WPC  mue 2@ * 3`m9$L:3Q`sjޭP34Gb #b $c@ qI َjaBKmEFlˊ;øcO+86"JhUs91Ua =eU8=HfQ5VnՇ~r(5p߾BP.\-OfQ6XU+ LtTH eb>? D1ŤFoGsDkhٍ-,0i`N*.HYrYDQaI)B 3Q7g\d~]W]̬zӗxRb3H8*[$/,L#2yo( %!o:~f,|*AVvV9*5mTqV/PK*vAVKT"uĖ,2֌šX[WU+> 0 0* 0/ 0< 0 0 0P 0 0:` 0U,q D+ C] 0? 0 0 0(N AQvU>""26 0F#U N %M(N/N1U@3EssUNu^ w4 m B \  `&Times New Roman' IN THE SUPREME COURT OF TENNESSEE "Terryl James"0Terryl James .   6) 4Heading 1XXX    6Z h4Heading 2XXX   &p x (#&     A7X` hp x (#A 6: *4Heading 3XXX        <:Default Para<%% :Body Text I1 X XXX X <>> :Body Text In X XXX     X 0A .Header (#A7X` hp x (#A0A .Footer (#A7X` hp x (#A:8Page Number< :Document MapA  $TahomaAC4$X ddCA  $TahomaA  7(X7S\  `&Times New RomanS  $Tahoma'dxddd S )..      !X!X!  _WGCz h  p @X@E (#(#(2$ !..      !dX!Xd!d  ݃ Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4 Level 5(2$ !..      !dX!Xd!d  (2$ !..      !dX!Xd!d  ($C<< c  "..      !X!X!  _ ! (#X!       { )..      !X!X!  XsX ! (#X!   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"(#X! $ (#"x$   XXsXsX $ (#(#$  ,   n     XXs#|x($..      !dX!Xd!dHP LaserJet 4Si,,,,,,0(9 Z6Times New Roman Regular!X(9 Z(Times New Roman ("  Z6Times New Roman RegularF) K(0rtyBar-U d !..      !X!X!  _       TR[A'X3' Letter A' Legal3'TXX8dd8XsX      &    INTHESUPREMECOURTOFTENNESSEE  Ԍ  ЌXXs  XsX SPECIALWORKERSCOMPENSATIONAPPEALSPANEL'  ATKNOXVILLE   XsXXXs      3 ` p x (#X3&  y  EDDIEBRANNON,  ) p y  Ԍ l d ЌXsXXXs   `   ) p 'l  R J  ` Plaintiff/Appellee,  ) p _McMINN_ԀCOUNTY 80  `   )   vs. `   ) p     `   )   PENGULF,INC.,  ) p NO.03S019906CH00053     `   )    ` Defendant,  ) p     `   ) z  RELIANCEINSURANCECOMPANY  ) p HONORABLE_JERRI_ԀBRYANT h`  ` Defendant/Appellee  ) NF  `   ) 4, TRAVELERSINSURANCECOMPANY  )0 p Filed:July12,2000p(#p(#  `   )   ` Defendant/Appellant.  )  H+ ` hp x (#` X(#H 3p x (#X(#3 FortheAppellant,   p FortheAppellee, d\ TravelersInsuranceCompany:   p EddieBrannon: JB  RobertJ._Uhorchuk_   p Conrad_Finnell_ ! Suite407,JamesBuilding   p POBox1476 ! 735BroadStreet   p Cleveland,Tennessee373631476 " Chattanooga,TN37402   p  #     p FortheAppellee,  $!    p RelianceInsuranceCompany: %"     p CharlesW.Dooley `'X $    p JasonD.Howell F(>!%    p _Leitner_,Williams,Dooley& ,)$"&    p _Napolitan_,_PLLC_ * #'    p ThirdFloor,801BroadStreet *#(    p Chattanooga,TN37402 +$) XsXXXs   6p x (#X(#6    &    MEMORANDUMOPINION   Ԍ \0T). Ќ  *X(#X(#*XsXXXs  E+ ` hp x (#X(#EXXs'\0 ` 0 0 (# (#0h(#(#Mailed:March31,2000B1:*/h(#h(# XsX      &    MembersofPanel  Ԍ 2*0 Ќ  XXs     XsX'2JusticeWilliamM.Barker 3,2 SeniorJudgeJohnK.Byers 4-3 SpecialJudgeHowellN.Peoples 5.4 XsXXXs      $ "(#X(#$&  j  REVERSEDANDREMANDED4"PEOPLES,SPECIALJUDGEj  Ԍ :39 ЌXsXXXs  ':  :3:   X XX   8sXXdd8B+ ` hp x (#"xB  `     h   OPINION    XXsXXXs      ThisworkerscompensationappealhasbeenreferredtotheSpecialWorkers   CompensationAppealsPaneloftheSupremeCourtinaccordancewithTennesseeCode l d Annotated506225(e)(3)forhearingandreportingtotheSupremeCourtoffindingsof 80 factandconclusionsoflaw.TravelersInsuranceCompany(hereafter Travelers)   appealsthegrantingofsummaryjudgmentdismissingRelianceInsuranceCompany   (hereafter Reliance)asapartydefendantbeforetrial.Travelersassertsthatthetrial   courterredinfindingthatthelastinjuriousexposureruledidnotcreateanissueof h` whetherReliance,asasubsequentworkerscompensationinsurancecarrierforPenGulf, 4, Inc.,maybeliableforEddieBrannonsinjury.)݌  ЌXsXXXs X  XAnappealfromasummaryjudgmentinaworkerscompensationcaseisnot  governedbythedenovostandardofreviewprovidedbyTenn.CodeAnn.506  225(e)(3),butbyRule56,_T.R.C.P._Ԁ_Downen_Ԁv.AllstateIns.Co.,811S.W.2d523,524 d\ (Tenn.1991).Nopresumptionofcorrectnessattachestodecisionsgrantingsummary 0 ( judgmentbecausetheyinvolveonlyquestionsoflawandthereviewingcourtmust ! determinewhethertherequirementsofRule56havebeenmet.Gonzalesv._Alman_ #  Const.Co.,857S.W.2d42,4445(Tenn.1993).Summaryjudgmentisproperwhenthe %" _movant_Ԁdemonstratesthattherearenogenuineissuesofmaterialfactandthatthe_movant_ `'X $ isentitledtojudgmentasamatteroflaw.Rule56.03,_T.R.C.P._ԀInconsideringamotion ,)$"& forsummaryjudgment,thecourtmusttakethestrongestlegitimateviewoftheevidence *#( infavorofthenonmovingparty,allowallreasonableinferencesinfavorofthatparty, ,%* anddiscardallcountervailingevidence.Byrdv.Hall,847S.W.2d208,210(Tenn. .', 1993). Itisalmostneveranoptioninworkerscompensationcases.Inasummary \0T). judgmenthearing,evenwherethepartieshavenorighttoajurytrial,thetrialjudgeis (2 +0 notatlibertytoweightheevidence._Hilliard_Ԁv.TennesseeStateHomeHealthServices, 3,2 Inc.,950S.W.2d344,345(Tenn.1997). 5.4  XXXsXXXs    "  EddieBrannonfiledthisactiononMarch23,1998torecoverworkers 706 compensationbenefitsfor bilateralcarpaltunnelsyndromewhichwascausedbythe X9P28 _repeatedstressandtraumaofhisworkin_McMinn_ԀCounty,Tennessee,duringtheone  yearnextprecedingthefilingofthissuit.(Complaint)Theemployer,PenGulf,Inc.,  wasinsuredforworkerscompensationclaimsbyTravelersuntilDecember31,1997.   ReliancebecamethecarrierfortheperiodfromJanuary1,1998throughDecember31, l d 1998.OnAugust20,1998,Travelersfileditsmotionforsummaryjudgmentclaiming 80 thatithadnoliabilitybecauseReliancewasthecarrierwhenMr.Brannonwaslast   injuriouslyexposedtothehazardsthatcausedhisinjury.OnOctober26,1998,Reliance   fileditsmotionforsummaryjudgmentclaimingithadnoliabilitybecauseMr.Brannon   hadbeendiagnosedwithcarpaltunnelsyndromein1995andheengagedinnoactivityor h` hadnoaccidentin1998sufficienttocausetheconditionforwhichhesued.Thus,bothof 4, thesepartieshadrepresentedtothetrialcourtthattherewerenomaterialdisputedissues  offact."#݌  Ќ  XsXXXs XX  Thetrialcourtreviewedtheevidenceprovidedinsupportof,andoppositionto,  themotions,includingthedepositionofDr._Hytham_Ԁ_Kadrie_,theaffidavitofDr._Cauley_ d\ Hayes,themedicalrecordsofDr.Hayes,themedicalrecordsofDr.TimothyStrait,and 0 ( deposition,answerstointerrogatories,andaffidavitofEddieBrannon.Thetrialcourt ! foundthatMr.Brannonhadbeendiagnosedwith possiblecarpaltunnelsyndromein #  1995andsaid: Indeterminationofwhichinsurancecarrierisresponsibleforthe %" disablingcondition,thePlaintiffmustexperienceanincreaseintheseverityofhis `'X $ conditionoranoutrightdisablingconditionbeforeasubsequentcarriershallincur ,)$"& responsibilityforthecondition.Sweatv.SuperiorIndustries,Inc.,966S.W.2d31(Tenn. *#( 1998).FindingthatMr.Brannonwasunabletodemonstrateanyanatomicalchange ,%* sufferedafterJanuary1,1998,thetrialcourtheldthatTravelerswastheappropriate .', carrier.SummaryjudgmentforReliancewasgrantedupona findingthattherehadbeen \0T). noinjurybyspecificaccidentduringtheperiodofcoverageofReliance,norhadthere (2 +0 beenaspecificinjurysustainedduringtheperiodofcoverageofReliancesincetherewas 3,2 noactionableanatomicalchangenorincreaseinseverityofthecondition;furtherfinding 5.4 nooutrightdisablingconditionandnoincreasedpermanentmedicalimpairmentduring 706 thecourseofcoverageofReliance. X9P28  XXXsXXXs    0  WearenotcalledontoresolvetheissueofwhichcarriermaybeliabletoMr.  Brannonforworkerscompensationbenefits,butwhethersummaryjudgmentfor  Reliancewasappropriate.Inresolvingthisissue,wenotethatMr.Brannonfiledsworn   answerstointerrogatoriesinwhichhestated: Duringtheregularcourseofmyworkat l d PenGulf,Ihadongoingpaininmyrighthandformonths,withpaininhand/fingers, 80 fingersgoingnumb/throbbing.Finally,on/aboutFebruary,1998,Isoughtmedical   treatmentforthiscondition.Ihavealsodevelopedpaininmylefthandaswell.He   attributedcontinuousdailyactivitiesofspraypaintingandsandblastingasthecauseof   hisinjury.Mr.BrannonreportedtheinjurytohisemployerinFebruary1998,andwas h` senttoDr._Cauley_ԀHayes,whodiagnosedcarpaltunnelsyndrome.Mr.Brannontestified 4, inhisdepositionthatDr.Hayes givemea,Ibelieveitsinthis,wherehegivemeathing  showingworkdutiesIcouldandcouldnotdo.Nothingthatcausesvibration,repetition  andmotion.Hesworeinanswerstointerrogatoriesthatthelasttimeheperformedthe  activitiesthatcausedoraggravatedhisinjurywasMarch1998.Mr.Brannoncontinued d\ toworkforPenGulfuntilhewasterminatedduetolackofworkinMay1998.0(1݌ 0 ( Ќ  XsXXXs XX  InthecaseofLawsonv.LearSeatingCorp.,944S.W.2d340(Tenn.1997),the ! SupremeCourtadoptedthe lastdayworkedruletoapplyonlytorepetitivestress #  injuries,andheldthatthedateoftheaccidentwasthedatetheemployeewasnolonger %" abletoworkbecauseoftheinjury.944S.W.2dat3423.Thecourtreferencedits `'X $ opinioninBarkerv.HomeCrestCorp.,805S.W.2d373(Tenn.1991),which heldthat ,)$"& becausetheemployeesufferedanewinjuryeachdayatworkandsincethecauseof *#( thoseinjurieswasconstant,theaccidentalinjuryoccurredonthedateonwhichthe ,%* employeecouldnolongerperformherwork.Id.at376.Thedateoftheaccidentfor .', purposesofascertainingthecommencementofthelimitationsperiodshouldbethesame \0T). asthedateoftheaccidentforpurposesofascertainingwhichinsurancecompanyshould (2 +0 paybenefits.Weseenoreasontodistinguishbetweenthetwo.944S.W.2dat341. 3,2  XXXsXXXs    <  AcourtcouldreasonablyfindthatFebruary,1998(thedatehesoughtmedical 5.4 treatmentforthepain)orMarch1998(thelastdateheperformedtherepetitive,vibratory 706 activities)wasthedateMr.Brannonwasinjured.SinceReliancewastheworkers X9P28 compensationcarrierin1998,wereversethesummaryjudgmentdismissingReliance  InsuranceCo.andremandthiscaseforfurtherproceedings.Thecostsofthisappealare  taxedonehalftoTravelersInsuranceCompanyandonehalftoRelianceInsurance   Company.<*=݌ l d Ќ  XsXXXs XX     80       Ѐ_________________________________       h     HowellN.Peoples,SpecialJudge        XCONCUR: h`  X NF  4,      X__________________________________  ЀWilliamM.Barker,Justice  __________________________________ d\ ЀJohnK,Byers,SeniorJudge  JB 'XsXXXs'X'Xs@e e INTHESUPREMECOURTOFTENNESSEE  @'ATKNOXVILLE      EDDIEBRANNON,Plaintiffv.PENGULF,INC.,TRAVELERSINS. , $ CO.,(Respondent)andRELIANCEINSURANCECOMPANY, 8 0 (Applicant)  D < C   #'XsX'BC#ChanceryCourtfor_McMinn_ԀCounty \T No.19484 B:  D@-AV() ` dEh ` A߈     No.E199901401SCWCMCV   E `     h   Filed:July12,2000   AV() ` dEh` A    'j=X'Xs#'XsX'j=F##XsXX'Xs#C#*Xa XXXs@) JUDGMENT    ` ThiscaseisbeforetheCourtuponRelianceInsuranceCompanysmotionfor  reviewpursuanttoTenn.CodeAnn.506225(e)(5)(B),theentirerecord,includingthe  orderofreferraltotheSpecialWorkers'CompensationAppealsPanel,andthePanel's  MemorandumOpinionsettingforthitsfindingsoffactandconclusionsoflaw,whichare  incorporatedhereinbyreference; {  ` Whereupon,itappearstotheCourtthatthemotionforreviewisnotwelltaken c[ andshouldbeDENIED;and SK  ` Itis,therefore,orderedthatthePanel'sfindingsoffactandconclusionsoflaware 3 + adoptedandaffirmed,andthedecisionofthePanelismadethejudgmentoftheCourt. #!  ` CostswillbetaxedonehalftoTravelersInsuranceCompanyandonehalfto # RelianceInsuranceCompany,forwhichexecutionmayissueifnecessary. #   `     h      p PER_CURIAM_ &# Barker,J.,notparticipating#XsX X*Xa_G# (!% XXs