ÿWPCœ œ©“c¥dä~ÁZ`N…ƒ'O²3•X·e'ˆc Ã#}$FÕ5z]Šö–Ã1[z‘“]Ù»…õvÅÃk©îñK¦_9 !ÎŽp÷™«§î™[ZliO€¸2!>ˆÛ å.“@e’VoÞUÜ Z™ Ñq¶õêíã@i °ËݪéÀ‚kF¶?byÒWgÞ‡ò‘õBØZ5Ãö CÙµSÀ¬ $¹ËGh"ê$Åø:d.Ñ}𝍣hn3 laóî—}n ‰`Xûo4cý‰MdÔÑŽ·¼Ä ÒÄ}ý¡XÉv–4_jµr#ü¦GqÝ)ÀÁza£I®WÞ41¥“8rÙ#w?ùƒËòÁÛ$ /Q€.”?ÚôÈ2?„óž®{äÑ=¨FyÆj¨‡B¸üužgã¸Vtó˜²QayR/µ¥´úïô)±‡>=XpmÜü˜¥ c [s}=œ7Ê%_Q]*BKrü¤F'Zá³êÙ“õ£ÞŒä+¦˜g™Óu¦­QäcÏX…[CPþT!¤€•ù˜U<\ ‰G|Ë&Cïû —óíL­+ë*!²Ž²Îåb‚c•Ȧ¶þ⦋Ù[§î¯ ßÅì%>:ŸŽ{ºÃb %\UNb 0ˆ°U7N8^ †w’4– zªÒ$ ö  m  Æ$ Æê ư Æv #Á< NýÿNE  z Ò……U:WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWb‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘ 0ë™™™™ B „„ 0¤¡ D3E D-x 0K¥¥ ASðÆC 0¤  0D­ A«ñ»(ÖÃ9 Z‹6Times New Roman Regular(`£ª$¡¡Ñ€.ÑÑ8€½­»»d»»d8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  Ó(í€"  Z6Times New Roman RegularR…2)â Kë(”â«k3( å ˜C:\PROGRA~1\COREL\WORDPE~1\TEMPLATE\CUSTOM~1\REVISE~1.WPTC:\Program Files\Corel\WordPerfect Office 2000\Template\Custom WP Templates\revised standard opinion.wpt3|x ÿU‹ÿÀÀÀHLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5‚Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5„Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5…Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5˜HP LaserJet 4Si,ü,,,,,ü0 ˜C:\PROGRA~1\COREL\WORDPE~1\TEMPLATE\CUSTOM~1\REVISE~1.WPTC:\Program Files\Corel\WordPerfect Office 2000\Template\Custom WP Templates\revised standard opinion.wpt, øð AZ‹"Arial Regular- ù-(|G2Ÿ%$¤¤Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€æT»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  ÚóóÔ€XàsX»»Ô d(|39$££Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€æT»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝVVVV'ÿÿdxd)!ÈÈÈÈdxdx( ±þ$’’ò òFigure€Ú  Ú1Ú  Úó ó^_X`YEþÿ<<CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(|39$¢¢Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€æT»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó óX[Z&OLE 2.0 Box <=8ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿCÿÿ HKKKKÝ ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€æT»»ddÈ8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÔ€¼æT»»»ÔÑ8€àsXXdð»»d8ÑÓ  ÓÑ  Ñà@@7 7 ìàIN€THE€SUPREME€COURT€OF€TENNESSEEÐ ° ÐSPECIAL€WORKERSðð€COMPENSATION€APPEALS€PANELÐ È Ðà@@ƒƒìàAT€KNOXVILLEÐ à0 Ð(April€26,€2000€Session)Ð øH ÐÔ‡XàsX»¼æTÔÌò òÔ#†¼æT»XXàså#ÔÔ_ÔGRATZÔ_Ô€Ô_ÔCARDENÔ_Ô,€JR.€òòóóv.€THE€TENNESSEE€COAL€COMPANYÔ‡XàsX»¼æTÔó óÐ  P ÐÌà@@¼¼ìàò ò€Direct€Appeal€from€the€Circuit€Court€for€Anderson€CountyÐ  X Ðà@@ôôìàNo.€97LA0353€€€€€€James€B.€Scott,€Jr.,€JudgeÐ ø H ÐÌÌà@@ìì*ìàßA€V) °°` d€÷E<Ç` AßÐ È  ÐÌNo.€E1999„01213„Ô_ÔWCÔ_Ô„R3„CV€„€Mailed€„€July€5,€2000Ð Ç  ÐFiled:€September€18,€2000€Ô#†¼æT»XXàs #ÔÔ‡XàsX»¼æTÔÐ ·  ÐÌßA€V) °°` dE<–` AßÐ —ç Ðó óÌÓ  ÓÓ  ÓÔ‡XðØXXXàsÔÔ#†¼¾¤»XXðØ›#ÔÔ‡XðØX»¼¾¤Ôà  àThis€workersðð€compensation€appeal€has€been€referred€to€the€Special€Workersðð€CompensationÐ –æ ÐAppeals€Panel€of€the€Supreme€Court€in€accordance€with€Tennessee€Code€Annotated€ðð€50„6„225(e)(3)Ð ‚Ò Ðfor€a€hearing€and€reporting€of€findings€of€fact€and€conclusions€of€law.€€The€appellant/defendantÐ n¾ Ðchallenges€the€trial€courtððs€award€of€permanent€and€total€disability€benefits€to€the€appellee/plaintiff.€Ð Zª ÐAlso,€the€appellant€contends€that€the€evidence€does€not€support€the€trial€courtððs€award€of€benefits€toÐ F– Ðthe€body€as€a€whole.€€After€an€in„depth€review€of€the€entire€record,€briefs€of€the€parties€andÐ 2‚ Ðapplicable€law,€we€affirm€the€trial€courtððs€judgment.Ô#†¼¾¤»XXðØ„#Ô€Ô#†¼æT»»¼¾¤B#ÔÔ‡XàsX»¼æTÔÐ n ÐÓ6ÓÌò òTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€50„6„225(e)€(1999)€Appeal€as€of€Right;€Judgment€of€the€Circuit€Court€isÐ  p ÐAffirmed.ó óÐ ` ÐÌòòÓ  ÓÔ_ÔLaffertyÔ_Ô,€Sr.€J.Ô#†¼æT»àXàsÿ#ÔÔ‡XàsX.¼æTÔóó,€delivered€the€opinion€of€the€court,€in€which€òòBarker,€J.,óó€and€òòPeoples,€Sp.€J.óó,Ð ð@ Ðjoined.Ð à0 ÐÌRobert€W.€Ô_ÔKnoltonÔ_Ô,€Oak€Ridge,€Tennessee,€for€the€appellant,€The€Tennessee€Coal€Company.Ð À!  ÐÌRoger€L.€Ô_ÔRidenourÔ_Ô,€Clinton,€Tennessee,€for€the€appellee,€Ô_ÔGratzÔ_Ô€Ô_ÔCardenÔ_Ô,€Jr.Ð  #ð" ÐÌÓÝ ÓÓ  Óò òMEMORANDUM€OPINIONó óÔ#†¼æT»XXàs< #ÔÔ‡XàsX»¼æTÔÐ €%Ð $ ÐÔ#†¼æT»XXàs #Ôò òÔ‡XàsX»¼æTÔTrial€Testimonyó óÐ p&À!% ÐÌÓ  Óà  àThe€plaintiff,€age€56,€testified€that€he€left€the€eighth€(8òòthóó)€grade€to€help€supplement€the€familyÐ P( #' Ðincome.€€He€worked€in€service€stations,€construction,€and€spent€two€years€in€the€United€States€Army.Ð @)$( ÐIn€1968,€the€plaintiff€went€to€work€in€the€coal€mines€of€east€Tennessee€until€€his€injury€of€NovemberÐ 0*€%) Ð15,€1995.€€The€plaintiff€stated€that€he€started€out€as€a€laborer,€was€a€boss€on€the€job,€and€served€asÐ  +p&* Ðsafety€director.€€At€the€time€of€his€injury,€the€plaintiff€was€a€scoop€operator.€€The€plaintiff€describedÐ ,`'+ Ðthe€coal€mines€in€the€Tennessee€area€as€low€seam€mines.€€These€mines€are€approximately€four€(4)Ð -P(, Ðfeet€high.€€Most€of€the€time€a€miner€must€walk€bent€over€or€be€on€their€knees.€€At€the€time€of€hisÐ ð-@)-ýà Ðinjury,€the€plaintiff€was€operating€a€head€drive,€which€drives€a€belt€line.€€This€belt€line€removes€coalÐ ° Ðfrom€the€mine.€€The€plaintiff€testified€that€he€had€the€scoop€of€the€head€drive€at€the€top€of€the€mineÐ  ð Ðwhen€he€slipped€off€the€back€of€the€head€drive,€falling€about€four€(4)€feet,€striking€the€side€of€theÐ à Ðscoop.€€The€plaintiff€was€removed€from€the€mine€and€taken€to€the€Oak€Ridge€Hospital,€where€heÐ €Ð Ðspent€three€(3)€days.€€The€plaintiff€was€seen€by€Dr.€John€Ô_ÔJerniganÔ_Ô€for€loss€of€balance,€stomachÐ pÀ Ðsickness,€and€loss€of€hearing.Ð ` ° ÐÌà  àThe€plaintiff€stated€that€he€underwent€surgery€but€his€loss€of€hearing€did€not€improve.€€AfterÐ @  Ðthree€(3)€months,€his€balance€improved€where€he€could€walk€by€himself.€€Without€Dr.€Ô_ÔJerniganÔ_ÔððsÐ 0 € Ðknowledge,€the€plaintiff€returned€to€work,€ð ðthinking€I€was€going€to€get€over€this€.€.€.€€I€was€being€toldÐ  p  Ðthe€right€side€of€my€brain€would€block€out€all€this€damage.ðð€€At€work,€the€plaintiff€would€answer€theÐ `  Ðtelephone€and€occasionally€grease€the€belt€line.€€However,€the€plaintiff€would€become€sick€and€haveÐ P  Ðto€leave€work€on€occasion.€€The€plaintiff€testified€that€he€was€laid€off€after€sixteen€(16)€months€whenÐ ð@  Ðthe€company€closed€the€mine.€€Since€the€injury,€the€plaintiff€testified€that€he€cannot€work€around€theÐ à0  Ðhome€and€has€difficulty€with€walking€or€gardening.€€The€plaintiff€described€his€vision€problems€atÐ Ð  Ðnight,€ð ðIððm€like€a€drunk€man€trying,€when€Iððm€in€the€dark,€I€just€cannot€function.€€I€can€shut€my€eyesÐ À Ðand€go€from€the€living€room€to€the€bedroom,€if€I€leave€my€eyes€open€Iððm€bouncing€off€the€walls.ðð€Ð ° ÐÌà  àThe€plaintiff€stated€that€he€had€always€worked€and€provided€for€his€family.€€His€wife€did€notÐ à Ðwork€outside€of€the€home€because€he€wanted€her€to€stay€home€and€take€care€of€the€children.€€TheÐ €Ð Ðplaintiff€testified€that€he€had€sustained€two€(2)€past€injuries€on€the€job.€€The€plaintiff€broke€his€rightÐ pÀ Ðfoot,€and€on€another€occasion€he€broke€his€jaw.€€As€a€result,€he€only€missed€enough€work€for€theÐ `° Ðdoctor€to€treat€his€injuries€and€returned€immediately€to€work.€€Since€the€plaintiffððs€lay€off,€he€hasÐ P  Ðreceived€no€income,€but€he€and€his€wife€have€existed€on€his€withdrawn€retirement€fund.€€The€plaintiffÐ @ Ðstated€that€he€cannot€work€an€eight€(8)€hour€day€or€a€five€(5)€day€week,€due€to€his€dizziness€andÐ 0€ Ðbalance€problems.€€The€plaintiff€testified€that€about€the€time€of€this€surgery,€Ô#†¼æT»XXàsé #ÔÔ‡XàsX»¼æTÔhe€took€medication€forÐ  p Ðhis€dizziness.Ð ` ÐÌà  àMrs.€Bobbie€Jean€Ô_ÔCardenÔ_Ô,€the€plaintiff's€wife,€testified€that€her€husband€has€been€a€greatÐ ð@ Ðhusband€and€father.€€She€stated€that€she€has€never€had€to€work€outside€the€home€since€it€was€notÐ à0 Ðnecessary.€€Since€the€accident,€she€stated€that€her€husband€does€not€have€any€balance,€and€he€mustÐ Ð  Ðbe€slow€in€whatever€he€is€doing.€€Mrs.€Ô_ÔCardenÔ_Ô€testified€that€she€cleans€houses€and€cooks€for€theÐ À! Ðelderly€ladies€in€the€neighborhood€for€five€dollars€($5)€an€hour.€€When€describing€her€husbandððsÐ °"  Ðdriving,€Mrs.€Ô_ÔCardenÔ_Ô€stated,€ð ðhe€scares€me€to€death€.€.€.€he€cannot€hear.ðð€€Mrs.€Ô_ÔCardenÔ_Ô€testified€thatÐ  #ð! Ðher€husband€must€wear€sunglasses€since€the€sun€kills€his€eyes€and€gives€him€a€headache.€€She€statedÐ $à" Ðthat€her€husband€has€a€high€tolerance€for€pain.€€When€he€broke€his€jaw€and€foot€he€went€back€to€workÐ €%Ð # Ðimmediately.€Ð p&À!$ ÐÌà  àÔ% € ÔDr.€Rodney€E.€Caldwell,€a€vocational€consultant,€testified€that€he€met€the€plaintiff€onÐ P( #& ÐDecember€8,€1998.€€Dr.€Caldwell€obtained€the€plaintiffððs€beliefs€as€to€his€ability€to€return€to€work,Ð @)$' Ðand€he€also€reviewed€the€deposition€of€Dr.€Ô_ÔJerniganÔ_Ô.€€Dr.€Caldwell€stated€that,€in€the€interview,€theÐ 0*€%( Ðplaintiff€had€not€exaggerated€his€symptoms,€and€that€they€were€consistent€with€what€the€plaintiff€hadÐ  +p&) Ðtold€Dr.€Ô_ÔJerniganÔ_Ô.€€Dr.€Caldwell€described€Dr.€Ô_ÔJerniganÔ_Ôððs€definition€of€ð ðgood€balance€function€toÐ ,`'* ÐÔ_Ômean€normal€balance€function,ðð€as€rather€vague.€€Dr.€Caldwell€stated€that€one€with€balance€problemsÐ ° Ðwould€have€difficulty€lifting,€climbing€and€bending€over€because€one€would€tend€to€topple€over.€Ð  ð ÐConsidering€the€plaintiffððs€balance€problems€and€loss€of€hearing,€the€plaintiff€sustained€a€vocationalÐ à Ðdisability€impairment€of€45€to€50€percent.€€Dr.€Caldwell€testified€that€the€plaintiff€could€return€toÐ €Ð Ðlight€duty,€such€as€answering€the€telephone€and€sitting€down€at€work.€€The€plaintiff€does€not€haveÐ pÀ Ða€high€school€degree,€or€a€GED,€and€given€the€restrictions€on€his€work€duties,€the€plaintiff€has€noÐ ` ° Ðtransferrable€work€skills.€€Also,€Dr.€Caldwell€opined€that€the€plaintiff€has€no€job€opportunitiesÐ P   Ðavailable€in€the€community€where€he€lives.€€In€cross„examination,€Dr.€Caldwell€indicated€that€theÐ @  Ðplaintiff€had€normal€balanceÔ#†¼æT»XXàs #ÔÔ‡XàsX»¼æTÔ,€according€to€Dr.€Schwaber.€€Disregarding€Dr.€Jerniganððs€opinion,€Dr.Ð 0 € ÐCaldwell€opined€that€the€plaintiff€had€approximately€a€15€percent€vocational€disability€impairment.€Ð  p  ÐÌÓ  Óò òMEDICAL€TESTIMONYó óÐ P  ÐÌÓ  Óà  àDr.€John€F.€Jernigan,€an€otolaryngologist,€testified€that€he€examined€the€plaintiff€onÐ à0  ÐNovember€20,€1995,€with€a€complaint€of€a€head€injury€sustained€at€work.€€The€plaintiffððs€right€earÐ Ð  Ðand€scalp€were€lacerated.€€The€right€temporal€bone€was€injured.€€The€plaintiff€complained€ofÐ À Ðdizziness,€vertigo,€and€a€whirling€sensation,€along€with€a€loss€of€hearing.€€On€November€24,€1995,Ð ° Ðthe€plaintiff€went€to€the€emergency€roomÔ#†¼æT»XXàsÇ'#ÔÔ‡XàsX»¼æTÔ€of€Methodist€Medical€Center€of€Oak€Ridge,€for€difficultyÐ  ð Ðwith€closing€his€right€eye€and€the€right€side€of€his€mouth€was€drooping.€€This€symptom€indicated€thatÐ à Ðthe€facial€nerve,€through€the€temporal€bone,€was€swelling€and€it€was€suspected€that€the€temporalÐ €Ð Ðbone€was€fractured.€Between€November€30,€1995,€and€January€29,€1996,€Dr.€Jernigan€saw€theÐ pÀ Ðplaintiff€on€four€occasions.€The€plaintiff€continued€to€complain€of€dizziness,€which€had€leveled€off.€Ð `° ÐOn€February€6,€1996,€the€plaintiff€complained€of€a€loss€of€balance.€Ð P  ÐÌà  àAs€a€result,€on€February€13,€1996,€Dr.€Jernigan€surgically€lifted€the€plaintiffððs€right€ear€drumÐ 0€ Ðto€observe€if€the€plaintiff€had€a€fistula,€which€he€did.€€Dr.€Jernigan€found€ear€fluid€leaking€aroundÐ  p Ðthe€third€little€bone,€which€was€dislocated.€€This€third€little€bone€had€been€knocked€out€of€positionÐ ` Ðby€the€trauma.€€Dr.€Jernigan€removed€the€dislocated€third€little€bone€and€replaced€it€with€a€stainlessÐ P Ðsteel€prosthesis.€€On€both€February€19€and€March€4,€1996,€the€plaintiff€still€complained€of€dizziness.Ð ð@ ÐOn€April€1,€1996,€Dr.€Jernigan€conducted€a€hearing€test€on€the€plaintiff€which€established€that€theÐ à0 Ðplaintiff€had€a€moderate€to€moderately€severe€range€of€hearing€loss€in€the€right€ear.€€On€May€13,Ð Ð  Ð1996,€the€plaintiff€was€still€complaining€of€continued€dizziness.€€Dr.€Jernigan€recommended€that€heÐ À! Ðsee€Dr.€Mitchell€Schwaber€in€Nashville.€€After€seeing€Dr.€Schwaber,€the€plaintiff€continued€toÐ °"  Ðexperience€dizziness.€€In€April€1997,€the€plaintiff€attempted€the€use€of€a€hearing€aid,€which€wasÐ  #ð! Ðunsatisfactory.€€Dr.€Jernigan€testified€that€he€last€saw€the€plaintiff€on€September€9,€1997,€with€aÐ $à" Ðcomplaint€of€persistent€dizziness€and€no€change€in€his€hearing.€€As€to€the€plaintiffððs€hearing€loss,€Dr.Ð €%Ð # ÐJernigan€opined€that€the€plaintiff€sustained€a€5€percent€permanent€impairment€to€the€body€as€a€whole.Ð p&À!$ ÐAlso,€Dr.€Jernigan€stated€that€the€plaintiff€should€not€work€in€a€situation€which€requires€acute€hearingÐ `'°"% Ðor€good€balance€function,€which€he€described€as€normal€balance€function.€Ð P( #& ÐÌà  àIn€cross„examination,€when€asked€if€the€plaintiff€had€any€permanent€residual€impairmentÐ 0*€%( Ðâ âfrom€this€balance€problem€related€to€the€injury,€Dr.€JerniganÔ#†¼æT»XXàs'+#ÔÔ‡XàsX»¼æTÔ€responded,€ð ðI€think€that€thatððs€notÐ  +p&) Ðnecessarily€true.€€I€think€his€balance€problem€is€related€to€the€injury,€yes.ðð€€Dr.€Jernigan€stated€thatÐ ° Ðthe€plaintiff€sustained€a€55€percent€loss€of€hearing€in€his€right€ear.€Ð  ð Ðâ âÌà  àDr.€Mitchell€K.€Schwaber,€a€neurotologist,€testified€that€he€first€saw€the€plaintiff€on€May€16,Ð €Ð Ð1996,€upon€a€referral€by€Dr.€John€Jernigan€of€Oak€Ridge.€€Dr.€Schwaber€received€Dr.€JerniganððsÐ pÀ Ðmedical€file.€€Dr.€Schwaberððs€examination€revealed€that€the€plaintiff€had€a€slight€right€beatingÐ ` ° Ðnystagmus.€€Dr.€Schwaber€had€the€plaintiff€perform€a€posturography€test,€which€revealed€that€theÐ P   Ðplaintiff€had€fully€recovered€from€any€problems€of€dizziness.€€An€audiogram€test€revealed€that€theÐ @  Ðplaintiff€had€a€mixed€type€of€hearing€loss€in€his€right€ear.€€Dr.€Schwaber,€next€saw€the€plaintiff€onÐ 0 € ÐJuly€11,€1997.€€On€this€date,€the€plaintiff€underwent€another€posturography€test.€€This€test€showedÐ  p  Ða€very€abnormal€pattern,€which€was€inconsistent€with€independent€ambulation.€€Dr.€Schwaber€statedÐ `  Ðthat€this€meant€that€if€the€plaintiff€could€not€do€some€of€the€basic€things€he€did€on€the€test,€then€heÐ P  Ðshould€not€be€able€to€walk,€period.€€Dr.€Schwaber€opined€that€the€test€was€invalid.€€When€asked€ifÐ ð@  Ðthe€plaintiff€had€any€permanent€residual€problems€with€dizziness€as€a€result€of€the€injury,€Dr.Ð à0  ÐSchwaber€responded,€ð ðWell,€as€I€noted€in€my€letter,€I€do€think€he€has€residual€complaints€but€notÐ Ð  Ðdocumentable€by€objective€test€findings.ðð€Ð À ÐÌÓ  Óò òLEGAL€ANALYSISó óÐ  ð ÐÌÓ  Óà  àAs€its€main€issue,€the€defendant€has€challenged€the€trial€courtððs€finding€that€the€plaintiff€hasÐ €Ð Ðincurred€a€permanent€and€total€disability€from€a€work„related€injury.€€In€two€sub„issues,€theÐ pÀ Ðdefendant€asserts€that€the€trial€court€was€in€error€for€not€limiting€the€plaintiffððs€permanent€residualÐ `° Ðinjury€to€the€schedule€member€provisions€of€Tennessee€Code€Annotated€ðð€50„6„207(3)(A)(ii)(r);€andÐ P  Ðthe€lack€of€competent€expert€testimony€to€support€the€findings€of€the€trial€court€of€permanent€injuryÐ @ Ðbeyond€the€hearing€loss€sustained€by€the€plaintiff.€€Quite€naturally,€the€plaintiff€asserts€that€theÐ 0€ Ðevidence€supports€the€trial€courtððs€award€of€permanent€total€disability€benefits.€Ð  p ÐÌà  àIssues€of€fact€in€workersðð€compensation€cases€are€reviewed€òòde€novoóó€upon€the€record€of€theÐ P Ðtrial€court,€accompanied€by€a€presumption€of€the€correctness€of€the€finding,€unless€the€preponderanceÐ ð@ Ðof€the€evidence€is€otherwise.€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€50„6„225(e)(2).€€When€a€trial€court€has€seen€andÐ à0 Ðheard€witnesses,€especially€where€issues€of€credibility€and€weight€of€oral€testimony€are€involved,Ð Ð  Ðconsiderable€deference€must€be€accorded€to€the€trial€courtððs€factual€findings.€€òòMcIlvain€v.€RussellÐ À! ÐStover€Candies,€Inc.óó,€996€S.W.2d€179,€183€(Tenn.€1999);€òòsee€Collins€v.€Howmet€Corp.óó,€970€S.W.2dÐ °"  Ð941,€943€(Tenn.€1998).€€When€issues€involve€expert€medical€testimony€and€all€the€medical€proof€isÐ  #ð! Ðcontained€in€the€record€by€deposition,€as€it€is€in€this€case,€then€this€Court€may€draw€its€ownÐ $à" Ðconclusions€about€the€weight€and€credibility€of€that€testimony,€since€we€are€in€the€same€position€asÐ €%Ð # Ðthe€trial€court.€€òòKrick€v.€City€of€Lawrenceburgóó,€945€S.W.2d€709,€712€(Tenn.€1997).€Ð p&À!$ ÐÌà  àAs€required,€we€begin€our€in„depth€review€of€the€record€to€determine€whether€the€evidenceÐ P( #& Ðsupports€the€trial€courtððs€judgment.€€First,€the€defendant€asserts€that€if€clear€and€convincing€evidenceÐ @)$' Ðis€required€to€establish€oneððs€entitlement€to€permanent€partial€disability€benefits,€therefore,€this€sameÐ 0*€%( Ðevidentiary€standard€should€apply€to€awards€of€permanent€total€disability.€€òòSeeóó€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ððÐ  +p&) Ð50„6„241;€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€50„6„242;€òòMiddleton€v.€Allegheny€Elec.€Co.óó,€897€S.W.2d€695€(Tenn.Ð ,`'* Ð1995);€òòSeiber€v.€Greenbrier€Indus.€Inc.óó,€906€S.W.2d€444€(Tenn.€1995).€€We€respectfully€disagreeÐ ° Ðwith€the€defendantððs€argument.€€Permanent€total€disability€as€statutorily€defined,€is€not€based€on€aÐ  ð Ðpurely€objective€assessment€or€an€anatomical€mathematical€computation.€€òòDavis€v.€Reaganóó,€951Ð à ÐS.W.2d€766,€768€(Tenn.€1997);€òòsee€generally€Corcoran€v.€Foster€Auto€GMC,€Inc.óó,€746€S.W.2d€452,Ð €Ð Ð458€(Tenn.€1988)€(holding€vocational€disability€is€based€on€both€lay€and€expert€testimony€and€is€notÐ pÀ Ðrestricted€to€precise€disability€estimates€made€by€experts.)€€The€definition€instead€focuses€on€theÐ ` ° Ðinjured€employeeððs€ability€to€earn€wages.€€òòIdóó.€€Since€the€trial€court€must€make€factual€determinationsÐ P   Ðbased€upon€lay€oral€testimony€and€expert€deposition€testimony,€we€believe€the€proper€standard€forÐ @  Ðappellate€review€of€such€factual€determinations€is€governed€by€Tennessee€Code€Annotated€ðð€50„6„Ð 0 € Ð225(e)(2).€Thus,€this€case€will€be€reviewed€òòde€novoóó€upon€the€record€accompanied€by€a€presumptionÐ  p  Ðof€the€correctness€of€the€findings€of€the€trial€court,€unless€the€preponderance€of€the€evidence€isÐ `  Ðotherwise.€Ð P  ÐÌà  àLikewise,€our€workers'€compensation€statute€requires€a€liberal€construction.€€Tenn.€CodeÐ à0  ÐAnn.€ðð€50„6„116€(1991€Repl.).€€ð ðWe€are€required€to€construe€the€Workersðð€Compensation€LawÐ Ð  Ðliberally€in€favor€of€the€employee€and€in€furtherance€of€the€sound€public€policy€that€dictated€theÐ À Ðlegislation.€€The€Statute€is€not€to€be€construed€strictly€as€in€derogation€of€the€common€law€but€is€toÐ ° Ðbe€treated€as€a€remedial€statute€and€construed€accordingly.ðð€€òòCrump€v.€B€&€P€Const.€Co.óó,€703€S.W.2dÐ  ð Ð140,€144€(Tenn.€1986).€€The€purpose€of€the€workers'€compensation€law€is€to€secure€benefits€to€thoseÐ à Ðworkers€who€fall€within€its€coverage.€€òòGalloway€v.€Memphis€Drum€Serviceóó,€822€S.W.2d€584,€586Ð €Ð Ð(Tenn.€1991).€Ð pÀ ÐÌà  àIn€finding€that€the€plaintiff€was€permanently€and€€totally€disabled€from€a€work„related€injuryÐ P  Ðto€earn€future€wages,€the€trial€court€found€the€following€facts€to€be€of€significance:Ð @ ÐÌà8  à[T]he€plaintiff€is€fifty„six€years€old€and€[t]he€Court€mentions€the€age€only€to€showÐ  p Ðthat€his€work€history€has€been€such€that€he€has€been€committed€to€coal€mining€for€aÐ ` Ðperiod€of€time.€He€has€established€a€reputation€for€dependability€and€reliability,€thereÐ P Ðis€no€doubt€he€has€no€transferrable€skills€in€that€the€physical€condition€from€whichÐ ð@ Ðhe€suffers€has€left€him€an€inability€to€pursue€meaningful€work€in€the€area€of€hisÐ à0 Ðoccupational€abilities.€€He€is€a€self„made€company€man,€greatly€motivated€and€hasÐ Ð  Ðled€by€example;€he€has€reached€the€responsibility€of€being€foreman€in€spite€of€hisÐ À! Ðlimited€education.€Ð°" Ð Ð  ÐÌà8  àWhen€he€was€injured€each€time,€he€returned€to€work€immediately€without€evenÐ $à" Ðmaking€a€claim.€€He€and€his€family€has€suffered€economically€since€this€injury€andÐ €%Ð # Ðit€is€this€hardship€that€he€has€suffered€that€convinces€me€of€his€sincerity.€€EvenÐ p&À!$ Ðthough€this€Court€may€have€the€responsibility€in€a€case€of€this€nature€to€call€inÐ `'°"% Ðanother€doctor€giving€expert€testimony€regarding€the€vertigo€condition€from€whichÐ P( #& Ðthe€plaintiff€says€he€suffers,€for€this€Court€finds€that€the€doctor€who€has€examined€theÐ @)$' Ðplaintiff€did€not€convince€[t]he€Court€that€he€had€been€committed€sufficiently€toÐ 0*€%( Ðlistening€and€knowing€the€facts€about€the€manððs€past€history€of€work.€Ð +p&)Ð Ð  ÐÐ ,`'* Ðà8  àThis€Court€finds€that€the€plaintiff€in€this€action€is€occupationally€unemployable€andÐ ° ÐI€find,€therefore,€that€he€is€one€hundred€percent€disabled,€even€though€there€isÐ  ð Ðmedical€proof€by€a€specialist€to€the€contrary.€€His€work€history€and€his€devotion€overÐ à Ðall€these€years€seem€totally€inconsistent€with€his€returning€to€work€with€a€broken€jawÐ €Ð Ðwhile€it€was€still€wired€together€and€attempting€to€do€his€work€related€duties.€€NowÐ pÀ Ðhe€is€no€longer€employed€there€simply€because€the€mine€was€shut€down;€am€I€right?Ð` °Ð Ð  ÐÌà  àMr.€Knolton:€Yes,€Your€Honor.Ð @  ÐÌà  àMr.€Ridenour:€Yes,€thatððs€right.€Ð  p  ÐÓ  Ó***Ð `  ÐÓ  Óà8  àWell,€heððs€fifty„six€years€old€,€there€are€no€jobs€for€him€within€the€general€area,€heÐ P  Ðhas€no€transferrable€skills,€he€was€foreman€but€he€can€no€longer€even€drive€anÐ ð@  Ðautomobile€and€he€has€been€in€just€such€poor€economic€condition,€heððs€supported€hisÐ à0  Ðwife€and€heððs€just€one€of€these€just€salt€of€the€earth€types€of€individuals.€€And€afterÐ Ð  Ðall€this€time,€it€just€seems€to€me€he€has€been€through€the€hardened€test€of€what€IÐ À Ðwould€consider€to€be€sincerity€and€that€is€the€reason€for€it.€€I€could€be€wrong,€but€theÐ ° Ðthree€out€of€four€there,€he€didnððt€have€a€high€school€education,€the€three€of€fourÐ  ð Ðcriteria€under,€what€is€it,€242€ð!ðÐàÐ Ð  ÐÌà8  àMr.€Ridenour:€Actually,€itððs€four€of€them,€Your€Honor,€he€doesnððt€have€the€highÐ pÀ Ðschool€degree,€he€is€fifty„five€years€of€age€or€older,€has€no€transferrable€job€skills€andÐ `° Ðno€reasonable€job€opportunities€from€what€you€had€told€us.ÐP Ð Ð  ÐÌÓ  Ó***Ð 0€ ÐÓ  Óà8  àWell,€he€was€having€dizzy€spells€there€at€work€answering€the€phone,€everything,€heÐ  p Ðwas€driving€a€vehicle€if€I€remember€correctly,€he€was€having€a€difficult€time.€€AndÐ ` Ðso,€what€Iððm€saying€is,€I€know€itððs€a€documented€proof€and€I€know€it€says€clear€andÐ P Ðconvincing€evidence,€but€Iððm€finding€itððs€clear€and€convincing€and€they€may€disagreeÐ ð@ Ðwith€me,€but,€all€those€aspects.€€But€this€is€that€typical€coal€miner€that€I€feel€like€isÐ à0 Ða€company€man,€gave€his€life€to€his€occupation.€€And€even€though€the€doctor€whoÐ Ð  Ðwas€a€specialist€at€Vanderbilt,€Iððm€somewhat€going€against€him€under€783,€I€justÐ À! Ðdonððt€believe€his€testimony.€€I€think€as€a€tr[ier]€[of]€fact,€as€I€tell€the€jury,€you€canÐ °"  Ðeither€accept€or€you€can€reject€expert€testimony.€€But€in€this€case,€as€in€all€workmanððsÐ  #ð! Ðcomp€itððs€a€typical€part€of€any€decision€you€make.€Ð$à"Ð Ð  ÐÌà  àIt€is€undisputed€that€the€plaintiff€sustained€a€hearing€loss€from€his€work„related€injury.Ð p&À!$ ÐHowever,€the€parties€disagree€as€to€whether€this€hearing€loss€is€limited€to€a€scheduled€member€lossÐ `'°"% Ðas€set€forth€in€Tennessee€Code€Annotated€ðð€50„6„207(3)(A)(ii)(r),€or€whether€the€plaintiff€sustainedÐ P( #& Ðan€additional€injury€to€a€bone€in€the€ear€which€caused€him€to€have€dizziness€and€nausea.€€CausationÐ @)$' Ðin€a€workersðð€compensation€case€need€not€be€established€by€absolute€certainty.€€òòJackson€v.Ð 0*€%( ÐGreyhound€Lines,€Inc.óó,€734€S.W.2d€617,€620€(Tenn.€1987).€€However,€medical€proof€regarding€theÐ  +p&) Ðcause€of€an€injury€must€not€be€speculative€or€soÔ#†¼æT»XXàs³5#ÔÔ‡XàsX»¼æTÔ€uncertain€that€attributing€the€injury€to€the€Ô_ÔclaimantððsÐ ,`'* Ðemployment€would€be€arbitrary€or€a€mereÔ#†¼æT»XXàsùf#ÔÔ‡XàsX»¼æTÔ€possible€conclusion.€€òòÔ_ÔTindallÔ_Ô€v.€Park€Ô_ÔAssððnÔ_Ôóó,€725€S.W.2dÐ ° Ð935,€937€(Tenn.€1987).€€If,€however,€equivocal€medical€evidence€combined€with€other€evidenceÐ  ð Ðsupports€a€finding€of€causation,€a€court€may€draw€an€inference€of€causation.€€òòJacksonóó,€734€S.W.2dÐ à Ðat€620.€€òòSee€International€Yarn€Corp.€v.€Ô_ÔCassonÔ_Ôóó,€541€S.W.2d€150€(Tenn.€1976)€(lay€testimony€isÐ €Ð Ðsufficient€to€establish€causation.)€€We,€as€did€the€trial€court,€find€that€the€plaintiff€sustained€anÐ pÀ Ðadditional€injury€of€dizziness€and€loss€of€balance€from€his€work„related€injury€of€November€1995.Ð ` ° ÐNotwithstanding€Dr.€Ô_ÔSchwaberÔ_Ôððs€expert€opinion€that€the€plaintiff€had€recovered€from€the€accidentÐ P   Ðof€November€1995,€the€record€reveals€that€the€plaintiff€continued€to€have€dizziness€for€approximatelyÐ @  Ðtwo€years.€€We€quote€Dr.€Ô_ÔJerniganÔ_Ô,€ð ðI€think€thatððs€not€true.€€I€think€his€balance€problem€is€related€toÐ 0 € Ðhis€injury,€yes.ðð€€We€affirm€the€trial€courtððs€judgment€that€the€plaintiff€sustained€a€permanent€injuryÐ  p  Ðfrom€a€work„related€injury.€Ð `  ÐÌà  àNext,€the€defendant€asserts€that€the€plaintiffððs€injury€must€prevent€him€from€working€at€anyÐ ð@  Ðoccupation€which€brings€him€an€income.€€òòÔ_ÔProstÔ_Ô€v.€City€of€Clarksville€Police€Dept.óó,€688€S.W.2d€425Ð à0  Ð(Tenn.€1985).€€The€defendant€contends€that€since€the€plaintiff€returned€to€work€for€one€and€one„halfÐ Ð  Ðyears€after€injury,€supports€this€position.€€Tennessee€Code€Annotated€ðð€50„6„207€in€pertinent€partsÐ À Ðstates:Ð ° ÐÌà  àPERMANENT€TOTAL€DISABILITY:Ð à ÐÌà8  à(B)€When€an€injury€not€otherwise€specifically€provided€for€in€this€chapter,€asÐ pÀ Ðamended,€totally€incapacitates€the€employee€from€working€at€an€occupation€whichÐ `° Ðbrings€the€employee€an€income,€such€employee€shall€be€considered€ð ðtotallyÐ P  Ðdisabled,ðð€and€for€such€disability€compensation€shall€be€paid€as€provided€inÐ @ Ðsubdivision€(4)(A);€provided,€that€the€total€amount€of€compensation€payableÐ 0€ Ðhereunder€shall€not€exceed€the€maximum€total€benefit,€exclusive€of€medical€andÐ  p Ðhospital€benefits.€Ð`Ð Ð  ÐÌà  àAlso,€factors€that€a€trial€court€may€consider€in€determining€vocational€disability€of€a€workersððÐ ð@ Ðcompensation€are€plaintiffÔ#†¼æT»XXàsÂg#ÔÔ‡XàsX»¼æTÔ's€age,€job€skills,€education,€training,€duration€of€disability€and€jobÐ à0 Ðopportunities.€€òòÔ_ÔWorthingtonÔ_Ô€v.€Ô_ÔModineÔ_Ô€Mfg.€Co.óó,€798€S.W.2d€232,€234€(Tenn.€1990).€€The€plaintiffÐ Ð  Ðis€56€years€old,€an€eighth€(8òòthóó)€grade€drop€out,€has€over€thirty€(30)€years€of€coal€mining€experienceÐ À! Ðas€his€source€of€income.€€The€record€reflects€that€the€plaintiff€was€an€excellent€employee,€who€inÐ °"  Ðtimes€past,€put€his€own€best€interests€aside€for€on€the€job€injuries,€and€continued€to€work€and€supportÐ  #ð! Ðhis€family.€€Due€to€his€continued€dizziness,€the€plaintiff€is€limited€in€his€home€activities€and€hisÐ $à" Ðdriving€ability€is€hazardous.€€Even€when€the€plaintiff€returned€to€work€at€the€request€of€his€employer,Ð €%Ð # Ðhe€continued€to€have€dizzy€spells€while€answering€the€telephone€and€found€it€necessary€to€leaveÐ p&À!$ Ðwork€on€occasion.€€The€only€reason€the€plaintiff€is€not€working€is€that€the€employer€felt€it€necessaryÐ `'°"% Ðto€close€the€mining€operations.€€Medical€evidence€established€that€the€plaintiff€cannot€do€any€workÐ P( #& Ðthat€requires€normal€balance,€such€as€lifting,€climbing,€and€bending.€€The€vocational€consultantÐ @)$' Ðfound€that€the€plaintiff€has€no€transferrable€job€skills€due€to€his€age€and€job€experience,€and€thereÐ 0*€%( Ðare€no€job€opportunities€in€the€community€where€he€lives.€€Considering€the€plaintiffððs€age,€job€skills,Ð  +p&) Ðeducation,€duration€of€his€disability€and€job€opportunities,€we€find€that€the€evidence€does€notÐ ,`'* Ðpreponderate€against€the€trial€courtððs€award€of€100€percent€permanent€total€disability.€€In€analyzingÐ ° Ðthe€trial€courtððs€opinion,€this€Court€could€not€have€said€it€any€better.€Ð  ð ÐÌà  àThe€judgment€of€the€trial€court€is€affirmed€and€the€costs€are€assessed€against€the€defendantÐ  €Ð ÐÔ#†¼æT»XXàss#ÔÑ  Ñà@™ ™ ìàÔ‡î£× æTÔIN€THE€SUPREME€COURT€OF€TENNESSEEˆÐ ° Ðà@WW$ìàAT€KNOXVILLEˆÐ Ü, ÐÔ#†¼æT» îî£×’{#ÔÔ‡XàsX»¼æTÔÌò òÔ#†¼æT»XXàs?|#ÔÓ  ÓÔ_ÔGRATZÔ_Ô€Ô_ÔCARDòòóóENÔ_Ô,€JR.€v.€THE€TENNESSEE€COAL€COMPANYÔ‡XàsX»¼æTÔó óÐ øH ÐÓ…|ÓÌà@ìì*ìàò òˆÌà@ìì*ìàßA€V) °°` d€÷E<ï ` A߈Ð ð @ ÐÌà@y y ìàNo.€E1999„01213„Ô_ÔWCÔ_Ô„R3„CV€„€Filed€September€18,€2000ˆÐ ï ? ÐÌßA€V) °°` dE<Î ` AßÐ Ï   Ðó óÌÔ#†¼æT»XXàs}#ÔÔ‡XàsX»¼æTÔà@ƒƒ(ìàò òORDERó óÔ#†¼æT»XXàsÈ~#ÔÔ‡XàsX»¼æTԈРΠ ÐÌòòóóÔ#†¼æT»XXàs'#ÔÔ‡XàsX»¼æTÔÌÔ#†¼æT»XXàs†#ÔÔ‡XàsX»¼æTÔÌÔ‡X • XXXàsÔà  àà ` àThis€case€is€before€the€Court€upon€motion€for€review€pursuant€to€Tenn.€CodeÐ ŽÞ  ÐAnn.€ðð€50„6„225(e)(5)(B),€the€entire€record,€including€the€order€of€referral€to€the€SpecialÐ tÄ ÐWorkers'€Compensation€Appeals€Panel,€and€the€Panel's€Memorandum€Opinion€settingÐ Zª Ðforth€its€findings€of€fact€and€conclusions€of€law,€which€are€incorporated€herein€by€reference;Ð @ Ðà  àà ` àWhereupon,€it€appears€to€the€Court€that€the€motion€for€review€is€not€well„Ð &v Ðtaken€and€should€be€denied€andÐ  \ Ðà  àà ` àIt€is,€therefore,€ordered€that€the€Panel's€findings€of€fact€and€conclusions€ofÐ òB Ðlaw€are€adopted€and€affirmed,€and€the€decision€of€the€Panel€is€made€the€judgment€of€theÐ Ø( ÐCourt.€€ò òÐ ¾ Ðó óà  àà ` àCosts€on€appeal€are€taxed€to€the€defendant.Ð ¤ô ÐÌà  àà ` àIT€IS€SO€ORDERED€this€____€day€of€______,€2000.Ô#†XàsX XX •é#ÔÔ‡X • XXXàsÔÐ pÀ ÐÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àPER€Ô_ÔCURIAMÔ_ÔÐ <Œ ÐBarker,€J.€„€Not€participating.Ô#†XàsX XX •B„#ÔÐ "r ÐÌÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àÔ#†¼æT»XXàsÉ#ÔÔ‡XàsX»¼æTÔ.€Ð è!8! ÐÔ#†¼æT»XXàsÎ…#ÔÓ  Óà @ àà @ àà @ àà @ àà @ àà @ àà @ àà @ à