ÿWPC¶ ØÅ/4Öð7A2Á$RÒQæâ |}.^ZÑ + SIWÂÇÍßù ðœà_‹< U˜x‹A†½–´ˆ…™lgr,PÇwô€[Ãì3å°ôä7IýSó@•ØÝöGSàxœ¥’H8¥ê¹ëé~ŒÆµc:ìw¼ºìRZÀpë–£GÅ°È÷“Ïo½›—Ñbs\ØÓë¥ Ö@É/ÎO^þ·£®%tŽÍÎúV?ß ÈzuÃW…,¬-‹éÿ3ð±1zllª_(}óM¾ú#³Yw$èÞÄ&ó8ëUÂ2Bp õaÈ“_-æ¤3¥µ\ýô[ªÈG=5gKjsÖoû„\EÓ#0Û eyž[›Zsç­lM¯¸Ø«M㣻–÷/„ÄP¶Ûk¤ß#S‡Ë©Hr養¾¬y4«ÐŸ8]±e Ü{ÿx€çªuŠÛm2í`¦¾ŠHôÏ™yç@‚Bgž’ͬ-åô œK=OÉ‚ãzÈ|èÌÔ×!'2—ègÚIJ°Z(æô‚4‰g Jƒµ&ÄñÏÅê„Ù…žw jóÛ°²T]*~›†Õm‘ j?½ÑHÂÉWpt,˜œ@½U¸™â¿li)·@z•81GŽ÷0bªka#!NU%No %½ 0(ÃU:ëw% 4) = fL U:² U :ì & f. N” – ˜ U:­ Nç mé = U:= ^ w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w AQƒ ÆÔ 0Dš 0DÞ 0D"" D3f B™˜HP LaserJet 8000 DN PSØÚØÚÚØØÚ0(ÈhH  Z 6Times New Roman RegularX($¡¡,c½¬AZ‹"Arial RegulartpO'3|x \Ñ\R AØ'ÿ Legal\Ñ, øð AZ"Arial Regular, øð AZ"Arial Regular \Ñ\R AØ'ÿ Legal\Ñ  Ý ƒ[¯"ÝÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÔ€X÷XXXÔÔ€ XX÷ÔÓ  Óò òÔ Ad ÔFILEDÔ€X÷X ÔÐ  ÐÌOctober€29,€1999ÌÌCecil€Crowson,€Jr.ÌAppellate€Court€ClerkÔdAxÔó ó,c½¬AZ‹"Arial RegularÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ 3Ý ƒ[¯"ÝÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÔ€XIXXXÔÔ€î&XXIÔÓ  Óò òÔ Ad ÔFILEDÔ€XIXî&ÔÐ  ÐÌOctober€29,€1999Ð ˜˜ ÐÌCecil€Crowson,€Jr.Ð dd ÐAppellate€Court€ClerkÔdAxÔó ó,c½¬AZ‹"Arial RegularNa'L Z[\]_Cþÿ<<CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(3¯$¢¢Ý ƒ!ÝÝ  Ý(3¯$££Ý ƒ!ÝÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó ó````'ÿÿdxd dÝ ƒ!ÝÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÒ°ÒÒX°ÒÓ  ÓÑ€ †ÑÑTR[° AØ'ÿ Legal3Ø' AØ'ÿ Legalÿ3Ø'TÑÔ‡ X÷XXXÔÑ€ †Ñßv€Y_@0,j:`  `€€@ÿE ±` 8ttxPX°ð  vßÔ_Ô€à@@PPDàò òIN€THE€SUPREME€COURT€OF€TENNESSEEÐ ° Ðà@@Ÿ Ÿ DàSPECIAL€WORKERSðð€COMPENSATION€APPEALS€PANELÌà@@ºº*DàAT€JACKSONÌà@@øø$Dà(July€12,€1999€Session)òòÐ tÄ ÐÌÌÌÓ  ÓÌóóVIRGINIA€MCCONNELL,à@DD/Dàˆà p àó ó)ò òÐ  ` Ðà@DD/Dàˆà p àó ó)ò òÐ ü L  Ðà ` àó óPlaintiff/Appellee,ò òà@DD/Dàˆà p àó ó)ò òÐ â 2  Ðà@DD/Dàˆà p àó ó)ò òà È àó óLAUDERDALE€CHANCERYò òÐ È  Ðó óv.ò òà@DD/Dàˆà p àó ó)ò òÐ ®þ  Ðà@DD/Dàˆà p àó ó)ò òà È àó óNO.€02S01„9810„CH„00098ò òÐ ”ä  ÐTRAVELERS€INSURANCE€COMPANY,à@DD/Dàˆà p àó ó)ò òÐ zÊ  Ðó óà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àà p à)à È àHON.€CHARLES€MCPHERSONÐ f¶  Ðà ` àDefendant/Appellant.Ô#†XÇ!XX X÷¸#ÔÔ‡ X÷XXXÇ!Ôà À àà  àà p à)Ð Lœ Ѐà ` àò òÔ#†XÇ!XX X÷…#ÔÔ‡X÷XXXÇ!Ôà@DD/Dàˆà p àó ó)ò òÐ 2‚ Ðó óÌÔ#†XÇ!XXX÷#ÔÔ‡ X÷XXXÇ!Ôò òÌÌòòFOR€THE€APPELLEEóó:à h àà À àà  àà p àòòFOR€THE€APPELLANTóó:Ð Ö& ÐÌGAYDEN€DREW,€IVó óà h àà À àà  àà p àò òMARC€A.€SORINó óÐ ®þ ÐDrew€&€Martindale,€P.C.à h àà À àà  àà p àSpicer,€Flynn€&€Rudstrom,€PLLCÐ šê Ð470€North€Parkway,€Suite€Cà À àà  àà p à80€Monroe€Avenue,€Suite€500Ð €Ð ÐJackson,€Tennessee€€38305à À àà  àà p àMemphis,€Tennessee€€38103Ð f¶ ÐÌÌò òÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌà@ššDàòòM€E€M€O€R€A€N€D€U€M€€€€O€P€I€N€I€O€NóóˆÐ P( #' ÐÌà@ÈÈ'DàòòMembers€of€Panelóó:ó óˆÐ (*x%) ÐÌà@#DàJustice€Janice€M.€HolderˆÌà@;;"DàSenior€Judge€F.€Lloyd€TatumˆÌà@ee DàSpecial€Judge€C.€Creed€McGinleyˆÌà@DD/Dàò òˆÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌMODIFIED€AND€AFFIRMEDÌÌÌF.€LLOYD€TATUM,€SENIOR€JUDGEÌÌÔ#†XÇ!XX X÷’#ÔÔ‡X÷XXXÇ!ÔÐ  ¨:ø5; ÐÑ †Ñâ  âÑTR[ì AØ'ÿ Legal[ì AØ'ÿ Legal  AØ'ÿ Legal  AØ'ÿ LegalTÑâ  âÑ  ÑÔ_ÔÑ8€ EXXdædÈ8ÑÓÓà@,DàOPINIONó óˆÐ ° ÐÓ  Óà ` àThis€workersðð€compensation€appeal€was€referred€to€the€Special€WorkersððÐ |Ì ÐCompensation€Appeals€Panel€of€the€Supreme€Court€pursuant€to€Tennessee€CodeÐ H˜ ÐAnnotated€ðð€50„6„225(e)(3)€(Supp.€1998)€for€hearing€and€reporting€to€the€Supreme€CourtÐ  d Ðof€findings€of€fact€and€conclusions€of€law.Ð à 0 Ðà ` àThis€case€arises€from€a€back€injury€that€plaintiff€sustained€on€the€job.€Ô#†X EXXXI. #ÔÔ‡XIXXX EÔ€The€courtÐ ¬ ü  Ðfound€that€plaintiff€made€a€meaningful€return€to€work€and€gave€her€the€maximum€award€ofÐ xÈ  Ðsix€(6)€times€the€anatomical€rating€(60€percent€vocational€disability€to€the€body€as€a€whole)Ð D”  Ðpursuant€to€Tennessee€Code€Annotated€ðð€50„6„241(b),€rather€than€limiting€the€award€toÐ ` Ðthe€two€and€one„half€(2ðð)€times€cap€found€in€ðð€50„6„241(a).€€The€defendant€appealed€toÐ Ü, Ðthis€Court€on€three€issues:€(1)€whether€the€evidence€presented€at€trial€preponderatesÐ ¨ø Ðagainst€the€trial€courtððs€finding€that€Anderson€Hickey€did€not€return€the€plaintiff€to€herÐ tÄ Ðemployment€at€wage€equal€to€or€greater€than€the€wage€plaintiff€was€receiving€at€the€timeÐ @ Ðof€the€injury€as€required€by€Tennessee€Code€Annotated€ðð€50„6„241(b);€(2)€whether€theÐ  \ Ðevidence€preponderates€against€the€trial€courtððs€finding€that€plaintiff€sustained€a€60€percentÐ Ø( Ðvocational€impairment€rating;€and€(3)€whether€the€trial€court€erred€in€failing€to€make€specificÐ ¤ô Ðfindings€of€fact€and€conclusions€of€law€as€required€by€Tennessee€Code€Annotated€ðð€50„6„Ð p!À  Ð241(c)€when€awarding€plaintiff€a€vocational€impairment€rating€of€six€(6)€times€theÐ <#Œ" Ðanatomical€rating?Ð %X $ Ðà ` àWe€find€that€plaintiffððs€award€is€not€limited€by€the€two€and€one„half€(2ðð)€times€capÐ Ô&$"& Ðfound€in€Tennessee€Code€Annotated€ðð€50„6„241(a);€however,€plaintiffððs€award€is€reducedÐ  (ð#( Ðto€four€(4)€times€the€medical€impairment€rating€pursuant€to€Tennessee€Code€Annotated€ððÐ l*¼%* Ð50„6„241(b)€and€(c).€€We,€therefore,€modify€and€affirm€the€judgment€of€the€trial€court.€€€€€€Ð 8,ˆ', Ðà ` àOur€standard€of€review€on€appeal€in€workersðð€compensation€cases€is€òòde€novoóó€on€theÐ .T). Ðrecord€with€a€presumption€of€correctness€of€the€trial€courtððs€findings,€unless€the€evidenceÐ Ð/ +0 Ðpresented€preponderates€otherwise.€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€50„6„225(e)(2)€(Supp.€1998);Ð œ1ì,2 ÐòòHenson€v.€City€of€Lawrenceburgóó,€851€S.W.2d€809,€812€(Tenn.€1993).Ô#†X EXXXIw#ÔÔ‡XIXXX EÔ€€Under€this€standardÐ h3¸.4 Ðof€review,€we€are€required€to€conduct€an€in„depth€examination€of€the€trial€courtððs€findingsÐ 45„06 Ðof€fact€and€conclusions€of€law€to€determine€where€the€preponderance€of€the€evidence€lies.€Ð 7P28 ÐòòSee€Thomas€v.€Aetna€Life€&€Cas.€Co.óó,€812€S.W.2d€278,€282€(Tenn.€1991)€(quotingÐ Ì84: ÐòòHumphrey€v.€David€Witherspoon,€Inc.óó,€734€S.W.2d€315€(Tenn.€1987));€òòKing€v.€Jones€TruckÐ ° ÐLinesóó,€814€S.W.2d€23,€25€(Tenn.€1991).Ô#†X EXXXIš#ÔÔ‡XIXXX EÔ€€When€oral€testimony€is€presented€at€trial,€we€mustÐ |Ì Ðgive€particular€deference€to€the€trial€courtððs€assessment€of€such€live€testimony;€however,Ð H˜ Ðwhen€medical€testimony€is€presented€by€deposition,€this€Court€may€draw€its€ownÐ  d Ðconclusions€about€the€weight,€credibility,€and€significance€of€such€testimony.€€òòSeiber€v.Ð à 0 ÐGreenbrier€Indus.,€Inc.óó,€906€S.W.2d€444,€446€(Tenn.€1995);€òòTownsend€v.€Stateóó,€826Ð ¬ ü  ÐS.W.2d€434,€437€(Tenn.€1992);€òòThomasóó,€812€S.W.2d€at€283.€€Ô#†X EXXXIî#ÔÔ‡XIXXX EÔWith€these€principles€in€mind,Ð xÈ  Ðwe€turn€to€the€facts€of€this€case.€Ô#†X EXXXIn#ÔÔ‡XIXXX EÔ€€€€€€Ð D”  Ðà ` àPlaintiff,€Virginia€McConnell,€testified€at€trial€on€August€18,€1998,€that€she€was€a€48Ð ` Ðyear€old€high€school€graduate€with€an€extensive€work€history€of€unskilled€jobs,€such€as€fastÐ Ü, Ðfood€service,€factory€assembly€work,€and€assorted€part„time€positions.€€She€began€workingÐ ¨ø Ðfor€defendantððs€insured,€Anderson€Hickey€Company,€on€July€24,€1987,€in€the€brake€pressÐ tÄ Ðdepartment€but€was€later€moved€to€the€welding€department.€€Plaintiffððs€duties,€which€sheÐ @ Ðdescribed€as€physically€demanding,€included€picking€empty€cabinet€drawers€off€of€aÐ  \ Ðconveyor€belt,€one€or€two€at€time,€and€placing€them€on€a€pallet.€€Plaintiff€estimated€theÐ Ø( Ðweight€of€the€cabinet€drawers€as€twenty€pounds€each.€€When€the€pallet€was€full€of€drawers,Ð ¤ô Ðplaintiff€pushed€the€pallet€down€her€line€to€a€different€line.€€Ð p!À  Ðà ` àOn€April€18,€1997,€plaintiff€felt€pain€and€a€pulling€sensation€in€her€back€after€liftingÐ <#Œ" Ða€cabinet€drawer€off€of€the€line€and€twisting€to€place€it€on€a€pallet.€€Plaintiff€was€treatedÐ %X $ Ðconservatively€by€Dr.€Robbins,€a€company€doctor,€and€was€ultimately€sent€to€Dr.€D.J.Ð Ô&$"& ÐCanale,€who€performed€surgery€on€her€back€to€remove€a€ruptured€disk.€€On€September€8,Ð  (ð#( Ð1997,€plaintiff€returned€to€work€in€the€lightest€position€available€at€Anderson€Hickey,€thatÐ l*¼%* Ðof€folding€and€stacking€eight€inch€tall€box€tops€and€bottoms€used€in€shipping€filing€cabinets.€Ð 8,ˆ', ÐShe€estimated€that€each€box€weighed€only€a€few€pounds,€but€she€was€also€required€toÐ .T). Ðdrag€approximately€twenty€boxes€of€liners,€weighing€fifty€to€seventy€pounds€each,€acrossÐ Ð/ +0 Ðthirty€or€forty€feet€of€concrete€flooring€to€her€work€table€for€use€in€the€assembly€process.€Ð œ1ì,2 ÐPlaintiff€estimated€that€she€made€a€thousand€box€tops€or€bottoms€per€day.€€Plaintiff€testifiedÐ h3¸.4 Ðthat€she€had€difficulty€standing€up,€twisting,€turning,€bending,€and€stooping€after€herÐ 45„06 Ðsurgery.€€Her€back,€legs,€and€hip€were€constantly€hurting,€and€she€told€her€supervisor,Ð 7P28 ÐJohnny€Jones,€that€she€would€have€to€quit.€€Plaintiffððs€last€day€at€Anderson€Hickey€wasÐ Ì84: ÐÑ †Ñâ  âÑTR[ì AØ'ÿ Legal[ì AØ'ÿ Legal  AØ'ÿ Legal  AØ'ÿ LegalTÑâ  âÑ  ÑApril€23,€1998.€€She€subsequently€obtained€a€job€as€a€part„time€bank€teller,€which€sheÐ ° Ðdescribed€as€a€much€easier€job€physically,€but€she€still€has€pain€in€her€back,€hips€and€knee.€Ð |Ì ÐShe€has€difficulty€lifting€twenty€pounds€and€cannot€twist€or€bend€without€difficulty.€Ð H˜ Ðà ` àPlaintiffððs€supervisor€for€the€four€months€before€she€left€Anderson€Hickey,€JohnnyÐ  d ÐJones,€testified€on€behalf€of€the€defendant.€€He€stated€that€plaintiffððs€job€during€that€timeÐ à 0 Ðwas€to€build€the€cardboard€pads€that€fit€on€the€tops€and€bottoms€of€filing€cabinets.€€JonesÐ ¬ ü  Ðstated€that€each€pad€was€six€inches€long€and€weighed€approximately€seven€or€eightÐ xÈ  Ðounces.€€He€remembered€plaintiff€complaining€about€having€problems€standing.€€HeÐ D”  Ðcontradicted€plaintiffððs€testimony€that€she€was€working€on€the€portion€of€the€assembly€lineÐ ` Ðthat€involved€dragging€fifty€to€seventy„five€pounds€of€liners€to€her€work€station.€€JonesÐ Ü, Ðrecalled€the€conversation€in€which€plaintiff€told€him€she€was€quitting,€but€the€reason€sheÐ ¨ø Ðgave€Jones€was€that€her€doctor€instructed€her€to€do€so.€€He€testified€that€he€told€plaintiffÐ tÄ Ðto€go€to€Human€Resources,€but€she€never€did€so€before€quitting.Ð @ Ðà ` àDr.€D.€J.€Canale,€plaintiffððs€treating€neurosurgeon,€testified€by€deposition€that€heÐ  \ Ðremoved€a€large€herniated€disk€from€the€L„3€region€of€plaintiffððs€back€in€June€of€1997.€€OnÐ Ø( ÐSeptember€4,€1997,€Dr.€Canale€felt€plaintiff€could€return€to€work€with€a€twenty€pound€liftingÐ ¤ô Ðrestriction€for€six€weeks.€€He€rated€her€permanent€physical€impairment€at€10€percent€to€theÐ p!À  Ðbody€as€a€whole,€according€to€the€fourth€edition€of€the€AMA€Guides.€€He€restricted€her€fromÐ <#Œ" Ðheavy€lifting€over€twenty€pounds.€€During€visits€in€October,€November,€and€December,Ð %X $ Ðplaintiff€complained€of€pain€in€her€lower€back,€right€side€of€the€back,€both€knees,€and€leftÐ Ô&$"& Ðhip.€€She€was€working€regularly€but€complained€that€standing€all€day€aggravated€herÐ  (ð#( Ðsymptoms.€€A€small€herniated€disk€was€discovered€in€the€L„2„3€region€of€plaintiffððs€spine,Ð l*¼%* Ðbut€Dr.€Canale€did€not€feel€it€was€connected€to€the€work€injury€or€that€plaintiff€neededÐ 8,ˆ', Ðadditional€surgery€to€remove€it.€€As€to€plaintiffððs€return€to€her€job€at€Anderson€Hickey,€Dr.Ð .T). ÐCanale€stated:Ð Ð/ +0 ÐÓÓà ` àà ¸ à[H]er€husband€indicated€that€they€are€considering€changing€jobs€to€one€such€Ð œ1ì,2 Ðà ` àà ¸ àas€possibly€a€bank€teller€where€she€doesnððt€have€to€stand€all€day.€€I€explainedÐ ‚2Ò-3 Ðà ` àà ¸ àto€the€patient€that€she€does€have€some€other€degenerative€changes€in€the€Ð h3¸.4 Ðà ` àà ¸ àlumbar€spine€and€that€this€may€be€in€part€responsible€for€her€persistent€Ð N4ž/5 Ðà ` àà ¸ àsymptoms.Ð 45„06 ÐÓ  Ó***Ð 6j17 ÐÓ  Óà ` àà ¸ àIt€may€be€necessary€for€her€to€change€jobs€because€she€has€to€stand€all€day€Ð 7P28 Ðà ` àà ¸ àand€do€a€lot€of€turning,€making€boxes,€but€thatððs€going€to€be€up€to€her€Ð æ7639 Ðà ` àà ¸ àhusband.Ð Ì84: ÐÓ  Ó***Ð ²95; ÐÓ  Óà ` àà ¸ àI€donððt€think€Mrs.€McConnell€really€wanted€to€go€back€to€that€job.€€She€and€Ð ° Ðà ` àà ¸ àher€husband€„„€in€fact,€they€both€expressed€to€me€that€they€felt€she€would€be€Ð –æ Ðà ` àà ¸ àbetter€off€in€a€job€such€as€a€bank€teller,€and€I€encouraged€them€to€seek€that€Ð |Ì Ðà ` àà ¸ àjob€if€she€could.Ð b² Ðà ` àÌÓÓà ` àDr.€Joseph€C.€Boals,€III,€orthopedic€surgeon,€evaluated€plaintiff€April€20,€1998.€€Dr.Ð . ~ ÐBoals€reviewed€plaintiffððs€MRI€and€medical€records€from€Dr.€Canaleððs€office€and€conductedÐ ú J Ða€physical€examination€in€addition€to€taking€x„rays.€€His€diagnosis€was€that€plaintiff€hadÐ Æ   Ðresiduals€from€the€disk€surgery,€related€to€the€incident€at€work,€along€with€degenerativeÐ ’â  Ðchanges€at€L€2„3€and€L€4„5.€€Using€the€AMA€Guides,€Dr.€Boals€rated€plaintiffððs€permanentÐ ^®  Ðpartial€disability€at€15€percent€to€the€body€as€a€whole,€10€percent€due€to€residuals€from€theÐ *z  Ðdisk€surgery€and€5€percent€due€to€the€loss€of€the€left€knee€jerk€response.€€He€testified€thatÐ öF Ðplaintiff€would€be€rated€as€having€a€20€percent€impairment€under€the€òòOrthopedic€ManualÐ Â Ðfor€Evaluating€Impairment.€€óóDr.€Boals€would€also€restrict€plaintiff€from€heavy€lifting,€twisting,Ð ŽÞ Ðprolonged€standing,€walking,€stooping,€climbing,€and€crawling.Ð Zª Ðò òÓ  ÓI.ó óÐ &v ÐÓ‘?Óà ` àDefendant€argues€that€the€trial€court€erred€in€finding€that€Anderson€Hickey€did€notÐ òB Ðreturn€plaintiff€to€employment€at€a€wage€equal€to€or€greater€than€her€pre„injury€wage,€and,Ð ¾ Ðthus,€the€court€erred€in€not€capping€plaintiffððs€award€at€Ô#†X EXXXI #ÔÔ‡XIXXX EÔtwo€and€one„half€(2€ðð)€times€theÐ Š Ú Ðanatomical€impairment€ratingÔ#†X EXXXI A#ÔÔ‡XIXXX EÔ.€€After€a€careful€review€of€the€record,€we€find€that€the€trialÐ V"¦! Ðcourt€correctly€found€that€the€plaintiffððs€award€was€not€limited€by€the€two€and€one€half€(2€ðð)Ð "$r# ÐÔ#†X EXXXI¡A#ÔÔ‡XIXXX EÔtimes€cap.€€Ð î%>!% Ðà ` àThe€two€and€one„half€(2ðð)€times€cap€only€applies€if€the€employee€has€a€meaningfulÐ º' #' Ðreturn€to€work€after€an€injury.€€òòSee€Newton€v.€Scott€Health€Care€Ctr.óó,€914€S.W.2d€884,€886Ð †)Ö$) Ð(Tenn.€1995).€€The€pertinent€portion€of€Tennessee€Code€Annotated€ðð€50„6„241(a)(1)Ð R+¢&+ Ðimposing€the€cap€reads€as€follows:Ð -n(- ÐÓÓà ` àà ¸ àFor€injuries€arising€on€or€after€August€1,€1992,€in€cases€where€an€injured€Ð ê.:*/ Ðà ` àà ¸ àemployee€is€eligible€to€receive€any€permanent€partial€disability€benefits,€Ð Ð/ +0 Ðà ` àà ¸ àpursuant€to€ðð€50„6„207(3)(A)(i)€and€(F),€and€the€pre„injury€employer€returns€Ð ¶0,1 Ðà ` àà ¸ àthe€employee€to€employment€at€a€wage€equal€to€or€greater€than€the€wage€theÐ œ1ì,2 Ðà ` àà ¸ àemployee€was€receiving€at€the€time€of€injury,€the€maximum€permanent€partial€Ð ‚2Ò-3 Ðà ` àà ¸ àdisability€award€that€the€employee€may€receive€is€two€and€one„half€(2€ðð)€Ð h3¸.4 Ðà ` àà ¸ àtimes€the€medical€impairment€rating€determined€pursuant€to€the€provisions€Ð N4ž/5 Ðà ` àà ¸ àof€the€American€Medical€Association€Guides€to€the€Evaluation€of€Permanent€Ð 45„06 Ðà ` àà ¸ àImpairment€(American€Medical€Association),€the€Manual€for€Orthopedic€Ð 6j17 Ðà ` àà ¸ àSurgeons€in€Evaluating€Permanent€Physical€Impairment€(American€Academy€Ð 7P28 Ðà ` àà ¸ àof€Orthopedic€Surgeons),€or€in€cases€not€covered€by€either€of€these,€an€Ð æ7639 Ðà ` àà ¸ àimpairment€rating€by€any€appropriate€method€used€and€accepted€by€the€Ð Ì84: Ðà ` àà ¸ àmedical€community.€€In€making€determinations,€the€court€shall€consider€all€Ð ²95; Ðà ` àà ¸ àpertinent€factors,€including€lay€and€expert€testimony,€employeeððs€age,€Ð ° Ðà ` àà ¸ àeducation,€skills€and€training,€local€job€opportunities,€and€capacity€to€work€at€Ð –æ Ðà ` àà ¸ àtypes€of€employment€available€in€claimantððs€disabled€condition.Ð |Ì ÐÌÓÓà ` àWhen€the€employee€is€not€returned€to€employment€at€the€same€or€greater€wage€byÐ H˜ Ðthe€employer,€ðð€50„6„241(b)€allows€an€award€up€to€six€(6)€times€the€impairment€rating€asÐ  d Ðfollows:Ð à 0 ÐÓÓà ` àà0 ¸ à[T]he€maximum€permanent€partial€disability€award€that€the€employee€mayÐ ¬ ü  Ðreceive€is€six€(6)€times€the€medical€impairment€rating€determined€pursuantÐ ’â  Ðto€the€provisions€of€the€American€Medical€Association€Guides€to€theÐ xÈ  ÐEvaluation€of€Permanent€Impairment€(American€Medical€Association),€theÐ ^®  ÐManual€for€Orthopedic€Surgeons€in€Evaluating€Permanent€PhysicalÐ D”  ÐImpairment€(American€Academy€of€Orthopedic€Surgeons),€or€in€cases€notÐ *z  Ðcovered€by€either€of€these,€an€impairment€rating€by€any€appropriate€methodÐ ` Ðused€and€accepted€by€the€medical€community.€€In€making€suchÐ öF Ðdeterminations[,]€the€court€shall€consider€all€pertinent€factors,€including€layÐ Ü, Ðand€expert€testimony,€employeeððs€age,€education,€skills€and€training,€localÐ Â Ðjob€opportunities,€and€capacity€to€work€at€types€of€employment€available€inÐ ¨ø Ðclaimantððs€disabled€condition.Ô#†X EXXXI°B#ÔÔ‡XIXXX EÔà p àà È àÐŽÞ¸ €%¸ €% ÐÌÓÓà ` àThe€Tennessee€Supreme€Court€adopted€the€decision€of€the€Special€WorkersððÐ Zª ÐCompensation€Appeals€Panel€which€construed€the€words€ð ðand€the€pre„injury€employerÐ &v Ðreturns€the€employee€to€employmentðð€in€Tennessee€Code€Annotated€ðð€50„6„241(a)(1)€toÐ òB Ðmean€that€the€employer€has€made€a€reasonable€attempt€to€return€the€employee€to€work,Ð ¾ Ðand€the€employee€has€made€a€reasonable€attempt€to€return€to€work.€€Ô#†X EXXXIgQ#ÔòòÔ‡ XIXXX EÔNewtonóó,€914€S.W.2dÐ Š Ú Ðat€886.€€Senior€Judge€Byers,€writing€for€the€Panel,€explained:Ð V"¦! ÐÓÓà ` àà0 ¸ àIf€the€offer€from€the€employer€is€not€reasonable€in€light€of€the€circumstancesÐ "$r# Ðof€the€employeeððs€physical€ability€to€perform€the€offered€employment,€thenÐ %X $ Ðthe€offer€of€employment€is€not€meaningful€and€the€injured€employee€may€à @% àà @% àÐ î%>!% Ðreceive€disability€benefits€up€to€six€times€the€amount€of€the€medical€à @ # àà @ # àÐ Ô&$"& Ðimpairment.€€On€the€other€hand,€an€employee€will€be€limited€to€disability€ofÐ º' #' Ðtwo€and€one„half€times€the€medical€impairment€if€his€refusal€to€return€to€à @Ž$ àà @Ž$ àÐ  (ð#( Ðoffered€work€is€unreasonable.€€The€resolution€of€what€is€reasonable€must€restÐ †)Ö$) Ðupon€the€facts€of€each€case€and€be€determined€thereby.Ô#†X EXX XIåS#Ô€Ðl*¼%*¸ €%¸ €% ÐÌÓÓòòÔ‡ XIXXX EÔId.óó€€In€other€words,€a€return€to€work€in€a€position€that€the€employee€is€unable€to€performÐ 8,ˆ', Ðbecause€of€his€or€her€injuries€is€not€a€meaningful€return€to€work,€and€the€employee€mayÐ .T). Ðreceive€benefits€for€up€to€six€(6)€times€the€medical€impairment€rating€rather€than€beingÐ Ð/ +0 Ðlimited€by€the€two€and€one„half€(2€ðð)€times€cap.€€òòId.;€see€also€Brown€v.€Campbell€CountyÐ œ1ì,2 ÐBd.€of€Educ.óó,€915€S.W.2d€407,€419€&€n12€(Tenn.€1995).€€€òòÐ h3¸.4 Ðà ` àóóIn€the€case€before€us,€we€agree€with€the€trial€court€that€the€plaintiffððs€return€to€workÐ 45„06 Ðwas€not€meaningful.€€Plaintiff€testified€that€she€returned€to€work€after€her€surgery€in€theÐ 7P28 Ðlightest€job€she€knew€of€at€the€plant,€which€was€folding€and€stacking€end€cap€boxes€forÐ Ì84: Ðfiling€cabinets.€€Although€heavy€lifting€was€not€involved,€plaintiff€was€required€to€stand,Ð ° Ðtwist,€and€pull,€which€caused€her€back€to€hurt.€€Her€supervisor,€Mr.€Jones,€also€testified€thatÐ |Ì Ðplaintiff€complained€of€back€pain€from€standing.€€Plaintiff€made€the€same€complaints€to€Dr.Ð H˜ ÐCanale€throughout€the€fall€of€1997.€€Dr.€Canale€felt€that€plaintiff€could€do€the€lighter€job€butÐ  d Ðalso€testified€that€he€encouraged€plaintiff€to€take€a€less€physically€demanding€job€if€sheÐ à 0 Ðcould€get€it.€€In€weighing€the€testimony,€the€trial€court€concluded:Ð ¬ ü  ÐÓÓà ` àà0 ¸ àAnd€the€court€has€to€find€that€Mrs.€McConnell€did,€in€the€courtððs€opinion,Ð xÈ  Ðmake€a€reasonable€stab€at€returning€to€work.€€She€worked€there€for€7Ð ^®  Ðmonths.€€She,€by€her€own€supervisorððs€statement,€she€did€complain€on€aÐ D”  Ðregular€basis€that€her€back€was€hurting,€that€the€standing€was€hurting€herÐ *z  Ðback.€€And,€I€think€7€months€is€a€reasonable€time€to€try€something.€€So,€theÐ ` Ðcourt€finds€that€there€is€evidence€that€the€plaintiff€did€make€a€reasonableÐ öF Ðattempt€to€return€to€work.ÐÜ,¸ €%¸ €% ÐÌÓÓà ` àIn€drawing€its€conclusions,€the€trial€court€heard€and€assessed€the€live€testimony€ofÐ ¨ø Ðplaintiff€and€her€supervisor,€and€we€must€give€considerable€deference€to€the€courtððsÐ tÄ Ðfindings€related€to€this€testimony.€€The€evidence€does€not€preponderate€against€theÐ @ Ðfindings€of€the€trial€court€that€plaintiffððs€return€to€work€was€not€meaningful,€and€the€two€andÐ  \ Ðone„half€(2ðð)€times€cap€is€inapplicable.Ð Ø( Ðò òÓ  ÓII.ó óÐ ¤ô ÐÓîbÓà ` àDefendant€further€argues€that€the€record€establishes€that€plaintiffððs€vocationalÐ p!À  Ðimpairment€was€not€as€significant€as€the€trial€court€found€and€should€be€reduced.€Ô#†X EXX XI X#ÔÔ‡ XIXXX EÔ€InÐ <#Œ" Ðaddition,€defendant€alleges€that€the€trial€court€failed€to€make€specific€findings€of€fact€toÐ %X $ Ðjustify€the€maximum€award€of€six€(6)€times€the€anatomical€rating€as€required€by€TennesseeÐ Ô&$"& ÐCode€Annotated€ðð€50„6„241(c),€which€states:Ô#†X EXX XId#ÔÔ‡ XIXXX EÔÐ  (ð#( ÐÓÓà ` àà0 ¸ àThe€multipliers€established€by€subsections€(a)€and€(b)€are€intended€to€be€à @ % àà @ % àÐ l*¼%* Ðmaximum€limits.€€If€the€court€awards€a€multiplier€of€five€(5)€or€greater,€thenÐ R+¢&+ Ðthe€court€shall€make€specific€findings€of€fact€detailing€the€reasons€forÐ 8,ˆ', Ðawarding€the€maximum€impairment.€€In€making€such€determinations,€theÐ -n(- Ðcourt€shall€consider€all€pertinent€factors,€including€lay€and€expert€testimony,Ð .T). Ðemployeeððs€age,€education,€skills€and€training,€local€job€opportunities,€andÐ ê.:*/ Ðcapacity€to€work€at€types€of€employment€available€in€claimantððs€disabledÐ Ð/ +0 Ðcondition.€Ð¶0,1¸ €%¸ €% ÐÔ#†X EXX XIue#ÔÔ‡ XIXXX EÔ€Ô#†X EXX XIØh#ÔÔ‡ XIXXX EÔÐ œ1ì,2 ÐÓÓà ` àIn€awarding€plaintiff€the€maximum€benefits€of€six€(6)€times€the€medical€impairmentÐ ‚2Ò-3 Ðrating,Ô#†X EXX XIi#ÔÔ‡ XIXXX EÔ€the€trial€court€calculated€the€award€using€the€medical€impairment€rating€in€evidenceÐ N4ž/5 Ðgiven€by€plaintiffððs€treating€physician,€Dr.€Canale.€€The€court€found:Ð 6j17 ÐÓÓà ` àÌà0 ` àThe€six€caps€apply.€€Now,€where€the€court€„„€Dr.€Canale,€the€treating€physician€„„€heÐ Ì84: Ðtreated€this€lady€for€some€months.€€And€his€explanation€of€how€he€arrived€at€the€10Ð ²95; Ðpercent€rating€is,€the€court€finds,€a€very€reasonable€explanation.€€Dr.€Boals€saw€herÐ ° Ðone€time,€total,€including€the€reviewing€of€the€€„„€all€of€the€reports€and€everything,€forÐ –æ Ðless€than€an€hour,€he€said,€or€not€more€than€an€hour,€I€believe€he€said.€€And€so,€theÐ |Ì Ðcourt€must€give€greater€weight€to€Dr.€Canaleððs€testimony€as€to€the€disability€rating.€Ð b² ÐAnd,€the€court€will€accept€Dr.€Canaleððs€testimony€and€will€make€an€award€of€60Ð H˜ Ðpercent€to€the€body€as€a€whole.€Ð. ~` €%` €% ÐÌÔ#†X EXX XIþi#ÔÓÓÔ‡ XIXXX EÔà ` àWhile€we€agree€with€the€trial€court€that€the€medical€evidence€supports€a€finding€ofÐ ú J Ð10€percent€anatomical€impairment,€tÔ#†X EXX XInn#ÔÔ‡ XIXXX EÔhe€record€reveals€that€the€trial€court€did€not€makeÐ Æ   Ðspecific€detailed€findings€of€fact€as€required€by€Tennessee€Code€Annotated€ðð€50„6„241(c)Ð ’â  Ðin€order€to€give€an€award€of€five€(5)€or€more€times€the€medical€rating.€€òòÔ#†X EXX XIGo#ÔÔ‡ XIXXX EÔSee€generally€PitmonÐ ^®  Ðv.€Reliance€Ins.€Co.óó,€No.€01S01„9801„GS„00011,€1999€WL€86975,€at€*1„2€(Tenn.€Feb.€22,Ð *z  Ð1999)€(award€of€five€(5)€times€rating€modified€to€four€(4)€times€when€required€findings€ofÐ öF Ðfact€absent€from€trial€record).Ô#†X EXX XIp#ÔÔ‡ XIXXX EÔ€Ô#†X EXX XIóq#ÔÔ‡ XIXXX EÔ€The€trial€court€merely€discussed€the€doctorsðð€testimony€inÐ Â Ðdeciding€which€anatomical€rating€to€use€without€addressing€the€other€factors€specificallyÐ ŽÞ Ðmentioned€in€the€statute.€€Ô#†X EXX XI6r#ÔÔ‡ XIXXX EÔÐ Zª Ðà ` àHowever,€even€if€the€trial€court€did€not€make€the€required€findings,€under€a€òòde€novoÐ &v Ðóóreview,€this€Panel€can€modify€a€judgment€to€give€an€appropriate€award€as€long€as€theÐ òB Ðrecord€supports€the€requirements€of€the€statute.€€òòSee€Duncan€v.€Hartford€Accident€&Ð ¾ ÐIndem.€Co.óó,€No.€03S01„9502„CV„00022,€1995€WL€605557,€at€*3€(Tenn.€Oct.€4,€1995).€€TheÐ Š Ú Ðrecord€reveals€that€plaintiff€has€a€high€school€education€and€job€experience€mainly€inÐ V"¦! Ðunskilled€positions€that€appear€to€require€a€significant€amount€of€standing.€€She€testifiedÐ "$r# Ðat€trial€that€she€was€almost€illiterate€and€was€not€used€to€working€on€a€computer€when€sheÐ î%>!% Ðbegan€training€for€a€part„time€teller€position.€€Ô#†X EXX XITs#ÔÔ‡ XIXXX EÔEven€though€the€teller€position€is€not€asÐ º' #' Ðphysically€demanding€as€her€assembly€work€at€Anderson€Hickey,€plaintiff€testified€that€sheÐ †)Ö$) Ðcontinues€to€have€some€problems€with€her€back,€hips,€and€knee,€as€well€as€difficultlyÐ R+¢&+ Ðbending.Ô#†X EXX XIâv#ÔÔ‡ XIXXX EÔ€€However,€Dr.€Canale€testified€that€her€persistent€symptoms€may€be€related€toÐ -n(- Ðdegenerative€changes€in€her€back€rather€than€to€the€work€related€injury€and€that€there€wasÐ ê.:*/ Ðno€medical€reason€why€plaintiff€could€not€do€light€assembly€work.€€Ð ¶0,1 Ðà ` àIn€reviewing€the€record,€we€find€that€the€evidence€preponderates€against€theÐ ‚2Ò-3 Ðfindings€of€the€trial€court€that€the€maximum€award€of€60€percent€is€appropriate€in€this€case.Ô#†X EXX XICx#ÔÔ‡ XIXXX EԀРN4ž/5 ÐTherefore,€we€modify€the€award€to€four€(4)€times€the€anatomical€rating,€or€40€percent€to€theÐ 6j17 Ðbody€as€a€whole.Ô#†X EXX XIyz#ÔÔ‡ XIXXX EÔ€€This€modification€is€in€conformity€with€the€preponderance€of€theÐ æ7639 ÐÔ_Ôevidence.Ð ²95; ÐÓ  Óò òIII.Ð ° Ðó óÓ  Óà ` àAs€modified,€the€judgment€of€the€trial€court€is€affirmed.€€The€parties€will€each€shareÐ |Ì Ðone„half€the€costs€of€this€appeal.€Ô#†X EXX XIR{#ÔÔ‡ XIXXX EÔ€€Ô#†X EXX XIê|#ÔÔ‡ XIXXX EԀРH˜ ÐÌÌÓÓà€¸¸€%àòò€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€óóˆÐ ¬ ü  Ðà€&&1€%àF.€LLOYD€Ô_ÔTATUMÔ_Ô,€SENIOR€JUDGE€€€ˆÐ ’â  ÐÌÌÌCONCUR:Ð *z  ÐÌÌÌòò€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€óóÐ Â ÐJANICE€M.€HOLDER,€JUSTICEÐ ¨ø ÐÌÌÌòò€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€óóÐ @ ÐC.€CREED€MCGINLEY,€SPECIAL€JUDGEÐ &v ÐÔ#†X EXX XI.}#ÔÔ‡ XIXXX EÔ€Ô#†X EXX XIµ#ÔÔ‡ XIXXX EÔÐ  \ Ðà ` àÔ#†X EXX XIø#ÔÌÌÌà ` àÐ  ¤ô ÐÑ` °ÑÔ‡XIXXX EÔà@ý ý DàÔ‡»Cq»XXIÔIN€THE€SUPREME€COURT€OF€TENNESSEEˆÐ `  ÐÌà@ff*DàAT€JACKSONÔ#†XIX»»Cq¾€#ԈРx  ÐÌÌÓ-°,X…XDp X°œX-ÓVIRGINIA€MCCONNELL,à0 h àà œ à)à È àLAUDERDALE€CHANCERYÐPðh€%h€% ÐÓ<°,X°D‚, X°,X…XDp X<Óà œ à)à È àNO.€10,816Ð 6Ö ÐÓ<°,°Dp X°,X°D‚, X<Óà ` àPlaintiff/Appellee,à œ à)à È àÐ ¼ Ðà ` àà œ à)à È àHon.€Charles€McPherson,Ð ¢ Ðvs.à ` àà œ à)à È àChancellorÐ èˆ  Ðà ` àà œ à)Ð În  ÐTRAVELERS€INSURANCE€COMPANY,à œ à)à È àNO.€02S01„9810„CH„00098Ð ´T  Ðà ` àà œ à)Ð š:  Ðà ` àDefendant/Appellant.à œ à)à È àMODIFIED€AND€AFFIRMEDÐ €  Ðßx€Y_B2.jz¼'`  `€€@ÿE°` ttx0èf(  xßÌÌÌà@öö(DàÔ‡»Cq»XXIÔJUDGMENT€ORDERÔ#†XIX»»CqE…#ԈР¸ ÐÌÓÓÌÓ6°À°` p’X°,°Dp X6Óà ¸ àThis€case€is€before€the€Court€upon€the€entire€record,€including€the€order€ofÐ Öv Ðreferral€to€the€Special€Workers'€Compensation€Appeals€Panel,€and€the€Panel'sÐ ¢B ÐMemorandum€Opinion€setting€forth€its€findings€of€fact€and€conclusions€of€law,€which€areÐ n  Ðincorporated€herein€by€reference.Ð :"Ú Ðà ¸ àWhereupon,€it€appears€to€the€Court€that€the€Memorandum€Opinion€of€theÐ $¦ ÐPanel€should€be€accepted€and€approved;€andÐ Ò%r Ðà ¸ àIt€is,€therefore,€ordered€that€the€Panel's€findings€of€fact€and€conclusions€of€lawÐ ž'>! Ðare€adopted€and€affirmed,€and€the€decision€of€the€Panel€is€made€the€judgment€of€the€Court.Ð j) # Ðà ¸ àCosts€will€be€assessed€one„half€to€the€parties,€for€which€execution€may€issueÐ 6+Ö!% Ðif€necessary.Ð -¢#' Ðà ¸ àIT€IS€SO€ORDERED€this€29th€day€of€October,€1999.Ð Î.n%) ÐÌà ¸ àà È àà  àà x àà Ð àà (# à¼à ¸ àà È àPER€Ô_ÔCURIAMÔ_ÔÐ 24Ò*/ ÐÌÌÐ –9605 ЇÔ#†X EXXXI€#Ô