WPC. ^ } [ݭ6|؇t-*l&`y;Ͽl9pԲ[ FWin'=MU&D*IaOtsG Tuw^ ӟ0%r%we7dh|BWBm4I @wjU Pg{HFBC\Ԓg77t /.c4+WA &blװ6U3ǚ#WaO{eIOWf$9̐`NtQ۔dwݭvR'|R¸jco[vݭ=r2\!.U{[t "vXSH#R֚ j3"⦪y{A^4ٵ޻q V䥊+(wv1@҃E'6~ 1#zE.߻͐#  UN %[ 0a U:\4 UNUN_w@g 0? 0DUN*UNx0UNUN.UN|V8 T 0rLL L$!fp! AQ!'" 0D" B1# 0DN# D/## B$ D3$U:%U:N%%U:&&'Q())))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))) 0))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))) A+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 0#s,HP LaserJet 4 PlusHPPCL5MS,,,,,,0nLH(hH  Z 6Times New Roman RegularX(H=$  HTR[A' Legal[A' LegalA' LegalA' LegalTX_XXX7XXdXXd7,  AZ"Arial RegularDLL%3|x`?   $HXXXX `   1    g XXBystatute Itisunlawfulforanypersontodrive...anyautomobileonanyofthepublicroads  ...ofthestate...while(1)undertheinfluenceofanyintoxicant...;or(2)thealcoholconcentrationinsuchpersonsblood...istenhundredthsofonepercent(.10%)ormore.T.C.A.5510401(1),(2).'"  Z 6Times New Roman Regular'"  Z 6Times New Roman Regular E?F?ӀP?Q?DR?S?DT?DU?Ӏ_?`?((3$ H=!  HTR[A' Legal3'A' Legal3'TXXXX7exXXdd7   `   0  (/$  6  (hH  Z 6Times New Roman Regular'"  Z 6Times New Roman Regular &  $HXXXX `   2    g XXTheseassumptionsfavoredtheplaintiffscase,orstateddifferently,gavetheDecedentthe  benefitofalldoubt.  $HXXXX `   3    g XXFamilymemberstestifiedthattheDecedentdrankbeeronweekends.'"  Z 6Times New Roman Regular(hH  Z 6Times New Roman Regular(hH  Z 6Times New Roman Regular   $HXXXX `   4    g XXPrimafaciebetweenAmberLittrellandthedefendant.Amberwasthe4yearold  granddaughteroftheDecedent.Inthebriefsandargumentcounselwereloathtodiscussthereasonforthisscheme.Itisconcededthatthedefendantwasthesignatoryparty. L  $HXXXX `   5    g XXTheDecedentcontinuedtodelivernewspapersasbefore;andthepartiesevidentlyagreed,  inferentially,toextendthecontract.Thepointisnotcrucial. .  $HXXXX `   6    g XXThecommentofthetrialjudgethat youhavesomepeoplethatcandrinktwobeersand  register.22"cannotbeconsidered.Hc:\office\wpwin\template\legal\11deny.wpt(3g$ H=!  HTR[A' Legal3'A' Legal3'TXXXX7exXXdd7  C:\OFFICE\WPWIN\TEMPLATE\STANDARD.WPT #"  +XXXX+X+X   Ad FILED+XX+  October12,1998CecilW.CrowsonAppellateCourtClerkdAh C:\OFFICE\WPWIN\TEMPLATE\STANDARD.WPTC:\OFFICE\WPWIN\TEMPLATE\STANDARD.WPT \\R3' Letter\"#`%&C<< CLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(3$ !   d($$   1  ((' dxd #"  *XXXX*X*X   Ad FILED*XX*  October12,1998CecilW.CrowsonAppellateCourtClerkdAh P Pd$$$$'dxd,cAZ"Arial Regular,cAZ"Arial Regular #"  -XXXX-X-X   Ad FILED-XX-  October12,1998CecilW.CrowsonAppellateCourtClerkdAh ,cAZ"Arial RegularLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(3g$ H=!  HTR[A' Legal3'A' Legal3'TXXXX7exXXdd7  `y  <<= 8C(3$ H=!  HTR[A' Legal3'A' Legal3'TXXXX7exXXdd7   d H=!  HTR[A' Legal3'A' Legal3'TXXXX7exXXdd7  F?F?  XAXXXXXA  P?F?r!')<,(j 8` `@E0` 8ttxPh  rF?P?P?P?P?F?F?P?P?t!')>.*jxl` `@E` 8ttxP tߛP?@@  INTHESUPREMECOURTOFTENNESSEE@@B B SPECIALWORKERS'COMPENSATIONAPPEALSPANEL@@ATNASHVILLE  , C̜WILLIAMRANDYLITTRELLand   p ) J  ANITACAROLLITTRELL,surviving p ) `  kinandheirsatlawandadministrators p ) v  oftheEstateofEDITHCAROLYN   p )   LITTRELL,   h      p )      `     h      p )      ` Plaintiffs/Appellees     p )  mLAWRENCECIRCUIT#m#    `     h      p )   D v. `     h      p )  m01S019710CV00233#m#  Z  `     h      p )   0 LAWRENCECOUNTYADVOCATE p )  mHON.JIMT.HAMILTON,#m# F INC., `     h      p )  mJUDGE l #m # `     h      p )   ` Defendant/Appellant     p )    FortheAppellant: h     FortheAppellee: :  D.RandallMantooth h     PaulA.Bates  f LEITNER,WILLIAMS,DOOLEY  ChristopherV.Sockwell ,!|  ` &NAPOLITAN,PLLC    BOSTON,BATES,HOLT B" 2300FirstAmericanCenter     p &SOCKWELL X# Nashville,TN372382300    235WaterlooSt. n$  `     h     P.O.Box357 `     h     Lawrenceburg,TN38464   MEMORANDUMOPINION ,X'$ MembersofPanel: JusticeJaniceM.Holder `0+( SeniorJudgeWilliamH.InmanSpecialJudgeWilliamS.Russell REVERSEDand DISMISSED   h      p INMAN,SeniorJudge &:v51 #  #7 ` Thisworkers'compensationappealhasbeenreferredtotheSpecial Workers'CompensationAppealsPaneloftheSupremeCourtinaccordancewithTenn.CodeAnn.506225(e)(3)forhearingandreportingtotheSupremeCourtoffindingsoffactandconclusionsoflaw.#7`#  `  ` ThisactionwasfiledbytheheirsatlawandadministratorsoftheestateofEdithCarolynLittrell[ Decedent]torecoverthestatutorybenefitsavailableinanondependencycase. ` OnAugust4,1996,theDecedentwasdeliveringnewspapersforthedefendant.Shewas53yearsold,single,andhaddeliverednewspaperstwiceweeklyforfouryearsona10mileroutedrivingherpersonalautomobile,aFordBronco. ` Theonecaraccidentoccurredonthetertiary,nonpavedMt.ZionroadinaremotesectionofLawrenceCountyataboutthehalfwaypointonherdeliveryroute.Theroadwasseventeenfeetwide,graveled,straight,andtheDecedentwaswestbound,travelingupgrade.Therewerenowitnessestotheaccident,butthewitnessRichardsontestifiedwithoutobjectionthattheBronco flippedoveroneandahalftimes. ` Theprecisetimeoftheaccidentwasnotestablished.ThewitnessRichardsontestifiedthathe learnedtherehadbeenacarwreckabout9:00a.m.andwenttothescene.TrooperPaulMooretestifiedthathereceiveda911messageabout9:00a.m.thatanaccidenthadoccurredandthathearrivedatthescene2030minuteslater.Mr.RichardsontestifiedthatTrooperMoorearrivedmorethananhourafterheMr.Richardsonarrived. ` TheEMSpeoplearrivedbeforeTrooperMoore,andwereattendingtotheDecedent,whowastakentoCrockettHospital.TrooperMooretestified: 830   8 ` ...therewasacoolerinsidethevehicle.Therewasastrongodorofanalcoholicbeverage,beer...therewasalsoopenbeercansinthevehicle.Ithadastrong,strongsmellofit...beer. ` 8"` 8"    ` TrooperMoorefurthertestifiedthattheroadwaysurfacegravelwasdry,andwhenaskedtoassumethattheDecedentsbloodalcohollevelof.21or.22atthetimeoftheaccidentcouldbeacontributingcausativefactor,thiscolloquyoccurred:MR.BATES:8  Objection,yourhonor.Itsallspeculationentirely.   Thatsassumingthattheresgoingtobeproofthatshewas.22andjustbecauseapersonisintoxicatedinaworkerscompensationcasehasnoprobativevalueatallontheproximatecause. 8"8"   THECOURT:8  Well,youknow,alltheyearsIvepracticedlaw,you < havesomepeoplethatcandrinktwobeersandregister.22.Youhavepeoplethatcandrinkyouknow,itjustaffectsdifferentpeopledifferentways,soImgoingtosustainthatobjection. 8"8" MR.MANTOOTH:8 h (CONTINUING)h8"h8"  `  Q:8  OfficerMoore,whatisthebloodalcohollevelin & Tennesseeforpresumptionofintoxication,inTennessee? 8"8"  `  A:  Presumptionofimpairmentis.10. .$~  `  Q:8  Ifindeedthefactsshowshewas.21or.22,thatwould Z&! bemorethantwicethelegalpresumption? 8"8"  `  A:  Yes,sir,itwould. )$"  `  Q:8  Now,whenyouperformedthisinvestigationdidyou +'$ haveanyknowledgeaboutthelevelofalcoholinMs.Littrellsblood? 8"8"  `  A:8  No,notatthetime.Noknowledgeofthat.Itoldyou  0p+( earlierwhenIhadgottentothehospitaltheywerepreparingherforlifeflight.IfiguredhersafetyandherhealthwastheprimeimportancesoIdidntproceedthere. 8"8"  `  Q:8  Ifindeedbloodalcohollevelatthetimeoftheaccident 61. youfoundoutthatitwasindeed.21or.22,howwouldthataffectyourreportwithregardtocausesoftheaccident?96518"8" Ї8 ` 8 ` 8"` 8"  MR.BATES:Sameobjection.Theresbeennofoundationlaidforthisman,whoIpersonallylikeandhaveagreatdealofrespectfor,however,there8@  hasnotbeenanyfoundationtoqualifyhimasanexpertwitnessϜonreconstructionwhatsoever.    8 ` 8 ` 8"` 8"  THECOURT:Thatsright.    8 ` 8 ` 8"` 8"  MR.MANTOOTH:Imnotbringingitinforpurposesofreconstruction,YourHonor.Imjustaskingforpurposesofhisinvestigationatthetimeoftheaccident.    8 ` 8 ` 8"` 8"  THECOURT:Well,hesaidhedidntexaminetheladybecauseshewashurtandhewasmoreinterestedinhergettingtowherevertheylifeflightedherto,andallhecantestifytoiswhathefoundinthecar.    8 ` 8 ` 8"` 8"  MR.MANTOOTH:Well,andImaskinghimifhehadadditionalinformationtoday,wouldthatchangehisopinionthathesexpressedregardingwhatmaybecausedtheaccident.    8 ` 8 ` 8"` 8"  MR.BATES:Butyousustainedanobjectiononwhatcausedit.    8 ` 8 ` 8"` 8"  THECOURT:Idontseehowhecantestifyaboutthat,oranybodyelseunlessyouhaveawitnesswhosawwhathappened.    8 ` 8 ` 8"` 8"  MR.MANTOOTH:CanImakeanofferofproofandlethimgoaheadandtestifywhathisanswerwouldbe.    8 ` 8 ` 8"` 8"  THECOURT:Yes,youcanmakeanofferofproofbutitsnotgoingtoImgoingtosustaintheobjection.    8 ` 8 ` 8"` 8"  MR.MANTOOTH:Okay.    8 ` 8 ` 8"` 8"  THECOURT:Goahead.    8 ` 8 ` 8"` 8"  MR.MOORE:AreyouaskingwhatchargesIwouldpresent?    8 ` 8 ` 8"` 8"  MR.MANTOOTH:(CONTINUING)    8 ` 8 ` 8"` 8"Q:0  Whatwouldyouhavedoneinyourinvestigation 61. ifyouknewthatshedid,indeed,hada.21or.22atthetimeoftheaccident?   9651  `  A:8  ShewouldhavebeenchargedwithD.U.I. /  1       x 8"8" 8 ` 8 ` 8"` 8"Q0  Asfarasifindeedyouwereawarethatshehada , .21or.22levelinherblood,howwouldthatchangeyourreportregardingthecauseoftheaccident?Orinfluenceyourreport,ifitwould?   `  A:8  Iwouldhavestatedthatshehadbeendrinking.Her J  abilitywouldhavebeenimpaired. 8"8"  `  Q:8  Didyoufindanythingatthesceneoftheaccidentthat   wouldhaveexplainedwhythisladyranofftheroad? 8"8"  `  A:8  Otherthanphysicalevidencethatwasinthevehicle   areyoutalkinglikearoadwayhazard? 8"8"  `  Q:8  Correct.Anythinglikethat.`8"8"  `  A:8  TherewasloosematerialonthesurfaceiswhatId < writteninthereportbecauseitwasagravelroad. 8"8"  `  Q:8  Onceagain,thiswasastraightareaofroad;correct?~8"8"  `  A:  Yes,sir.     ` Dr.DavidBlack,atoxicologistwhoisboardcertifiedinforensictoxicology,andisadiplomateoftheAmericanBoardofClinicalChemistry,theBoardofBioAnalysists,andtheAmericanInstituteofChemists,withovertwentyyearsexperience,testifiedthatheperformedachemicalanalysisofthebloodalcoholleveloftheDecedentonAugust4,1996.MadeavailabletohimwerethemedicalinformationfromCrockettHospital,theVanderbiltHospitalMedicalCenter,theautopsyreport,andtheaccidentreport. ` Heconsideredthetimeoftheaccident,theserumethylalcoholconcentrationmeasuredatCrockettHospitalandattheVanderbiltUniversityMedicalCenter,thebodyweightoftheDecedent,thetimeofdeath,andthebloodalcoholconcentrationatthetimeofdeath. 50-  ` Forpurposesofhisanalysis,heassumed /  2      ׀theaccidentoccurredat6:30  a.m.,thattheDecedentconsumednoadditionalalcoholafterthattime,thatthemaximumbloodalcoholconcentrationwasatthetimeoftheaccident,thatserumalcoholconcentrationoverestimatesbloodalcoholconcentrationsby16percent,thatnormalrateofmetabolismforanonalcoholicuseris.018%perhourandthatahundredmilligramsperdeciliterisequivalenttoa.01%concentration. ` IftheDecedentwasachronicalcoholic,therateofmetabolismwouldbefaster,  /  3      ׀andthelevelofalcoholatthetimeoftheaccidentwouldbehigher. `  ` ThreedifferentbloodalcoholtestsweremadeavailabletoDr.Black.ThefirsttestwasperformedatCrockettHospitalonasamplecollectedat11:30a.m.ThesecondsamplewascollectedatVanderbiltUniversityMedicalCenterat12:49p.m.Thethirdsamplewascollectedpostmortem.Dr.BlacktestifiedthatthebloodalcoholleveloftheDecedentat6:30a.m.was.21or.22percent.Iftheaccidentoccurredat8:30a.m., thatwouldtakethevaluedowntoabout.17or.18percent. ` Hefurthertestifiedthat asubjectwiththatconcentrationofalcoholwouldbedescribedwithgrossintoxication,meaningovertlyintoxicatedwithsubstantialimpairmentinvovingdifficultyindrivingavehicle. ` Oncrossexamination,Dr.Blackwasqueriedabouttheautopsyreport,whichindicatedthattheDecedentwas5feet3inchestallandweighed136 pounds,ascontrastedtothetestimonyofafamilymemberthatshewas5feet L2-* teninchestallandweighed180pounds.Certainotherdatawerequestioned,noneofwhich,accordingtoDr.Black,affectedhisconclusionsandopinions.  ` Thejudgmentcontainsthesefindings:  8 ` TheCourtfurtherfindsthatalthoughtheDecedent,EdithCarolynLittrell,mayormaynothavebeenundertheinfluenceatthetimeoftheautomobileaccidentwhichresultedinherdeath,theCourtaffirmativelyfindsthatthedefendantfailedtoproveintoxicationwastheproximatecauseoftheinjuryresultinginthedeathofEdithCarolynLittrell.Overallv.SouthernSubaruStar,Inc.,545S.W.2d   1(Tenn.1976).Moreover,ithasbeenheldthatscientificevidencethattheemployeesbloodcontainedahighlevelofintoxicantsisinsufficienttoestablishintoxicationastheproximatecause.Gentry 4 v.TheLilyCompany,476S.W.2d252(Tenn.1971);Wooten J TransportsInc.V.Hunter,535S.W.2d858(Tenn.1976).`` 8"` 8" .8 ` ItisundisputedthatEdithCarolynLittrellwasdeliveringpapersfor < thebenefitofthedefendantatthetimeoftheautomobileaccidentresultinginherdeath.TheCourtwasnotimpressedwiththeconclusionsofDr.BlackandhasconsideredhisdemeanorandthemanyinaccuraciesdemonstratedintheautopsyreportwhichDr.Blackcandidlyadmittedwasnotreliablenortrustworthy.Dependinguponthetimeoftheaccident,theDecedentmayormaynothavebeenundertheinfluence,muchlessintoxicated.ConsideringthetestimonyofTrooperPaulMoore,theCourtfindsthateveniffullweightisgiventothetestimonyofDr.Black,themaximumtheDecedentwouldhaveregisteredatthetimeoftheaccidentwasapproximately.14bloodalcoholcontentbutthereisamarginoferrorandasaforesaid,thereisnoproofintherecordastointoxicationbeingtheproximatecauseoftheaccident. ` 8"` 8"    ` Thedefendantcontestedtherightofrecoveryontwoprincipalgrounds:(1)thattheDecedentwasanindependentcontractor,and(2)thatherintoxicationwasaproximatecauseofherdeath,thusbarringarecovery.ThetrialjudgeruledthattheDecedent(1)wasanemployeeoftheDefendant,and(2)that ifshewasintoxicated,theDefendantfailedtocarryitsburdenofprovingthatsuchintoxicationwastheproximatecauseoftheaccident,andawardedbenefitsaccordingly.Thesearetheissuespresentedforreview,whichismXXmԀ#mXXE##mE# denovoupontherecordofthetrialcourt,accompaniedbyapresumptionof 7 3/ thecorrectnessofthefinding,unlessthepreponderanceoftheevidenceis 9651 Мotherwise,Tenn.CodeAnn.506225(e)(2),Stonev.CityofMcMinnville,  896S.W.2d548,550(Tenn.1995)# VF#m,#mG#bolsteredbytheadmonitionthatwemust , conductanindepthreviewof#1H#Ԁthefactualfindingsandconclusionsofthetrial ( x courtsinworkerscompensationcases.SeeCorcoranv.FosterAutoGMC, T  Inc.,746S.W.2d452,456(Tenn.1988).#H#mXXm    #XAXXXI#XAXXXA#XXAJ#@55EmployeeorIndependentContractor?     ` InMarch,1992theDecedentbegandeliveringnewspapersforthedefendant,whichpublishestheLawrenceCountyAdvocatetwiceweekly.Shewasgivenwritteninstructionsthat(1)motorroutecarriersarecontractlabor,(2)incometaxandsocialsecurityarenotdeductedfromcompensation,which(3)is basedonapieceratebasis. ` ThemostrecentcontractbetweentheDecedentandtheDefendantwasexecutedFebruary28,1995. /  4      ׀ItprovidesthattheDecedentisa selfemployed, 0 independentcontractor. ` Bythiscontract,theDecedentagreedtodelivernewspapersonadesignatedroute,usingherpersonalvehicle.Compensationwas7.5centspernewspaperplus13centspermiletravelled.TheDecedentwasrequiredtoarrangeasubstitutecarrierifnecessary.Thecontractprovidesthatnotaxeswillbewithheld,andthatthecontractor[Decedent]agreedthatasanindependentcontractorsheisnoteligibleforunemploymentorworkers compensation.ThecontractexpiredMarch1,1996,accordingtoitsterms. /  5       @0+(  ` TheDecedentwasfreetoworkforotherentities.Shehadnofixedwork hours,butwascontractuallyboundtodeliverthenewspapersinherareaofresponsibilitynolaterthan1:00p.m.fortheSundaynewspaper,andnolaterthan3:00p.m.fortheWednesdayedition. ` Thesefollowingfactorsmustbeconsideredindetermining whetheranindividualisanemployee,orasubcontractororanindependentcontractor: ` (A)Therighttocontroltheconductofthework; ` (B)Therightoftermination; ` (C)Themethodofpayment; ` (D)Thefreedomtoselectandhirehelpers; ` (E)Thefurnishingoftoolsandequipment; ` (F)Selfschedulingofworkhours;and ` (G)Thefreedomtoofferservicestootherentities.T.C.A.506102(a)(9)(Supp.1977). `  ` Asheretoforestated,therewasnowrittencontractinforcewiththeDecedentonthedateofherdeath,butthetermsofthebusinessrelationshipbetweenherandtheDefendantwereestablishedbytheproof,whichwasnotrefuted:Decedentwaspaidbasedonthenumberofnewspapersshedelivered,Ϝandwaspaidthirteencentspermileforthedistancetraveledonherdeliveryroute.TheDecedentandtheDefendanthadnothadawrittencontractgoverningtheirbusinessrelationshipsincethepreviouscontracthadexpiredonMarch1,1996,butthebusinessrelationshipbetweenthemcontinuedtobehandledinthesamemannerasbefore.Carrierswereallowedaflexibledeliveryschedule,butwererequiredtobag,tape,andfoldthenewspapers.Defendantdirectedwherethenewspapersshouldbedelivered,andestablishedthegeographicalrouteforthatpurpose.Carrierswereallowedtoselectsubstitutecarriersfortheirroute,andwerefreetoworkforotherentities.They 8 40 hadnosetworkhours,didnotpunchatimeclock,andfurnishedtheirownϜvehiclewhichtheymaintained.TheywereallowedtodeliverothernewspaperswhiledeliveringDefendantsnewspaper,andenjoyednotypicalfringebenefitssuchaspaidvacations,holidays,ormedicalinsurance.CompensationfordeliveryofnewspapersonDecedentsroutewaspaidbycheckpayabletoDecedentsgranddaughterratherthantheDecedent. ` Therighttocontrolisthesinglemostsignificantoftheidentifyingfactors.See,Masiersv.ArrowTransfer&StorageCo.,639S.W.2d654(Tenn. 4 1982);Gallowayv.MemphisDrumService,822S.W.2d584(Tenn.1991). ` WhiletheDefendantexercisedsomecontrolovertheDecedent[shewasrequiredtobagandfoldthenewspapers,wasinstructedastowhen,whereandhowthenewspapersweretobedelivered],herindependentcontractorstatusclearlyisshownbytheproof.TheDefendantmayexercisesomedirectionandcontrolovertheresultsoftheworkwithoutcreatingtheemployeeemployerϜrelationship,Masiersat656.InthecaseatBar,theDecedentcontrolledthe #h detailsofherwork;theDefendantwasconcernedonlywiththefinalproduct. ` WhiletherewasnowrittencontractinforcebetweentheDefendantandtheDecedent,theproofclearlyestablishesthatthebusinessrelationshipbetweenthepartieswastreatedthesameasitwasunderthecontractwhichexpiredonMarch1,1996,andwhichprovidedthat eitherpartymayterminatethiscontractforanyreasonandwithoutcausebyprovidingthirty(30)daynoticeofintentiontoterminatetooppositepartyonorpriortothefirstofanymonth.Thismethodofterminationiscompatiblewiththeexistenceofanindependentcontractorrelationship.Curtisv.HamiltonBlockCo.,466S.W.2d 61. 220(Tenn.1971). 8 40  ` Astothemethodofpayment,theproofrevealedthtDefendantissuedchecksforDecedentsworkpayabletohergranddaughter,basedonthenumberofnewspapersdelivered,whichisconsistentwiththetypeofpaymentordinarilymadetoanindependentcontractor.See,Bargeryv.ObionGrainCo., 4  785S.W.2d118(Tenn.1990). `   ` ItwasnotdisputedthatDecedentwasfreetoselectandhirehelpers,andthattheDefendantdidnotprovideDecedentwithanytoolsorequipment,exceptthematerialswithwhichtowrapthenewspapers. ` WefindtheevidencepreponderatesagainstthefindingthattheDecedentwasanemployeeoftheDefendantandinfavorofafindingthatshewasanindependentcontractor. ` WenextconsidertheissueofwhethertheintoxicationoftheDecedentϜwasaproximatecauseoftheaccident. ` T.C.A.506110(a)providesthat nocompensationshallbeallowedfor...death...duetointoxication...Ifthedefenseofintoxicationisreliedon,theburdenofproofisupontheemployertoestablishthatintoxicationwastheproximatecauseoftheinjuryordeath(b),butnotnecessarilythesolecause.See,Dobbsv.LibertyMutualIns.Co.,811S.W.2d75(Tenn.1991);Overall, )$" supra;󛀜Wooten,supra. +'$  ` BothGentryandWooten,citedbythetrialcourt,weredecidedunderthe -D)& materialevidencestandard.Ourstandardofreviewiswhetherthefindingsandjudgmentaresupportedbyapreponderanceoftheevidence,withapresumptionofcorrectness,andsubjecttotherequirementthatweconductamoreindepth review,asheretoforestated. 61.  ` Theburdenofproofofintoxicationandproximatecauseisuponthe employer,T.C.A.506110(b),butiftheemployerhasimplementedadrugfreeworkplaceandtheemployeehasabloodconcentrationlevelof.10percentorgreater,itispresumedthattheintoxicationwastheproximatecauseoftheinjury.T.C.A.506110(c)(1).ThereisnoproofthattheDefendanthadimplementedastatutory,drugfreeworkplace,andthusnopresumptionofproximatecausearises. ` ItcannotreasonablybedisputedthattheevidencepreponderantlyϜestablishedthattheDecedentwasintoxicatedatthetimeoftheaccident,andthusthedispositiveissueiswhetherherintoxicationwasaproximatecauseoftheaccidentresultinginherdeath. ` InDobbsv.LibertyMutual,supra,theemployee,acarpenter,fellfrom  thesecondtothefirststoryofahouseunderconstruction.Hehadconsumedaquantityofalcoholthepreviousday,andabeeronthedayoftheinjury.He smelledlikeabrewery,andabloodalcoholexperttestifiedthathehadasignificantamountofalcoholinhissystemwhichimpairedhisabilitytofunction.TheCourtpointedoutthatwhiletheemployerhastheburdenofestablishingproximatecause,theemployeeisnotrequiredtoprovethatthe intoxicationwasthesolecause.TheCourtobservedthat helosthisbalance,aknowneffectofalcohol,andtherewasnootherapparentcauseforthefall.AproachingthecaseatBarfromadifferentvantage,itwouldstrainareasonableconcepttofindthatgrossintoxicationwasnotacausativefactorintheaccidentwhichoccurredaswehavedescribed. ` ThetrialcourtwascriticalofthetestimonyofDr.Blackforreasonsnotclear.Referencewasmadetothe manyinaccuraciesoftheautopsyreport 8 40  whichDr.Blackcandidlyadmittedwasnotreliablenortrustworthy.Tothecontrary,Dr.Blacktestified:  8 ` Ifitsdemonstratedthat[theautopsyreport]isnotreliableandtrustworthythenIwouldhavetoagreewiththat.ButIhaventany  n evidencebeforemethatsaysitis. ` 8"` 8"    ` Moreover,Dr.Blacktestifiedthatiftheautopsyreportwas thrownout `  Єnotconsideredhisconclusionsandopinionwouldremainthesame. ` Theconclusionofthetrialjudgethat consideringthetestimonyofTrooperPaulMoore,eveniffullweightisgiventothetestimonyofDr.Black,themaximumtheDecedentwouldhaveregisteredatthetimeoftheaccidentwasapproximately.14bloodalcoholcontent...findsnosupportintherecord.TrooperMooretestifiedthattherewasacoolerinthecar,astrongodorofalcohol,i.e.,beer,openbeercans,andthattheaccidentoccurredonastraight,gravelledroadwhiletheDecedentwastravelingupgrade.Hetestifiedthatthepresumptionofimpairmentwas.10bloodalcohollevel,andthattheDecedentwasimpaired.WeareunabletodemonstratefromtherecordanyevidencereferabletoTrooperMoorethatthebloodalcoholleveloftheDecedentwasonly.14percent,ifthepointB?B?C?%  C?isrelevant.NeitherareweabletoϜdeduceorinferfromthisrecordthatDr.Black,whosecompetency,credentials,experienceandeducationareunquestioned,isnotcredible,andinthisconnectionitmustbeborneinmindthattheDecedentsbloodalcohollevelwas -D)& unrefuted. /  6      ׀NeitherwasitrefutedthattheDecedentslevelofintoxication  0p+( affectedhertimedistancejudgment,cognitivefunctioning,peripheralvisionandthatshecouldnotsafelyoperateavehicle.Weagreewiththeappellantthatcausationwasprovedbycircumstantialevidence. 61.  ` ThejudgmentisreversedandthecaseisdismissedatthecostsoftheϜappellee.7 `     h     _________________________________ `     h     WilliamH.Inman,SeniorJudgeCONCUR:_____________________________JaniceM.Holder,Justice_____________________________WilliamS.Russell,SpecialJudge `     h #7jw#̜̀D?    E?E?E?H` TR[A'Legal Red[A' LegalA' LegalA' LegalT /E?_?U?r!)<,(j 8` `@Ef ` 8ttxP,`  rU?_?`?_?r!,)<,(j 8` `@Ef ` 8ttxP,`  r_?`?E?@5 5 INTHESUPREMECOURTOFTENNESSEE `  E?E?E?`?t!,)>.*jxZ` `@ENK ` 8ttxP t`?E?@(ATNASHVILLEWILLIAMRANDYLITTRELLAND@.)  LAWRENCECIRCUIT n ANITACAROLLITTRELL,SURVIVING@.)  NO.CC19896BELOW  KINANDHEIRSATLAWAND@.)  ADMINISTRTORSOFTHEESTATE@.)  OFEDITHCAROLYNLITTRELL,@.) &  @.)  HON.JIMT.HAMILTON <   APPELLEES@.)  JUDGE R  @.)   h  v.@.)   ~  @.)LAWRENCECOUNTYADVOCATE,@.)  NO.01S019710CV00233 J INC.,@.) ` @.) APPELLANT  @.)0  REVERSEDANDDISMISSEDT$T$ @.@NN* JUDGMENTXAX  Z"  ThiscaseisbeforetheCourtuponmotionforreviewpursuanttoTenn.CodeAnn.506225(e)(5)(B),theentirerecord,includingtheorderofreferraltotheSpecialWorkers'CompensationAppealsPanel,andthePanel'sMemorandumOpinionsettingforthitsfindingsoffactandconclusionsoflaw,whichareincorporatedhereinbyreference; Whereupon,itappearstotheCourtthatthemotionforreviewisnotwelltakenandshouldbedenied;and Itis,therefore,orderedthatthePanel'sfindingsoffactandconclusionsoflawareadoptedandaffirmed,andthedecisionofthePanelismadethejudgmentoftheCourt. Costswillbepaidbytheappellee,forwhichexecutionmayissueifnecessary. 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TO: 0 00 T$ T$JENNIFERLEE,DEPUTYCLERK,NASHVILLE0 T$0 T$  FROM: 0 0 WILLIAMM.BARKER,JUSTICE 0 T$0 T$  RE: 0 00 T$ T$WILLIAMRANDYLITTRELL,ETAL.,ETC.V. 0 T$0 T$   0 LAWRENCECOUNTYADVOCATE,INC.  0 LAWRENCECIRCUIT01S019710CV00233 COPY: 0 0 JENNIFERLEE,VIAEMAIL@0 T$0 T$ 0 00 T$ T$ 0 T$0 T$ MOTIONFORREVIEW:   8      @ DENIED 0 DISPOSITIONOFRECORD:0 8 08T$8T$0T$T$0@T$T$RETURNEDVIAUPS!@T$@T$ `  " TRY3'LetterheadY3' Letter 3' Letter 3' LetterT pE?R?P?E?E?P?E?#XXA%#E?P?E?    E?P?R?R?