WPC'C ]়eL&sNTLi[ŵ>1u:}CZ䨰ND / &"w[ $4|;;􁜢gwʅΙ唣:PSغ(lnoEQs6‰pObq»F鱾|.?l˴~ +dR9ޏb+gN k@V6g)=Er0$6%|xHiKHO)=n_]`}+eisF1GwT|E,}A,o\0 a;;?S'fO>_}$ACnwYʫ25.mnv4m) )΋~+ZMž%~̰ZH6[<'ӎQVS( 2+VgQZ4:̍ `:.eHU9{A# UN % 0rw_4Sg>v 0 e B L .b 0 0D N 1 UFv 1m U(F)U>o^  m 0cUF&UFlUFyUFyL BM j UFI# AQ##<$UF&('UF(\5)UF++:-\ 0UFg225UFF77UF>_>UFY@ 0D@ 0D@ 0D'A D/kA BAA D3BU:BHP LaserJet 4SiHPPCL5MS,,,,,,0nLh(hH  Z 6Times New Roman RegularX(JO$  X(XXXYLXX((UEDUDEe-$&'({)*+,E-.D/D0D1e2D3U4U5D6U789:D;9e<ӀFu[%3|xF 4  )  =EXX .> .G:\IB011S19\WILLMSO.WPD>G:\IB011S19\WILLMSO.WPD/     h   DRAFTPAGE  1       x  August4,1998!  (f39$ O!  X?XXXXXX?X     ,  $  $    1    AlthoughtheprovisionsoftheTwentyFourthJudicialDistrictarereferredtoas local  rules,wenotethattheyareactuallyprovisionscontainedinanOrderofthatcourtissuedApril18,1996.((2$ O!  X?XXXXXX?X  X?XXX     `   0  (#$  0  (CEKQW]cioAutoList11)1)1)1)1)1)1)1)4.Courier New Regular#:e37=CIQYag1.a.i.(1)(a)(i)1)a)<4 9Z+.Courier New Regular&Courier Regular   $X_ XXXbXX_ X_ XbX   @ @ `   6    _TennesseeRulesoftheSupremeCourt,Rule18requiresall   trialcourtstoadoptinwritinglocalrulesprescribingproceduresforsettingcasesfortrial,obtainingcontinuances,dispositionofpretrialmotions,settlementorpleabargainingdeadlinesforcriminalcases,andpreparation,submissionandentryofordersandjudgments.Inaddition,trialcourtsmayadopt"otherrulesnotinconsistentwiththeRulesofCivilProcedureandRulesofCriminalProcedure."[g7%U(;$2:e  0  .3  0  <4 9Z+.Courier New Regular<4 9Z .Courier New Regular   $XmXXXQXXmXmXQX   @ @ `   1    TheFinkelsteinstestisperformedbyplacingthethumbin   thepalmandthenforcingthehandtowardthelittlefinger.Ifthepatientcomplainsofpain,thetestisconsideredpositive.<4 9Z+.Courier New Regular   $%XmXXX%QXXm%XmXQX   @ @ `   3    DeQuervainstenosynovitisisanirritationoftheliningof   thetendonsinthefirstdorsalcompartmentofthewrist.Itischaracterizedbyswelling,irritation,andpain.9.Courier New Regular   $XmXXXQXXmXmXQX   @ @ `   5    _Thespecificlocalproceduresreviewedbythepanelinthis   casewereasfollows:L (#L    8 ` 2  1  )3  0 ` (#` (#  `  Whethertherequirementofschedulingabenefit   reviewconferencewithinthirtydaysofarequestforsuchconferenceconflictswithTenn.CodeAnn.506239(c)(1)(Supp.1997);݌  (# (# Ќ      8 ` \2  2  )3  0 ` (#` (#  `  whetherprescribingthenatureoftheevidenceto f bepresentedatabenefitreviewconferenceconflictswithTenn.CodeAnn.506235(c)(Supp.1997);and\݌  (# (# Ќ      8 ` 2  3  )3  0 ` (#` (#  `  whetherlimitingtheevidencewhichcanbe 2  presentedatatrialandlimitingtheabilityofpartiestotakeadepositionconflictswithTenn.CodeAnn.506235(c)(1)andTenn.R.Civ.P.30.   $XmXXXQXXmXmXQX   @ @ `   6    _TennesseeRulesoftheSupremeCourt,Rule18requiresall   trialcourtstoadoptinwritinglocalrulesprescribingproceduresforsettingcasesfortrial,obtainingcontinuances,dispositionofpretrialmotions,settlementorpleabargainingdeadlinesfor    criminalcases,andpreparation,submissionandentryofordersandjudgments.Inaddition,trialcourtsmayadopt"otherrulesnotinconsistentwiththeRulesofCivilProcedureandRulesofCriminalProcedure." d   $XmXXXQXXmXmXQX   @ @ `   4    _WorkSolutionsisaMemphisbusinessthatperformsevaluative   testingoninjuredemployees.Througha functionalcapacityevaluationincludingactivitiessuchaswalkingonatreadmill,WorkSolutionsmeasures,interalia,anindividualsgripstrength,   overheadliftingability,andendurance.Thesemeasurementsarethenanalyzedtodeterminetherangeofworkactivitiesthattheindividualshouldbeabletoperform.<4 9Z+.Courier New Regular'9:;<C<< CLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5 2  $)XmXXX)QXXm)XmXQX   @ @ `   1    TheFinkelsteinstestisperformedbyplacingthethumbin   thepalmandthenforcingthehandtowardthelittlefinger.Ifthepatientcomplainsofpain,thetestisconsideredpositive.Apositivetestisusedtodiagnosetenosynovitiswhichisaninflammationofatendonanditsenvelopingsheath.<4 9Z+.Courier New Regular   $+X_ XXX+bXX_ +X_ XbX   @ @ `   1    TheFinkelsteinstestisperformedbyplacingthethumbin   thepalmandthenforcingthehandtowardthelittlefinger.Ifthepatientcomplainsofpain,thetestisconsideredpositive.<4 9Z+.Courier New Regular R  $-X_ XXX-bXX_ -X_ XbX   @ @ `   2    ThePhalenstestisperformedbyflexingthewristand   holdingitflexedforuptooneminute.Ifthepatientcomplainsoftinglingandnumbnessatthedistributionofthemediannerveofthehand,thetestissaidtobepositiveatthattime.Thistestisusedtodeterminewhetherapatientissufferingfromcarpaltunnelsyndrome.<4 9Z+.Courier New Regular   $1X_ XXX1bXX_ 1X_ XbX   @ @ `   3    DeQuervainstenosynovitisisanirritationoftheliningof   thetendonsinthefirstdorsalcompartmentofthewrist.Itischaracterizedbyswelling,irritation,andpainandisdiagnosedthroughapositiveFinkelsteinstest. 0  $XmXXXQXXmXmXQX   @ @ `   1    TheFinkelsteinstestisperformedbyplacingthethumbin   thepalmandthenforcingthehandtowardthelittlefinger.Ifthepatientcomplainsofpain,thetestisconsideredpositive.Apositivetestisusedtodiagnosetenosynovitiswhichisaninflammationofatendonanditsenvelopingsheath. R  $XmXXXQXXmXmXQX   @ @ `   2    ThePhalenstestisperformedbyflexingthewristand   holdingitflexedforuptooneminute.Ifthepatientcomplainsoftinglingandnumbnessatthedistributionofthemediannerveofthehand,thetestissaidtobepositiveatthattime.Thistestisusedtodeterminewhetherapatientissufferingfromcarpaltunnelsyndrome.<4 9Z+.Courier New Regular   $4X_ XXX4bXX_ 4X_ XbX   @ @ `   4    _WorkSolutionsisaMemphisbusinessthatperformsevaluative   testingoninjuredemployees.Througha functionalcapacityevaluationincludingactivitiessuchaswalkingonatreadmill,WorkSolutionsmeasures,interalia,anindividualsgripstrength,   overheadliftingability,andendurance.Thesemeasurementsarethenanalyzedtodeterminetherangeofworkactivitiesthattheindividualshouldbeabletoperform.   $XmXXXQXXmXmXQX   @ @ `   3    DeQuervainstenosynovitisisanirritationoftheliningof   thetendonsinthefirstdorsalcompartmentofthewrist.Itischaracterizedbyswelling,irritation,andpain.<4 9Z+.Courier New Regular   $6X_ XXX6bXX_ 6X_ XbX   @ @ `   5    _Thespecificlocalproceduresreviewedbythepanelinthis   casewereasfollows:L (#L    8 ` 2  1  )3  0 ` (#` (#  `  Whethertherequirementofschedulingabenefit   reviewconferencewithinthirtydaysofarequestforsuchconferenceconflictswithTenn.CodeAnn.506239(c)(1)(Supp.1997);݌  (# (# Ќ      8 ` \2  2  )3  0 ` (#` (#  `  whetherprescribingthenatureoftheevidenceto f bepresentedatabenefitreviewconferenceconflictswithTenn.CodeAnn.506235(c)(Supp.1997);and\݌  (# (# Ќ      8 ` 2  3  )3  0 ` (#` (#  `  whetherlimitingtheevidencewhichcanbe 2  presentedatatrialandlimitingtheabilityofpartiestotakeadepositionconflictswithTenn.CodeAnn.506235(c)(1)andTenn.R.Civ.P.30.<4 9Z+.Courier New Regular   $8XmXXX8QXXm8XmXQX   @ @ `   3    DeQuervainstenosynovitisisanirritationoftheliningof   thetendonsinthefirstdorsalcompartmentofthewrist.Itischaracterizedbyswelling,irritation,andpainandisdiagnosedthroughapositiveFinkelsteinstest.<4 9Z+.Courier New Regular(3$ !  (3$ !  ($$   1  ==' dxdP Pd 9"  @X8XXX@HX@X8   Ad FILED@X8X@H  November2,1998CecilW.CrowsonAppellateCourtClerkdAh ####'dxd,cAZ"Arial Regular O!  X?XXXXXX?X  ;;_7?XXdd7 X;;$XX XX$    X?XX=HXXXdd=TR[A' Legal3'A' Legal3'T=hXXXdd=ӜFFF<<r&>?<,(j 8` `@E  ` 8ttxPX  rF<<Ft&>?>.*jxj` `@ET ` 8ttxP tߛF@DINTHESUPREMECOURTOFTENNESSEE@*DATJACKSON;;;;    h     )FORPUBLICATION#X?XXXX?X*#X?XXXX?X#XX?Xz#X?XX < DEBORAHWILLIAMS h     )       h     )FILED:;;NOVEMBER2,;;1998$ XXXX X$ ` PlaintiffAppellee    ) 2   `     h     )HENRYCOUNTYv. `     h     ) j   `     h     )HON.C.CREED;;MCGINLEY;;,TECUMSEHPRODUCTSCOMPANY  ) p JUDGE#X?XXXX?Xw#X?XXXX?X#XX?X#X?XX   Ѐ  )#X?XXXX?X#X?XXXX?X `  ЀDefendantAppellant  )NO.02S019702CV00012#X?XXXX?Xn #X?XXXX?X#XX?X#X?XX 6  ` ;;;;ForAppellee:   h     ForAppellant: H  GAYDEN;;DREW;;IV h     DAVIDF.HESSING !h ;;Jackson,;;TN   h     Paris,TN "> ;;;;;;;;@,DOPINION -#* ;;;;;;   JUDGMENTOFTRIALCOURTAFFIRMED    p      x  BIRCH,J.#X?XXXX?X ##XX?XI #  \9.8 ;;;;[X?XX$XX XXX$ TheSpecialWorkersCompensationAppealsPanelapproved   thetrialcourtsawardofbenefitstoDeborahWilliams,theplaintiff,whohadsufferedsymptomsofcarpaltunnelsyndromerelatedtoheremploymentasanassemblylineworkerforTecumsehProductsCompany,thedefendant.Atissuearethecausationandpermanencyoftheworkersinjuriesandthepaymentofdiscretionarycostsrelatedtothedepositionofanexaminingphysician.Forthereasonsappearingbelow,weadoptthepanelsfindingsoffactandconclusionsoflawwithrespecttotheissuesofcausationandpermanency.Althoughweaffirmtheawardofdiscretionarycosts,wevacatethepanelsorderinvalidatingcertainlocalproceduresoftheTwentyFourthJudicialDistrict.@/DI Theplaintiffisathirtyeightyearoldfemalewhohasbeenanassemblylineworker,sewingmachineoperator,bail_bondsperson_,cashier,andrestaurantmanager.In1995,shebeganoperatingamachinewhichrequiredhertoperformrepetitivemotionswithbothhandsthroughoutherentireshiftatthedefendantsfacility. Theplaintifftestifiedthatshehadexperiencednoproblemswithherhands,wrists,orarmspriortoreturningtothedefendantsemploymentinMarch1995.Whenshereturned,however,sheelectedtowearasetofwristbracesprovidedbythedefendant.Evenso,inJuly1995,theplaintiffreportedhavingexperienced burningandtinglinginbothherhandsandarms.The 7$-6 defendantrespondedtothiscomplaintbyprovidingherwithalistofdoctorstosee. RonaldBingham,M.D.,examinedtheplaintiffanddeterminedthatshehadamildlefttenniselbow,althoughhernerveconductiontestswerenormal.Theplaintiffcontinuedtowork.OnNovember10,1995,sheinjuredherrighthandatworkwhichrequiredemergencytreatmentforminorlacerations,numbness,andswelling.Asaresult,JamesMcGee,M.D.,placedtheplaintiffonlightdutyforaweekduetocontinuedswelling. TheplaintiffexperiencedfurtherpaininherrightarmandwasreferredtoLowell_Stonecipher_,M.D.,inJanuary1996._Stonecipher_Ԁnotedthattheplaintiffhadacyst,swelling,andapositive_Finkelstein_stest.;;;/;;(;* #  1      ;;Heperformedsurgeryonherright !h wristandsubsequentlyreleasedhertolightdutyinMarch1996,eventhoughshecomplainedofunexplainednumbnessandtenderness.Theplaintifftestifiedthattheswellingandburningcontinuedafterthesurgery,althoughshedidexperiencesomereliefinherthumb.̀ TheplaintiffreturnedtoMcGeeinlateMarch1996, -(#* complainingaboutcontinuedpainandswelling.Althoughheconfirmedtheswelling,hereturnedhertolightdutyandtoldhertofollowupwith_Stonecipher_.OnApril1,1996,_Stonecipher_ 2,(0 opinedthattheplaintiffwouldretainnopermanentimpairmentsecondarytoherwristsurgeryandcouldreturntofullduty.Uponherreturn,shereceivedanewjobwhichrequiredrepetitivemotion.SheperformedthisjobuntilApril12,1996,whenshequitbecauseofcontinualpain.Asofthedateoftrial,theplaintiffhadnotsecuredanewjob,althoughshehadsubmittedseveralapplications. Otherphysiciansexaminedtheplaintiffaftershehadterminatedheremployment.Joseph_Boals_,M.D.,aboardcertifiedorthopedicsurgeon,examinedheronJune4,1996,attherequestofherattorney._ԀBoals_Ԁfoundthattheplaintiffhadprominentswellingovertheradialaspectsofbothwrists,patchynumbnessontherightside,andpositiveresultsonboth_Finkelstein_sand H  _Phalen_stests.0, #  2      ׀Inhisdeposition,heopinedthatshesuffered "t from occupationalstresssyndromebilaterallymanifestedbybilateral_tenosynovitis_,de_Quervain_s_tenosynovitis_;$$;$;3;;;$$7$. #  3      ;;andbilateral d%  carpaltunnelsyndromecausedbyher multiplejobsandworkdoneatTecumseh.Basedonhersignificantgriploss,heratedherashavinga30percentanatomicalimpairmenttoherrightarmanda20percentanatomicalimpairmenttoherleftarm. -@#*  Next,AnthonySegal,M.D.,aneurologicsurgeon,evaluatedtheplaintiffonOctober3,1996,attherequestofthedefendant.Inhisreport,Segalnotedtheplaintiffspoorgripstrengthand verystrangesymptoms,buthedisagreedwith_Boals_sdiagnosisofcarpaltunnelsyndromeandreportedthattheplaintiffhad noimpairmentratingfromaneurologicalpointofview.Hewrotethathecouldnotdiagnosewithcertaintybecausetheplaintiffsproblems,ifany,appearedtobeorthopedicinnature.Herecommendedthatshebeexaminedbyahandsurgeon. Finally,WorkSolutions$2 #  4      ׀performedanevaluationofthe D plaintiff.Theevaluationreportnotedthatwhiletheplaintiffsfinemotordexteritywasgood,theresultsofmaterialshandlingandgraspstrengthtestingindicated_submaximal_Ԁeffortonherpart. Thetrialcourtsummarizedalloftheevidencefromthebench,notingtheconflictsbetweenthevariousmedicalreports.Thecourtcredited_Boals_stestimonyandawardedtheplaintiffbenefitsforpermanentimpairmentsof50percenttoherrightarmand40percenttoherleftarm.TheSpecialWorkersCompensationAppealsPanelaffirmedthetrialcourtsawardinallrespects. 1t&.   II( Thedefendantassertsthatthetrialcourterredinfindingthattheplaintiffsinjurieswerecausedbyheremployment.Inworkerscompensationcases,appellatereviewisde < novoontherecordaccompaniedbyapresumptionthatthefindings h  ofthetrialcourtarecorrectunlessthepreponderanceoftheevidenceisotherwise.Tenn.CodeAnn.506225(e)(2)(Supp.1997);Lawsonv.LearSeatingCorp.,944S.W.2d340,341(Tenn. x  1997).Tosatisfythisstandardofreview,wearerequiredtoconductanindependentexaminationtodeterminewherethepreponderanceoftheevidencelies._Wingert_Ԁv.Governmentof | SumnerCounty,908S.W.2d921,922(Tenn.1995). (  Aninjuryarisesoutofemploymentifithasarational,causalconnectiontothework._Reeser_Ԁv.YellowFreight_Sys_., #, Inc.,938S.W.2d690,692(Tenn.1997).Inthiscase,thetrial d%  courthadbuttwoexpertopinionsregardingcausation:oneunequivocallyfindingcausationandtheotherfindingthattheplaintiffsjobtaskswouldnot placeanemployeeatriskforcumulativetraumadisorders. Thetestimonyofexpertwitnessesmustbeconsideredinconjunctionwiththeemployeestestimony_asalaywitness.Thomas 1&. v.AetnaLife&Cas.Co.,812S.W.2d278,283(Tenn.1991).The 28(0 trialcourtfoundthattheplaintiffs verycredibletestimonybolsteredthemedicalevidenceofcausation.Giventhisdeterminationofcredibilityandthetrialcourtscarefulreview 7<-6 ofthemedicalevidence,wecannotsaythattheevidencepreponderatesagainstthetrialcourtsfindingofcausation.0  @.D % %III Thedefendantnextassertsthattheevidencepreponderatesagainstthetrialcourtsawardofpermanentdisabilitybenefits.Thedefendantsargumentinthisregardhasthreepoints:(1)theevidenceofpermanency;(2)thedisabilityratingprovidedbyBoals;and(3)theextentofvocationaldisabilityfoundbythetrialcourt. Themedicalevidenceinthisrecord,asinmanycases,conflictsregardingwhetherthedisabilityispermanent.Inresolvingtheconflict,thetrialcourtgavegreatweighttothedepositiontestimonyofBoalswhoopinedthattheplaintiffsinjurieswerepermanent,althoughshe couldexperiencesomeimprovementwhiletheunderlyingconditionpersists.ThetrialcourtdidnotabuseitsdiscretionincreditingBoalssopinionmorethantheotherphysiciansopinions.SeeJohnsonv.Midwesco, P*& Inc.,801S.W.2d804,806(Tenn.1990). +p!(  Additionally,wedonotagreewiththedefendantthatBoalssdisabilityratingiserroneousbecauseit_wasbasedsolelyontheplaintiffslossofgripstrength.Anexaminationof_Boals_stestimonyasawholemakesitclearthatheconsideredalloftheevidenceinassessingtheplaintiffscondition.Hedidnotfindanyevidencethattheplaintiffmalingered,andhetestified 7$-6 thathisratingswereinaccordancewiththeAmericanMedicalAssociationsGuidestotheEvaluationofPermanentImpairment. 8  SeeTenn.CodeAnn.506204(d)(3)(Supp.1997)(requiring  d adherencetospecifiedtreatisesforassessingthedegreeofanatomicalimpairment). Moreover,considerationoftheextentoftheplaintiffsvocationaldisabilityisaquestionoffact._Jaske_Ԁv.MurrayOhio L  Mfg.Co.,750S.W.2d150,151(Tenn.1988).Thetrialcourtmay l  makeanindependentexaminationoftheevidence,;;&s&&S&ee;;Cooperv.  InsuranceCo.,884S.W.2d446,451(Tenn.1994),andisnotbound P toacceptanyexpertsopinionregardingvocationaldisability._Prost_Ԁv.CityofClarksvillePoliceDept,688S.W.2d425,428  (Tenn.1985).TennesseeCodeAnnotated506241(a)(1)(Supp.1997)liststherelevantfactorstobe;;considered;11;'thosebeing:'(''(''**'l')ayandexpert)+testimony;theemployeesage;theemployeeseducation;theemployeesskillsandtraining;thelocaljob+1+oportunities+11opportunities1+;andtheemployeescapacitytoworkattypesofemploymentavailableintheemployeeclaiman+,++,-tsdisabledcondition-.11 In;;th.e.i/n/s0tant0;;case,thetrialcourtspecificallynoteditsconsiderationofmanyfactors,includingtheplaintiffstestimonyconcerninghowtheimpairmentsaffectherdailylife.Incasessuchasthis,greatdeferencemustbegiventothetrialcourtsfindings.See_Krick_Ԁv.Cityof_Lawrenceburg_,945S.W.2d709,712 2,(0 (Tenn.1997)(considerabledeferencewhereissuesofcredibility andweightoforaltestimonyareinvolved).Wethuscannotfind 6+4 thattheevidencepreponderatesagainstthetrialcourtsratingofvocationaldisability. ;;2̛2;;  IVV? Thefinalissueraisedbythedefendantconcernsthetrialcourtsawardofcoststotheplaintiff.Theawardincludedthecostsofgivingandtranscribing_Boals_sdeposition.Thedefendantarguesthat_Boals_ssubmissionofastandardmedicalreportmadehisdepositionunnecessary.Although_Boals_Ԁfailedtoindicatecausationontheform,thedefendantassertsthatthisomissioncouldhaveeasilybeenrectifiedwithouttheneedforacostlydeposition. TennesseeCodeAnnotated506226(c)(1)(Supp.1997)provides:8 8 Thefeeschargedtotheclaimantbythetreatingphysicianoraspecialisttowhomtheemployeewasreferredforgivingtestimonybyoraldepositionrelativetotheclaim,shall,unlesstheinterestsofjusticerequireotherwise,beconsideredapartofthecostsofthecase,tobechargedagainsttheemployerwhentheemployeeistheprevailingparty. xx B_Boals_Ԁwas aspecialisttowhomtheemployeewasreferredforanevaluation.Wedonotthinkitwasunreasonablefortheplaintifftotakehisdeposition,especiallywherethedefendantarguedagainstbothBoalsscausationandpermanencyfindings.Inaddition,wherethetrialcourtdidnotabuseitsdiscretionin 7$-6 awardingthephysiciansdepositionfee,thecourtclearlyhaddiscretiontoalsoawardtheplaintiffthecourtreporterscostsfortranscribingthatdeposition.SeeTenn.R.Civ.P.54.04(2).;;  X ;; Despitethisseeminglyuncomplicatedresolution,amajorityoftheSpecialWorkersCompensationAppeals_PanelinvokedTenn.R.App.P.13(b)toaddressanissuenotraisedbythepartieswithrespecttothesediscretionarycosts.Specifically,thepaneladdressedthequestionwhethersomeproceduresoftheTwentyFourthJudicialDistrict!5 #  5      ׀forworkerscompensationcases   conflictedwithstatestatutesandcourtrulessuchthattheproceduresshouldbeinvalidated. TennesseeRuleofAppellateProcedure13(b)providesthatreviewonappealwillgenerallyonly_extendtothoseissuesraisedbytheparties.Therulefurtherprovidesthatanappellatecourthasdiscretiontoconsiderissuesnotraisedbythepartiesinorder,amongotherreasons:8 8 (1)0hxxtopreventneedless;;litigation,3z)%hxhx 35 P*& 5;;8 0  8  (2)0hxxtopreventinjurytothe P*& interestsofthepublic,;;and4&+ 'hxhx 4;;8 0  8  (3)0hxxtopreventprejudicetothe   judicialprocess. hxhx J;;According;;tothemajority,thesecondandthirdreasonsquotedabove notonly_justif[ied_],but_dictate[d_]thatthelocalproceduresbereviewedbythepanel.Suchreviewledthepanelmajoritytodeclarethelocalproceduresinquestionnullandvoidandtodirecttheaffectedjudgesto enteranorderintheirrespectivecourtstoreflectthechangeintheirLocalRulesasbroughtaboutherein._ JusticeHolder,amemberofthepanel,invokedTenn.CodeAnn.506225(e)(5)(A)(Supp.1997)toobtainreviewbytheothermembersoftheCourt.TheCourthasreviewedthisissueandfindsnocompellingreasontoreviewthelocalprocedures.Accordingly,theCourtadoptstheviewsexpressedbyJusticeHolderintheseparatelyfiledconcurringopinion,whichis,inwordsandfiguresasfollows: XmXXXm8 8  h WhileIconcurinthemajority's_affirmance_Ԁofthetrialcourt'sjudgment,Iwriteseparatelytoexpressmydiscomfortwiththemajority'sdecisiontoinvalidatethelocalrulesoftheTwentyFourthJudicialDistrictpertainingtoworkers'compensationcases.Theissueofwhetherthelocalruleswerevalidwasnotraisedbyeitherpartyandwasunnecessarytothedispositionoftheissuesproperlybeforeus. xx 8 8  h Since1983,trialjudgeshavebeenrequiredtoadoptlocalrules."_ #  6      ׀ X4)2 Inthiscase,thevalidityofthelocalrulesaddressingworkers'compensationcasesfortheTwentyFourthJudicialDistrictwasnotraisedbyeitherparty.Accordingly,theissuehasnotbeensquarelyplacedbeforethispanelfordisposition.Rule13(b)oftheTenn.R.App.Proc.provides: xx 8 8 8hxxReviewgenerallywillextendonlytothoseissuespresentedforreview.Theappellatecourtshallconsiderwhetherthetrialandappellatecourthavejurisdictionforreview,andmayinitsdiscretionconsiderotherissuesinorder,amongotherreasons:(1)topreventneedlesslitigation,(2)topreventinjurytotheinterestsofthepublic,and(3)topreventprejudicetothejudicialprocess. h h  8 8 Noneofthesereasonsappeartoapplytothedeterminationofthevalidityoftheselocalrules.Iwouldfindthatitisimproperforthispaneltoraisethisissue_sua_ "&! _sponte_intheabsenceofa &r" compellingreasonrecognizedunderRule13(b). xx ]P X Xm # >P##XmXLX#  VX Itresultsthatthepanelsconclusionsthattheevidencedoesnotpreponderateagainstthetrialcourtsfindingsofcausation,permanency,andvocationaldisabilityratingsof50percenttotheplaintiffsrightarmand40percenttothe 3)1 plaintiffsleftarmareapprovedandaffirmed.Weapproveandaffirmalsotheawardofdiscretionarycoststotheplaintiff.Wevacate,however,theorderinvalidatingtheTwentyFourthJudicialDistrictsproceduresforworkerscompensation;;cases XmXXXm ,;;expressing  neitherapprovalningordisapprovalofthhose;;procedures.ingthem ose.;;񀀀#XmXX Xm [#. < ;; XmXXXm66;; Costsaretaxedtothedefendant,forwhichexecutionmayissueifnecessary.;;7Thedefendantshallnot,however,betaxedwithanycostsaccruingsubsequenttothefilingofthePanelsmemorandumopinion.78#XmXX Xm*]#XmXXXm8:8L3LXXm8:998Noappellatecosts,however,shallbetaxedto @  eitherpartyforthereviewinthisCourtunderTenn.CodeAnn.506225(e)(5)(A).#XmXXXm^#8:8#XmXLL3`#8:8 XmXXXm8;;       h     _____________________________    h     ADOLPHOA.BIRCH,JR.,Justice CONCUR:Anderson,C.J._Drowota_,J.;;#XmXX Xm_# ;;