WPCx; n\hiJs@ql]x1#Rr-9&BDt% cB\^l7%-8Y,YGho[l]i/5gӎ3*YWݔZ]K^I| T#VuLaHѓRAƄ.K/}!Ze# -/h%מ h v͝t0X^G}Vy6՗= gQ4/۩.Q{\bVRI;`/Wam{ۛURx۵` t]==a W5M+)SrOF#X(ص'9~mA^qp&'lK; y/$Fwvcci<'!@{qSc}R=de (.0yj/8]uQɾ֎myn7gbUb>\ 0< 06 0- 0$ 0 0  0 0 0 0 0 0 0| 0^ 0@ 0 0 0 0 0 0 0e 0F 0' 0 0 0! 0" 0$# 0$ 0<% 0& 0F& 0n' 0( 0( 0:M)) 0+U>T,  ,  , 1i, 7- 1g- 7-- 0-#Z.UN0 %i0Mo0(s0N0 1u0 721D1 223N\4 z^44^ 5w5E5455 m55555555555 05555 B77 07 D57 D-&8 0KS8S8 AS88 09 0D: A:\  `&Times New Roman' IN THE SUPREME COURT OF TENNESSEE "Terryl James"0Terryl James .   2P+M 0_level1  , 8.4 <DL!823  ..  5+ 4 <DL!5  2M+M 0_level2  X 5+4 44 <DL!523  ..  5+ 4 <DL!5  2M+M 0_level3   5+` ` ` <DL!523  ..  5+ 4 <DL!5  2J+M 0_level4   2( <DL!223  ..  5+ 4 <DL!5  2J+M 0_level5   2( <DL!223  ..  5+ 4 <DL!5  2G+M 0_level6   /% <DL!/23  ..  5+ 4 <DL!5  2G+M 0_level7  4 /% <DL!/23  ..  5+ 4 <DL!5  2D+M 0_level8  ` ,"< <<DL!,23  ..  5+ 4 <DL!5  2D+M 0_level9   ,"h hhDL!,23  ..  5+ 4 <DL!5  2PM 0_levsl1  , 8.4 <DL!823  Ԁ  5+ 4 <DL!5  2MM 0_levsl2  X 5+4 44 <DL!523  Ԁ  5+ 4 <DL!5  2MM 0_levsl3   5+` ` ` <DL!523  Ԁ  5+ 4 <DL!5  2JM 0_levsl4   2( <DL!223  Ԁ  5+ 4 <DL!5  2JM 0_levsl5   2( <DL!223  Ԁ  5+ 4 <DL!5  2GM 0_levsl6   /% <DL!/23  Ԁ  5+ 4 <DL!5  2GM 0_levsl7  4 /% <DL!/23  Ԁ  5+ 4 <DL!5  2DM 0_levsl8  ` ,"< <<DL!,23  Ԁ  5+ 4 <DL!5  2DM 0_levsl9   ,"h hhDL!,23  Ԁ  5+ 4 <DL!5  2PM 0_levnl1  , 8.4 <DL!823   5+ 4 <DL!5  2MM 0_levnl2  X 5+4 44 <DL!523   5+ 4 <DL!5  2MM 0_levnl3   5+` ` ` <DL!523   5+ 4 <DL!5  2JM 0_levnl4   2( <DL!223   5+ 4 <DL!5  2JM 0_levnl5   2( <DL!223   5+ 4 <DL!5  2GM 0_levnl6   /% <DL!/23   5+ 4 <DL!5  2GM 0_levnl7  4 /% <DL!/23   5+ 4 <DL!5  2DM 0_levnl8  ` ,"< <<DL!,23   5+ 4 <DL!5  2DM 0_levnl9   ,"h hhDL!,23   5+ 4 <DL!5  6] h4Heading 1XXX) $ DL!)   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XnX!*XnXXXn&$ !!$  &3  ')  *!X*Xn!*!(2R$ 264!..      4X4X4  \  `&Times New Romana9a10 35=EKQW]c1(1)(a)i.1.a.i.1.a.- i. 35=CIOU[a2(a)a.i.1.a.i.1.a./ i.#|x(64$..      4X4X4HP LaserJet 4Si,,,,,,0(9 Z6Times New Roman Regular4X3#37=CIQYag1.a.i.(1)(a)(i)1)a)9i)Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5AC:\PROGRA~1\COREL\WORDPE~1\TEMPLATE\CUSTOM~1\REVISE~1.WPTC:\Program Files\Corel\WordPerfect Office 2000\Template\Custom WP Templates\revised standard opinion.wpt43) K(2쓣U(G2$ 264!..      4X4X4   4   0  XX d(3$ 264!..      4X4X4  VVVV)!dxdx)!dxdx( $ Figure  1  ^_X`YE<<CLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(3$ 264!..      4X4X4  ($$   1  ;X[Z&OLE 2.0 Box <=8C HKKKK 264!..      4!X4X!4!  _       XX8!dd8(XnX!3 $ DL!X3      < 4DL!$ X!<&  T  @}XXnINTHESUPREMECOURTOFTENNESSEETF  Ԍ  Ќ' X4X!'!@}  ?+ 4 <DL!X?@}!SPECIALWORKERSCOMPENSATIONAPPEALSPANEL'(   ATKNOXVILLE  (April26,2000Session) $ 6 4DL!X!6XnX@} XnXXXn  < $ DL!4X!<    < 4DL!$ X!<&    @}XXnJAMESC.BARBRAV.CLARENDONNATIONALINSURANCE   COMPANY  3Ԍ  " Ќ  04X!4X!0XnX@}  ' DirectAppealfromtheCircuitCourtfor_Blount_ԀCounty   No.L11824D.KellyThomas,Judge    ____________________________ v  XnXXXn   < $ DL!4X!<    < 4DL!$ X!<&    No.E199900232_WC_ԄR3CVMailedAugust16,2000  kԌ B  Ќ  04X!4X!0XnXXXn  ݀FILEDSEPTEMBER19,2000 (x  H+ 4 <DL!4X!H!XXn__________________________________'B ^   XnX!"XnXXXnB+ 4 <DL!X!B    "   ThisworkerscompensationappealhasbeenreferredtotheSpecialWorkers r CompensationAppealsPaneloftheSupremeCourtinaccordancewithTennesseeCode X Annotated506225(e)(3)forhearingandreportingtotheSupremeCourtoffindingsof > factandconclusionsoflaw.Theappellant,ClarendonNationalInsuranceCompany,is $t theworkerscompensationinsurancecarrierforUnitedMarineCorporation(hereafter  Z  theemployer).Theissueiswhetheranawardof621/2percentpartialdisabilitytothe @ bodyasawholeisexcessiveinlightofthemedicalandvocationaltestimony.Weaffirm & thejudgmentofthetrialcourt." ݌   Ќ$ X!X!$XnXXXn    % + Tenn.CodeAnn.506225(e)(1999)AppealasofRight%+_;Judgmentofthe% , %,Circuit  CourtisAffirmed.  n XnXXXn6 $ DL!X!6    H+ 4 <DL!$ X!H&  .  Peoples,Sp.J.,deliveredtheopinionofthecourt,inwhichBarker,J.,andTerryL. :  _Lafferty_,Sr.J.,joined..#  Ԍ  !p Ќ$ X!X!$XnXXXn  ': JamesP._Catalano_,Knoxville,Tennessee,fortheappellant,ClarendonNational "<! InsuranceCompany. #"" J.AnthonyFarmer,Knoxville,Tennessee,fortheappellee,JamesC.Barbara % $   6 4DL!X!6   H+ 4 <DL!4X!H!XXn 6 4DL!X!6XnX!H+ 4 <DL!4X!H!XXn -). Ї_XnX! 4    < OPINION  o  X  Reviewofthefindingsoffactmadebythetrialcourtisdenovoupontherecord !q ofthetrialcourt,accompaniedbyapresumptionofthecorrectnessofthefinding,unless  = thepreponderanceoftheevidenceisotherwise.Tenn.CodeAnn.506225(e)(2);   Stonev.Cityof_McMinnville_,896S.W.2d548,550(Tenn.1995).Theapplicationofthis    standardrequiresthisCourttoweighinmoredepththefactualfindingsandconclusions Q  ofthetrialcourtsinworkerscompensationcases.Corcoranv.FosterAuto_GMC_,Inc., m  746S.W.2d452,456(Tenn.1988). 9 # XXXnXXXn  #  InOctober1997,JamesC.BarbrawasemployedbyUnitedMarineCorporation  asagel_coater_Ԁandtaperintheboatbuildingprocess.OnOctober20,1997,heinjured  hislowerback.HewastreatedbyDr.MarkThomas,anorthopedicsurgeon,who M performeda_laminectomy_Ԁand_discectomy_ԀonJanuary27,1998.Dr.Thomasperformeda i secondsurgeryonMarch19,1998toexplorethenerverootandrelatedresidual 5 problemsfromthefirstsurgery.OnJuly21,1998,Dr.ThomasplacedMr.Barbraat  maximummedicalimprovement,releasedhimtoreturntoworkandassigneda } permanentimpairmentratingof15percenttothebodyasawhole.OnJuly21,1998, I!  Mr.Barbrareturnedtoworkandtwoweekslaterhewaspromotedfromgelcoattaperto #e" TeamLeaderandgivenatenpercentpayincrease.InDecember1998,hewaspromoted $1 $ toSeniorTeamLeaderandgivenafivepercentpayincrease.OnJune1,1998,Mr. &!& BarbarawasseenforevaluationbyDr.WilliamKennedywhoassignedanimpairment y(#( ratingof27percenttothebodyasawhole.#e݌ E*%* ЌXnXXXn XX  # XXXnXXXn    #C  #C݌ ,a', ЌXnXXXn XX  # XXXnXXXn  #.   #. v ݌ ,G(- ЌXnXXXn XX  # XXXnXXXn  #   # C!݌ --). ЌXnXXXn XX  _# XXXnXXXn  #!  Theemployerargues:#! "݌  ЌXnXXXn XX  # XXXnXXXn  X#"  #"#݌̌XnXXXn X   - (039"" X ,E.4 <DL!X!E   , X  B%y y <DL4X!B$2(  1  )3   y   ThatthefindingsandtestimonyofDr.MarkThomasshouldbegiven | moreweightbecausehewasthetreatingphysician.$%݌ b Ќ ' X!y y X' X  !XXn# XXXnX!  #&  #&&݌ H Ќ!XXn XX  "" X ,E.4 <DL!X!E   ,B%y y <DL4X!BXnX!S'2(  2  )3   y   ThattheconclusionsofDr.JulianNadolsky,vocationalexpert,arenot . ~ supportedbythefacts.S'^(݌  d Ќ ' X!y y X' X  !XXn# XXXnX!  X#)  #)*݌̌!XXn X  "" X ,E.4 <DL!X!E   ,B%y y <DL4X!BXnX!*2(  3  )3   y   ThatMr.Barbrahasreturnedtoworkandreceivedtwopromotions  0 andtwopayincreasesandanawardoftwoandonehalftimesthe    medicalimpairmentisexcessive.*+݌    Ќ ' X!y y X' X  !XXn# XXXnX!  X#Y-  #Y--݌̌!XXn X  "" X ,E.4 <DL!X!E   ,B%y y <DL4X!BXnX! .2(  4  )3   y   ThattheawardshouldbereducedbecauseMr.Barbrawouldhave x  receivedlessofanawardifhehadbeenfoundtobepermanentlyand ^  totallydisabledbecause .+/݌ D  Ќ ' X!y y X' X   / (00- / /"" X ,E.4 <DL!X!E  ,?" <DL4X!?v12(  a  )3     T.C.A.506207(4)(a)(i)limitstheamountto260weeksfor *z  injuriesafterage60and62.5percentof260weekswouldbe162.5 ` weeks;andv1Q2݌ F Ќ $ X!  X$ X  "" X ,E.4 <DL!X!E  ,?" <DL4X!?32(  b  )3     ݀ifMr.Barbrahadbeenawardedtotaldisability,theemployer , wouldbeentitledtooffsetthatamountbythe amountofanyold  ageinsurancebenefitpaymentsattributabletoemployer  contributionswhichtheemployeemayreceiveundertheSocial  Security...T.C.A.507307(4)(a)(i).34݌ t Ќ $ X!  X$ X  !XXn# XXXnX!  X  #&7  #&77݌ Z Ќ!XXn XX  # XXXnX!    # 8  Mr.Barbraisage64.Hequitschoolintheeighthgradetoworkforhisfather @ diggingwells.Hehasworkedasanattendantatagasolinestation,servedintheUnited &v StatesArmywherehedroveaM84MotorCarriage,workedasacarpenter,installed  \ commercialrefrigerators,andworkedfortheUnitedMarineCorporationasaboat B stringerinstallerandtheninthetapeandgelcoatdepartment.Dr.MarkThomastestified ( thatMr.Barbraisnowconfinedtosedentaryorlightoccupationsthatprovidean  opportunitytoalternatesittingandstanding.Asaresultoftheinjury,Mr.Barbranow  hasaconditionknownas footdropwhichispermanentandrequirestheuseofan   ankle/footorthosistoallowhimtowalkwithamorenormalgait.AFunctionalCapacity p!  ExaminationindicatedthatMr.Barbracanliftsevenpoundsfrequentlyandfifteen V"! poundsoccasionallyfromwaisttoshoulderlevel,andpush/pulltenpoundsfrequently <#" andtwentypoundsoccasionally,buthisabilitytocarryisnegligibleandheshouldavoid "$r# climbing,squatting,andbending.# 8a8݌ %X $ Ќ!XXn XX  # XXXnX!  #>  Mr.Barbratestifiedthatheoftenstumblesbecauseofthefootdrop,evenwhenhe %>!% iswearingthebrace.Hebuilthisownhousebeforetheinjury,buttestifiedheisnow &$"& unabletoclimbaladdertopaintit.Activitieshepreviouslyengagedinthatarelimited ' #' orpreventedbytheinjuryinclude(1)yardworkwithaWeedEaterbecausehelivesona (#( hillside,(2)operatingtheclutchonhistractor,(3)carryingatreestandintothewoodsto )$) hunt,and(4)sittingtofish.Hetestifiedheisnotabletoperformcarpentryoranyother l*%* jobshepreviouslycoulddobeforetheinjury.#>K>݌ R+&+ Ќ!XXn XX  # XXXnX!  #A  CharlesDannyWelshan,DirectorofOperationsforUnitedMarineCorporation, 8,', testifiedthatMr.Barbradoesnotnowhavethephysicalabilitytoperformhisformerjob, -n(- buthisexpertiseandknowledgearevaluableinteachingotheremployeesandoverseeing  thequalityofthework.Forthisreason,thepositionofSeniorTeamLeaderwascreated  forMr.Barbra.#AA݌ | Ќ!XXn XX  # XXXnX!    #D  #DpD݌ b Ќ!XXn XX  # XXXnX!    #D  ShouldthefindingsandtestimonyofDr.MarkThomasbegivenmore H weightbecausehewasthetreatingphysician?#DIE݌ . ~ Ќ!XXn XX  # XXXnX!    #UF  #UFF݌  d Ќ!XXn XX  # XXXnX!    #1G  Thetrialcourthasthediscretiontoaccepttheopinionofonemedicalexpertover  J anothermedicalexpert.Kellermanv.FoodLion,Inc.,929S.W.2d333,(Tenn.1996);  0 Johnsonv.Midwesco,Inc.,801S.W.2d804,806(Tenn.1990).However,whenthe    medicaltestimonyispresentedbydeposition,asitwasinthiscase,thisCourtisableto    makeitsownindependentassessmentofthemedicalprooftodeterminewherethe   preponderanceoftheevidencelies.Cooperv.INA,884S.W.2d446,451(Tenn.1994); x  Landersv.FiremansFundIns.Co.,775S.W.2d355,356(Tenn.1989).#1GG݌ ^  Ќ!XXn XX  # XXXnX!  #J  Inthiscase,thetrialcourtcommentedthatthetestimonyoftheevaluating D  physician didaidtheCourtinseeingthattherewereotherwaystoevaluatethiscaseand *z  stilloperatewithintheGuides.AndhadInothadthebenefitofDr.Kennedystestimony ` Iwouldnthaveknownthat.Dr.Kennedyisaboardcertifiedorthopedicsurgeonandis, F also,boardcertifiedbytheAmericanBoardofIndependentMedicalExaminers,with , particulartraininginusingtheAmericanMedicalAssociationGuidestotheEvaluation  ofPermanentImpairment,FourthEdition.Hispracticeisfocusedontheevaluationof  patientsforindependentmedicalexaminations.Inhistestimony,Dr.Kennedyexplained  whyheusedadifferentmodelintheA.M.A.GuidesinsteadoftheD.R.E.modelusedby t Dr.ThomasinassessingthepercentageofimpairmentsustainedbyMr.Barbra.Dr. Z Thomasdidnotaddressthemeritsofhisbasisforhisimpairmentrating.Inconsidering @ thecredentialsofDr.Kennedyandtheotherevidenceinthiscase,weareunabletofind &v thatthetrialcourterredinfindingthatMr.Barbrahaspermanentmedicalimpairmentof  \ 25percenttothebodyasawhole.#J'K݌ B Ќ!XXn XX  # XXXnX!  #YQ  Shouldtheconclusionsoftheemployeesvocationalexpertnotbeconsidered ( becausetheyarehypotheticalandnotsupportedbytheevidence? #YQQ݌  Ќ!XXn XX  # XXXnX!    #R  #R$S݌  Ќ!XXn XX  # XXXnX!    #S  Mr.Barbrahasreturnedtoworkandreceivedtwopromotions.Theemployer   assertsthatDr.JulianNadolskysopinionthatMr.Barbrawouldbeonehundredpercent p!  disabledifheshouldlosehisexistingjobisnotsupportedbytheevidence,andshould V"! nothavebeenconsideredbythetrialcourt.Dr.NadolskyalsotestifiedthatMr.Barbara <#" wouldbeeliminatedfrom85percentofalljobsinthelocallabormarket.Noother "$r# vocationalexperttestified.Thetrialcourtawardedonly62.5percent.Weareunableto %X $ findthatthetrialcourtgavetheopinionsofthisexpertmoreweightthanthattowhich %>!% theywereentitled.#SS݌ &$"& Ќ!XXn XX  # XXXnX!    #W  ݀#WW݌ ' #' Ќ!XXn XX  $ XXXnX!     $_X  Shouldtheawardbelessthantwoandonehalftimesthemedical (#( impairmentbecausetheemployeereturnedtoworkandreceivedtwopromotions?$_XX݌ )$) Ќ  !XXn XX  XnX! l*%*   Theextentofvocationdisabilityisaquestionoffacttobedeterminedfromallof R+&+ theevidence,includinglayandexperttestimony.T.C.A.506241(c);Worthingtonv. -n(- ModineMfg.Co.,798S.W.2d232,234(Tenn.1990).Inmakingdeterminationsof  vocationaldisability,thecourtmustconsiderallpertinentfactors,includinglayand | experttestimony,employeesage,education,skillsandtraining,localjobopportunities, H andcapacitytoworkattypesofemploymentavailableinclaimantsdisabledcondition.  d T.C.A.506241(c);Robersonv.LorettoCasketCo.,722S.W.2d380,384(Tenn.  0 1986).Mr.Barbraisage64,hasaneighthgradeeducation,cannotphysicallyperform    previouslyheldjobs,andhashispresentjobwithaboatmanufacturersolelybecauseof x  hisknowledgeandabilitytoteachotheremployees.Theemployerofferednoproofthat D  Mr.Barbrahastheknowledge,skillsorabilitytoperformotherwork.Wefindthetrial ` courtdidnoterrinawardingtwoandonehalftimesthemedicalimpairmentrating. ,     $ XXXnXXXn     $_  Shouldtheawardbereducedbecausepotentiallyinconsistentawardscould  result?$__݌ t Ќ  XnXXXn XX   Z # XXXnXXXn    #`  Theemployerarguesthatapotentiallyinconsistentresulthasoccurredbecause @ Mr.Barbrawouldhavereceivedasmallerawardifhehadbeenfoundtobepermanently  \ andtotallydisabled,andtheemployerallowedthesocialsecurityoffsets.Inotherwords, ( moreisless.#`Ta݌  ЌXnXXXn XX  ItisarguedthatT.C.A.506207(4)(A)(i)limitsinjuredworkersoverage60to p!  260weeksofbenefits,therefore62.5percentof260weekswouldequateto162.5weeks <#" ofbenefitsforMr.Barbrainsteadofthe250weeksawardedbythetrialcourt.Citing %X $ Vogelv.WellsFargoGuardService,937S.W.2d856(Tenn.1996).Thecontentionis &$"& thattheemployerwouldpaymoreinbenefitstoaworkerwhoisonlypartiallydisabled (#( asopposedtoonewhoistotallydisabled.CounselmisconstruesVogel.Itdidnot l*%* addressT.C.A.506207(3)(F)whichprovides,inpart: Allothercasesof_permanent 8,', partialdisabilitynotaboveenumeratedshallbeapportionedtothebodyasawhole,  whichshallhaveavalueof400weeks...Thus,thebasisforapportioninginjuriesto | thebodyasawholeissetat400weeksby207(3)(F),butthemaximumweeklybenefits H tobepaidtoanemployeewhoisinjuredafterage60iscappedat260weeksby  d 207(4)(A)(_i_).Thereisnopossibilityofinconsistentawards.Mr.Barbrasawardisbased  0 on400weeks,not260weeksasarguedbytheemployer.      Ӏ Conclusion  x  % XXXnXXXn    %i  Wefindthecontentionsoftheappellant,ClarendonNationalInsuranceCompany, D  tobewithoutmeritandaffirmthejudgmentofthetrialcourt.Thiscaseisremandedfor ` anyappropriateproceedings.CostsoftheappealareassessedtotheAppellant.%i~i݌  , Ќ  XnXXXn XX  % XXXnXXXn    %Dk  @}XXn@9 9 INTHESUPREMECOURTOFTENNESSEE%Dkk݌  Ќ  XnX@} XX  @ATKNOXVILLE,TENNESSEE    #XnXXXnk# `   @}XXn  @ JAMESC.BARBRAV.CLARENDONNATIONAL , | INSURANCECOMPANY#XnX@}.m#  D  Mm@`` CircuitCourtfor_Blount_ԀCounty \  @%No.L11824 (x   D @*AVD) ` dE<` A߈   . @ No.E199900232_WC_ԄR3CVFiledSeptember19,2000   v AVD) ` dE<A` A B   ` @& JUDGMENT  ,|  H    "   ThiscaseisbeforetheCourtupontheentirerecord,includingthe "$ orderofreferraltotheSpecialWorkersCompensationAppealsPanel,andthePanels \$& memorandumOpinionsettingforthitsfindingsoffactandconclusionsoflaw,whichare (&x!( incorporatedhereinbyreference; 'D#*   Whereupon,itappearstotheCourtthatthememorandumOpinion )%,  ofthePanelshouldbeacceptedandapproved;and +&. _  Itis,therefore,orderedthatthePanelsfindingsoffactsand   conclusionsoflawareadoptedandaffirmedandthedecisionofthePanelismadethe | JudgementoftheCourt. H   Costsonappealaretaxedtotheappellant,ClerendonNational  d InsuranceCompany,forwhichexecutionmayissueifnecessary.  0     09/19/00 x   D   ` _ ,     !XXn t  3  B    p  /  >    l Ѐ +{ Ѐ :      ! Ѐ h!"  '"w#  "6$  #%  d$&  #%s ' Ѐ %2!(  X 4    <