ÿWPC tÄ‹=F˜ÜX( ñ«Îå.o NÆ@êžs|Ã3- Ù‹mI Ÿòž]sÒ:×±}àÀžXè áãÉÞ÷7‰îwhž 6‚ëz¥i¥ÁÅÿµbÂl!D"ŠXÄ–Ð-±¡ÿFSÖúc¤ Ú€¯ÊHaˆÏLMs¾uHi5Ó1Åz…ñ,iȾ† ¾^jó²¬Qö”B>q¬8NCSz,ºÑ›ä¢;äû8R¿AfZ@ð2ŸH]QÕìý Ê»=‹qš£e™ß]UÔF)ˆlål+ö£\Ýôß®?èøàgk"~ Çhí?:NrK7õAä’F&0è¦ÔY©ù´Û•M„´áIpæ#t“Hôe·X¦’nÿ[7.æžd×ï@ÀÎZìNhÑUÆü°ÁÍ¿^k÷Íű ygŒüD›BÒ±ù>¥ ž™KCL'ò¹½‚´ï^XX·Šæ z‹åÔYŽòP;ߌ?m‘ë]A‡HÝGcÞ×pm®æñÕ»rVçčʬpr D“›<çKò;“!?‰·Œ„<Â$Òf­Õ…˜õgEø²~|NoíÃ{ý¡¿äU%ëQûHêÀt¢E˜ª"SœU "[´ÓÑäº T±uû)# >UNI %— 0ûU :˜4ÒæGõU:< v | w@„ 0?Ä 0D GG U:Ž ÆÈ ÆŽÆTÆ AQàÆ1 0÷ 0 0D% Bi D/†† Bµ D3Ò˜HP LaserJet 4SiHPPCL5MS,ü,,,,,ü0nLhÎ(ÈhH  Z ‹6Times New Roman RegularX(ÓH=$¡¡Ñ  ÑÒH°ÒÒ°ÒÑTR[  AØ'ÿ Legal[  AØ'ÿ Legal AØ'ÿ Legal AØ'ÿ LegalTÑÔ€XÎ_XXXÔÑ7€¾úXXdðXXdð7Ñ, øð AZ‹"Arial RegularAq$%3|x?L =Ý ƒ!·º"ÝÔ€X¸–XXXÔÝ  ÝÔ€ X¸–XXX¸–ÔÔ€ !&X X¸–ÔÓ  ÓÔ Ad ÔFILEDÔ€ X¸–X !&ÔÐ  ÐÌò òNovember€3,€1998Ð šš ÐÌCecil€Crowson,€Jr.ÌÔ€ ôîˆôX X¸–ÔAppellate€Court€Clerkó ó,c½¬AZ‹"Arial RegularH +L ,L -L .L /L 0L 1L 2L 3LÓ€?L(ï(3/x$¤¤Ý ƒH=!ÝÑ  ÑÒH°ÒÒ°ÒÑTR[  AØ'ÿ Legal3Ø' AØ'ÿ Legalÿ3Ø'TÑÔ€X¸–XXXÔÑ7€…XXdìdì7ÑÝ  Ýà ` àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó(#Ã$òòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó =Ý ƒ!·º"ÝÔ€X¸–XXXÔÝ  ÝÔ€X¸–XXX¸–ÔÔ€!&XX¸–ÔÓ  ÓÔ Ad ÔFILEDÔ€X¸–X!&ÔÐ  ÐÌò òNovember€3,€1998Ð šš ÐÌCecil€Crowson,€Jr.ÌÔ€ôîˆôXX¸–ÔAppellate€Court€Clerkó ó,c½¬AZ‹"Arial RegularLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5‚Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5„Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5…Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5 !"#%Cþÿ<< CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(ï3·º$¢¢Ý ƒH=!ÝÑ  ÑÒH°ÒÒ°ÒÑTR[  AØ'ÿ Legal3Ø' AØ'ÿ Legalÿ3Ø'TÑÔ€X¸–XXXÔÑ7€…XXdìdì7ÑÝ  Ý(ï3·º$££Ý ƒH=!ÝÑ  ÑÒH°ÒÒ°ÒÑTR[  AØ'ÿ Legal3Ø' AØ'ÿ Legalÿ3Ø'TÑÔ€X¸–XXXÔÑ7€…XXdìdì7ÑÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó ó d'''÷ÿ dxdüÿP Pd$$$$'ÿÿdxdÝ ƒH=!ÝÑ  ÑÒH°ÒÒ°ÒÑTR[  AØ'ÿ Legal3Ø' AØ'ÿ Legalÿ3Ø'TÑÔ€X¸–XXXÔÑ7€…XXdìdÈ7ÑÝ  ÝñLñ›ñLññLññLñ›ñLññLññLññLñ›ñLññLñÑÀ°ÑÑX°Ñò òÓ  ÓÑ  Ñœñ&LññLñœñLñßr€(<,(j 8` `€€@E0Ã` ttx$hÀð ×rßñ&Lñ›€Ð À Ðó óÓBÓÓ  Óà@@Ü Ü Ìàò òIN€THE€SUPREME€COURT€OF€TENNESSEEÐ ¬ì Ðà@@B B ÌàSPECIAL€WORKERS'€COMPENSATION€APPEALS€PANELÌñ&Lñœßt€(>.*jx< ` `€€@ElŽ` ttx$¤„ð Þtß›ñ&Lñà@@ˆˆÌàAT€JACKSONó óÐ „Ä ÐÓ ÓÌÌÌÌÌÌÌMELISSA€COOPER,à h àà À àà  à)Ð º ú  Ðà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à)à p àÐ  à  Ðà ` àPlaintiff/Appelleeà h àà À àà  à)à p àSHELBY€CHANCERYà Ð àà (# àÐ †Æ  Ðà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à)à p àÐ l¬  Ðv.à ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à)à p àNO.€€02S01„9710„CH„00091Ð R’  Ðà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à)à p àÐ 8x ÐXEROX€CORPORATION,à h àà À àà  à)à p àHON.€FLOYD€PEETE,Ð ^ Ðà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h à€à À àà  à)à p àCHANCELLORÐ D Ðà ` àDefendant/Appellantà À àà  à)Ð ê* ÐÌÌÌÌÌÌò òòòÌFor€the€Appellant:à  àà h àà À àà  àFor€the€Appellee:Ð  ` ÐÌó óóóLori€J.€Keenà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àR.€Linley€Richter,€Jr.Ð ø8 ÐGlassman,€Jeter,€Edwards€&€à À àà  à371€Carroll€AvenueÐ Þ Ѐ€Wade,€P.C.à  àà h àà À àà  àMemphis,€TN€€38105Ð Ä Ð26€North€Second€StreetÌMemphis,€TN€€38103òòò òÐ !Ð! Ðóóó óÌÌÌò òòòÓ  ÓÌÌÌÌM€E€M€O€R€A€N€D€U€M€€€€O€P€I€N€I€O€Nóóó óÐ Ø(%) ÐÌò òòòMembers€of€Panel:Ð ª*ê&+ ÐÌó óóóSenior€Judge€John€K.€ByersÐ ‚,Â(- ÐSpecial€Judge€F.€Lloyd€TatumÌSpecial€Judge€Paul€R.€SummersÌÓ, ÓÌÌÌÌÌÔ% € ÔÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌREVERSED€and€DISMISSEDà À àà  àà p àà È àà  àBYERS,€Senior€JudgeÐ ”=Ô9@( Їòòò òÓ  ÓÓÓOPINIONó óóóÐ À ÐÓ  Óà ` àThis€workers'€compensation€appeal€has€been€referred€to€the€Special€Workers'ÏCompensation€Appeals€Panel€of€the€Supreme€Court€in€accordance€with€Tenn.€CodeÏAnn.€ðð€50„6„225(e)(3)€for€hearing€and€reporting€to€the€Supreme€Court€of€findings€ofÏfact€and€conclusions€of€law.€Ìà ` àReview€of€the€findings€of€fact€made€by€the€trial€court€is€òòde€novoóó€upon€theÐ È   Ðrecord€of€the€trial€court,€accompanied€by€a€presumption€of€the€correctness€of€theÏfindings,€unless€the€preponderance€of€the€evidence€is€otherwise.€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€Ïðð€50„6„225(e)(2);€òòStone€v.€City€of€McMinnville,€óó896€S.W.2d€548,€550€(Tenn.€1995).€Ð 0p ÐThe€application€of€this€standard€requires€this€Court€to€weigh€in€more€depth€the€factualÏfindings€and€conclusions€of€the€trial€court€in€a€workersðð€compensation€case.€€òòSeeÐ Ì  ÐCorcoran€v.€Foster€Auto€GMC,€Inc.,€óó746€S.W.2d€452,€456€(Tenn.€1988).Ð œÜ Ðà ` àThe€trial€court€awarded€the€plaintiff€ten€percent€permanent€partial€disability€toÏthe€body€as€a€whole,€half€of€certain€medical€expenses,€and€discretionary€costs.€€Ìà ` àThe€defendant€appeals€and€raises€the€following€issues€for€our€review:€€ÌÒ` ÒÓÓI.à ¸ àWhether€or€not€the€preponderance€of€the€evidence€supports€the€Trial€Ð Ð Ðà ¸ àCourtððs€finding€that€the€Plaintiff€sustained€a€10%€permanent€partial€¼à ¸ àdisability€to€the€body€as€a€whole€as€a€result€of€this€injury.ÌÌII.à ¸ àWhether€or€not€the€preponderance€of€the€evidence€supports€the€Trial€Ð h"¨" Ðà ¸ àCourtððs€award€of€ðð€of€the€medical€expenses€incurred€by€Plaintiff€as€a€¼à ¸ àresult€of€the€medical€expense€of€chiropractor€Joseph€Lipkowitz.ÌÌIII.à ¸ àWhether€or€not€the€Trial€Court€abused€its€discretion€in€awarding€à (# àÐ &@"& Ðà ¸ àdiscretionary€costs€to€Plaintiff€in€the€above€matter.ÌÌÒ` ÜÒÓêÓà ` àWe€find€that€the€award€of€ten€percent€is€contrary€to€the€weight€of€the€evidenceÏand€that€the€judgment€of€the€trial€court€should€be€reversed€and€dismissed.€€BecauseÏof€this€decision,€we€do€not€reach€the€last€two€issues€on€appeal.ÌÓ  Óò òFACTSó óÐ .V*/ ÐÓ  Óà ` àThe€plaintiff,€age€30€at€the€time€of€trial,€graduated€from€high€school€andÏattended€college€for€one€and€a€half€years.€€From€1987€to€1991,€she€worked€in€clericalÏpositions€for€the€Shelby€County€public€records€office€and€the€Shelby€County€courtÏclerkððs€office.€€In€March€1991,€she€began€working€for€the€defendant€as€a€productionÏoperator.Ìà ` àDuring€the€week€of€August€9,€1993,€while€making€copies€of€documents,€theÏplaintiff€carried€between€seven€and€12€cartons€of€paper,€each€weighing€35€to€50Ïpounds,€from€a€downstairs€supply€room€to€an€upstairs€copy€room.€€By€Friday,€AugustÐ ‚<Â8? Ð13,€1993,€she€said€she€had€developed€a€severe€pain€in€her€back€from€her€neck€downÏto€the€bottom€of€her€spine.€€During€that€weekend,€the€plaintiff€stayed€in€bed€andÏapplied€a€heating€pad€to€her€back.€€When€she€returned€to€work€on€Monday,€sheÏreported€the€injury€to€her€supervisor.€€The€plaintiff€continued€to€work€in€a€lighterÏcapacity€during€this€week€even€though€she€was€in€pain€and€slow.Ìà ` àThe€next€week€the€plaintiff€saw€Dr.€Ronald€Terhune,€a€family€doctor€whoÏplaced€her€on€bed€rest€for€two€weeks,€prescribed€muscle€relaxers€and€painÏmedications€for€her,€and€later€sent€her€for€a€CAT€scan.€€During€the€time€she€was€offÏfrom€work,€she€received€a€call€from€the€defendant€and€was€offered€a€list€of€threeÏdoctors.€€Thereafter,€the€plaintiff€saw€all€three€doctors€on€the€list€for€her€back€pain,Ïwhich€included€Dr.€James€Rodney€Feild,€Dr.€Joseph€Buchignani,€and€Dr.€R.€RileyÏJones.Ìà ` àThe€plaintiff€testified€that€the€traditional€treatment€offered€by€these€doctors€didÏnot€seem€to€help€her€back€pain€and€that€physical€therapy€even€made€her€back€painÏworse.€€Although€she€was€released€from€the€care€of€Dr.€Jones€in€February€1994,€sheÏstated€that€she€was€still€having€shooting€pain€in€her€low€back€and€down€her€leg,€rightÏshoulder,€and€arm.€€Beginning€in€March€1994,€the€plaintiff€went€to€Dr.€JosephÏLipkowitz,€a€chiropractor.€€She€testified€that€she€received€some€relief€from€herÏsymptoms€as€a€result€of€Dr.€Lipkowitzðð€treatment.Ìà ` àThe€plaintiff€continued€to€work€for€the€defendant€intermittently€until€July€1994,Ïat€which€time€she€resigned€because€she€could€not€perform€the€lifting,€squatting,Ïbending,€and€prolonged€standing.€€In€August€1994,€she€became€president€of€herÏfatherððs€marketing€company.€€She€stated€that€she€took€this€job€because€it€gives€herÏthe€flexibility€of€resting€when€she€is€in€pain.€€Earning€a€salary€of€$47,000,€theÏplaintiffððs€job€duties€include€bookkeeping,€handling€personnel€and€payroll€records,Ïcontract€implementation,€contract€negotiation,€and€recruitment.€€She€also€travels€byÏcar€in€this€position€but€explained€that€she€stops€frequently€to€get€out€and€moveÏaround.Ìà ` àFrom€August€1994€to€April€or€May€1995,€the€plaintiff€also€ran€a€secondÏcompany€as€the€executive€director€and€made€$21,000€a€year.€€She€explained€that€theÏtwo€jobs€were€related€and€that€she€worked€out€of€the€same€office.€€During€the€timeÏshe€held€both€jobs,€the€plaintiff€testified€that€she€worked€an€average€of€six€to€eightÐ t;´7> Ðhours€a€day€but€that€she€worked€up€to€12€hours€on€some€days€and€sometimes€sixÏdays€a€week.Ìà ` àThe€plaintiff€testified€that€in€her€current€job€as€president€of€the€marketingÏcompany€she€cannot€sit€at€the€typewriter€for€long€periods€without€getting€up€to€moveÏaround.€€She€also€said€she€cannot€vacuum,€carry€heavy€grocery€bags,€or€participateÏin€sports€or€recreation€because€of€the€pain.€€Now,€she€uses€heating€pads,€ice€packs,Ïa€massage€pillow,€and€B.C.€Powders€for€the€pain.€€Beginning€in€April€1994,€she€alsoÏsought€treatment€from€a€massage€therapist.Ìà ` àPrior€to€the€plaintiffððs€injury€at€work,€she€saw€an€osteopath€named€Dr.ÏCalandruccio€for€a€pulled€muscle€in€her€back,€which€she€explained€turned€out€to€beÏthe€flu.€€The€plaintiff€testified€that€she€had€never€experienced€back€problems€prior€toÏthis€work€injury.ÌÓ  Óò òMEDICAL€EVIDENCEó óòòÐ P ÐÓ  Óà ` àóóDr.€James€Rodney€Feild,€a€neurosurgeon,€testified€by€deposition.€€Dr.€FeildÐ (h Ðfirst€saw€the€plaintiff€on€September€1,€1993€and€recorded€a€present€history€of€lowÏback€pain€after€lifting€boxes€at€work€on€August€13,€1993.€€On€the€day€previous€to€thisÏvisit,€the€plaintiff€experienced€pain€radiating€into€her€hips,€thighs,€and€calves,€whichÏwas€made€worse€by€twisting,€bending,€coughing,€sneezing,€standing,€and€walking.€ÏShe€also€felt€numbness€and€tingling€in€her€shoulder€blades.€€Dr.€Feild€diagnosed€herÏwith€musculoskeletal€pain,€recommended€that€she€not€lift€except€when€necessary,Ïand€gave€her€a€prescription€for€Vicodin€and€a€back€support.€€He€returned€her€back€toÏlight€duty€work.Ìà ` àDr.€Feild€next€saw€her€on€September€15,€1993€for€complaints€of€low€back€painÏand€some€pain€between€her€shoulders€that€led€to€the€base€of€her€neck€and€into€herÏarms.€€At€that€time,€her€motion€was€limited€to€ñLñœñLñ50ñLñ%ñLññLñ›œñLññLñ€ñLññLññLñ[erñLññLññLñpercentñLññLñ›ñLñ€on€forward€bending€so€heÏsent€her€to€physical€therapy.€€On€September€28,€1993,€he€received€a€phone€call€fromÏthe€physical€therapist,€who€said€that€she€tried€many€treatments€on€the€plaintiff€butÏthat€the€plaintiff€maintained€that€nothing€seemed€to€help€her.€€On€that€date,€heÏdiscontinued€all€treatment,€determined€that€she€could€continue€working,€andÏassigned€no€permanent€anatomic€impairment€rating.€€He€last€saw€her€on€October€1,Ïâ â1993€for€continued€complaints€of€low€back€pain,€but€he€still€found€no€disability.Ð ´9ô5< Ðòòà ` àóóDr.€R.€Riley€Jones,€a€board€certified€orthopedic€surgeon,€also€testified€byÏâ âdeposition.€€Dr.€Joseph€Buchignani,€a€neurosurgeon,€had€referred€the€plaintiff€to€Dr.ÏJones€after€he€could€not€find€anything€wrong€with€her€from€a€neurological€standpoint.€ÏDr.€Jones€first€saw€the€plaintiff€on€October€13,€1993€for€complaints€of€back€pain€andÏrecorded€a€history€of€her€injuring€her€back€while€lifting€boxes€at€work€on€August€13,Ï1993.€€At€that€time,€he€reviewed€a€CT€scan€of€her€lower€back€which€showed€a€mildÏbulge€at€L5„S1.€€He€also€found€the€following:€€no€muscle€spasm;€no€abnormalities€inÏher€x„rays;€and€Waddells€signs€(symptom€magnification€signs).€€He€diagnosed€herÏwith€a€lumbosacral€strain€and€made€arrangements€for€her€to€attend€physical€therapy.€ÏWhen€she€next€returned€on€October€29,€1993,€Dr.€Jones€found€that€she€had€madeÏno€progress€in€physical€therapy€and€that€she€had€markedly€positive€Waddells€signs.Ìà ` àOn€November€5,€1995,€Dr.€Jones€found€that€the€plaintiff€had€better€range€ofÏmotion,€had€progressed€in€physical€therapy,€and€had€milder€Waddells€signs.€€At€thisÏpoint,€he€returned€her€to€light€duty€work€and€continued€her€in€physical€therapy.€€OnÏNovember€19,€1993,€the€plaintiff€returned€with€positive€Waddells€signs€and€noÏmuscle€spasms.€€By€December€6,€1993,€Dr.€Jones€had€received€normal€results€on€aÏbone€scan€and€an€M.R.I.€€Dr.€Jones€saw€her€throughout€January€and€felt€that€most€ofÏher€problems€were€nonphysiological,€determining€that€there€was€no€reason€why€sheÏcould€not€return€to€work€for€the€defendant€as€of€January€28,€1994.€€On€February€25,Ï1994,€she€returned€to€him€with€complaints€of€upper€back€pain€and€lower€back€pain€inÏa€specific€area.€€He€continued€to€see€her€until€March€18,€1994€and€refilled€herÏprescriptions€for€Toradol€until€July€28,€1994.€€During€the€time€she€saw€Dr.€Jones,€heÏsaid€that€she€never€complained€specifically€about€headaches€or€neck€pain€but€thatÏshe€did€write€these€symptoms€on€her€initial€intake€sheet.€€Dr.€Jones€opined€that€sheÏhad€no€permanent€partial€impairment€from€an€orthopedic€or€neurological€standpointÏas€a€result€of€her€work€injury.€€In€order€for€a€person€to€have€a€43€percent€impairmentÏto€the€body€as€a€whole,€he€stated€that€there€would€have€to€be€an€amputation.Ìòòà ` àóóDr.€Joseph€Lipkowitz,€a€chiropractor€with€a€masterððs€certification€in€the€òòAMAÐ D4„06 ÐGuidesóó,€testified€by€deposition.€€Dr.€Lipkowitz€first€saw€the€plaintiff€on€March€8,€1994Ð 6T28 Ðfor€complaints€of€ð ðpain€in€the€neck€area€with€radiation€into€the€head€and€shoulders,Ïas€well€as€headaches€.€.€.€upper€back€pain,€mid„back€pain,€low€back€pain€withÏradiation€into€the€hips€and€into€the€right€leg.ðð€€He€recorded€a€history€that€theseÐ |;¼7> Ðsymptoms€began€after€she€injured€her€back€while€lifting€boxes€at€work€on€August€13,Ï1993.€€On€October€25,€1994,€she€returned€with€complaints€that€her€low€back,€upperÏmid„neck,€and€shoulders€were€tight€and€that€she€had€a€low€energy€level,€was€workingÏlong€hours,€was€under€a€lot€of€stress,€and€had€stress€related€headaches.€€Dr.ÏLipkowitz€opined€that€there€was€a€causal€relationship€between€her€work€accident€andÏthe€injuries€she€sustained.Ìà ` àOn€January€17,€1995,€he€performed€a€number€of€tests€to€determine€whetherÏshe€had€sustained€any€permanent€partial€impairment.€€He€saw€and€felt€muscleÏspasms€in€her€back€and€neck,€took€x„rays€of€her€spine,€and€found€disc€damage€in€theÏform€of€a€tear.€€His€final€diagnoses€were€post„traumatic€headaches€and€loss€ofÏmotion€segment€integrity€in€the€cervical,€thoracic,€and€lumbar€spinal€areas.€€HeÏassigned€her€a€43€percent€permanent€partial€impairment€to€the€body€as€a€wholeÏaccording€to€the€òòAMA€Guidesóó.€€For€this€determination,€he€did€not€send€her€for€anÐ P ÐM.R.I.,€C.T.,€or€bone€scan€because€he€said€flexion€and€extension€x„rays€were€theÏonly€way€to€assess€loss€of€motion€segment€integrity€according€to€the€òòAMA€Guides.óó€€Ð ì, Ðà ` àDr.€Lipkowitz€was€not€authorized€by€the€defendant€so€he€took€an€assignmentÏof€benefits.€€His€bill€amounted€to€$5,459€of€which€$500€was€for€the€impairment€ratingÏassessment€and€report.€€He€testified€that€his€treatment€was€medically€necessary€to€aÏreasonable€degree€of€medical€certainty€and€that€his€bill€was€reasonable.€€Further,€Dr.ÏLipkowitz€stated€that€the€plaintiff€would€require€medical€care€throughout€her€lifeÏbecause€her€condition€is€permanent€and€would€not€improve.Ìò òÓ  ÓANALYSISó óÐ „)Ä%* ÐÓ  Óà ` àIn€all€but€the€most€obvious€cases,€the€causation€and€permanency€of€a€workÏinjury€must€first€be€established€through€expert€medical€evidence.€€òòTindall€v.€WaringÐ (-h). ÐPark€Assððn,óó€725€S.W.2d€935,€937€(Tenn.€1987).€€The€extent€of€vocational€disability€isÐ ø.8+0 Ða€question€of€fact€to€be€determined€from€all€of€the€evidence,€including€lay€and€expertÏtestimony.€€òòWorthington€v.€Modine€Mfg.€Co.,óó€798€S.W.2d€232,€234€(Tenn.€1990).€Ð ”2Ô.4 Ðà ` àOur€review€of€the€expert€testimony€reveals€that€Dr.€Feild€and€Dr.€Jones€treatedÏthe€plaintiff€extensively,€determined€that€she€had€no€permanent€impairment€based€onÏnormal€test€results,€and€released€her€back€to€work.€€Both€Dr.€Feild€and€Dr.€JonesÏalso€found€that€the€plaintiff€exhibited€markedly€positive€Waddells€signs.€€In€addition,Ïthe€record€reveals€that€Dr.€Buchignani€could€not€find€anything€wrong€with€the€plaintiffÐ ”;Ô7> Ðfrom€a€neurological€standpoint.€€In€contrast,€Dr.€Lipkowitz€assigned€the€plaintiff€a€43Ïpercent€permanent€partial€impairment€based€upon€x„ray€results€alone.€€€Ìà ` àClearly,€the€trial€judge€relied€upon€the€findings€of€Dr.€Lipkowitz€for€his€award€ofÏten€percent€permanent€partial€disability.€€We€recognize€the€following€two€rules€of€law:€Ï(1)€a€chiropractor€is€competent€to€testify€as€a€medical€expert,€òòSmith€v.€Hale,óó€528Ð ð 0 ÐS.W.2d€543,€545€(Tenn.€1975),€and€(2)€the€trial€court€has€the€discretion€to€accept€theÏopinion€of€one€medical€expert€over€another€medical€expert,€òòJohnson€v.€Midwesco,Ð ŒÌ  ÐInc.,€óó801€S.W.2d€804,€806€(Tenn.€1990).€€However,€when€the€medical€testimony€isÐ \œ  Ðpresented€by€deposition,€as€it€was€in€this€case€with€the€exception€of€Dr.€Buchignani,Ïthis€Court€is€able€to€make€its€own€independent€assessment€of€the€medical€proof€toÏdetermine€where€the€preponderance€of€the€evidence€lies.€€òòCooper€v.€INA,€óó884Ð Ä ÐS.W.2d€446,€451€(Tenn.€1994);€òòLanders€v.€Firemanððs€Fund€Ins.€Co.,€óó775€S.W.2dÐ ”Ô Ð355,€356€(Tenn.€1989).Ìà ` àRegarding€the€lay€testimony,€the€plaintiff€testified€that€she€stopped€working€forÏthe€defendant€because€she€could€no€longer€perform€the€lifting,€squatting,€bending,Ïand€prolonged€standing€and€that€she€took€a€job€with€her€fatherððs€marketing€companyÏbecause€it€gives€her€the€flexibility€of€resting€when€she€is€in€pain.€€She€testified€that€inÏher€current€job€as€president€of€the€marketing€company€she€cannot€sit€at€theÏtypewriter€for€long€periods€without€getting€up€to€move€around.€€The€plaintiff€testifiedÏthat€she€cannot€vacuum,€carry€heavy€grocery€bags,€or€participate€in€sports€orÏrecreation€because€of€the€pain.€€Further,€she€testified€that€she€uses€heating€pads,€iceÏpacks,€a€massage€pillow,€and€B.C.€Powders€for€the€pain.€€Finally,€the€plaintiff€testifiedÏthat€she€had€never€experienced€back€problems€prior€to€this€work€injury.Ìà ` àIn€this€case,€as€in€all€workersðð€compensation€cases,€the€claimant's€ownÏassessment€of€her€physical€condition€and€resulting€disabilities€is€competentÏtestimony€and€cannot€be€disregarded.€òò€Tom€Still€Transfer€Co.€v.€Way,óó€482€S.W.2dÐ À0-2 Ð775,€777€(Tenn.€1972).€€Considering€this€principle€of€law€in€turn,€this€Court€must€notÏdisregard€the€plaintiffððs€testimony€that€she€ran€two€companies€from€August€1994€toÏApril€or€May€1995,€during€which€she€worked€an€average€of€six€to€eight€hours€a€dayÏand€occasionally€worked€up€to€12€hours€a€day€and€six€days€a€week.€€During€thisÏsame€period€of€time,€we€note€that€the€plaintiff€complained€to€Dr.€Lipkowitz€of€intenseÏand€constant€back€pain€and€frequent€headaches.€Ð Œ;Ì7> Ðà ` àIn€making€determinations€of€vocational€disability,€the€court€shall€consider€allÏpertinent€factors,€including€lay€and€expert€testimony,€employeeððs€age,€education,Ïskills€and€training,€local€job€opportunities,€and€capacity€to€work€at€types€ofÏemployment€available€in€claimantððs€disabled€condition.€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.òò€ððóó€50„6„Ð $ d Ð241(a)(1);€òòRoberson€v.€Loretto€Casket€Co.,€óó722€S.W.2d€380,€384€(Tenn.€1986).€€OurÐ ð 0 Ðreview€of€these€relevant€factors€shows€that€the€plaintiff€is€30€years€old,€educated,Ïskilled,€and€not€permanently€restricted€by€any€medical€expert.€€In€addition,€she€is€ableÏto€work€as€the€president€of€a€marketing€company€and€to€earn€$47,000€a€year.Ìà ` àAfter€a€careful€review€of€the€record,€we€find€that€the€evidence€preponderatesÏagainst€the€finding€of€the€trial€court€that€the€plaintiff€is€entitled€to€the€award€of€tenÏpercent€permanent€partial€disability€to€the€body€as€a€whole.€€Ìà ` àThe€judgment€of€the€trial€court€is€reversed€and€the€case€is€dismissed.€€TheÏcost€of€this€appeal€is€taxed€to€the€plaintiff.€€à p àÐ T” ÐÓÓÌÌà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à_____________________________Ìà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àJohn€K.€Byers,€Senior€JudgeÌÌCONCUR:ÌÌÌÌ________________________________ÌF.€Lloyd€Tatum,€Special€JudgeÌÌÌÌ________________________________ÌPaul€R.€Summers,€Special€œJudgeñ'LñÐ  š(Ú$) Ðñ'Lññ(Lñ›ñ(Lññ(LñÑ` ÀÑà@š š ÌàÔ‡»¡M »XX¸–ÔIN€THE€SUPREME€COURT€OF€TENNESSEEˆÌÌà@õõ)ÌàAT€JACKSONÔ#†X¸–X »»¡MPQ#ԈРx  ÐÌÌñ(Lññ+Lññ(LñÓ-°ÀX…Xpœ X°œX-Óñ(Lññ+Lññ(Lññ(Lññ,Lññ+LñÓ-°…Xp‚„Ð X°œX-Óñ+Lññ,Lññ(Lññ(Lññ,LñÓ-°…XpœxX°œX-Óñ,Lññ(LñMELISSA€COOPER,à h àà p à)à œ àSHELBY€CHANCERYÐ Pð Ðñ(Lññ-Lññ(LñÓ<°ÀX°pœ X°…XpœxX<Óñ(Lññ-Lññ(Lññ(Lññ.Lññ-LñÓ<°p‚„Ð X°…XpœxX<Óñ-Lññ.Lññ(Lññ(Lññ.LñÓ<°pœxX°…XpœxX<Óñ.Lññ(Lñà p à)à œ àNO.€104510„2Ð 6Ö Ðñ(Lññ/Lññ(LñÓ6°À°p’X°pœxX6Óñ(Lññ/Lññ(Lññ(Lññ0Lññ/LñÓ6` p“X°pœxX6Óñ/Lññ0Lññ(Lññ(Lññ0LñÓ<` pœ ‘X°pœxX<Óñ0Lññ(Lñà ` àPlaintiff/Appellee,à p à)à œ àÐ ¼ Ðñ1Lññ(LñÓ<°À°pœ X` pœ ‘X<Óñ(Lññ1Lññ2Lññ1LñÓ<` p‚„Ð X` pœ ‘X<Óñ1Lññ2Lññ2LñÓ<` pœxX` pœ ‘X<Óñ2Lñà ` àà p à)à œ àHon.€Floyd€Peete,Ð ¢ Ðñ?Lññ3Lñßr€(<,(j 8` `€€@E0î` ttx$hèð Úrßñ3Lññ?Lññ?Lññ?Lñvs.à ` àà p à)à œ àChancellorÐ èˆ  Ðà ` àà p à)ÌXEROX€CORPORATION,à p à)à œ àNO.€02S01„9710„CH„00091Ð ´T  Ðñ?Lñßt€(>.*jxM,` `€€@E}Æ` ttx$µšð tßñ?Lñà ` àà p à)Ìñ2Lññ*LñÓ<` pœxX` p‚„Ð X<Óñ*Lññ2Lñà ` àDefendant/Appellant.à p à)à œ àREVERSED€&€DISMISSED.Ð €  ÐÌÌÌà@††'ÌàÔ‡»¡M »XX¸–ÔJUDGMENT€ORDERÔ#†X¸–X »»¡MuY#ԈР¸ ÐÌÓÓÓ  ÓÌÓ6°À°` p’X` pœxX6Óà ¸ àThis€case€is€before€the€Court€upon€the€entire€record,€including€the€orderÏof€referral€to€the€Special€Workers'€Compensation€Appeals€Panel,€and€the€Panel'sÏMemorandum€Opinion€setting€forth€its€findings€of€fact€and€conclusions€of€law,€which€areÏincorporated€herein€by€reference.Ìà ¸ àWhereupon,€it€appears€to€the€Court€that€the€Memorandum€Opinion€of€theÏPanel€should€be€accepted€and€approved;€andÌà ¸ àIt€is,€therefore,€ordered€that€the€Panel's€findings€of€fact€and€conclusionsÏof€law€are€adopted€and€affirmed,€and€the€decision€of€the€Panel€is€made€the€judgmentÏof€the€Court.Ìà ¸ àCosts€will€be€paid€by€Appellee,€for€which€execution€may€issue€if€necessary.Ìà ¸ àIT€IS€SO€ORDERED€this€3rd€day€of€November,€1998.ÌÌà ¸ àà È àà  àà x àà Ð àà (# à¼à ¸ àà È àPER€CURIAMÌ›