ÿWPC°  ‚šj—1!ªZŠ2Ÿ1!±Ìm%èàôŒÛ>ôV˜‘¹šºáê¸KÌbƒ£Mf^^ZŸäΣïC¸ä<~³^þJóqÚéà濇þ;éÏ_$¡ÉX¹»ý#B=ì{‹„¬ᕦ̤wÑxŸB³%×WÊ¢7õEH¡Mm…©Æ¥jê+‰Ž° G¾wåEo~:Âû¹iÏF½0Í3ouƒ|Îõ=ù²Û×¹æI)'Q±N£’{m½œEÈjZaݧm2¤J"•,ò¢hƒ`Ñ¥_`DW›šóè­”%ÿ^ ”Ǭ§Í«ÙR!Ãb€¼€ˆŸg[g"¢zØñÆ/`ö~³Ï¥¢ï4) gŠF¬¨ˆßP–‰sCÍ ¼v\‘ö¸xmåìjozPr'R÷û©&)†QK£ËܹÇF‚ªÔ™&ÃãB̸† cP¹é?Ÿ×ÚCœm« µS8²:Ž@gÃÄjcâÒÕ!¦{HîŒ9’%ÐQ0vlê“ù!ö•UWõ6®Ý‹#λYY@¹ï„‹¸xÄŸ]‚ò‰bæíåãMòXÔe©ü0~mK%Ô/Qž×KB÷daR®nÖæúxŽ]æ†6þ{φw•È®Q~x’Š3’hê…å¥çca#!NU:o %© 0(¯w×4ÛïU:þ8 N@ B öD N: m< S ^ q q q q q q q q q q q q q q q q q q q q q q q q q q q q q q q q q q q q q q q q q q q q q q q q q q q q q q q q q q q q q q q q q q q q q q q q q AQ} ÆÎ 0D” 0DØ 0D  D3` B“ ˜HP LaserJet 8000 DN PSØÚØÚÚØØÚ0,c½¬AZ‹"Arial RegularX($¡¡tpO'xLev3|x, øð AZ"Arial Regular  ìÝ ƒ[¯"ÝÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÔ€!XXÔÓ  Óò òÔ Ad ÔFILEDÔ€XªÄX!ÔÐ  ÐÌOctober€29,€1999ÌÌCecil€Crowson,€Jr.ÌAppellate€Court€ClerkÔdAYÔó óÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ Ý ƒ[¯"ÝÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÔ€"XXÔÓ  Óò òÔ Ad ÔFILEDÔ€XÏ*X"ÔÐ  ÐÌOctober€29,€1999Ð ˜˜ ÐÌCecil€Crowson,€Jr.Ð dd ÐAppellate€Court€ClerkÔdAYÔó ó‹a'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°ÒÑTR[° AØ'ÿ Legal3Ø' AØ'ÿ Legalÿ3Ø'TÑÔ‡XªÄXXXÔßv€Y _@0,j:`  `€€@ÿE ±` 8ttxPX°ð  vßÔ_Ô€à@PPDàò òIN€THE€SUPREME€COURT€OF€TENNESSEEˆÐ ° Ðà@­ ­ DàSPECIAL€WORKERSðð€COMPENSATION€APPEALS€PANELˆÌà@ÀÀ*DàAT€JACKSONˆÌà@ûû$Dà(July€12,€1999€Session)òòˆÐ tÄ ÐÌÌÌÌóóCHARLES€D.€SCOTT,ó óà@DD/Dàˆà p à)Ð  ` Ðà@DD/Dàˆà p à)Ìà ` àPlaintiff/Appellant,à@DD/Dàˆà p à)Ð â 2  Ðà@DD/Dàˆà p à)à È àò òTIPTON€CHANCERYó óÐ È  Ðv.à@DD/Dàˆà p à)Ð ´  Ðà@DD/Dàˆà p à)à È àò òNO.€02S01„9810„CH„00097ó óÐ šê  Ðò òTHE€TRAVELERS€INSURANCE€COMPANY,à@DD/Dàó óˆà p à)Ð †Ö  Ðò òand€SUE€ANN€HEAD,€DIRECTOR€OF€THEó óà@DD/Dàˆà p à)à È àò òHon.€Dewey€C.€Whitenton,ó ó€Ð r  Ðò òDIVISION€OF€WORKERððS€COMPENSATIONó óÔ#†XªÄXXXªÄ›#ÔÔ‡XªÄXXXªÄÔà p à)à È àò òChancelloró óÐ ^® Ðò òTENNESSEE€DEPARTMENT€OF€LABOR,ó óÔ#†XªÄXXXªÄ#Ôà@DD/Dàˆà p à)Ð Jš Ðò òà@DD/Dàˆà p àó ó)ò òà È àÐ 6† ÐÔ‡XªÄXXXªÄÔà ` àó óDefendants/Appellees.ò òà À àà  àà p àó ó)ò òÐ l ÐÌÌòòFOR€THE€APPELLANTóó:à h àà À àà  àà p àòòFOR€THE€APPELLEESóó:Ð Ú* ÐÌJEFFERY€L.€STIMPSONó óà h àà À àà  àà p àò òPAUL€G.€SUMMERSó óÐ ² ÐP.€O.€Box€Drawer€Hà h àà À àà  àà p àAttorney€General€and€ReporterÐ žî ÐMunford,€Tennessee€€38058à À àà  àà p àà È à€€€€€€€€€€€€Ð „Ô Ðà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àà p àò òDIANNE€STAMEY€DYCUSó óÐ jº Ðà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àà p àDeputy€Attorney€GeneralÌà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àà p àGeneral€Civil€DivisionÌà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àà p à425€Fifth€Avenue€Northà Ð àÐ " r Ðà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àà p àNashville,€Tennessee€€37243ÌÌà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àà p àò òTHOMAS€F.€PRESTONó óÐ Ô"$! Ðà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àà p àSpicer,€Flynn€&€Rudstrom,€PLLCÌà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àà p à80€Monroe€Avenue,€Suite€500Ìà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àà p àMemphis,€Tennessee€€38103Ìò òÌÌÌÌÌÌà@ššDàòòM€E€M€O€R€A€N€D€U€M€€€€O€P€I€N€I€O€NóóˆÐ ú+J'+ ÐÌà@ÈÈ'DàòòMembers€of€Panelóó:ó óˆÐ Ò-")- ÐÌà@#DàJustice€Janice€M.€HolderˆÌà@;;"DàSenior€Judge€F.€Lloyd€TatumˆÌà@££"DàSenior€Judge€L.€T.€LaffertyˆÌà@DD/Dàò òˆÌÌÌÌÌÌAFFIRMEDÌÌÌâ âF.€LLOYD€TATUM,€SENIOR€JUDGEÐ ¢:ò5; Ðó óÔ#†XªÄXXXªÄ2#ÔÓÓÓ  ÓÑ8€ªÄXXdæXXdæ8Ñà@,Dàò òOPINIONˆÐ ° Ðà ` àó óThis€workersðð€compensation€appeal€was€referred€to€the€Special€WorkersððÐ |Ì ÐCompensation€Appeals€Panel€of€the€Supreme€Court€pursuant€to€Tennessee€CodeÐ H˜ ÐAnnotated€Ô‡XÏ*XXXÏ*ÔððÔ#†XÏ*XXXÏ*:#Ô€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 ` àThe€plaintiff,€Charles€D.€Scott,€brought€this€suit€against€Travelers€InsuranceÐ ¬ ü  ÐCompany,€the€workersðð€compensation€insurance€carrier€for€Kraus€Model€Cleaners€(KrausÐ xÈ  ÐCleaners),€and€the€Second€Injury€Fund.€€After€hearing€the€evidence,€the€chancellor€foundÐ D”  Ðthat€the€plaintiff€did€not€prove€by€a€preponderance€of€the€evidence€that€his€back€injury€wasÐ ` Ðcaused€or€aggravated€out€of€or€in€the€course€of€his€employment€for€Kraus€Cleaners€andÐ Ü, Ðentered€judgment€for€the€defendants.Ð ¨ø ÐÓÓà ` àThe€plaintiff€has€presented€two€issues€for€review:Ð tÄ ÐÌà ` à1.à0 ¸ àDid€the€trial€court€err€in€finding€that€there€is€not€sufficient€evidence€to€showÐ @ Ðthat€plaintiffððs€lower€back€problems€arose€out€of€and€were€incurred€in€theÐ &v Ðcourse€of€his€employment€and€that€defendants€are€not€liable€under€theÐ  \ ÐTennessee€Workerððs€Compensation€Law?ÐòB¸ €%¸ €% ÐÌà ` à2.à0 ¸ àWhether€plaintiffððs€claim€is€barred€by€wilful€misrepresentation€and€fraud€in€hisÐ ¾ Ðemployment€application?Фô¸ €%¸ €% ÐÌÓÓà ` àIn€considering€these€issues,€we€must€be€mindful€of€certain€well€establishedÐ p!À  Ðprinciples.€€Our€review€is€òòde€novoóó€upon€the€record€of€the€trial€court€with€a€presumption€ofÐ <#Œ" Ðcorrectness€unless€the€preponderance€of€the€evidence€is€otherwise.€€Tenn.€Code.€Ann.€Ô‡XÏ*XXXÏ*ÔððÔ#†XÏ*XXXÏ*f#ԀР%X $ Ð50„6„225(e)(2).€€We€are€required€to€conduct€an€in„depth€examination€of€the€trial€courtððsÐ Ô&$"& Ðfindings€of€fact€and€conclusions€of€law€to€determine€where€the€preponderance€of€evidenceÐ  (ð#( Ðlies.€€òòThomas€v.€Aetna€Life€and€Cas.€Co.,óó€812€S.W.2d€278,€282€(Tenn.€1991).€€In€makingÐ l*¼%* Ðsuch€determination,€this€Court€must€give€considerable€deference€to€the€trial€judgesððsÐ 8,ˆ', Ðfindings€regarding€the€weight€and€credibility€of€any€oral€testimony€received.€€òòTownsend€v.Ð .T). ÐStateóó,€826€S.W.2d€434,€437€(Tenn.€1992);€òòThomasóó,€812€S.W.2d€at€283.€€However,€thisÐ Ð/ +0 Ðcourt€may€draw€its€own€conclusions€about€the€weight,€credibility,€and€significance€ofÐ œ1ì,2 Ðdeposition€testimony.€€òòSeiber€v.€Greenbrier€Indus.€Inc.,óó€906€S.W.2d€444,€446€(Tenn.€1995).Ð h3¸.4 Ðà ` àThe€plaintiff€in€a€workerððs€compensation€case€has€the€burden€of€proving€causationÐ 45„06 Ðand€permanency€of€his€injury€by€the€preponderance€of€the€evidence€using€expert€medicalÐ 7P28 Ðtestimony.€€òòSeeóóòò€òòóóThomasóó,€812€S.W.2d€at€283;€òòRoark€v.€Liberty€Mut.€Ins.€Co.óó,€793€S.W.2dÐ Ì84: Ð932,€934€(Tenn.€1990).€€Medical€evidence€must€be€considered€in€conjunction€with€theÐ ° Ðemployeeððs€testimony€as€to€how€his€injury€occurred€and€his€subsequent€physical€condition.€Ð |Ì ÐòòThomasóó,€812€S.W.2d€at€283.€€In€determining€where€the€preponderance€of€the€evidenceÐ H˜ Ðlies,€this€court€may€choose€which€expertððs€view€to€believe€among€differing€opinions€andÐ  d Ðmay€consider€the€expertððs€qualifications,€circumstances€of€their€examination,€whatÐ à 0 Ðinformation€was€available€to€them,€and€how€important€that€information€was€to€other€experts.€Ð ¬ ü  ÐòòSeeóó€òòOrman€v.€Williams€Sonoma€Inc.óó,€803€S.W.2d€672,€676€(Tenn.€1991).€€Ð xÈ  Ðà ` àThe€plaintiff€testified€that€prior€to€beginning€his€work€for€Kraus€Cleaners,€he€workedÐ D”  Ðfor€several€different€employers.€€He€testified€that€as€a€result€of€an€accident€at€Swain€andÐ ` ÐSons,€he€received€workerððs€compensation€totaling€$30,300€as€a€result€of€a€55.5€percentÐ Ü, Ðpermanent€disability€to€his€left€leg.€€This€injury€occurred€prior€to€plaintiffððs€employment€forÐ ¨ø ÐKraus€Cleaners€when€he€stepped€in€some€cooking€oil€that€was€leaking€from€a€pallet€at€aÐ tÄ ÐKroger€warehouse,€causing€him€to€fall.€€Also,€prior€to€plaintiffððs€employment€for€KrausÐ @ ÐCleaners,€he€received€workerððs€compensation€benefits€in€the€sum€of€$5,000€for€the€loss€ofÐ  \ Ða€finger€which€was€cut€off€in€a€forklift.Ð Ø( Ðà ` àThe€plaintiff€testified€that€after€his€leg€injury,€he€returned€to€work€for€Swain€and€SonsÐ ¤ô Ðdelivering€trailers€and€that€he€was€having€no€difficulty€with€arthritis€in€his€knee€or€back.€€HeÐ p!À  Ðquit€working€for€Swain€and€Sons€about€one€month€after€he€went€back€to€work,€because€heÐ <#Œ" Ðwas€placed€on€a€night€shift.€€The€plaintiff€stated€that€he€could€not€see€at€night€and€thoughtÐ %X $ Ðdriving€at€night€was€dangerous.€€Prior€to€going€to€work€for€Kraus€Cleaners,€the€plaintiffÐ Ô&$"& Ðworked€for€State€Line€Systems,€pulling€containers€over€the€area€of€four€states.€€He€testifiedÐ  (ð#( Ðthat€he€was€having€no€difficulty€with€arthritis€at€that€time.€€Plaintiff€further€testified€that€heÐ l*¼%* Ðfilled€out€an€application€for€employment€at€Kraus€Cleaners€on€or€about€October€18,€1991.€Ð 8,ˆ', ÐHe€testified€that€at€that€time,€he€did€not€have€any€back€problems,€and€he€gave€a€negativeÐ .T). Ðanswer€to€the€following€questions€on€the€employment€application:Ð Ð/ +0 Ðà ` à1.à0 ¸ àð ðHaveà  àyou€ever€had€back€trouble?ðð;Ðœ1ì,2¸ €%¸ €% Ðà ` à2.à0 ¸ àð ðHave€you€ever€had€any€other€disability?ðð;Ðh3¸.4¸ €%¸ €% Ðà ` à3.à0 ¸ àð ðHave€you€ever€been€paid€workerððs€compensation?ðð;Ð45„06¸ €%¸ €% ÐÓÓà ` à4.à0 ¸ àð ðDo€you€have€any€physical€defects€which€would€preclude€you€fromÐ 7P28 Ðperforming€certain€jobs?ððÐæ7639¸ €%¸ €% ÐÌÓ‰+Óà ` àPlaintiff€testified€that€he€rushed€through€this€application€and€did€not€carefully€readÐ ²95; Ðit;€hence,€he€did€not€mention€the€workerððs€compensation€benefits€for€his€finger€and€legÐ ° Ðinjuries.€€He€testified€that€he€was€having€no€difficulty€with€his€back€at€that€time€and€did€notÐ |Ì Ðthink€that€he€had€ever€had€any€difficulty€with€his€back€except€for€arthritis.Ð H˜ Ðà ` àThe€plaintiff€further€testified€that€he€had€worked€two€full€days€for€Kraus€CleanersÐ  d Ðwhen€he€hurt€his€back€on€the€afternoon€of€October€29,€1991.€€He€was€pushing€a€full€loadÐ à 0 Ðof€dirty€linen€down€a€ramp€when€his€feet€slipped€out€from€under€him€and€he€injured€hisÐ ¬ ü  Ðback.€€According€to€the€plaintiff,€he€could€not€get€out€of€bed€the€next€day,€and€theÐ xÈ  Ðmanagement€at€Kraus€sent€him€to€a€family€clinic€for€his€injury.€€The€next€day€he€could€notÐ D”  Ðcontrol€his€kidneys€and€bladder€and€was€sent€to€Dr.€Lindermuth€at€St.€Josephððs€Hospital.€Ð ` ÐDr.€Lindermuth€ran€a€myelogram€because€the€plaintiff€was€too€large€for€an€MRI.€€AccordingÐ Ü, Ðto€the€plaintiff,€Dr.€Lindermuth€told€him€that€surgery€could€not€be€done€because€the€plaintiffÐ ¨ø Ðwas€too€large.€€The€doctor€also€told€the€plaintiff€that€he€could€not€go€back€to€work€for€KrausÐ tÄ ÐCleaners.Ð @ Ðà ` àThe€plaintiff€testified€that€he€had€been€unable€to€go€back€to€work€except€for€a€briefÐ  \ Ðperiod€with€H.€I.€T.€in€January€of€1992.€€He€loaded€trailers€for€H.I.T.,€but€his€work€with€themÐ Ø( Ðwas€interrupted€by€two€heart€attacks.€€He€testified€that€he€was€in€pain€at€all€times€whileÐ ¤ô Ðworking€for€H.I.T.€and€has€not€worked€since€leaving€H.I.T.€€Since€that€time,€the€plaintiffððsÐ p!À  Ðback€pain€became€worse,€and€he€was€paralyzed€in€his€legs.€€A€lumbar€epidural€block€didÐ <#Œ" Ðnot€give€him€any€relief,€and€his€family€physician€referred€him€to€Semmes„Murphy€Clinic€inÐ %X $ ÐMay€of€1994.€€A€diagnosis€of€ruptured€disc€at€L2„3€was€made€on€May€11,€1994,€andÐ Ô&$"& Ðsurgery€was€done€on€May€23,€1994,€for€an€extruded€disk€at€the€L2„3€level€which€wasÐ  (ð#( Ðcomplicated€by€the€plaintiffððs€heart€problems.€€The€plaintiff€testified€that€after€surgery€heÐ l*¼%* Ðcould€walk€but€was€still€in€severe€pain.€€He€testified€that€he€yet€has€ongoing€pain€which€isÐ 8,ˆ', Ðboth€throbbing€and€aching,€like€someone€is€sticking€a€knife€in€his€back.€€He€did€not€haveÐ .T). Ðany€of€these€problems€or€pain€prior€to€his€employment€for€Kraus€Cleaners.€€Because€of€theÐ Ð/ +0 Ðpain,€he€cannot€sleep€more€than€30€minutes€to€an€hour€at€a€time,€and€he€is€no€longer€ableÐ œ1ì,2 Ðto€work,€because€he€cannot€walk€and€has€lost€control€of€his€kidneys.Ð h3¸.4 Ðà ` àThe€plaintiff€gave€a€deposition€on€February€1,€1991,€in€the€case€involving€his€legÐ 45„06 Ðinjury.€€In€the€deposition,€referring€to€the€accident€at€Kroger,€he€testified,€ð ðI€felt€likeÐ 7P28 Ðsomething€in€my€lower€back€got€out€of,€you€know,€knocked€out€of€socket€and€my€hip€wasÐ Ì84: Ðhurting.ðð€€He€testified€that€in€the€fall€at€Krogerððs,€he€hurt€his€knees,€hands,€hip€and€lowerÐ ° Ðback.€€He€further€testified€in€the€deposition€taken€on€February€1,€1991,€that:Ð |Ì ÐÓÓà0 ` àð ðEveryday€I€wake€up€at€one€or€two€in€the€morning€with€shooting€pains€in€my€backÐ H˜ Ðand€hurting€so€bad€that€I€have€to€wake€up€and€go€sit€on€my€easy€chair€and€eatÐ . ~ Ðaspirins€and€drink€coffee€until€I€get€relief€from€the€pain€and€I€go€back€to€try€to€sleepÐ  d Ða€few€more€hours.ððÐú J` €%` €% ÐÌÓÓà ` àThe€plaintiff€further€testified€on€cross€examination€that€after€going€to€work€for€H.I.T.Ð Æ   Ðin€January€of€1992,€he€had€two€heart€attacks€and€never€went€back€to€work.Ð ’â  Ðà ` àMr.€Scott€testified€further€on€cross€examination€that€he€made€an€application€forÐ ^®  Ðsocial€security€disability€benefits€after€he€sustained€a€heart€attack€and€on€his€applicationÐ *z  Ðhe€stated€that€he€was€unable€to€work€due€to€his€heart€condition.€€In€his€social€securityÐ öF Ðapplication,€Mr.€Scott€represented€that€he€had€neither€made€a€workerððs€compensationÐ Â Ðclaim,€nor€did€he€intend€to€do€so.€€He€represented€in€the€application€for€social€securityÐ ŽÞ Ðbenefits€that€he€became€disabled€after€suffering€the€heart€attacks.€Ð Zª Ðà ` àMr.€James€Baden,€general€manager€for€H.I.T.,€testified€that€based€upon€companyÐ &v Ðrecords,€Mr.€Scott€hauled€his€first€load€for€H.I.T.€on€January€16,€1992,€and€his€last€load€onÐ òB ÐJuly€24,€1992.€€Ð ¾ Ðà ` àEvelyn€Scott,€the€plaintiffððs€wife,€and€Charles€Scott,€Jr.,€the€plaintiffððs€son,€bothÐ Š Ú Ðopined€that€the€injury€sustained€by€the€plaintiff€while€working€for€Kraus€Cleaners€causedÐ V"¦! Ðhim€constant€pain€and€restricted€his€ability€to€work€and€perform€other€activities.Ð "$r# Ðà ` àDr.€John€R.€Lindermuth,€a€neurosurgeon,€testified€by€deposition.€€He€first€saw€theÐ î%>!% Ðplaintiff€on€November€6,€1991,€on€referral€by€Dr.€Fred€Palmer€Wilson.€€Dr.€LindermuthÐ º' #' Ðtestified€that€the€plaintiff€was€a€ð ðmorbidly€obese€man,ðð€who€was€six€feet€six€inches€tall€andÐ †)Ö$) Ðclaimed€to€weigh€350€pounds.€€There€were€no€scales€available€with€sufficient€capacity€toÐ R+¢&+ Ðweigh€the€plaintiff.€Ð -n(- Ðà ` àA€€myelogram€ð ðshowed€mild€disc€bulging€that€was€consistent€with€a€benign€bulgingÐ ê.:*/ Ðannulus,€and€arthritic€changes€at€L4„5,€but€otherwise€was€negative,€in€particular,€noÐ ¶0,1 Ðherniated€disc€was€demonstrated.ðð€€A€myelogram€was€chosen€because€it€is€still€consideredÐ ‚2Ò-3 Ðthe€ð ðthe€gold€standardðð€test,€and€the€plaintiffððs€size€prevented€doing€a€CT€scan€or€an€MRIÐ N4ž/5 Ðscan€with€the€available€equipment.Ð 6j17 Ðà ` àDr.€Lindermuth€testified€that€plaintiff€did€not€have€a€herniated€disc€or€any€otherÐ æ7639 Ðobscure€diagnosis,€according€to€the€myelogram,€so€the€nature€of€the€pain€that€plaintiffÐ ²95; Ðcomplained€of€led€to€the€diagnosis€of€muscle€strain€or€musculoskeletal€strain.€€Dr.Ð ° ÐLindermuth€prescribed€a€muscle€relaxant€and€a€non„steroidal€anti„inflammatory€medicine.Ð |Ì Ðà ` àOn€November€21,€1991,€the€plaintiff€reported€symptomatic€relief,€but€the€painÐ H˜ Ðreturned€when€the€plaintiff€stopped€taking€the€medications.€€At€that€time,€the€doctorððsÐ  d Ðdiagnosis€did€not€change.Ð à 0 Ðà ` àDr.€Lindermuth€testified€that€he€told€the€plaintiff€that€his€strain€would€not€healÐ ¬ ü  Ðbecause€of€his€excessive€weight.€€The€healing€process€would€be€counteracted€by€repeatedÐ xÈ  Ðtrauma€caused€by€moving€his€excessive€weight.€€The€only€other€solution€would€be€absoluteÐ D”  Ðbed€rest.€€Dr.€Lindermuth€last€saw€the€plaintiff€in€February€of€1993€and€his€diagnosisÐ ` Ðremained€the€same.€€He€stated€that€if€plaintiff€had€a€large€herniated€nucleus€pulposus€atÐ Ü, ÐL2„3€in€November€1991,€it€would€have€been€revealed€on€the€myelogram.€€Dr.€LindermuthÐ ¨ø Ðtestified€that€plaintiff€has€zero€impairment€rating€according€to€the€AMA€Guidelines.€€Dr.Ð tÄ ÐLindermuth€also€testified€that€the€mild€disc€bulge€at€L3„4€could€not€cause€pain€in€the€areaÐ @ Ðthat€plaintiff€described.€€If€plaintiff€had€a€disc€herniation€in€1994,€it€is€most€likely€that€it€wasÐ  \ Ðcaused€by€activity€after€February€of€1993,€according€to€Dr.€Lindermuth.Ð Ø( Ðà ` àDr.€Ernest€Cashion,€a€neurosurgeon,€testified€by€deposition.€€The€plaintiff€wasÐ ¤ô Ðreferred€to€Dr.€Cashion€by€his€attorney€for€evaluation€only.€€Dr.€Cashion,€who€is€associatedÐ p!À  Ðwith€Semmes„Murphy€Clinic,€testified€by€deposition€that€the€records€of€his€clinic€revealedÐ <#Œ" Ðthat€the€plaintiff€was€seen€by€Dr.€Engleberg€of€Semmes„Murphy€Clinic€on€May€6,€1994.€€AnÐ %X $ ÐMRI€revealed€that€on€May€11,€1994,€the€plaintiff€had€an€extruded€disc€at€the€L2„3€level.€Ð Ô&$"& ÐPlaintiff€was€referred€to€a€special€service€conducted€at€Methodist€Hospital€for€personsÐ  (ð#( Ðwithout€funds.€€The€extruded€disc€was€removed€at€Methodist€Hospital.€€Ð l*¼%* Ðà ` àDr.€Cashion€saw€the€plaintiff€only€one€time.€€After€reviewing€plaintiffððs€medical€historyÐ 8,ˆ', Ðand€examining€him,€Dr.€Cashion€concluded€that€the€plaintiffððs€condition€was€consistent€withÐ .T). Ðcompression€of€the€nerve€between€L2€and€L3.€€He€testified€that€the€pressure€had€beenÐ Ð/ +0 Ðrelieved€by€surgery,€but€that€plaintiff€may€have€had€some€compression€of€the€nerves€in€theÐ œ1ì,2 Ðcauda€equina,€because€the€plaintiff€had€a€history€of€bladder€impairment€and€sexualÐ h3¸.4 Ðimpairment.€€The€discharge€summary€made€after€surgery€stated€that€there€was€no€bladderÐ 45„06 Ðor€bowel€impairment.€€Dr.€Cashion€assumed€that€the€bladder€and€sexual€disfunction€couldÐ 7P28 Ðhave€occurred€after€surgery.€€Dr.€Cashion€concluded€that€the€plaintiffððs€back€condition€wasÐ Ì84: Ðcaused€by€the€injury€of€October€29,€1991,€explaining€that€the€accident€started€in€motion€theÐ ° Ðchain€of€events€that€led€to€his€surgery€and€his€current€condition.€€Dr.€Cashion€stated€thatÐ |Ì Ðdue€to€plaintiffððs€pain€and€weakness,€his€height€and€weight,€and€ð ðother€medical€problemsðð,Ð H˜ Ðthe€plaintiff€is€unemployable.€€He€testified€that€the€plaintiffððs€permanent€impairment€to€theÐ  d Ðbody€as€a€whole€is€45€percent,€according€to€the€AMA€Guidelines.€€However,€he€stated€thatÐ à 0 Ðclimbing€in€and€out€of€a€truck€or€merely€turning€over€in€bed€could€cause€a€disc€herniationÐ ¬ ü  Ðin€a€man€the€size€of€plaintiff.Ð xÈ  Ðà ` àThe€trial€judge€filed€a€thorough€ð ðtrial€opinionðð€in€this€case€in€which€he€fullyÐ D”  Ðsummarized€the€evidence.€€In€the€trial€opinion,€the€trial€court€reviewed€the€plaintiffððs€medicalÐ ` Ðhistory€from€April€1989€through€the€time€of€the€diskectomy€in€1994.€€This€history€is€veryÐ Ü, Ðlengthy,€but€we€will€quote€the€history€prior€to€the€accident€of€October€29,€1991,€at€KrausÐ ¨ø ÐCleaners:Ð tÄ ÐÓÓà ` à1.à0 ¸ àThe€plaintiff€first€suffered€and€complained€about€low€back€pain€in€April€1989.€Ð @ Ð(Letter€dated€April€14,€1989,€to€Dr.€Richard€Porter,€M.D.€from€D.€Stanley€M.Ð &v ÐPatterson,€M.D.Ð \¸ €%¸ €% ÐÌà ` à2.à0 ¸ àDegenerative€spondylitic€changes€involving€the€L„3,€L„4€and€L„5€disc€levels.€Ð Ø( ÐMild€posterior€spondylitic€changes€involving€the€L„3€through€L„5€disc€levels.€Ð ¾ ÐDegenerative€posterior€bulging€of€the€L„1€disc.€€Abnormal€signal€intensity€ofÐ ¤ô Ðsuperior€left€aspect€of€L„2€and€inferior€aspect€of€L„1€disc.€€Decreased€heightÐ Š Ú Ðof€L„1€disc.€€(Methodist€Hospital€radiology€report,€MRI€of€Lumbar€Spine€„Ð p!À  ÐExam€date€of€April€20,€1989,€by€Dr.€Hollis€Halford,€III,€M.D.)ÐV"¦!¸ €%¸ €% ÐÌà ` à3.à0 ¸ àNeuforaminal€narrowing€of€L„1€and€L„2€on€the€right€side,€with€degenerativeÐ "$r# Ðchanges.€€(Methodist€Hospital€radiology€report,€Exam€date€of€April€20,€1989,Ð %X $ Ðby€Dr.€Frank€Parks,€M.D.)Ðî%>!%¸ €%¸ €% ÐÌà ` à4.à0 ¸ àHypertrophic€formation€at€L„1,€with€some€inferior€sclerosis.€€Also€spurÐ º' #' Ðformation€at€right€side€T„7€and€T„8,€and€at€T„11€and€T„12,€and€mildÐ  (ð#( Ðdegenerative€narrowing€at€T„11€and€T„12.€€Interspace€narrowing€at€L„1€to€theÐ †)Ö$) Ðleft€side.€€Minimal€spur€formation€at€L„4€and€L„5.€€(Methodist€HospitalÐ l*¼%* Ðradiology€report,€Exam€date€of€April€24,€1989,€by€Dr.€Jon€C.€Jenkins,€M.D.)ÐR+¢&+¸ €%¸ €% ÐÌà ` à5.à0 ¸ àMultilevel€degenerative€lumber€disc€disease€and€spondylosis,€with€diffuseÐ -n(- Ðend€plate€sclerosis€at€L„1€and€L„2.€€(Memphis€Orthopaedic€Group€records,Ð .T). Ðdated€April€25,€1989,€by€Dr.€Riley€Jones,€M.D.)Ðê.:*/¸ €%¸ €% ÐÌà ` à6.à0 ¸ àDegenerative€osteoarthritis€of€the€thora€columnar€spine.€€(Methodist€HospitalÐ ¶0,1 ÐDischarge€summary,€dated€April€28,€1989,€by€Dr.€Stanley€Patterson,€M.D.)Ðœ1ì,2¸ €%¸ €% ÐÌà ` à7.à0 ¸ àInterspace€narrowing€and€degenerative€changes€of€L„1€and€L„2€level.€€DiscÐ h3¸.4 Ðspace€desiccation€at€L„4€and€L„5„S„1€indication€degenerative€changes.€Ð N4ž/5 Ð(Methodist€Hospital€radiology€report,€Exam€date€of€June€12,€1989,€by€Dr.Ð 45„06 ÐFrank€Parks,€M.D.€MRI€of€lumbar€spine.)Ð6j17¸ €%¸ €% ÐÌà ` à8.à0 ¸ àCompression€at€T„12,€mild€degenerative€changes€of€L„1,€L„4,€L„5€disc€levels.€Ð æ7639 Ð(Methodist€Hospital€radiology€report,€Exam€date€of€July€19,€1990,€by€Dr.Ð Ì84: ÐJames€Mitchum,€M.D.)в95;¸ €%¸ €% Їà ` à9.à0 ¸ àLumbosacral€strain,€multilevel€and€degenerative€changes€of€T„11„T„12Ð ° Ðlumbar€spine.€€(Methodist€Hospital€Discharge€summary€dated€July€19,€1990,Ð –æ Ðby€Dr.€Riley€Jones,€M.D.)Ð|̸ €%¸ €% ÐÌà ` à10.à0 ¸ àT„12€compression,€vacuum€disc€phenomenon€and€mild€degenerativeÐ H˜ Ðchanges€at€L„1,€L„4€and€L„5€disc€levels.€€(Methodist€Hospital€radiology€report,Ð . ~ ÐExam€date€of€July€19,€1990,€by€Dr.€James€Mitchum,€M.D.)Ð d¸ €%¸ €% ÐÌà ` à11.à0 ¸ àMild€spondylitic€change€at€T„11€and€T„23,€and€at€T„12„L„1€disc€levels.€Ð à 0 Ð(Methodist€Hospital€radiology€report,€Exam€date€of€July€20,€1990,€by€Dr.Ð Æ   ÐHollis€Halford,€III,€M.D.,€CT€of€lower€thoracic€spine.)Ь ü ¸ €%¸ €% ÐÌà ` à12.à0 ¸ àSubtle€area€of€increased€activity€in€the€region€of€the€L„1,€L„2€interspace€onÐ xÈ  Ðthe€left,€probably€representing€degenerative€change.€€(Methodist€HospitalÐ ^®  Ðradiology€report,€Exam€date€of€July€21,€1990,€by€Dr.€James€Mitchum,€M.D.)ÐD” ¸ €%¸ €% ÐÌà ` à13.à0 ¸ à50%€restriction€of€flexion€due€to€back€pain.€€(Dr.€Joseph€H.€Miller,€M.D.,€letterÐ ` Ðto€Sharon€Ott,€Crawford€&€Co.,€dated€July€31,€1990.)ÐöF¸ €%¸ €% ÐÌà ` à14.à0 ¸ àDegenerative€disc€and€vacuum€disc€changes€at€L„5,€L„4€and€L„1€disc€levels,Ð Â Ðwith€marked€facet€hypertrophy€(arthritis€at€those€levels.)€€(Dr.€Davis€D.€Moser,Ð ¨ø ÐM.D.,€CT€Scan€of€lumbosacral€spine,€Exam€date€of€September€15,€1990,€andÐ ŽÞ ÐDr.€Thomas€I.€Miller,€M.D.,€Report,€dated€September€19,€1990.)Ðtĸ €%¸ €% ÐÌà ` à15.à0 ¸ àThe€plaintiff€states€that€he€had€injured€his€lower€back€when€he€fell€and€injuredÐ @ Ðhimself€at€a€Kroger€warehouse€on€July€19,€1990.€€(Plaintiffððs€deposition€inÐ &v ÐòòScott€v.€Krogeróó,€Shelby€Co.€Circuit€No.€36433€T.D.,€dated€February€1,€1991.)Ð \¸ €%¸ €% ÐÌÓÓà ` àThe€trial€judge€made€the€following€findings€in€his€ð ðtrial€opinionðð€with€which€we€agree:Ð Ø( ÐÓÓà ` àà8 ¸ àà  àThere€is€substantial€medical€evidence€that€what€hasÐ ¤ô Ðoccurred€is€not€a€new€injury,€but€a€continued€and€progressiveÐ Š Ú Ðdegeneration€of€the€lumbar€and€lumbosacral€spine€of€theÐ p!À  Ðplaintiff€and€some€degeneration€of€his€thoracic€spine.€€ThisÐ V"¦! Ðspinal€degeneration€and€low€back€pain€relates€to€at€least€twoÐ <#Œ" Ðyears€prior€to€1989.€€This€is€not€a€new€injury,€but€only€aÐ "$r# Ðpossible€aggravation€of€the€same€condition€that€existed€inÐ %X $ Ð1989.€€The€condition€identified€by€the€plaintiffððs€MRI€andÐ î%>!% Ðphysical€examinations€in€1993€and€1994€show€a€continuedÐ Ô&$"& Ðdegeneration€of€the€condition€that€existed€in€1989.к' #'¸ Ð ¸ Ð  ÐÌà ` àà8 ¸ àà  àIf€the€plaintiffððs€back€condition€is€work€related,€aÐ †)Ö$) Ðpreponderance€of€the€evidence€shows€that€it€was€hisÐ l*¼%* Ðsubsequent€work€at€H.I.T.€Transportation€Company€that€couldÐ R+¢&+ Ðhave€caused€or€exacerbated€the€condition,€and€not€the€incidentÐ 8,ˆ', Ðon€October€29,€1991,€while€employed€by€the€defendant,Ð -n(- ÐKrauss€[sic]€Model€Cleaners.€€The€plaintiffððs€myelogram€onÐ .T). ÐNovember€7,€1991,€following€the€fall€on€October€29,€1991,€didÐ ê.:*/ Ðnot€indicate€any€tear€or€herniated€disc€at€any€location.ÐÐ/ +0¸ Ð ¸ Ð  ÐÌà ` àà8 ¸ àà  àAfter€the€myelogram€on€November€7,€1991,€the€plaintiffÐ œ1ì,2 Ðbegan€to€work€for€H.I.T.€Transportation€Company€as€a€truckÐ ‚2Ò-3 Ðdriver€climbing€in€and€out€of€a€tractor„trailer€cab.€€Dr.€LouisÐ h3¸.4 ÐCashion€testified€that€such€climbing€could€cause€a€discÐ N4ž/5 Ðherniation€in€a€man€the€size€of€the€plaintiff€and€that€theÐ 45„06 Ðclimbing€could€have€caused€the€ruptured€disk€at€L„2€and€L„3.€Ð 6j17 ÐThis€condition€was€not€shown€in€the€plaintiffððs€myelogram€onÐ 7P28 ÐNovember€7,€1991,€and€it€was€not€identified€until€theÐ æ7639 Ðsubsequent€MRI€on€May€6,€1994,€after€the€plaintiff€had€beenÐ Ì84: Ðemployed€in€the€truck€driving€job€at€H.I.T.€Ô_ÔTransportationÐ ²95; ÐCompany.а¸ Ð ¸ Ð  ÐÌà ` àà8 ¸ àà  àThere€is€not€sufficient€evidence€to€show€that€theÐ |Ì Ðplaintiffððs€lower€back€problems€were€Ô_Ôcause[dÔ_Ô]€by€orÐ b² Ðexacerbated€by€the€work€he€did€at€Ô_ÔKraussÔ_Ô€[sic]€ModelÐ H˜ ÐCleaners.€€Therefore,€there€is€not€sufficient€evidence€that€theÐ . ~ Ðplaintiffððs€lower€back€problems€arose€out€of€and€were€incurredÐ  d Ðin€the€course€of€his€employment€at€Ô_ÔKraussÔ_Ô€[sic]€ModelÐ ú J ÐCleaners.Ðà 0¸ Ð ¸ Ð  ÐÌà ` àà8 ¸ àà  àThe€burden€of€proof€rests€upon€the€party€claiming€theÐ ¬ ü  Ðbenefits€of€the€Ô_ÔWorkmensÔ_Ôðð€Compensation€Act€to€establish€theÐ ’â  Ðclaim€of€permanent€or€permanent€partial€disability€by€aÐ xÈ  Ðpreponderance€of€all€the€evidence.€€òòParker€v.€Ryder€TruckÐ ^®  ÐLines,€Inc.óó,€591€S.W.2d€755€(Tenn.€1979).€€Due€to€the€lack€ofÐ D”  Ðsufficient,€credible€medical€evidence€to€show€that€the€plaintiffððsÐ *z  Ðlower€back€problems€were€aggravated€by€the€work€he€did€atÐ ` ÐÔ_ÔKraussÔ_Ô€[sic]€Model€Cleaners,€this€burden€of€proof€was€notÐ öF Ðsustained€by€the€plaintiff.€€There€is€simply€no€definitive€causalÐ Ü, Ðlink€between€any€permanent€disability€of€the€plaintiff€and€hisÐ Â Ðemployment€at€Ô_ÔKraussÔ_Ô€[sic]€Model€Cleaners.€€Therefore,€theÐ ¨ø Ðdefendants€in€this€case€are€not€liable€under€the€TennesseeÐ ŽÞ ÐWorkersðð€Compensation€Law,€and€the€case€must€be€dismissed.Ðtĸ Ð ¸ Ð  ÐÌà@¡¡)Dà*€€*€€*€€*€€*ˆÐ @ ÐÌÓÓà ` àFor€the€foregoing€reasons,€the€first€issue€is€overruled.€€Ð  \ Ðà ` àThe€second€issue€deals€with€the€defendants€defense€of€alleged€willfulÐ Ø( Ðmisrepresentation€and€fraud€in€the€employment€application€of€the€plaintiff.€€The€trial€courtÐ ¤ô Ðdid€not€rule€on€this€proposition€after€dismissing€the€case€on€the€grounds€that€the€plaintiffÐ p!À  Ðhad€failed€to€establish€by€a€preponderance€of€the€evidence€that€there€was€causalÐ <#Œ" Ðrelationship€between€his€permanent€condition€and€the€accident€while€plaintiff€was€workingÐ %X $ Ðfor€Ô_ÔKrausÔ_Ô€Cleaners.€€Trial€judges€are€encouraged€to€rule€on€all€issues€before€them.€€HadÐ Ô&$"& Ðwe€sustained€the€first€issue,€it€would€be€necessary€for€us€to€remand€the€case€back€to€theÐ  (ð#( Ðtrial€court€for€a€ruling€on€the€misrepresentation€and€fraud€issue.€€However,€since€we€haveÐ l*¼%* Ðconcurred€with€the€trial€court€on€the€first€issue,€a€remand€is€unnecessary€since€our€holdingÐ 8,ˆ', Ðon€the€first€issue€is€Ô_ÔdispositiveÔ_Ô€of€this€case.Ð .T). Ðà ` àIt€results€that€the€judgment€of€the€trial€court€is€affirmed.Ð Ð/ +0 Ðà ` àCosts€are€adjudged€against€the€plaintiff/appellant.Ð œ1ì,2 ÐÓÓÌÌÌà€   €%àòò€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€óóˆÐ 6j17 Ðà€,€%àF.€LLOYD€Ô_ÔTATUMÔ_Ô,€SENIOR€JUDGE€€€€€€€€ˆÐ 7P28 ÐÐ  æ7639 ÐCONCUR:Ð ° ÐÌÌÌòò€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€óóÐ H˜ ÐJANICE€M.€HOLDER,€JUSTICEÐ . ~ ÐÌÌÌòò€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€óóÐ Æ   ÐL.€T.€Ô_ÔLAFFERTYÔ_Ô,€SENIOR€JUDGEÐ ¬ ü  Ðâ âÐ  ’â  ÐÑ` °Ñà@ý ý DàÔ‡»š(»XXÏ*ÔIN€THE€SUPREME€COURT€OF€TENNESSEEˆÐ `  ÐÌà@ff*DàAT€JACKSONÔ#†XÏ*X»»š(z„#ԈРx  ÐÌÌÓ-°,X…XDp X°œX-ÓCHARLES€D.€SCOTT,à0 h àà œ à)à È àÔ_ÔTIPTONÔ_Ô€CHANCERYÐPðh€%h€% ÐÓ<°,X°D‚, X°,X…XDp X<Óà œ à)à È àNO.€11,123Ð 6Ö ÐÓ<°,°Dp X°,X°D‚, X<Óà ` àPlaintiff/Appellant,à œ à)à È àÐ ¼ Ðà ` àà œ à)à È àHon.€Dewey€C.€Ô_ÔWhitentonÔ_Ô,Ð ¢ Ðvs.à ` àà œ à)à È àChancellorÐ èˆ  Ðà ` àà œ à)Ð În  ÐTHE€TRAVELERS€INSURANCE€COMPANY,à œ à)à È àNO.€02S01„9810„CH„00097Ð ´T  Ðand€SUE€ANN€HEAD,€DIRECTOR€OF€THEà0 œ à)К: œ€%œ€% ÐDIVISION€OF€WORKERS'€COMPENSATIONà0 œ à)Ѐ œ€%œ€% Ðßx€Y_B2.jz- `  `€€@ÿEMs` ttx0…f‹ íxßTENNESSEE€DEPARTMENT€OF€LABOR,à0 œ à)Ðf œ€%œ€% Ðà ` àà œ à)Ð Lì  Ðà ` àDefendants/Appellees.à œ à)à È àAFFIRMEDÐ 2Ò ÐÌÌÌà@öö(DàÔ‡»š(»XXÏ*ÔJUDGMENT€ORDERÔ#†XÏ*X»»š(Š#ԈРÊj ÐÌÓÓÌÓ6°À°` p’X°,°Dp X6Óà ¸ àThis€case€is€before€the€Court€upon€the€entire€record,€including€the€order€ofÐ ˆ( Ðreferral€to€the€Special€Workers'€Compensation€Appeals€Panel,€and€the€Panel'sÐ T!ô ÐMemorandum€Opinion€setting€forth€its€findings€of€fact€and€conclusions€of€law,€which€areÐ  #À Ðincorporated€herein€by€reference.Ð ì$Œ Ðà ¸ àWhereupon,€it€appears€to€the€Court€that€the€Memorandum€Opinion€of€theÐ ¸&X  ÐPanel€should€be€accepted€and€approved;€andÐ „($" Ðà ¸ àIt€is,€therefore,€ordered€that€the€Panel's€findings€of€fact€and€conclusions€of€lawÐ P*ð $ Ðare€adopted€and€affirmed,€and€the€decision€of€the€Panel€is€made€the€judgment€of€the€Court.Ð ,¼"& Ðà ¸ àCosts€will€be€paid€by€Appellant€and€surety,€for€which€execution€may€issue€ifÐ è-ˆ$( Ðnecessary.Ð ´/T&* Ðà ¸ àIT€IS€SO€ORDERED€this€29th€day€of€October,€1999.Ð €1 (, ÐÌà ¸ àà È àà  àà x àà Ð àà (# à¼à ¸ àà È àPER€Ô_ÔCURIAMÔ_ÔÐ ä6„-2 ÐÐ °8P/4 ЇÌÌ