WPCH  ypцA+0\!oet_%}4*y@\e$g'Wv$ :ߍ{|P:+,8Jv﹘ | =?O`bR䑮G,H]tB#] V׬w3Og4X` hp x (#><5T.footerfooter   (#        >4X` hp x (#>P8page numberpage numberXXXW\  `*Times New RomanTTW        W\  `*Times New RomanTTW  -){{{       (#X      DixonvTN@Page s     X(#  X+X{X+XXX+      {XX+@    1  A      {{{{  ݈(#(#K(#  03S019810BC00111        H4X` hp x (#XH  ?+ ` hp x (#X?(e2-$ !{{{   ($      !N.N.N.   X_XN.    N.XX_N.N.           X_XN.X_XXX_        N.hX_  1   J    N.N.N.N.  ݀Ms.Fuquaswore:(1)shehandledMs.Dixonsclaim;(2)thedeniallettersenttoMs.DixononSeptember  10,1993includedappealformsandexplainedthatshehad90daystofileherappealwiththeTennesseeClaimsCommission;(3)Ms.DixonbegansendingdoctorsbillstotheDivisionofClaimsAdministrationin1994thatweredeniedasunauthorized;(4)thelastpaymentofworkerscompensationbenefitswasMarch8,1994,forabillincurredonFebruary15,1993;and(5)onNovember7,1995,attorneyKenBaileycalledtoseeifDCAhadreceivedMs.DixonsappealpapersandwasinformedbyMs.FuquathatneitherDCAnortheClaimsCommissionhadanyrecordofanappeal.AcopyoftheletterofdenialdatedSeptember10,1993wasattachedtotheaffidavit.  !N.N.N.   X_XN.         X_XXX_X_XXX_        N.hX_N.,N.  2       X_XN.X_XXX_  ݀Mr.Rogersswore:(1)hefirstbecameacquaintedwithMs.DixoninAugust1993;(2)he  notedthematteronhiscalendaroneweekbeforethefilingdateofDecember9,1993;(3)hepreparedaroughdraftofacomplaintwhichheusuallyfiledinworkerscompensationcases,thennotedaparticularformhadbeenprovidedtoMs.DixonbyDCAandthereafter,    onDecember7,1993,hedictatedaletteroftransmittal,noticeofappeal,andaffidavitforMs.Dixontoexecute;(4)Ms.Dixoncametohisofficethatsameafternoonandexecutedtheaffidavit;(5)hegaveMs.BoltoninstructionstomailtheletterandenclosuretotheTennesseeClaimsCommission asrequiredbylaw;and(6)hehadconversationswithagentsoremployeesofDCAaboutMs.Dixonsclaimduringtheyears1994through1996. DD  *Times New RomanTT l !N.N.N.   X_XN.         X_XXX_X_XXX_        N.hX_N.,N.  3       X_XN.X_XXX_  ݀Ms.Boltonswore:(1)shewasaparalegalwhobeganworkingexclusivelyforattorney  Rogersinearly1993;(2)shepreparedaletteroftransmittalofMs.DixonsnoticeofappealwithanaffidavitofMs.DixonwhichwasexecutedonDecember7,1993;(3)shepreparedaroughdraftofacomplaintpriortoDecember7,1993,butwasinstructedbyMr.RogerstoutilizetheformsfurnishedbytheState;(4)Mr.RogersspokewithemployeesoragentsoftheStateduringtheyears1994,1995and1996attemptingtonegotiateasettlementoftheclaim;and(5)basedupontheforegoingfacts,itwouldhavebeenherbusinesspractice,habit,customandroutinetohaveforwardedMs.DixonsaffidavitandnoticeofappealtotheTennesseeClaimsCommissiononDecember7,1993.     k !N.N.N.   X_XN.         X_XXX_X_XXX_        N.hX_N.,N.  4       X_XN.X_XXX_  ݀Ms.MargieDouglasswore:(1)sheistheAdministrativeClerkfortheTennesseeClaims  Commissionandherdutiesincludeenteringorsupervisingtheentryofallcomplaints,claimsandnoticesofappealuponreceiptbytheTennesseeClaimsCommission;(2)ImogeneDixonfiledaNoticeofAppealfromDenialofClaimonJanuary14,1997;and(3)thereisnocomplaintornoticeofappealfiledbyoronbehalfofMs.DixonbeforeJanuary14,1997.AsecondaffidavitofMs.Fuquawasfiledinwhichshestated, OnAugust19,1994,InotedinthefilethatMs.StidhamhaddeniedauthorizationforamyleogramandaCTscanwasdeniedbecausethefilewasclosed,thattheclaimantstherapybillsdatedMarch24,1994weredenied,andthatplaintiffwasnotifiedofthedenialandtheappealprocess.3|x\  `*Times New RomanTTC\  P6QP\  `*Times New RomanTTXXP\  P6QXP\  `*Times New RomanTT^\  P6QP DD  *Times New RomanTToDD0DXDhD(J$.2.2.2  ӁLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5 >l^>l Ad   FILEDJ^   August30,1999  CecilCrowson,Jr.AppellateCourtClerk ,kAZ"Arial Regular PPPӀUV{Z='h  x) N. N.N.       (#X      DixonvTN@Page s     X(#   X_XN. X_XXX_       N.XX_@    1  A       N.N. N.N.  ݈(#(#(#(#  03S019810BC00111     H4X` hp x (#XH  ?+ ` hp x (#X?\  `*Times New RomanTT(hH  Z 6Times New Roman RegularHP LaserJet 8000 DN PS0 d ll Ad   FILED#l#Gl   August30,1999  CecilCrowson,Jr.AppellateCourtClerk U%%%%'dxd(f3$ !{{{   'dxd(f3$ !{{{   _-*C<<CLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5($$   1  ' dxdP Pd-:M << deUULevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(n$ (  1  ) !{{{   TR[A'3'A' Legal3'TX  X+X{X+XXX+      }xXX+n*8($hx `E"tt0:n (#(#_INTHESUPREMECOURTOFTENNESSEE  !     {}x{{  l*6&"h 8 `E!tt06HlSPECIALWORKERSCOMPENSATIONAPPEALSPANEL  ATKNOXVILLE @   IMOGENEDIXON   h     )  ~  (#(# `     h     ) p TENNESSEECLAIMS LD   ` PlaintiffAppellant, h     ) p COMMISSION     `     h     ) p NO.03S019810BC00111    `     h     )vs. `     h     ) p THEHONORABLE d\   `     h     ) p MICHAELS.LACY, *"   `     h     ) p COMMISSIONER    `     h     )STATEOFTENNESSEE h   ) |t   ` DefendantAppellee. h   ) B:  FortheAppellant:   h      p FortheAppellee:   & R JohnT.MilburnRogers   h     JohnKnoxWalkup   100SouthMainStreet   h     AttorneyGeneralandReporter  Greeneville,TN37743   h     MichaelE.Moore'R     `     h      p SolicitorGeneral `     h      p HeatherC.Ross `     h      p AssistantAttorneyGeneral `     h      p CordellHullBuilding,2ndFl `     h      p 425FifthAvenueNorth `     h      p Nashville,TN372430488&    MailedJuly_____,1999 h"`# 'h" &  MEMORANDUMOPINION %x' '%gMembersofPanel: ' * JusticeWilliamM.BarkerSpecialJudgeHowellN.PeoplesSpecialJudgeJoeC.Loser,Jr.  AFFIRMED    h     PEOPLES,SpecialJudge  /(4 &    X+X{X+XXX+       }xXX+ OPINION L  1*6     {}x{{'1      X+X{X+XXX+      }xXX+ ` ThisappealhasbeenreferredtotheSpecialWorkersCompensation 3,9 PaneloftheSupremeCourtinaccordancewithTennesseeCodeAnnotated506225(e)(3)forhearingandreportingtotheSupremeCourtoffindingsoffactandconclusionsoflaw.TheTennesseeClaimsCommissiondismissedthe &:3? Appellantsclaimforworkerscompensationbenefitsfindingtheclaimwasbarredbythestatueoflimitations,byherfailuretotimelyfileherNoticeofAppeal,andalternatively,thatshehadfailedtoprosecutetheclaimformorethanoneyearafteritwasfiled.Weaffirm.I    N.N.N.     `     h     I     X_XN.X_XXX_      XX_  ` ImogeneDixonsustainedaworkrelatedinjuryonFebruary15,1993, H@  whenamentallydisabledpatientassaultedheratGreeneValleyDevelopmentCenter.Ms.DixonfiledaclaimforworkerscompensationbenefitsandreceivedtemporarytotaldisabilitybenefitsandtheDivisionofClaimsAdministration(DCA)paidhermedicalbills.OnJune17,1993,shewasreleasedtoreturntoworkwithoutamedicalimpairmentratingandwithnolimitationsonheractivities.OnSeptember10,1993,DCAsentMs.Dixonaletterdenyingherclaimandadvisingherthatshehadninety(90)daysfromSeptember10,1993inwhichtofileanappealwiththeTennesseeClaimsCommission.Afterthatletter,theStatemadeonepaymentonMarch8,1994formedicalservicesshehadreceivedonFebruary15,1993. ` Accordingtotherecord,Ms.DixonfiledhernoticeofappealwiththeTennesseeClaimsCommissiononJanuary14,1997.OnDecember16,1997,theStatefiledaMotiontoDismissand/orforSummaryJudgmentbaseduponthestatuteoflimitations.ThemotionwassupportedbytheaffidavitofMonicaFuquaL    N.N.N.   X_XN.X_XXX_         1     XX_ ,aclaimsexaminerwithDCA,andamemorandumoflaw. 1*(     N.N.N.     X_XN.X_XXX_       ` XX_ OnDecember31,1997,aresponsewasfiledonbehalfofMs.Dixon  whichdeniedtheactionwasbarredbythestatuteoflimitationsanddeniedtheappealwasnottimelyfiled.AMemorandumofLawinSupportofClaimantsResponsetoDefendantsMotiontoDismissand/orforSummaryJudgmentwasalsofiled.Thememorandumallegedthatthedefendanthadmisstatedfactsinitspleadings,claimedthenoticeofappealwasfiledbymailingitonDecember7,1993,andrequestedthatthedefendantsmotionbedeniedandthemattersetfortrialonthemerits.Noaffidavitwasfiledinsupportoftheresponse.OnDecember31,1997,Ms.DixonalsofiledarequestforanoralhearingoftheMotiontoDismissand/orforSummaryJudgment.     N.N.N.    X_XN.X_XXX_      XX_  ` OnFebruary13,1998,anOrderofDismissalwasenteredwhichdenied  therequestfororalargument.TheCommissionfoundthatMs.DixonfailedtofileherclaimforworkerscompensationbenefitswithinoneyearasrequiredbyT.C.A.506203,failedtofilehernoticeofappealwiththeClaimsCommissionwithinninetydaysasrequiredbyT.C.A.98402(b),andthat,eveniftimelyfiled,theclaimshouldbedismissedpursuanttoT.C.A.98402(b) becausenoactionwastakenintheprosecutionofthisclaimwithinoneyearofthefilingdate. ` OnMarch12,1998,counselforMs.DixonfiledaMotiontoSetAsideDismissalpursuanttoRule60.02andRule59.04oftheTennesseeRulesofCivilProcedure.Withthemotion,theaffidavitsofattorneyJohnT.MilburnRogers9!    N.N.N.   X_XN.X_XXX_         2     XX_ andChristiLeeRaderBolton    N.N.N.   X_XN.X_XXX_      0   3     XX_ ,aparalegalinhisoffice,wereattached 6/, withcopiesofdraftcomplaints. ` TheStatefiledaresponsetothemotion,withaffidavits    N.N.N.   X_XN.X_XXX_         4     XX_ ,placinginto 4 , issuethestatementsmadeintheaffidavitsofMs.BoltonandMr.Rogers. ` OnAugust17,1998,TheTennesseeClaimsCommissiondeniedMs.DixonsmotiontosetasidetheOrderofDismissalstating, AlthoughthesedocumentsaverthatClaimantsNoticeofAppealwasexecutedandmailedinDecemberof1993,theydonotprovideevidencethattheNoticeofAppealwasreceivedbytheClaimsCommissionwithinninetydaysoftheSeptember10,1993denialnoticefromtheDivisionofClaimsAdministrationasrequiredbyTennesseeCodeAnnotated98402(b).AlthoughthecopyofClaimantsNoticeofAppealappearstohavebeenexecutedinDecemberof1993,itwasnotfiledwiththeClaimsCommissionuntilJanuaryof1997,approximately22monthsafterthestatuteoflimitationsexpired. !     N.N.N.     `     h     II.      ` ThiscasecomesbeforetheCourtinthepostureofasummaryjudgment.ThestandardofreviewisthatprovidedforRule56oftheTennesseeRulesofCivilProcedure.Wemust takethestrongestlegitimateviewoftheevidenceinfavorofthenonmovingparty,allowallreasonableinferencesfromthatevidenceinitsfavor,anddiscardallcountervailingevidence.Byrdv.Hall,847S.W.2d208,210211(Tenn.1993). If, H @ afterapplyingthisstandard,wefindthattherearenogenuineissuesofmaterialfactandthemovingpartyisentitledtoajudgmentasamatteroflaw,wemustaffirmthegrantofsummaryjudgment.Jonesv.Cityof h`  JohnsonCity,917S.W.2d687,689(Tenn.App.1995),cert.denied1996.      `     h     III.      X_XN.X_XXX_      XX_ ` Onappeal,Ms.DixonassertstheCommissionerredingrantingthe  defendantsmotionforsummaryjudgmentbecauseoftheexistenceofamaterialissueoffactconcerningwhethertheappealwastimelyfiled.ShealsoassertsthatthedefendantshouldbeestoppedfromassertingthestatuteoflimitationswhereitledMs.Dixontobelievethatshehadapendingclaim.2    N.N.N.     X_XN.X_XXX_      XX_ ` Whetherthereisamaterialissueoffactdependsonwhetherplacinga  noticeofappealoracomplaintintheUnitedStatesmailconstitutesthe filingofsuchadocument.   ` TennesseeCodeAnnotated98402governsthefilingofclaimsbeforetheTennesseeClaimsCommission.ItrequiresaclaimanttogivewrittennoticeofaworkerscompensationclaimtotheDCA.Thenoticemustrecitethecircumstancesuponwhichtheclaimisbased.Theclaimisbarredifthenoticeisnotgivenwithinthestatuteoflimitationsapplicabletosimilarclaimsfiledinthecourts.DCAmustinvestigateandattempttograntordenytheclaimwithin90daysafterreceipt. Iftheclaimisdenied,thedivisionshallsonotifytheclaimantandinformtheclaimantofthereasonsthereforeandoftherighttofileaclaimwiththeClaimsCommissionwithinninety(90)daysofthedateofthedenialnotice.T.C.A.98402.Pursuanttothiscodesection,Ms. :24 DixonshouldhavefiledhernoticeofappealwiththeTennesseeClaimsCommissionwithin90daysfromSeptember10,1993whichwouldhavebeenDecember9,1993.Ms.DixonsNoticeofAppealfromdenialofaclaimwasnotreceivedbytheClerkoftheTennesseeClaimsCommissionuntilJanuary14,1997. h5    N.N.N.   ` ProceedingsbeforetheTennesseeClaimsCommissionaregovernedbytheTennesseeRulesofCivil   Procedure.T.C.A.98403.Withregardtofilingdocumentswiththecourts,Rule5.06,T.R.C.P.,provides: Thefilingofpleadingsandotherpaperswiththecourtasrequiredbytheserulesshallbemadebyfilingthemwiththeclerkofthecourt...Theclerkshallendorseuponeverypleadingandotherpapersfiledwithhiminanactionthedateandhourofthefiling.TheRulesdonotdefine filing.InFanningv.Fly,42Tenn. $ (2Cold.)486(1865),theCourtsaid, Apaperissaidtobefiled,whenitisdeliveredtotheproperofficer,andbyhimreceivedtobekeptonfile;andpapersputtogetherandtiedinbundles,arecalledafile.(citationsomitted)42Tenn.at488.InDooleyv.Dooley,980S.W.2d369(Tenn.App.1998),defendantscounselhad  mailedananswertoapetitionforcontempttoopposingcounselwithoutfilingtheanswerwiththeclerkofthecourt.TheCourtheldthatsuchactiondidnot constituteafilingoftheanswerwhichwouldwaivepersonaljurisdiction.  X_XN.X_XXX_      XX_ ` CounselforMs.Dixoncitesnoauthority(andweareawareofnone)for #   thepropositionthatplacinganoticeofappealinthemailconstitutesthe filingrequiredbyT.C.A.98402.Thus,itisnotmaterialthatanissueoffactexistsoverwhetherthenoticewastimelymailedtotheTennesseeClaimsCommission.ItisclearthatitwasnottimelyreceivedandendorsedbytheclerkoftheCommission,therefore,itwasnottimelyfiled. ` Theoneyearstatueoflimitationsonworkerscompensationclaimsexpiresoneyearaftertheemployerslastvoluntarypaymentofbenefits.Ogdenv.MatrixVisionofWilliamsonCounty,Inc.,838S.W.2d528(Tenn. t4l-0 1992);UnionCarbideCorp.v.Cannon,523S.W.2d360(Tenn.1975). 6/2 AssumingthestatueoflimitationsonMs.DixonsclaimbegantorunwhenthedefendantmadeitslastpaymentofmedicalbenefitsonMarch8,1994,she :36 couldhavetimelyfiledherclaimwiththeTennesseeClaimsCommissiononorbeforeMarch8,1995.TheclaimwasnotreceivedandfiledbytheClerkoftheCommissionuntilJanuary14,1997,morethantwentytwo(22)monthsafterthestatueoflimitationsexpired.@    N.N.N.   ` CounselforMs.Dixonalsoarguesthatthedefendantisbarredbyestoppelfromrelyingonthestatute  oflimitations.ItiscontendedthatheengagedinconversationsconcerningMs.Dixonsclaimwithemployeesandagentsofthedefendantafterthetimeforfilinghernoticeofappealhadpassed.Thedefendantinthiscaseisapublicagency.Inorderforestoppeltoapply,theremustbe evidenceofaffirmativeconductonthepartofthestateinducingtheplaintifftoacttohisdetriment.Carpenterv.State,838S.W.2d525,528  (Tenn.1992).TheexactnatureofthestatementsofemployeesandagentsoftheStatethatwouldconstituteestoppelarenotsetforthintheaffidavitsfiledonbehalfofMs.Dixon.Therefore,thenecessaryevidenceofaffirmativeconductisnotshownandtheargumentfails. ` Finally,counselforMs.Dixonassertsthattheclaimwasdiligentlyprosecutedbecausehehad conversationsconcerningtheclaimwithemployeesoragentsofthedefendantafteritwasfiled,buthedoesnotspecifythecontentofthoseconversations.TheaffidavitsfiledbyMonicaFuquaonbehalfofthedefendantshowtheonlyactiontakenbyemployeesoragentsofthedefendantafterSeptember10,1993wastodenytheclaim.Weareunabletofindanyevidenceintherecord,otherthanthefilingofthenoticeofappeal,thattheclaimwasprosecutedasrequiredbyT.C.A.98402(b). ` ThejudgmentoftheCommissionisaffirmed.CostsaretaxedagainsttheAppellantandhersurety.  0p x (#X0  _____________________________πB+ ` hp x (#XB `     h     HowellN.Peoples,SpecialJudgeConcur:_______________________________̀WilliamM.Barker,Justice________________________________̀JoeC.Loser,Jr.,SpecialJudge  2+5 ` TR[A' Legal[A'A' LegalA' LegalT"N.N.n&*8($hxR `E"tt06;8n ` ;` ;` (#` (#@  MINTHESUPREMECOURTOFTENNESSEE@rrMATKNOXVILLE    h      p          h      p   x  , @,  `  `     h      p     IMOGENEDIXON h   )TENNESSEECLAIMS       h      p )      ` (#` (#` ;` ;COMMISSIONҀ PlaintiffAppellant,    ) p      x   h`   XX    h     ) p No.03S019810BC00111  0(  v.    h   0  ) 8"8"     h     ) p THEHONORABLE x     Ѐ    h     ) p MICHAELS.LACY,   STATEOFTENNESSEE,    ) p COMMISSIONER PH      h     ) p    DefendantAppellee.  )       h      p    ph Ѐ    h    80     h JUDGMENTORDER ThiscaseisbeforetheCourtupontheentirerecord,includingtheorderofreferraltotheSpecialWorkers'CompensationAppealsPanel,andthePanel'smemorandumOpinionsettingforthitsfindingsoffactandconclusionsoflaw,whichareincorporatedhereinbyreference; Whereupon,itappearstotheCourtthatthememorandumOpinionofthePanelshouldbeacceptedandapproved;and Itis,therefore,orderedthatthePanel'sfindingsoffactsandconclusionsoflawareadoptedandaffirmedandthedecisionofthePanelismadetheJudgmentoftheCourt. Costsonappealaretaxedtotheappellant,ImogeneDixonandJohnT.MilburnRogers,surety,forwhichexecutionmayissueifnecessary.̀08/30/99#N."N.P# *#4 & X   X_XN.X_XXX_      XX_'X,\\    N.N.N.