ÿWPC$ Xªú纑ˆ_±‘“_ï¿€‡æôpá!nL=èZi’‰“f÷wwr" šå7ú«ÚÓSDí8h†à¢ö…6;èο ­{;ú5+ˆ„¶^… L2uÝ¢Ï?!°öû!åuÝÑÝøP w£r÷ãŒ'ŽØÄˆ{'sPªtSþ¹+/·pË _ÓÓ/ŠÅì­¸Ý.Ð ]&ç0ŽÄü =ý§Õ¯«ö)³T"â†Á†¯ÑÉŽ8FC»NfNÉÂOxœŠc7n .†»®ER²å«kïVó­ôo•FDwÓ9}65å Ý¥þÄι,±îÉiZ^‚SRKV”îç*îôDË5êÇ¢ïñoh~2WnÐÈî§Ç›Ôsë`—•‹^°jRàÞfÔVƒ«j]ˆcµ‰?ÿ$Ø÷牰_”¦Q6–Ò³,ú½]Šþ­W|úDƒUÑ:S—êŒIÒt^ÊtÂÖE²}ë6x2Õ,Ì?YÔ³':ùëiWiÁ];À#”¨Od€–ý¨!H4 yÏ:¶F½Â$×lbENCùÑZÐ+/h˜r‡áíW/¦/^+CÏÖ´¿qqu¹,ÒÕ²ûüj°ºn—»Lyé?b—GœËtFœèUØÅæio¯Hé‹ßÙbU6N\ %ª 0ˆ°#É8 Œ Ú ^ g zs Òí V¿ Á mà wÚ ÆÞ ƤÆjÆ04öN    &E8:>I b‡ ^é 0DG ‹ “~›  ! ) 1 9 A  I  S  ]g$oN“N• AŸ— z6b°Ò¸¸]ŠŠŠŠŠU*çççççççççççççççççççççççççççç 0ë B üü 0¤ D3½ D+ð 0K!! ASf!ƹ! 0¤" 0D## A«g#(í€"  Z6Times New Roman Regular»(`£ª$¡¡Ñ€.ÑÑ8€½­»»d»»d8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  Ó˜\\IB01S02\CLERKJACÈÈ,,,,ÈÈ0˜C:\PROGRA~1\COREL\WORDPE~1\TEMPLATE\CUSTOM~1\CUSTOM~1\OPINION3.WPTC:\Program Files\Corel\WordPerfect Office 2000\Template\Custom WP Templates\Custom WP Templates\opinion3.wptÖ€/Ï  ˜C:\PROGRA~1\COREL\WORDPE~1\TEMPLATE\CUSTOM~1\REVISE~1.WPTC:\Program Files\Corel\WordPerfect Office 2000\Template\Custom WP Templates\revised standard opinion.wptÿU‹ÿÀÀÀLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5‚Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5„Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5…Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5lk.´¥¡H\Opinion Summary3|x 4Ý ƒRh÷$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÔ€XÒX»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔThis€form,€entitled€"THE€GOODYEAR€TIRE€&€RUBBER€COMPANY€IMPAIRMENTÐ ° ÐEVALUATION€FOR€DISABILITY€PENSION",€was€introduced€as€an€exhibit€at€trial.Ð ™é Ð?\Appellants Attorney Name & Appellant's Name.?\Appellees Attorney Name & Appellee's Name.(+Ã$òòÚ  Ú4Ú  Úóó12 tÝ ƒRh÷$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÔ€XÒX»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ô€Of€significance€is€the€employee's€own€testimony€at€trial.€He€testified€that€he€had€workedÐ ° Ðcontinuously€for€the€employer€performing€heavy€manual€labor€without€restrictions€since€returningÐ ™é Ðfrom€his€1981€back€surgery.€€€He€further€testified€that€he€didn't€know€there€was€anything€wrong€withÐ ‚Ò Ðhim€until€he€got€hurt€in€1997„98.€€As€he€stated:€"It€wasn't€nothing€wrong€with€me€before€I€got€hurt.Ð k» ÐI€done€anything€I€wanted€to."€€€456789101112 þÝ ƒRh÷$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÔ€XÒX»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔThe€employee€testified€that€since€his€January,€1998,€injury€he€had€constant€pain€in€his€backÐ ° Ðand€legs,€muscle€spasms,€sleepless€nights,€and€he€has€been€"just€miserable".€€€Before€his€injury€ofÐ ™é ÐJanuary,€1998,€he€was€an€avid€deer€hunter,€fisherman,€duck€hunter€and€camper,€but€he€can€no€longerÐ ‚Ò Ðperform€any€of€these€activities. CAKSAKKARObionAcreeWCTenn.CodeGOLDINSp.J.SprouseGarretyCaksackkarBoalsReiterT.C.A.psoriaticBomleyX[Z‘ I&mage <=8ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿCÿÿ HKKKK/˜C:\PROGRA~1\COREL\WORDPE~1\TEMPLATE\CUSTOM~1\REVISE~1.WPT- ù-C:\Program Files\Corel\WordPerfect Office 2000\Template\Custom WP Templates\revised standard opinion.wpt SÝ ƒRh÷$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú4Ú  ÚóóÔ€XÒX»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔBoth€subsection€(a)€and€subsection€(b)€of€€T.C.A.€ðð50„6„208€are€applicable€in€this€case.Ð ° ÐAs€the€court€stated€in€òòPerry€v.€Sentry€Ins.€Co.óó,€938€Ô_ÔS.W.Ô_Ô€2d€404,€407€(Tenn.€1996),€"section€(a)€andÐ ™é Ðsection€(b)€are€not€mutually€exclusive€and€an€employee€may€meet€the€criteria€for€recovery€underÐ ‚Ò Ðboth€sections."€€Moreover,€€according€to€òòBomley€v.€Mid„America€Corp.óó,€970€Ô_ÔS.W.Ô_Ô€2d€929€(Tenn.Ð k» Ð1998),€in€such€a€case€courts€must€apply€the€subsection€that€produces€a€result€more€favorable€to€theÐ T¤ Ðemployer.€€Here,€the€same€result€is€reached€under€both€subsections.%ä2¼A`‹Arial(|G2h÷$¤¤Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€..ÑÑ8€˜È»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  ÚóóÔ€XÒX»»Ô d(|3¿$££Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€..ÑÑ8€˜È»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝVVVV'ÿÿdxd'ÈÈÈÈdxd( ±þ$’’ò òFigure€Ú  Ú1Ú  Úó ó^_X`YEþÿ<<CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(|3¿$¢¢Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€..ÑÑ8€˜È»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó óX[Z&OLE 2.0 Box <=8ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿCÿÿ HKKKKÝ ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€˜È»»ddÈ8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÔ€¼˜È»»»ÔÑ8€ÒXXdé»»d8ÑÓ  ÓÓ  ÓÔ‡îj·î»¼˜ÈÔà@@7 7 ìàIN€THE€SUPREME€COURT€OF€TENNESSEEÐ ° ÐSPECIAL€WORKERSðð€COMPENSATION€APPEALS€PANELÐ Ó# Ðà@@ƒƒìàAT€JACKSONÐ öF ÐÔ#†¼˜È»îîj·ú#ÔÔ‡¼˜È»»¼˜ÈÔJUNE€2003Ô#†¼˜È»»¼˜Èø#ÔÔ‡¼˜È»»¼˜ÈÔ€SessionÐ i ÐÔ#†¼˜È»»¼˜ÈC#ÔÔ‡XÒX»¼˜ÈÔÌÒ°°Òò òÔ#†¼˜È»XXÒ¢#ÔÔ‡¼˜È»»¼˜ÈÔÔ% ‡ ÔEDWARD€CARL€CAKSAKKARÔ%†Ôòò.óó€v.€Ô% ‡ ÔGOODYEAR€TIRE€&€RUBBER€CO.,Ô%†SÔòòóóÔ#†¼˜È»»¼˜Èö#ÔÔ‡XÒX»¼˜ÈÔó óÐ  b Ðò òÔ#†¼˜È»XXÒµ#ÔÔ‡¼˜È»»¼˜ÈÔand€JAMES€FARMER,€DIRECTOR,€DEPARTMENT€OF€LABOR€ANDÐ # s ÐWORKFORCE€DEVELOPMENT,€WORKERS'€COMPENSATIONÐ 4 „ ÐDIVISION,€SECOND€INJURY€FUND€Ô#†¼˜È»»¼˜È#ÔÔ‡XÒX»¼˜ÈÔó óÐ E • ÐÌà@@¼¼ìàò òDirect€Appeal€from€the€Ô% ‡ ÔChancery€Court€Ô%†^Ôfor€Ô% ‡ ÔObionÔ%† Ô€CountyÐ ?  Ðà@@ôôìàNo.€Ô% ‡! Ô21,127Ô%†!äÔ€€€€€€Ô% ‡" ÔWilliam€B.€Acree,€€Circuit€Judge€(By€Interchange)Ô%†"ÔÐ )y  ÐÓîÓÌÌà@@ìì*ìàßA€V) °°` d€÷E<æ` AßÐ ç7 ÐÌÓ  ÓNo.€Ô% ‡# ÔW2002„02368„SC„WCM„CVÔ%†#ýÔ€„€Mailed€September€25,€2003;€Filed€December€16,€Ô_Ô2003Ô_ÔÐ à0 ÐÔ#†¼˜È»XXÒú#ÔÔ‡XÒX»¼˜ÈÔÌÌßA€V) °°` dE<` AßÐ žî Ðó óÌÔ% ‡ ÔÓ  ÓÓ  ÓThis€workers'€compensation€appeal€has€been€referred€to€the€Special€Workers'€Compensation€AppealsÐ –æ ÐPanel€in€accordance€with€the€Tenn.Code€Ô%†8ÔAnn.€ðð50„6„225(e)(3)€for€hearing€and€reporting€to€theÐ Ï ÐSupreme€Court€of€€findings€of€fact€and€conclusions€of€law.€€The€trial€court€found€that€the€plaintiffÐ h¸ Ðwas€permanently€and€totally€disabled.€€The€parties€do€not€contest€this€finding.€€The€appellant,€SecondÐ Q¡ ÐInjury€Fund,€argues,€however,€€that€the€trial€court€erred€in€its€apportionment€of€liability€between€theÐ :Š ÐFund€and€the€employer€when€it€held€that€only€25%€permanent€vocational€impairment€should€beÐ #s Ðapportioned€to€the€employer€and€75%€apportioned€to€the€Fund€as€a€result€of€the€plaintiff's€last€backÐ  \ Ðinjury.€€For€the€reasons€discussed€below,€the€Panel€has€concluded€that€the€judgment€of€the€trial€courtÐ õE Ðshould€be€modified€so€that€75%€permanent€vocational€impairment€is€apportioned€to€the€employerÐ Þ. Ðand€25%€apportioned€to€the€Fund.Ô#†¼˜È»XXÒ½#ÔÔ‡XÒX»¼˜ÈÔ€Ð Ç ÐÓQÓÌò òÔ% ‡$ ÔÓ  ÓÓ  ÓTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€50„6„225(e)€(1999)€Appeal€as€of€RightÔ%†$( Ô;€Judgment€of€the€Ô% ‡% ÔChancery€CourtÐ ™!é  ÐAffirmed€as€Modified€Ô%†%ª Ôó óÐ ƒ"Ó! ÐÓA ÓÌòòÓ  ÓÓ  ÓARNOLD€B.€GOLDINÔ#†¼˜È»àXÒß #ÔÔ‡XÒX.¼˜ÈÔóó,€Sp.J.€delivered€the€opinion€of€the€court,€in€which€òòÔ% ‡& ÔHOLDER,€J.€and€LOSER,Ð V$¦# ÐSp.J.Ô%†&ÑÔÔ% ‡' ÔòòóóÔ%†'Ôóó,€joined.Ð ?% $ ÐÌÔ% ‡ ÔPaul€G.€Summers,€Attorney€General€and€Reporter€and€E.€Blaine€Sprouse,€Asst.€Attorney€General,Ð 'a"& ÐNashville,€Tennessee€for€the€appellant,€Second€Injury€Fund.Ô%†dÔÐ ú'J#' ÐÌÔ% ‡ ÔÔ%†EÔJeffrey€A.€Garrety,€Jackson,€Tennessee,€for€the€plaintiff/appellee,€Edward€Carl€Caksackkar.Ð Ì)%) ÐÌRandy€N.€Ô_ÔChismÔ_Ô,€Elam,€Union€City,€Tennessee,€the€defendant/appellee,€Goodyear€Tire€&€RubberÐ ž+î&+ ÐCo.Ð ‡,×', ЀÐ p-À(-ý ÐÓ8ÓÓ  Óò òMEMORANDUM€OPINIONó óÔ#†¼˜È»XXÒw#ÔÔ‡XÒX»¼˜ÈÔÐ ° ÐÌÓ  ÓÔ#†¼˜È»XXÒí#ÔÔ‡XÒX»¼˜ÈÔò òòòà@ee!ìàSTANDARD€OF€REVIEWóóó óˆÐ ƒÓ ÐÌÓ  ÓÔ#†¼˜È»XXÒQ#ÔÔ‡XÒX»¼˜ÈÔà  àThe€review€of€the€findings€of€the€trial€court€is€òòde€novoóó€upon€the€record€of€the€trial€court,Ð V¦ Ðaccompanied€by€a€presumption€of€the€correctness€of€the€finding,€unless€the€preponderance€of€theÐ ?  Ðevidence€is€otherwise.€T.C.A.€ðð€50„6„225(e)(2).€€òòStone€v.€City€of€Ô_ÔMcMinnvilleÔ_Ôóó,€896€Ô_ÔS.W.Ô_Ô€2d€548,550Ð ( x Ð(Tenn.€1995).€€This€court€is€not€bound€by€the€trial€courtððs€findings,€but€instead€conducts€its€ownÐ  a Ðindependent€examination€of€the€record€to€determine€where€the€preponderance€lies.€òòÔ_ÔGallowayÔ_Ô€v.Ð ú J ÐMemphis€Drum€Serviceóó,€822€S.W.2d€584,€586€(Tenn.€1981).€€The€standard€governing€appellateÐ ã 3  Ðreview€of€findings€of€fact€by€a€trial€court€requires€the€Special€Workers'€Compensation€Appeals€PanelÐ Ì   Ðto€examine€in€depth€the€trial€court's€factual€findings€and€conclusions.€òòÔ_ÔGAFÔ_Ô€Bldg.€Materials€v.Ð µ  ÐGeorgeóó,€47€Ô_ÔS.W.Ô_Ô€3d€430,€432€(Tenn.€2001).€When€€all€of€the€expert€medical€testimony€offered€€inÐ žî  Ða€workers'€compensation€case€is€by€deposition,€the€reviewing€court€may€exercise€it's€own€judgmentÐ ‡×  Ðas€to€the€weight€and€credibility€to€be€given€the€testimony€in€making€an€independent€assessment€asÐ pÀ  Ðto€where€the€preponderance€of€the€evidence€lies.€€òòOverman€v.€Williams€Ô_ÔSonomaÔ_Ô,€Inc.óó,€803€Ô_ÔS.W.Ô_Ô€2dÐ Y©  Ð672,€676€(Tenn.€1991).Ð B’ ÐÌà@!ìàò òòòFACTUAL€BACKGROUNDó óóóˆÐ d ÐÌà  àThe€employee,€Edward€Earl€Caksakkar,€filed€a€complaint€for€workers'€compensation€benefitsÐ ç7 Ðalleging€that€he€sustained€a€twisting€injury€to€his€lower€back€Ô#†¼˜È»XXÒæ#ÔÔ% € ÔÔ€XÒX»¼˜ÈÔon€December€29,€1997.€€This€injury€wasÐ Ð  Ðfollowed€by€an€additional€low€back€injury€on€January€2,€1998,€when€he€was€thrown€from€a€buggyÐ ¹  Ðat€work€into€some€skids€stacked€nearby,€thereby€exacerbating€his€earlier€low€back€injury.€€HisÐ ¢ò Ðcomplaint€alleged€that€his€injury€was€permanent€and€that€he€was€entitled€to€benefits€for€bothÐ ‹Û Ðtemporary€total€and€permanent€or€permanent€partial€disability,€in€addition€to€current€and€futureÐ tÄ Ðmedical€care.€€Additionally,€the€employee€brought€his€complaint€against€the€"Second€Injury€Fund"Ð ]­ Ðpursuant€to€T.C.A.€ðð50„6„208(b)€because€of€a€prior€back€injury€which€he€sustained€on€NovemberÐ F– Ð5,€1981,€while€working€for€the€same€employer.€€As€a€result€of€his€1981€work€injury,€the€employeeÐ / Ðentered€into€a€workers€compensation€settlement€based€on€25%€permanent€partial€disability€to€hisÐ h Ðbody€as€a€whole.Ð  Q ÐÌà  àFollowing€a€trial€on€August€7,€2002,€the€court€found€that€the€employee€sustainedÐ Ó!#  Ðcompensable€injuries€to€his€low€back€on€December€29,€1997,€and€January€2,€1998,€and€that€as€aÐ ¼" ! Ðresult€of€these€injuries€he€was€permanently€and€totally€disabled.€€The€trial€court€further€found€thatÐ ¥#õ" Ðthe€liability€for€the€permanent€and€total€disability€benefits€should€be€apportioned€among€theÐ Ž$Þ# Ðdefendants€pursuant€to€T.C.A.€ðð50„6„208(a)€and€that€pursuant€to€said€statute€the€employee's€currentÐ w%Ç $ Ðinjury€accounted€for€25%€of€this€total€disability.€€The€court€then€found€that€the€employer,€Goodyear,Ð `&°!% Ðwas,€therefore,€liable€for€25%€of€the€permanent€and€total€benefits€due€to€the€employee,€and€theÐ I'™"& ÐSecond€Injury€Fund€was€liable€for€the€remaining€75%€of€the€benefits€due.€€Neither€the€employer€norÐ 2(‚#' Ðthe€Second€Injury€Fund€contest€the€trial€court's€finding€of€permanent€and€total€disability.€€TheÐ )k$( ÐSecond€Injury€Fund€has,€however,€appealed€from€the€trial€court's€apportionment€of€liability€betweenÐ *T%) Ðthe€Fund€and€the€employer.Ð í*=&* ÐÐ Ö+&'+ Ðà  àThe€employee€went€to€work€for€the€appellant€in€1977.€€He€previously€had€injured€his€lowÐ ° Ðback€in€1981€while€working€for€the€appellant.€€He€underwent€surgery€for€this€injury€and€€receivedÐ ™é Ða€settlement€in€1983€based€on€a€vocational€disability€of€25%€to€the€body€as€a€whole.€€Following€hisÐ ‚Ò Ðrecovery€from€the€surgery€he€returned€to€full„duty€employment€for€the€appellant€with€no€restrictions.€Ð k» ЀHe€worked€continuously€performing€heavy€labor€for€the€appellant€without€incident€until€his€injuriesÐ T¤ Ðforming€the€basis€of€his€complaint.€According€to€the€evidence€at€trial,€the€employee€had€not€evenÐ =  Ðbeen€back€to€see€his€doctor€about€his€1981€back€injury.Ð & v ÐÌà  àThe€employee€was€initially€treated€conservatively€following€his€1997„98€injuries.€€His€initialÐ ø H Ðtreating€doctor,€Dr.€Anthony€Segal,€did€not€believe€he€was€a€good€candidate€for€surgery€and€returnedÐ á 1  Ðhim€to€work€at€light€duty€with€no€impairment.Ð Ê   ÐÌÒ°°Òà  àHe€was€later€seen€by€Dr.€David€Ô_ÔMcCordÔ_Ô.€Dr.€Ô_ÔMcCordÔ_Ô€performed€diagnostic€studies€whichÐ œì  Ðhe€opined€demonstrated€diminished€disc€space€at€L4„L5€and€degenerative€changes€in€the€employee'sÐ …Õ  Ðspine.€As€a€result,€Dr.€Ô_ÔMcCordÔ_Ô€performed€back€fusion€surgery€on€the€employee€at€his€L4„L5€and€L5„Ð n¾  ÐS1€vertebrae.€The€first€fusion€surgery€of€October€15,€1999,€failed.€€A€second€fusion€surgery€wasÐ W§  Ðperformed€by€Dr.€Ô_ÔMcCordÔ_Ô€on€September€1,€2000,€and€it€too€failed.€€€A€third€fusion€surgery€wasÐ @ Ðperformed€at€the€same€site€on€March€12,€2001,€during€which€some€vertebrae€were€removed.€€Ð )y ÐÌà  àIn€his€deposition,€Ô_ÔDr.McCordÔ_Ô€testified€that€this€was€a€very€severe€injury€to€employee,€thatÐ ûK Ðhe€should€avoid€prolonged€sitting,€heavy€lifting,€or€overhead€labor€and€he€assigned€him€a€permanentÐ ä4 Ðphysical€€impairment€rating€of€26%€to€the€body€as€a€whole.€€On€the€employer's€"ImpairmentÐ Í ÐEvaluation"€form,€that€was€€introduced€as€an€exhibit€at€trial,€Dr.€Ô_ÔMcCordÔ_Ô€stated€that€the€employeeÐ ¶ Ð"Remains€100€%€occupationally€disabled."€€He€further€marked€that€place€on€the€form€that€stated:Ð Ÿï Ð"Not€Able€to€perform€any€sustained€activity."׃×Ý ƒ+ÃÝòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€Ð ˆØ ÐÌà  àIn€addition€to€Dr.€Ô_ÔMcCordÔ_Ô,€the€employee€was€referred€by€his€counsel€to€Dr.€Joseph€C.€Boals,Ð Zª ÐIII€for€an€independent€medical€evaluation€on€October€23,€2001.€€Dr.€Boals€testified€by€depositionÐ C“ Ðthat€the€employee's€injuries€and€subsequent€surgeries€caused€him€to€have€significantly€limited€rangeÐ ,| Ðof€body€motion.€Additionally,€he€concurred€that€his€finding€of€an€absence€of€an€ankle€jerk€bilaterallyÐ e Ðwas€evidence€of€significant€injury€and€of€neurological€loss€over€and€above€anything€that€might€beÐ þN Ðrelated€to€the€aggravation€of€any€pre„existing€condition.€€Based€on€his€examination,€he€opined€thatÐ ç 7 Ðthe€employee€had€a€39%€permanent€physical€impairment€to€the€body€as€a€whole.€Ð Ð!   ÐÌà  àIn€his€cross€examination€of€Dr.€Boals,€counsel€for€the€employer€raised€the€issue€of€theÐ ¢#ò" Ðsignificance€of€the€employee€having€been€diagnosed€in€1978€with€Ô_ÔReiterÔ_Ô's€Syndrome,€a€syndromeÐ ‹$Û# Ðof€conjunctivitis,€arthritis€and€urethritis.€€Dr.€Boals€described€it€as€a€very€rare€syndrome€and€heÐ t%Ä $ Ðtestified€that€the€arthritic€component€can€cause€some€very€advanced€changes€over€time€in€the€jointsÐ ]&­!% Ðof€the€body,€much€like€rheumatoid€arthritis.€€€€Ð F'–"& Їà  àAs€a€followup,€the€employer's€counsel€asked€Dr.€Boals,€based€on€his€knowledge€ofÐ ° Ðemployee's€1981€back€surgery€and€the€existence€of€the€Ô_ÔReiterÔ_Ô's€Syndrome€in€addition€to€his€currentÐ ™é Ðinjuries,€which€problems€were€more€than€likely€the€cause€of€the€employee's€severe€condition.€€HeÐ ‚Ò Ðtestified€that€there€was€no€doubt€there€was€previous€impairment€from€the€earlier€disc€surgery€and€thatÐ k» Ðthe€Ô_ÔReiterÔ_Ô's€Syndrome€would€contribute€to€some€impairment€though€"we€really€don't€know€whetherÐ T¤ Ðor€not€that€syndrome€had€been€flared€up€by€this€recent€surgery".€Ð =  ÐÌà  àOn€further€cross€examination€by€counsel€for€the€Second€Injury€Fund,€the€following€questionsÐ  _ Ðand€answers€were€elicited:Ð ø H ÐÌà  àQ.à0 ` àDoctor€...€Your€thirty„nine€percent€impairment€that€you€gave€this€gentleman,€that€isÐ Ê   Ðbased€on€the€current€work€related€injuries€that€he€suffered€at€Goodyear€starting€inÐ ³  ÐDecember€of€1997?Мì ` (#` (# ÐÌà  àA.à0 ` àThat's€correct.Ðn¾ ` (#` (# ÐÌà  àQ.à0 ` àAnd€in€your€opinion€the€reason€this€gentleman€can't€work€now€is€as€a€result€of€theseÐ @ Ðinjuries?Ð)y` (#` (# ÐÌà  àA.à0 ` àYes.ÐûK` (#` (# ÐÌà  àQ.à0 ` àWhen€I€say€these€injuries,€I€mean€these€most€recent€injuries€starting€in€December,Ð Í Ð1997?ж` (#` (# ÐÌà  àA.à0 ` àYes.€I€would€have€to€sort€of€qualify€that€by€saying€we€have€to€consider€his€totalÐ ˆØ Ðinability€to€work€with€the€Ô_ÔReiterÔ_Ô's€syndrome€and€the€previous€back€surgery€as€beingÐ qÁ Ðsome€component€of€it,€òòthe€major€component€being€this€recent€surgeryóó.׃×Ý ƒ+ÃÝòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€€(EmphasisÐ Zª Ðadded.)ÐC“` (#` (# ÐÌà  àDr.€Boals€did€testify,€however,€that€he€would€not€have€expected€injuries€such€as€that€sufferedÐ e Ðby€the€employee€to€require€such€"exotic"€surgery€in€the€absence€of€some€underlying€chronic€diseaseÐ þN Ð"like"€Ô_ÔReiterÔ_Ô's€Syndrome.€€Ð ç 7 ÐÌÌ€€à@ìì*ìàˆÐ ¢#ò" ÐÌÐ t%Ä $ Ðà@}}#ìàò òòòLEGAL€ANALYSISó óóóˆÐ ° ÐÌà0  àThe€parties€do€not€dispute€that€the€employee€in€this€case€is€totally€and€permanently€disabled.ЃÓ(#(# ÐThe€only€issue€on€appeal€is€the€apportionment€of€the€award€by€the€trial€court€between€theÐ l¼ Ðemployer€and€the€Second€Injury€Fund.€Ð U¥ ÐÌà  àThe€learned€trial€judge€determined€that€the€award€should€be€apportioned€pursuant€to€T.C.A.Ð ' w Ððð€50„6„208(a)€and€that€the€employee's€current€injury€accounted€for€25%€of€his€total€disability.€€TheÐ  ` Ðcourt€then€found€the€employer€liable€for€25%€of€the€total€award€and€the€Second€Injury€Fund€liableÐ ù I Ðfor€the€remaining€75%.€Ð â 2  ÐÌà  àWith€the€medical€proof€being€that€the€employee€had€permanent€physical€impairment€ratingsÐ ´  Ðof€26%€to€the€body€as€a€whole€from€his€treating€doctor€and€39%€from€his€evaluating€doctor,€the€trialÐ í  Ðcourt€was€apparently€persuaded€by€the€employer€of€the€significance€of€the€employee's€pre„injuryÐ †Ö  Ð(1978)€diagnosis€of€Ô_ÔReiterÔ_Ô's€Syndrome€and€its€impact€on€this€injury€in€making€an€apportionment€ofÐ o¿  Ðliability€for€the€injuries€forming€the€basis€of€this€claim€for€benefits.Ð X¨  ÐÌà  àIn€òòSweat€v.€Superior€Indus.,€Inc.,óó€966€S.W.2d€31,€34€(Tenn.€1998),€the€employee€had€a€pre„Ð *z Ðexisting€debilitating€condition€known€as€psoriatic€arthritis.€€He€alleged€that€he€was€asymptomaticÐ c Ðprior€to€his€employment€but€that€his€job€"triggered€his€symptoms€and€worsened€the€underlyingÐ üL Ðdisease."€€The€defendant€denied€that€the€employment€caused€a€progression€or€worsening€of€theÐ å5 Ðunderlying€disease.€€The€court€in€òòSweatóó€€found€that€"it€is€well„settled€that€an€employer€takes€anÐ Î Ðemployee€as€he€finds€him,€that€is€with€his€pre„existing€defects€and€diseases."€òò€òòóóRogers€v.€Shaw,óó€813Ð · ÐÔ_ÔS.W.Ô_Ô€2d€397€(Tenn.€1991).€€€It€then€went€on€to€find€that€the€employee€was€asymptomatic€prior€toÐ  ð Ðworking€for€the€employer,€notwithstanding€being€very€active,€and€that€his€employment€triggered€hisÐ ‰Ù Ðsymptoms.€€The€court€stated€that€"there€being€no€way€by€which€the€Court€can€quantify€how€muchÐ r Ðworse€his€condition€was€made€by€his€work,€it€results€that€the€employer€must€bear€the€burden€ofÐ [« Ðuncertainty."Ð D” ÐÌà  àIn€this€case,€as€in€òòSweatòòóó,€óóthe€employee€had€apparently€been€diagnosed€years€earlier€with€aÐ f Ðpotentially€debilitating€arthritic€condition€which€was€asymptomatic.€€€The€employee€performedÐ ÿO Ðheavy€manual€labor€for€the€employer€for€almost€20€years€after€being€diagnosed€with€Ô_ÔReiterÔ_Ô'sÐ è 8 ÐSyndrome€in€addition€to€having€had€prior€disc€surgery€in€1981.òò€€€óóAs€the€employee€testified,€thereÐ Ñ!!  Ðwasn't€anything€wrong€with€him€that€he€was€aware€of€before€he€was€injured€in€January,€1998.׃(×Ý ƒ+ÃÝòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×òò€óó€€Ð º" ! ÐÌà  àIn€the€present€case,€the€Panel€agrees€with€the€trial€judge€that€the€liability€for€the€permanentÐ Œ$Ü# Ðâ âand€total€disability€award€to€the€employee€should€be€apportioned€among€the€defendants€pursuant€toÐ u%Å $ ÐT.C.A.ðð50„6„208(a).Ô_Ô׃1×Ý ƒ+ÃÝòòÚ  Ú4Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×Ô_Ô€€However,€we€find€that€the€disability€resulting€from€the€employee's€lastÐ ° Ðâ âcompensable€injury€accounted€for€75%€of€his€total€disability€rather€than€the€25%€as€found€by€theÐ ™é Ðtrial€court.Ð ‚Ò ÐÌà  àAs€a€result,€the€employer€is€liable€for€75%€of€the€permanent€and€total€disability€benefits€dueÐ T¤ Ðto€the€employee€and€the€Second€Injury€Fund€is€liable€for€the€remaining€€25%€of€the€benefits€due€toÐ =  Ðthe€employee.€Ð & v ÐÌà@GG%ìàò òòòCONCLUSIONó óˆÐ ø H ÐÌà  àóóFor€the€reasons€stated€above,€the€judgment€of€the€trial€court€is€modified€in€accordance€withÐ Ë   Ðthis€opinion.€The€cost€of€this€appeal€is€taxed€to€the€appellee,€Goodyear€Tire€&€Rubber€Co.òòÐ ´  ÐóóÌ€à0  àÐ†Ö (#(# Ðà  àÌÌÌÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à___________________________________€Ð c Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àARNOLD€B.€GOLDIN,€SPECIAL€JUDGEÐ üL ÐÌÐ  Î ÐÔ‡¼˜È»XXÒÔÌÔ#†XÒX»¼˜È•Q#ÔÔ‡îj·îXXÒÔà@ ìàIN€THE€SUPREME€COURT€OF€TENNESSEEˆÐ À Ðà@òò%ìàAT€JACKSONÔ#†XÒXîîj·ØQ#ÔÔ‡¼˜È»XXÒԈРã3 ÐÌò òÓ  ÓEDWARD€CARL€CAKSACKKAR€v.€Ð  f ÐGOODYEAR€TIRE€&€RUBBER€CO.,€òòet€al.óóó óÐ ' w ÐÓ¸RÓÌò òÔ#†XÒX»¼˜ÈR#ÔÔ‡XÒXXXÒÔÌà@ìì*ìàßA€V) °°` d€÷E<1 ` A߈Ð 2 ‚ ÐÌÓ  ÓNo.€€W2002„02368„SC„WCM„CV€„€Filed€December€16,€Ô_Ô2003Ô_ÔÐ +{  ÐÓôSÓÌßA€V) °°` dE<þ` AßÐ ÿO  ÐÌó óà@±±&ìàò òJUDGMENTó óˆÐ øH  ÐÔ#†XÒXXXÒjS#ÔÔ‡îj·îXXÒÔÌòòóóÔ#†XÒXîîj·-U#ÔÔ‡XÒXXXÒÔà  àThis€case€is€before€the€Court€upon€a€motion€for€review€filed€by€Goodyear€Tire€&€Rubber€Co.,Ð U Ðpursuant€to€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€50„6„225(e)(5)(B).€€The€entire€record,€including€the€order€of€referralÐ î> Ðto€the€Special€Workersðð€Compensation€Appeals€Panel,€and€the€Panelððs€Memorandum€Opinion€settingÐ ×' Ðforth€its€findings€of€fact€and€conclusions€of€law€are€incorporated€herein€by€reference.Ð À ÐÌà  àWhereupon,€it€appears€to€the€Court€that€the€motion€for€review€is€not€well„taken€and€shouldÐ ’â Ðbe€DENIED;€andÐ {Ë ÐÌà  àIt€is,€therefore,€ordered€that€the€Panelððs€findings€of€fact€and€conclusions€of€law€are€adoptedÐ M Ðand€affirmed,€and€the€decision€of€the€Panel€is€made€the€judgment€of€the€Court.€Ð 6† ÐÌà  àCosts€will€be€assessed€to€Goodyear€Tire€&€Rubber€Co.,€for€which€execution€may€issue€ifÐ X Ðnecessary.Ð ñA ÐÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àPER€Ô_ÔCURIAMÔ_ÔÐ Ã ÐÌHolder,€J.,€not€participating.Ð •!å  ÐÌÌÔN‡6ÄJXÔÔO‡6¼2a»X6ÄJÔÌÔO#†6ÄJX»6¼2axZ#ÔÔO‡6ÄJXX6ÄJÔÔN#†ÍöXX6ÄJYZ#ÔÔN‡ÍöXXÍöÔò òó óÌÔ#†XÒXXXÒvU#Ô