àà À àà  à}à p àNo.€€Below€13,618Ð  p Ðà ` àPlaintiff/Appelleeà h àà À àà  à}Ð 0 € Ðà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à}à p àHon.€€Jeffrey€F.€StewarññtñññŽñdñŽñÐ @  Ðvs.à ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à}à p àChancellorÐ P   Ðà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à}Ìà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à}à p àNo.01S01„9712„CH„00273Ð pÀ  ÐROYAL€INSURANCE€COMPANY€€€€€€€}Ìà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à}à p àAFFIRMED€IN€PART;€REVERSED€Ð à Ðà ` àDefendant/Appellantà À àà  à}à p àIN€PART;€AND€REMANDEDÐ  ð Ðà@/àˆÌà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àñ‰ñÌà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àñ‰ññŠññ‰ñà À àñ‰ññŠññ‹ñ€€€ñ‹ññŒññ‹ñ€€ñ‹ññŒñJUDGMENT€ORDERÌÌÌÓ€Óà ` àà ¸ àThis€case€is€before€the€Court€upon€the€entire€record,€including€theÏorder€of€referral€to€the€Special€Workers'€Compensation€Appeals€Panel,€and€theÏPanel's€Memorandum€Opinion€setting€forth€its€findings€of€fact€and€conclusions€ofÏlaw,€which€are€incorporated€herein€by€reference.Ìà ` àà ¸ àWhereupon,€it€appears€to€the€Court€that€the€Memorandum€Opinion€ofÏthe€Panel€should€be€accepted€and€approved;€andÌà ` àà ¸ àIt€is,€therefore,€ordered€that€the€Panel's€findings€of€fact€andÏconclusions€of€law€are€adopted€and€affirmed,€and€the€decision€of€the€Panel€is€madeÏthe€judgment€of€the€Court.ÌÓ šX°œXÓà ` àà ¸ àCosts€will€be€paid€equally€by€the€Plaintiff€and€the€Defendant,€forÏwhich€execution€may€issue€if€necessary.ÌÓ€Óà ` àà ¸ àIT€IS€SO€ORDERED€on€November€25,€1998.Ô"*USú ú, úUSú ú, ú*ÔÌÌà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àà p àPER€CURIAMÌóóÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌññÐ  88ˆ36 Ðññññ›ÑÀ°ÑÑX°Ñò òÓ  ÓÑ  рРÀ Ðó óÓw ÓÓ  Óà@@Ü Ü Ìàò òIN€THE€SUPREME€COURT€OF€TENNESSEEÐ Î Ðà@@B B ÌàSPECIAL€WORKERS'€COMPENSATION€APPEALS€PANELÌà@@ˆˆÌàAT€NASHVILLEó óÐ ê* ÐÓ¸ ÓÌñññ¦ñœßt€(>.*jxÿY` `€€@EÖa ` 8ttxP ð Y tß›ñ¦ñññÌÌñññ¦ñßr€(<,(j 8` `€€@EÚ- ` 8ttxP( ð  rßñœñœñœññ¦ñññÌÌÌÌERMA€LITTLE,à  àà h àà À àà  à)Ð h¨  Ðà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à)à p àÐ x¸  Ðà ` àPlaintiff/Appelleeà h àà À àà  à)à p àFRANKLIN€CHANCERYà (# àÐ ˆÈ  Ðà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àà p à)à È àÐ ˜Ø Ðv.à ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à)à p àNO.€€01S01„9712„CH„00273Ð ¨è Ðà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à)à p àÐ ¸ø ÐROYAL€INSURANCE€COMPANY,à  à)à p àHON.€JEFFREY€F.€STEWART,Ð È Ðà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à)à p àCHANCELLORÐ Ø Ðà ` àDefendant/Appellantà À àà  à)Ð è( ÐÌÌÌÌÌÌò òòòÌFor€the€Appellant:à h àà À àà  àà p àFor€the€Appellee:Ð f ¦ ÐÌó óóóGlasgow€&€Veazeyà h àà À àà  àà p àRogers€&€DuncanÐ ‚" ÐRandolph€A.€Veazeyà h àà À àà  àJ.€Stanley€RogersÐ ’#Ò ÐConnie€Jonesà  àà h àà À àà  àChristina€Henley€DuncanÐ ¢$â  ÐWashington€Squareà h àà À àà  à100€North€Spring€StreetÐ ²%ò!  Ð222€Second€Avenue,€N.à h àà À àà  àManchester,€TN€€37355Ð Â&#! ÐSuite€312ÌNashville,€TN€€37201„1649òòò òÐ â("%# Ðóóó óÌÌÌò òòòÓ  ÓÌÌÌÌM€E€M€O€R€A€N€D€U€M€€€€O€P€I€N€I€O€Nóóó óÐ Z1š-+ ÐÌò òòòMembers€of€Panel:Ð x3¸/- ÐÌó óóóJustice€William€M.€Barkeròòò òÐ ”5Ô1/ Ðó óóóSenior€Judge€John€K.€ByersÐ ¤6ä20 ÐSpecial€Judge€Robert€E.€Corlew,€IIIÌÓ*ÓÌÌÌÌÌÔ% € ÔÐ >T:7 ЇÌÌÌÌÌAFFIRMED€IN€PART;à h àà À àà  àà p àà È àà  àBYERS,€Senior€JudgeÐ  P ÐREVERSED€IN€PART;ÌAND€REMANDED.ÌÌòòò òÓ  ÓÓÓOPINIONó óóóÐ P  ÐÓ  Óà ` àThis€workers'€compensation€appeal€has€been€referred€to€the€SpecialÏWorkers'€Compensation€Appeals€Panel€of€the€Supreme€Court€in€accordance€withÏTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€50„6„225(e)(3)€for€hearing€and€reporting€to€the€Supreme€CourtÏof€findings€of€fact€and€conclusions€of€law.€Ìà ` àReview€of€the€findings€of€fact€made€by€the€trial€court€is€òòde€novoóó€upon€theÐ ì, Ðrecord€of€the€trial€court,€accompanied€by€a€presumption€of€the€correctness€of€theÏfindings,€unless€the€preponderance€of€the€evidence€is€otherwise.€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€Ïðð€50„6„225(e)(2);€òòStone€v.€City€of€McMinnville,€óó896€S.W.2d€548,€550€(Tenn.Ð LŒ Ð1995).€ÌThe€application€of€this€standard€requires€this€Court€to€weigh€in€more€depth€theÏfactual€findings€and€conclusions€of€the€trial€court€in€a€workersðð€compensation€case.€ÏòòSee€Corcoran€v.€Foster€Auto€GMC,€Inc.,€óó746€S.W.2d€452,€456€(Tenn.€1988).Ð Ì& #! Ðà ` àThe€trial€court€found€the€plaintiff€was€entitled€to€recover€for€a€work€relatedÏinjury€to€her€right€shoulder€and€cervical€spine.€€The€plaintiff€was€awardedÏtemporary€total€benefits€for€15.6€weeks€and€was€found€to€have€suffered€a€75Ïpercent€permanent€partial€vocational€disability.€€The€trial€court€awardedÏ$82,270.05€in€medical€benefits,€plus€expenses€incurred€for€travel€in€connectionÏwith€the€treatment€of€her€cervical€spine.Ìà ` àThe€defendant€raises€the€following€issues:ÌÒ` ÒÓÓ1.à ¸ àDid€the€trial€court€err€in€finding€that€the€Employee€sustained€a€à (# àÐ Ì7 41 Ðà ¸ àcompensable€cervical€disc€injury,€in€the€course€and€scope€of€her€¼à ¸ àà  àemployment€with€CKR?ÌÌ2.à ¸ àIs€the€trial€court€award€of€seventy„five€percent€(75%)€permanentÐ  l:7 Ї3.à ¸ àDid€the€trial€court€err€in€awarding€the€Employee€medical€benefits€for€Ð À Ðà ¸ àunauthorized€treatment€by€Dr.€McCord€and€health€care€providers€to€¼à V$ àwhom€she€was€referred€by€Dr.€McCord?ÌÌ4.à ¸ àDid€the€trial€court€err€in€awarding€the€Employee€medical€benefits€for€Ð @ Ðà ¸ àtreatment€to€her€cervical€spine€which€were€unrelated€to€her€à (# àÐ  P Ðà ¸ àà  àemployment?ÌÌ5.à ¸ àDid€the€trial€court€err€in€awarding€the€Employee€benefits€for€the€entireÐ @ € Ðà ¸ àamount€of€her€disputed€and€unauthorized€medical€bills,€without€creditÏor€à ¸ àoffset€for€payments€of€said€disputed€bills€in€the€sum€of€$67,455.89€Ð `   Ðà ¸ àà  àmade€by€the€Employer€through€its€self„insured€medical€benefitsÏplan?ÌÌ6.à ¸ àDid€the€trial€court€err€in€awarding€the€Employee€temporary€total€Ð  à Ðà ¸ àà  àdisability€benefits,€without€credit€or€offset€for€short„termÏdisability€à  àà h àbenefits,€in€the€sum€of€$6,333.71,€paid€to€the€EmployeeÐ À Ðduring€the€à  àà h àdisputed€period€under€Employer€funded€disabilityÐ Ð Ðcoverage?ÌÌÌ7.à ¸ àDid€the€trial€court€err€in€awarding€discretionary€costs€to€the€EmployeeÐ P Ðà ¸ àrelated€to€the€deposition€of€Dr.€McCord?ÌÌÒ` ÒÓ-Óà ` àWe€affirm€the€judgment€in€part,€reverse€the€judgment€in€part,€and€remandÏthe€case€to€the€trial€court.Ìà ` àThe€plaintiff€was€47€years€of€age€at€the€time€of€trial.€€She€has€a€G.E.D.,€aÏvaried€employment€background€which€gives€her€a€broad€working€experience,€andÏtraining€which€qualifies€her€as€a€typist,€a€computer€operator,€and€a€driver€of€aÏforklift.Ìà ` àAt€the€time€of€the€injury€in€this€case,€the€plaintiff€was€performing€a€taskÏwhich€involved€the€lifting€of€a€ð ðcellðð€that€weighed€approximately€14€pounds€andÏwhich€required€her€to€extend€her€arms€and€lift€over€her€head.€€In€April€or€MayÏ1992,€the€plaintiff€developed€pain€in€her€right€shoulder.€€She€testified€her€arm€hurtÏwhen€she€attempted€to€lift.Ìà ` àThe€defendant€does€not€dispute€that€the€plaintiff€sustained€a€compensableÏinjury€to€her€shoulder.€€The€dispute€in€this€case€revolves€around€whether€theÏplaintiff€sustained€a€compensable€injury€to€her€cervical€spine.Ìà ` àIn€addition€to€this,€there€is€a€contest€as€to€(1)€whether€the€defendant€is€liableÏfor€medical€bills€incurred€as€a€result€of€medical€treatment€for€the€cervical€spineÐ  =`96 Ðbecause€the€physician€who€did€the€treatment€was€not€an€authorized€physician€andÏ(2)€whether€the€plaintiff€suffered€any€work€related€injury€to€her€spine.ÌÓ  Óò òAuthorization€of€Medical€Careó óÐ @ ÐÓ  Óà ` àWas€the€treatment€and€surgery€on€the€plaintiffððs€cervical€spine€done€by€anÏauthorized€physician?€€If€not,€was€the€plaintiff€justified€in€seeking€medical€care€onÏher€own?Ìà ` àThe€record€shows€that€on€June€18,€1992,€the€plaintiff€was€sent€by€theÏdefendant€to€see€a€Dr.€Worthington€about€the€pain€she€was€experiencing.€€AfterÏapproximately€one€week€of€treatment,€she€spoke€to€the€director€of€human€servicesÏabout€seeing€a€specialist€and€was€given€a€list€of€three€doctors.€€The€plaintiff€wasÏsent,€according€to€her,€to€a€Dr.€Fambrough.€€She€testified€the€director€of€humanÏservices€made€the€appointment.€€Dr.€Fambrough€told€the€plaintiff€she€neededÏsurgery€on€her€shoulder.€€The€plaintiff€testified€she€was€concerned€about€thisÏadvice€so€she€went€back€to€the€director€of€human€services€and€told€him€that€sheÏwanted€a€second€opinion.€€According€to€the€plaintiff,€she€was€denied€this€and€thenÏwent€to€a€Dr.€Brown€on€her€own.Ìà ` àThe€plaintiff€testified€Dr.€Fambrough€did€not€want€to€do€an€M.R.I.€but€Dr.ÏBrown€did.€€The€plaintiff€voiced€her€concern€to€the€human€services€director€aboutÏthe€contrary€positions€taken€by€the€two€doctors€on€the€need€for€an€M.R.I.€€TheÏplaintiff€was€then€sent€by€the€defendant€to€Dr.€Stewart€F.€Stowers,€an€orthopedicÏsurgeon.€€Dr.€Stowers€performed€an€M.R.I.€and€ultimately€did€surgery€on€theÏplaintiffððs€right€shoulder.Ìà ` àSome€months€after€the€shoulder€surgery,€the€plaintiff€continued€to€complainÏof€neck€problems€and€pain€and€numbness€in€her€right€long€finger€and€hand.€€Dr.ÏStowers€had€the€plaintiff€undergo€neurological€testing€to€determine€if€there€wasÏsome€problem€with€her€cervical€spine.€€An€E.M.G.€was€done€by€Dr.€RichardÏâ âLisella€on€April€23,€1993€and€interpreted€as€being€normal.Ð ü:<74 Ðà ` àOn€August€25,€1992,€the€plaintiff€told€Dr.€Stowers€of€her€visit€to€Dr.€Brown,Ïâ âwho€had€obtained€another€M.R.I.€and€recommended€surgery€on€her€neck.€€Dr.ÏStowers€reviewed€this€M.R.I.€done€on€August€4,€1993€and€determined€it€was€noÏdifferent€than€the€one€he€had€done€on€August€9,€1993€and€in€his€opinion€showed€noÏneed€for€neck€surgery.Ìà ` àOn€October€6,€1993,€the€plaintiff€saw€Dr.€David€H.€McCord€of€theÏTennessee€Spine€Center€on€referral€from€Dr.€Brown.€€The€plaintiff€testified€sheÏwas€aware€that€Dr.€McCord€was€an€unauthorized€physician€at€the€time.€€TheÏplaintiff€first€saw€Dr.€McCord€on€October€6,€1993.Ìà ` àThe€complaint€in€this€case€was€filed€on€October€14,€1993.€€On€November€1,Ï1993,€the€plaintiffððs€attorney€wrote€the€insurance€company€about€treatment€by€Dr.ÏMcCord.€€Counsel€was€advised€by€a€letter€dated€November€10,€1993€that€theÏinsurance€company€would€not€authorize€medical€treatment€by€unauthorized€people.€ÏThe€letter€reflects€that€counsel€was€aware€that€Dr.€Stowers€was€the€authorizedÏphysician€and€the€company€would€afford€treatment€recommended€by€Dr.€Stowers.€ÏAt€this€stage€of€the€medical€history,€the€plaintiff€had€seen€at€least€two€authorizedÏphysicians€concerning€her€problems€and€Dr.€Stowers€had€reported€that€there€wasÏno€injury€to€the€plaintiffððs€cervical€spine€which€required€treatment.Ìà ` àDr.€McCord€did€surgery€on€the€plaintiffððs€cervical€spine€on€March€17,€1994.€ÏSo€far€as€we€can€tell€from€this€record,€the€plaintiff€did€not€notify€the€defendant€ofÏany€dissatisfaction€with€Dr.€Stowers€prior€to€going€to€Dr.€McCord.€€The€plaintiffÏdid€not€file€any€motion€with€the€trial€court€seeking€to€have€the€appointment€of€aÏneutral€physician€to€examine€her€concerning€the€claims€of€a€neck€problem.Ìà ` àTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€50„6„204(a)(4)€provides:ÌÒ` ÒÓÓà ¸ àThe€injured€employee€shall€accept€the€medical€benefits€affordedÏhereunder;€provided,€that€the€employer€shall€designate€a€group€of€three€(3)Ïor€more€reputable€physicians€or€surgeons€not€associated€together€in€practice,Ïif€available€in€that€community,€from€which€the€injured€employee€shall€haveÏthe€privilege€of€selecting€the€operating€surgeon€or€the€attending€physician;Ïand,€provided€further,€that€the€liability€of€the€employer€for€such€servicesÏrendered€the€employee€shall€be€limited€to€such€charges€as€prevail€for€similarÏtreatment€in€the€community€where€the€injured€employee€resides.€€The€aboveÐ 0>p:7 Ðlisting€of€physicians€or€surgeons€may€include€doctors€of€chiropractic€withinÏthe€scope€ofÏtheir€licenses.ÌÌÒ` -ÒÓ)-Óà ` àTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€50„6„204(d)(5)€provides:ÌÒ` ÒÓÓà ¸ àIn€case€of€dispute€as€to€the€injury,€the€court€may,€at€the€instance€ofÏeither€party,€or€on€its€own€motion,€appoint€a€neutral€physician€of€good€standingÏand€ability€to€make€an€examination€of€the€injured€person€and€report€suchÏphysicianððs€findings€to€the€court,€the€expense€of€which€examination€shall€beÏborne€equally€by€the€parties.ÌÌÒ` j0ÒÓx0Óà ` àIn€the€case€of€òòFreeman€v.€Kimberly„Clark€Corp.,óó€No.€02S01„9612„CV„00106,Ð 6v ÐShelby€County€(Tenn.€Jan.€15,€1998,€filed€at€Jackson),€a€workersðð€compensationÏpanel€denied€fees€to€an€unauthorized€physician.€€In€òòBazner€v.€American€States€Ins.Ð Ò ÐCo.,óó€820€S.W.2d€742€(Tenn.€1991),€the€Supreme€Court€held€that€whether€anÐ ¢â Ðemployee€is€justified€in€seeking€additional€medical€services€without€consulting€withÏthe€employer€depends€upon€the€circumstances€of€each€case.€€The€proper€standardÏin€this€regard€is€whether€the€employee€acts€in€good€faith€in€seeking€another€physicianÏwithout€employer€approval.€€òòSee€United€States€Fidelity€and€Guaranty€Co.€v.€Morgan,óóÐ Ö&#' Ð795€S.W.2d€653€(Tenn.€1990)€and€other€cases€cited€in€òòFreeman.óóÐ ¦(æ$) Ðà ` àWe€find€Dr.€McCord€was€an€unauthorized€physician.€€The€trial€judge€orderedÏthe€defendant€to€pay€the€plaintiff€the€sum€of€$82,270.05€for€medical€expensesÏincurred€as€a€result€of€the€surgery€upon€her€cervical€spine.€€The€plaintiff€concedes€inÏthis€case€that€the€award€should€be€reduced€to€$63,587.95.€€The€defendantððs€self„¼funded€health€insurance€policy€had€already€paid€$67,455.89€in€medical€bills€for€theÏplaintiffððs€neck€injury.€€Ìà ` àWe€find€the€judgment€of€the€trial€court€in€ordering€the€defendant€to€pay€theÏplaintiff€the€amount€of€medical€bills,€which€the€plaintiff€did€not€pay€but€were€paid€byÏthe€insurance€company,€cannot€stand.€€òòStaggs€v.€National€Health€Corp.,óó€924€S.W.2dÐ Ö85; Ð79€(Tenn.€1996).€€Further,€we€find€the€treatment€for€the€plaintiffððs€cervical€spine€wasÏnot€done€by€authorized€medical€personnel€and€the€expenses€are€not€recoverable€byÐ r<²8? Ðthe€plaintiff.׃ ×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€We€note€the€plaintiff€offered€no€records€to€show€she€had€paid€any€ofÐ À Ðthese€bills.ÌÓ  Óò òCompensabilityó óÐ X˜ ÐÓ  Óà ` àDid€the€plaintiff€sustain€a€medical€injury€to€her€cervical€spine?Ìà ` àThe€medical€evidence€concerning€this€case€is€contained€primarily€in€theÏdepositions€of€four€physicians,€including€Dr.€McCord,€Dr.€Stowers,€Dr.€Rosenthal,€andÏDr.€Ensalada,€as€well€as€various€other€records€filed€therewith.Ìà ` àDr.€McCord,€who€did€surgery€on€the€plaintiffððs€cervical€spine,€was€of€theÏopinion€the€plaintiff€had€sustained€a€herniated€or€protruding€disc€which€requiredÏsurgery.€€He€was€of€the€opinion€this€resulted€from€her€work€for€the€defendant.Ìà ` àThe€three€other€physicians€testified€the€plaintiff€had€no€disc€herniation€whichÏrequired€surgery€and€that€at€most€she€had€some€degenerative€disc€problem€at€C6„¼C7,€which€was€normal€for€a€person€of€her€age.€€Each€of€them€was€of€the€opinionÏthere€was€no€work€related€injury€to€the€plaintiff.Ìà ` àThe€trial€judge€accepted€the€opinion€of€Dr.€McCord€and€found€the€plaintiff€hadÏa€work€related€injury€to€the€C6„C7€vertebrae.Ìà ` àThe€trial€court€has€the€discretion€to€accept€the€opinion€of€one€medical€expertÏover€that€of€another€medical€expert.€€òòJohnson€v.€Midwesco,€Inc.,óó€801€S.W.2d€804Ð X"˜" Ð(Tenn.€1990);€òòKellerman€v.€Food€Lion,€Inc.,óó€929€S.W.2d€333€(Tenn.€1996).€€TheÐ ($h $ Ðacceptance€of€one€expertððs€testimony€over€another€is€based€upon€the€perception€ofÏthe€credibility€of€one€expert€over€that€of€other€experts€who€testify.Ìà ` àThe€assessment€of€credibility€of€witnesses€is€reserved€exclusively€for€the€trialÏjudge€when€the€testimony€is€given€by€witnesses€in€person€at€trial.€€òòSee€Humphrey€v.Ð \+œ', ÐDavid€Witherspoon,€Inc.,óó€734€S.W.2d€315€(Tenn.€1987).€€When€the€testimony€isÐ ,-l). Ðgiven€by€deposition,€however,€as€the€medical€evidence€is€in€this€case,€we€may€makeÏan€independent€assessment€of€the€weight€of€the€medical€evidence.Ìà ` àIn€this€case,€we€are€not€firmly€convinced€of€the€validity€of€Dr.€McCordððsÏdiagnosis,€treatment,€and€conclusion€about€the€plaintiffððs€cervical€spine.€€WeÏreviewed€the€various€backgrounds€of€each€of€the€physicians€who€testified€byÏâ âdeposition.Ð ø784: Ðà ` àDr.€Robert€F.€Stowers,€an€orthopedic€surgeon€who€was€licensed€to€practice€inÏâ â1989,€testified€concerning€all€the€tests€he€ran€and€the€conclusion€he€reached€that€theÏplaintiff€had€no€evolvement€with€her€C6„C7€vertebrae€other€than€normal€degenerativeÏdisease.€€He€explained€she€had€no€need€for€surgery€and€there€was€no€work€relatedÏinjury€to€her€neck.€€Dr.€Stowers€testified€the€injury€to€the€plaintiffððs€shoulder€causedÏpain€at€the€base€of€the€neck€but€would€not€be€related€to€a€disc€problem.€€Dr.€StowersððÏcurriculum€vitae€is€attached€to€his€deposition€and€is€impressive€as€to€his€schooling,Ïtraining,€presentation€to€professional€societies,€and€publications.€à x àÐ T”  Ðà ` àDr.€Phillip€Rosenthal,€a€neurological€surgeon,€is€licensed€in€Pennsylvania,ÏNew€York,€Missouri,€and€Tennessee€and€practices€in€Nashville.€€He€was€named€aÏDiplomat€on€the€National€Board€of€Medical€Examiners€on€July€2,€1984.€€He€saw€theÏplaintiff€for€purposes€of€evaluation,€examined€her,€and€looked€at€a€vast€array€of€testsÏdone€by€the€numerous€medical€personnel€who€had€seen€her,€which€included€tests€byÏmany€physicians€and€the€report€of€Dr.€McCord.€€Dr.€Rosenthal€was€of€the€opinion,Ïbased€on€pre„surgery€records€which€indicated€there€was€no€abnormality€at€the€C6„C7Ïlevel,€surgery€was€not€necessary.€€Dr.€Rosenthal€was€of€the€opinion€the€plaintiff€hadÏsuffered€no€job€related€injury€to€her€neck.€€Dr.€Rosenthalððs€credentials€as€toÏschooling,€publication,€and€presentations€are€also€impressive.Ìà ` àDr.€Leon€Ensalada,€who€specializes€in€pain€management,€practiced€inÏNashville€and€now€practices€in€Madison,€Tennessee.€€Dr.€Ensalada€received€all€ofÏthe€records€concerning€the€plaintiffððs€neck€and€shoulder€problems.€€From€all€of€these,Ïtoo€numerous€to€list,€he€concluded€that€the€plaintiff€had€not€sustained€a€work€relatedÏinjury€to€her€neck€and€that€the€surgery€done€by€Dr.€McCord€was€not€necessary.€€Dr.ÏEnsaladaððs€credentials€are€also€impressive.Ìà ` àDr.€David€H.€McCord,€an€orthopedic€surgeon,€has€been€practicing€orthopedicÏsurgery€since€1991€but€was€apparently€licensed€to€practice€medicine€sometime€priorÏto€that,€according€to€his€curriculum€vitae.€€He€was€board€certified€in€1993.€€Dr.ÏMcCord€diagnosed€the€plaintiff€with€a€disc€evolvement€at€the€C6„C7€level€which€wasÏimpinging€on€a€nerve€and€required€surgery.€€He€performed€this€surgery€on€March€17,Ï1994€to€relieve€the€impingement.€€He€was€of€the€opinion€the€problem€was€caused€byÏâ âher€work€with€the€defendant.€€Dr.€McCordððs€record€is€impressive€in€the€matter€ofÐ ¨9è5< Ðschooling,€but€not€as€impressive€to€us€as€the€records€of€the€other€three€physiciansÏwho€testified.Ìâ âà ` àThe€record€shows€the€three€physicians€who€testified€found€the€plaintiff€had€noÏevolvement€which€required€the€surgery€performed€by€Dr.€McCord.€€Only€Dr.€McCord,Ïof€those€who€testified,€reached€the€conclusion€that€surgery€was€required.Ìà ` àThe€following€questions€were€asked€of€Dr.€Ensalada€and€the€followingÏanswers€were€given:ÌÒ` ÒÓÓQ.à ¸ àDr.€Ensalada,€are€you€familiar€with€the€reputation€of€Dr.€David€McCordÐ T”  Ðin€the€medical€community€in€the€Nashville,€Middle€Tennessee€area?ÌÌA.à ¸ àYes.Ð F ÐÌQ.à ¸ àWhat€is€his€reputation€in€the€medical€community€in€this€area?Ð Ò ÐÌA.à ¸ àBased€upon€information€I€have€had€available€to€me,€Dr.€McCordÐ žÞ Ðrecently€had€his€privilege€to€perform€spine€surgery€revoked€at€CentennialÏMedical€Center€after€an€investigation€of€his€practices€at€that€hospital.€€BasedÏupon€information€available€to€me€„„ÌÌMR.€ROGERS:€€Iððm€going€to€object€to€this€testimony€unless€he€has€evidenceÏof€these€allegations.€€If€this€is€hearsay€evidence,€then€Iððm€going€to€object€to€it.ÌÌBY€MR.€VEAZEY:ÌÌQ.à ¸ àAll€right.€€Go€ahead€and€answer,€Doctor.Ð šÚ ÐÌA.à ¸ àBased€upon€information€available€to€me,€Dr.€McCord€has€had€hisÐ f!¦! Ðprivileges€reinstated€at€Centennial€Medical€Center,€but€apparently€he€will€haveÏthe€number€surgeries€he€performs€limited,€and€he€will€have€to€have€secondÏsurgical€opinions€for€the€surgeries€that€he€has€performed.ÌÌÒ` ’NÒÓ NÓà ` àOn€cross„examination€on€this€issue,€the€following€took€place:€ÌÒ` ÒÓÓQ.à ¸ àYou€indicated€earlier€that€certain€evidence€had€been€providedÐ °'ð#( Ðpertaining€to€Dr.€McCord€and€his€privileges.€€What€evidence€was€provided?ÌÌA.à ¸ àWell,€if€I€understand€your€question€correctly,€I€wasnððt€providedÐ b*¢&+ Ðevidence,€but€in€my€discussions€with€doctors€who€practice€in€Nashville,€and€inÏdiscussions€with€doctors€who€practice€at€the€Centennial€Medical€Center,€IÏcame€to€understand€that€Dr.€McCordððs€privileges€were€apparently€temporarilyÏrevoked.ÌÌQ.à ¸ àSo€you€have€not€been€furnished€nor€have€you€reviewed€anyÐ Æ/,1 Ðdocumentation€pertaining€to€his€privileges,€correct?ÌÌA.à ¸ àThatððs€correct.Ð x2¸.4 ÐÌQ.à ¸ àYou€are€relying€upon€discussions€you€have€had€with€certain€doctors?Ð D4„06 ÐÌA.à ¸ àYes,€thatððs€correct.Ð 6P28 ÐÌQ.€à ¸ àWhat€doctor€have€you€discussed€that€with?Ð Ü74: ÐÌA.à ¸ àI€donððt€recall.Ð ¨9è5< ÐÌQ.à ¸ àPardon?Ð t;´7> ÐÐ Z<š8? ÐA.à ¸ àI€donððt€recall.Ð À ÐÌQ.à ¸ àYou€do€not€recall€the€doctor€who€told€you€these€most€serious€Ð ŒÌ Ðallegations€pertaining€to€Dr.€McCord?€€You€do€not€recall€that€doctor?ÌÌA.à ¸ àNo,€I€recall€that€there€were€a€number€of€doctors€discussing€this€atÐ >~ Ðvarious€times.€€I€donððt€remember€who€was€involved.ÌÌQ.à ¸ àJust€give€me€one€name€of€one€doctor€you€discussed€it€with.Ð ð 0 ÐÌA.à ¸ àI€donððt€recall€that€I€have€discussed€it€with€anybody.Ð ¼ ü  ÐÌQ.à ¸ àWell,€then,€how€did€you€gain€this€knowledge€if€you€didnððt€discuss€it€withÐ ˆÈ  Ðanybody?ÌÌA.à ¸ àI€had€an€opportunity€to€hear€other€people€discuss€these€issues.Ð :z  ÐÌQ.à ¸ àWhat€other€people€have€you€heard€discuss€those€issues?Ð F ÐÌA.à ¸ àAs€Iððve€testified,€I€donððt€recall€the€specific€doctors.Ð Ò ÐÌÒ` ±SÒÓ¿SÓà ` àThe€trial€judgeððs€memorandum€held€that€the€evidence€was€hearsay€and€wouldÏbe€ignored€because€the€witness€could€not€even€recall€the€names€of€those€people€inÏthe€medical€community€who€made€the€statements.€Ìà ` àWe€do€not€believe€this€evidence€is€hearsay€on€such€basis.Ìà ` àRule€803€of€the€Tennessee€Rules€of€Evidence€sets€out€exceptions€to€theÏadmission€of€hearsay€evidence.€€The€exception€under€Rule€803(21)€is€for€theÏð ðReputation€of€a€personððs€character€among€associates€or€in€the€community.ððÌà ` àThe€inability€of€the€witness€to€name€those€whom€he€heard€discuss€theÏasserted€problem€of€Dr.€McCord€in€our€view€does€not€make€the€testimonyÏinadmissible.€€At€most,€it€goes€to€its€weight.€€In€any€event,€we€believe€it€must€beÏweighed€along€with€the€other€testimony€in€this€case€on€whether€the€plaintiff€hadÏsustained€an€injury€to€her€cervical€spine€and€whether€the€surgery€performed€wasÏnecessary.Ìà ° àà  àà ` àWe,€of€course,€do€not€determine€the€weight€of€the€evidence€by€numericalÏquotient€but€by€the€quality€of€the€evidence€presented€and€the€background€andÏapparent€knowledge€of€the€experts€who€testify.€€In€our€view,€the€evidenceÏpreponderates€in€favor€of€the€finding€as€expressed€by€three€of€the€physicians€thatÏthere€was€no€job€related€injury€to€the€plaintiffððs€neck€nor€any€necessity€for€the€surgeryÏwhich€was€ññœññperformed.Ìññ›ññññññññœññÌññ›ññññññññœññÌññ›ññññññññœññÐ Z<š8? Ðññ›ññññññ‡Ó  Óò òVocational€Disabilityó óÐ À ÐÓ  Óà ` àIs€the€award€of€75€percent€vocational€disability€excessive?Ìà ` àUnder€the€circumstances€of€this€case,€we€find€the€award€of€75€percentÏvocational€disability€is€excessive.Ìà ` àññœ›ññññññññœññInññ›ññññññ€reaching€the€amount€of€vocational€disability€based€on€the€medical€evidence,Ïthe€trial€judge€considered€the€16€percent€medical€impairment€to€the€body€as€a€wholeÏtestified€to€by€Dr.€McCord.€€He€further€considered€the€six€percent€medical€impairmentÏto€the€body€testified€to€by€Dr.€Stowers€as€a€result€of€the€injury€to€the€plaintiffððsÏshoulder.€€We€have€found€there€was€no€cervical€spine€injury€arising€from€theÏplaintiffððs€work.€€We,€therefore,€determine€the€amount€of€an€award€based€upon€theÏsix€percent€medical€impairment€rating€along€with€the€testimony€of€the€plaintiffÏconcerning€the€effect€her€injuries€have€upon€her.Ìà ` àDr.€Stowers€placed€significant€restrictions€upon€the€plaintiff,€including€aÏproscription€against€lifting€with€the€arm€in€an€extended€position€and€a€weightÏlimitation€of€20€pounds.€€Because€we€find€there€was€no€job€related€cervical€injury,€aÏfactor€relied€on€by€the€trial€judge€in€awarding€75€percent€vocational€disability,€weÏconclude€the€evidence€supports€an€award€less€than€75€percent€and€we€reduce€theÏaward€in€this€case€to€50€percent.ññœññññ׃×ññññ׃×ññÝ ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×ññ›ññññññÐ X"˜" ÐÓ  Óò òMedical€Benefitsó óÐ $$d $ ÐÓ  Óà ` àThese€issues€have€been€settled€by€our€determination€that€the€plaintiffÏsustained€no€cervical€injury€related€to€the€work€she€did€for€the€defendant€and€ourÏdetermination€that€the€treatment€was€not€authorized.€€The€judgment€granting€benefitsÏto€the€plaintiff€cannot€stand.ÌÓ  Óò òTemporary€Total€Disabilityó óà @` àò òÐ ,-l). ÐÓ  Óó óà ` àDid€the€trial€court€err€in€awarding€the€plaintiff€temporary€total€disability€benefitsÐ /D+0 Ðwhich€were€paid€by€the€employerððs€self„funded€insurance€coverage?Ìà ` àThe€defendant€relies€upon€the€provisions€of€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€50„6„114(b)€toÏassert€its€right€to€a€set€off€of€the€temporary€total€benefits.€€We€do€not€believe€it€mayÏâ âdo€so.Ð 46t28 Ðà ` àThe€benefits€were€paid€to€the€plaintiff€at€alternate€times€during€the€years€ofÏâ â1992,€1993,€1994,€and€1995.€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€50„6„114(b)€by€amendmentÏeffective€July€1,€1996.€€Prior€to€the€adoption€of€this€amendment,€set€off€was€not€theÏrule.€€We€conclude€this€amendment€cannot€be€retroactively€applied€to€offset€benefitsÏpaid€prior€to€its€enactment.ÌÓ  Óà @` àò òDiscretionary€Costsó óÐ ¼ ü  ÐÓ  Óà ` àThe€trial€judge€awarded€the€plaintiff€costs€for€Dr.€McCordððs€deposition€in€theÏamount€of€$996.00.€€We€find€this€was€not€warranted€and€reverse€that€portion€of€theÏjudgment.€€The€trial€judge€awarded€the€plaintiff€$2,024.68€for€travel€expenses€for€herÏto€travel€to€Dr.€McCordððs€office€for€treatment.€€We€find€this€should€not€have€beenÏawarded€and€we€reverse€that€portion€of€the€judgment.ÌÓ  Óà @` àò òConclusionó óÐ Ð ÐÓ  Óà ` àWe€affirm€the€judgment€of€the€trial€court€which€found€the€plaintiff€hadÏsustained€a€compensable€injury€as€a€result€of€her€work€for€the€defendant.€€We€modifyÏthe€judgment€and€find€the€plaintiff€has€suffered€a€50€percent€permanent€medicalÏimpairment€to€the€body€as€a€whole€rather€than€75€percent€as€ordered€by€the€trialÏjudge.Ìà ` àWe€find€the€award€of€medical€expenses€to€the€plaintiff€for€treatment€of€anÏalleged€injury€to€the€plaintiffððs€neck€is€erroneous€and€we€reverse€that€portion€of€theÏjudgment.€€We€find€the€award€of€discretionary€costs€for€taking€Dr.€McCordððsÏdeposition€in€the€sum€of€$996.00€and€the€award€of€travel€expenses€for€treatment€byÏDr.€McCord€in€the€amount€of€$2,024.68€are€in€error€and€we€reverse€that€portion€of€theÏjudgment.Ìà ` àWe€find€the€award€of€temporary€total€disability,€without€offset€sought€by€theÏdefendant,€was€proper€and€we€affirm€that€portion€of€the€judgment.Ìà ` àThe€cost€of€this€appeal€is€taxed€equally€to€the€plaintiff€and€the€defendant.à (# àÐ Ä0-2 ÐññœññññÌññññ›ññññññÓÓññœññññÌññññ›ññññññññœññññÌññññ›ññññññà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à_____________________________Ìà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àJohn€K.€Byers,€Senior€JudgeÌññœññññ›ññññÌññññÌññññÌÌÌÌÌÌÐ r<²8? ÐññCONCUR:ññ›ññññññÌññœ›ññññññÌÌññœññññÌññ________________________________ññ›ññññññÌWilliam€M.€Barker,€JusticeÌññœññññÌññññ›ññññññÌÌññœññññÌññ________________________________ññ›ññññññÌRobert€E.€Corlew,€III,€Special€JudgeœÔ†ÿÿÔÔ†ÿÿÔÔ  ÔÔ  Ôññ