WPCrP fdn3fu8Fg 媕ڭmг]@kfT<HR .oo8YLC[c DF ,P اxٸcB!zp_EV/e|XV=OB Xˀ$%ow4ި_r.["p`óY@>_ S;!>3f>j{quFϪ)\<*Q[,;+n9-bkE%_[}c/|trΡ^}: i~a[ s-v*I ~Fs'$@\[N:]߄p.u Bl>v^0*28|ptc߫v8=wi Ԉd" KAETOV/~Ֆu &:We¤#kͤ.[c>:Jlh8!u#f %/ ^ 5 0A UXN w 4 z/  {  m U4@  o5NR 0DWE 1 72$ 1uV 72 0cN` 0Ub 0w  0 0}h 0~ 0a! 0A" 0# 0# 0$ 0C% 0%b& 0& 0' 0j( 08) 0* 0* 0+ 0@P, 0, 0d- 05. 0/ 0/ 00 0[1 02 002 0< 3 0F3 0>4 0vB4 0`4 0`5 0`x5 0`5 0`86 086 06 027 07 0:8 0 Y 9 0_c9 0 9 0j: 06< 0!= B*> D/> B > 0? 0@ D3CA D-vA 0KA D/A ASBpB 06C 0DC AD 0D 06E 0E 0:F 0^G 0<mG 0NGU6GU>-HU*kH zHIIUNI/JKKacLOHP LaserJet 4000 Series PCL6V,,,,V0t/ (`$.8dd8    ("  Z6Times New Roman RegularX2/ C:\PROGRA~1\COREL\WORDPE~1\TEMPLATE\CUSTOM~1\REVISE~1.WPTC:\Program Files\Corel\WordPerfect Office 2000\Template\Custom WP Templates\revised standard opinion.wpt3|x U(9 Z(Times New Roman Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5  H R$      5  XWX  _ԀlXXWSurveillancevideoshowsMr.Neeleyloadingand/orunloadingemptybreadracksandbreadproductsfrom e histruck.#XWXl#(#$  0  0CEKQW]cioAutoList1A:I.A:A:A:A:A:A:A:3#37=CIQYag1.a.i.(1)(a)(i)1)a)i)(;3$2#  0  .3  0  *+ (_2623  ..  R$      3  XWX  _lXXWDr.Chengerconfirmedthataccordingtothemedicaland/orphysicaltherapyrecordsdatedSeptember13, e 2000,Mr.NeeleywastakinganinnerearmedicationandunderPrecautionsitisnotedhehasdizziness/innerear & difficulty.#XWXl~#(O;$0  2#  a  .3  0` (#(#  R$      6  XWX  _lXXW ߶lInresponsetoamotiontoalterandamendthejudgmentfiledbytheplaintiff,thetrialcourtamendedthe e previousorderaward75%disabilityfortheheadinjuryor300weeksofbenefits.ThetrialcourtfoundthatMr._Neeley_ & wasentitledto400weeksofbenefitsforbothinjuriesandthattherestofthepreviousorderremainunchanged.# X X ߶~#Ԁ#XWX X X# X XXXWԀ  #XWX X X#  R$      1  XWX  _ X XXXWԀ ߶ X XHehadhadnoprevioushistoryofdizzinesspriortohisworkrelatedheadinjury.Hedidnothaveaprevious  historyof_tinnitus_Ԁotherthanthetimehesufferedfromatemporaryboutwiththefluin1997.#l ߶~##XWXl#*G+M (_25   /%` ` hp x /23  ..  5+ ` hp x 5  *D+M (_24   ," hp x ,23  ..  5+ ` hp x 5   s R$      2  XWX  _ X XXXW ߶ X XDr.CrookstatedthatMr.Neeleys8/28/00audiogram(5monthsaftertheheadinjury)wasjustslightlybelow e normalwhileasubsequenttestperformedon10/9/01showedahighfrequencylossinbothears.Dr.Crookassigneda & 1%impairmenttothebodyasawholebasedonthe8/28/00_audiogram_.#l ߶~##XWXl# e *A+M (_23  ` ) hp x )23  ..  5+ ` hp x 5  *>+M (_22   &hhp x &23  ..  5+ ` hp x 5  *;+M (_21   #p x #23  ..  5+ ` hp x 5  *8+M (_20  h  p x 23  ..  5+ ` hp x 5  *5+M (_19   pp x 23  ..  5+ ` hp x 5  *2+M (_18    x 23  ..  5+ ` hp x 5  * (_1723  Ԁ*GM (_16   /%` ` hp x /23  Ԁ  5+ ` hp x 5  - -*DM (_15   ," hp x ,23  Ԁ  5+ ` hp x 5  *AM (_14  ` ) hp x )23  Ԁ  5+ ` hp x 5  *>M (_13   &hhp x &23  Ԁ  5+ ` hp x 5  *;M (_12   #p x #23  Ԁ  5+ ` hp x 5  *8M (_11  h  p x 23  Ԁ  5+ ` hp x 5  *5M (_10   pp x 23  Ԁ  5+ ` hp x 5  (2M &_9    x 23  Ԁ  5+ ` hp x 5  ( &_823  (GM &_7   /%` ` hp x /23   5+ ` hp x 5  (DM &_6   ," hp x ,23   5+ ` hp x 5  (AM &_5  ` ) hp x )23   5+ ` hp x 5  (>M &_4   &hhp x &23   5+ ` hp x 5  (;M &_3   #p x #23   5+ ` hp x 5  (8M &_2  h  p x 23   5+ ` hp x 5  (5M &_1   pp x 23   5+ ` hp x 5  &2M $_    x 23   5+ ` hp x 5  0.Normal<:Definition T<AA:Definition L , 5+ ` hp x 5  5+ ` hp x 586Definition(''&H1      (&H2  (&H3  (&H4 XXX (&H5  (&H6  20Address8MM6Blockquote , , 5+ ` hp x 5   5+ ` hp x 5,*CITE,dl*CODEKi<6X9`(Courier NewKSj\  `&Times New RomanS42Emphasis64Hyperlink    <:FollowedHype    4go2Keyboard Ki<6X9`(Courier NewKSj\  `&Times New RomanS <:Preformatted/%  ,Kk %#/Ki<6X9`(Courier NewKSj\  `&Times New RomanS/%  ,Kk %#/(|G2$ !.8 dd8         0  XX<:zBottom of 7U(X7  ?k%2A`Arial?  Sj\  `&Times New RomanS7Z(X7&  d dT)1dxd d<:zTop of For7\(X7  ?k%2A`Arial?  Sj\  `&Times New RomanS7Z(X7(|3$ !.8 dd8     VVVV'dxd)!dxdx( $ Figure  1  T)2dxd^_X`YE<<CLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(|3$ !.8 dd8     ($$   1  X[Z&OLE 2.0 Box <=8C HKKKK0KS.SampleKi<6X9`(Courier NewKSj\  `&Times New RomanS0.Strong 8dl6TypewriterKi<6X9`(Courier NewKSj\  `&Times New RomanS42Variable: 8HTML MarkupB      2 0CommentB  (O$<6X9`(Courier New\  `&Times New Roman%2A`ArialmC:\PROGRA~1\COREL\WORDPE~1\TEMPLATE\CUSTOM~1\REVISE~1.WPTC:\Program Files\Corel\WordPerfect Office 2000\Template\Custom WP Templates\revised standard opinion.wpt(9 Z 6Times New Roman Regular/mb/lpext.dll?f=FifLink&t=document-frame.htm&l=jump&iid=17088a&d=sw2d%7C768%7C689&sid=74db7653.1ffba1ee.0.0/mb/lpext.dll?f=FifLink&t=document-frame.htm&l=jump&iid=74db7653.1ffba1ee.0.0&nid=2f6d/mb/lpext.dll?f=FifLink&t=document-frame.htm&l=jump&iid=74db7653.1ffba1ee.0.0&nid=51df W R$      4  XWX  _ X XXXW ߶ X XTheFCEindicatedMr.Neeleyselfterminatedportionsofthetestsandcomplainedofpain.Accordingtothe e FCE,Mr.Neeleyclimbedstairsandaladderrepeatedly,andwalkedona12footbalancebeamwithnodifficulty.Mr. & _Neeley_Ԁeitherdidnotrecalldoingtheseactivitiesordidnotperformtheminthelengthoftimestatedinthe_FCE_.In  responsetothetrialcourtsquestioninghestatedhewouldnotbeabletoperformtheseactivities. C #l ߶~##XWXl#/mb/lpext.dll?f=FifLink&t=document-frame.htm&l=jump&iid=74db7653.1ffba1ee.0.0&nid=2f6d !.8ydd8     _y8WXXdd8  ny%O @  @  @  @ @@7 7 INTHESUPREMECOURTOFTENNESSEE  SPECIALWORKERSCOMPENSATIONAPPEALSPANEL # @@ATNASHVILLE#yn# F February2003Session i XWXy #yXXWQ#LARRYNEELEYv.SOUTHERNTANKLEASINGCOMPANY,etal.XWXy   b @@ DirectAppealfromtheCircuitCourtforDavidsonCounty  \ @@No.01C702CarolA._Soloman_,Judge  F @@*AV) ` dE<` A   No.M200201526_WC_ԄR3CVMailedOctober17,2003   #yXXW#XWXyFiledNovember17,2003   AV) ` dE<j` A k      ThisworkerscompensationappealhasbeenreferredtotheSpecialWorkersCompensation c AppealsPaneloftheSupremeCourtin#yXXW#&>%yaccordance#y%&>V#XWXyԀ#yXXW#&>%ywith#y%&>#XWXyԀTennesseeCodeAnnotated506225(e)(3) L forhearingandreportingtotheSupremeCourtoffindingsoffactandconclusionsoflaw.Inthis 5 case,theemployerappealsthetrialcourtsawardof75%vocationaldisabilityforaheadinjury n resultinginvertigo,_tinnitus_,andhearinglossand25%vocationaldisabilityforbilateralcarpal W tunnelsyndromecausedbyemployeesworkactivities.Theemployerasserts,amongotherissues, @ thattheevidencepreponderatesagainstafindingthat:1)theheadinjurysymptomswere ) compensable,and2)theemployeeswristandhandsymptomswereworkrelated.Theemployer  alsocontendsthatitwasdeprivedofafairtrialasaresultofthetrialcourtsapparentbiasagainst  itoritscounsel.Thejudgmentofthetrialcourtisaffirmedasmodified.#yXXW+#XWXy     Tenn.CodeAnn.506225(e)(1999)AppealasofRight;JudgmentoftheCircuitCourt f Affirmed  P     JamesL._Weatherford_,_Sr.J._#yXWh #XWX.y,deliveredtheopinionofthecourt,inwhichFrankF._Drowota_, #!s  III,C.J.,andJoec.Loser,Jr.,_Sp.J._,joined.  "\! DaleA._Tipps_,Nashville,Tennessee,fortheappellants,SouthernTankLeasingCo.and_HCC_ #.# Administrators,Inc. $ $ JosephK._Dughman_,Nashville,Tennessee,fortheappellee,LarryNeeley. &!& Z   MEMORANDUMOPINION #yXXW #XWXy k(#(   #yXXW#XWXy X XXXW  MrLarryNeeleywas49yearsoldatthetimeoftrialandhadan11thgradeeducation.He >*%* earnedhis_G.E.D._ԀwhileintheArmy.HeisaVietnamveteranandaretiredArmyNational '+w&+ Guardsman.HehadworkedforSouthernTankLeasing(oritspredecessors)forover21yearsas ,`', awelderandmechanicatthetimeofhisheadinjury.SouthernTankrepairs,leasesandinspects ,I(-  -2). _overtheroadtypetankers.Hisjobdutiesincludedclimbingladderstoworkontankersandusing  handheldvibratingtoolsandairoperatedjacks.  THEHEADINJURY k   OnMarch28,2000,whileworkingatSouthernTank,Mr.Neeleymoveda12footladder =  thathada4poundhammerrestingatthetopofit.ThehammerfellandstruckMr.Neeleyonthe & v head.Hebegantobleedprofuselyfromtheheadwound,becamedizzyandweak,andstruggledto  _ maintainconsciousness.  H   AcoworkertookhimtoCentraCarefromwhichhewassenttotheemergencyroomfor    treatmentforheadtraumaandadeepheadlaceration.Mr.Neeleytoldtheemergencyroom   physicianthathehadextremedizziness.Hesustaineda5inchscaronthetopofhisheadresulting   fromtheinjury.     OnApril1,2000,Mr.NeeleysoughtfollowuptreatmentfordizzinessfromDr.Justiceat W  CentraCarewhoprescribedAntivertfornauseaanddizzinessandplacedhimonworkrestrictions @ ofnoliftingmorethan10poundsandnoclimbingladders.Mr.Neeleywasoffworkforacouple )y ofdays.HereturnedtoCentraCareforafollowupvisitonApril3,2000,complainingofdizziness b that comesandgoes.Hewasreleasedtoreturntoworkwithrestrictionsofnoclimbingandno K liftingover30pounds.Themedicalrecordsfromthesevisitsalsolisttinnitusinthediagnosis 4 section.    OnApril3,2000,Mr.NeeleyreturnedtoworkatSouthernTank.#   X X# X X   #XWX X X# X XXXWԀMr.RickyDuRard,  generalmanageratSouthernTank,statedthatMr.Neeleywasagoodemployeewhoperformedhis  jobwell.Mr.DuRardadmittedthateventhoughMr.Neeleycouldnotdohisjobwithinhismedical q restrictions,hewentbacktofulldutyeventhoughCentraCarehadnotgivenhimafullrelease.Mr. Z DuRardstatedthatfromApril3,2000untilAugust2,2000,Mr.Neeleydidnotmissworkbecause C oftheheadinjuryorseekfurthermedicaltreatment. ,| #XWX X X# X XXXW#   X X# X X     AccordingtoMr.Neeley,hecontinuedtosufferperiodicdizzinessandheadaches. N SometimeinAprilorMayof2000,hebegantodeveloppersistentringinginhisears.! #  1      ׀#XWX X X# X XXXW#   X X# X X   Hecontinued  7 todohisjobdutiesatSouthernTank,includingclimbingladders,buthissymptomsgradually !   worsened.#XWX X X'# X XXXW#   X Xi# X X   ԀHehadtotakefrequentbreakstositdownandtryandregainhisequilibrium: " ! 8   ` Well,IknewIhadtowork,...thedizziness!waswithmealldaylong,the $# headaches,thedizziness.Iwouldjusttrytowork,andwhenIgotdizzy,Iwouldtry t% $ tositdownatdifferentplaces.Idsitdownonacrate...orstool....Thenwhenit ]&!% passes,youknow,getupandtrysomethingelseordosomethingelse. x  @x F'"&    /(#' %O %e %    OnAugust25,2000,Mr.NeeleysawDr.WilliamC.Anderson,hisprimarycarephysician e complainingofdizziness.Hewaslaterreferredtootherdoctorswhoprescribedtinnitusmaskers N andtherapytoalleviatetheringinginhisears. 7 #   X X# X X   #XWX X XH# X XXXW  OnNovember13,2001,Dr.JerrallP.Crook,whoisboardcertifiedinotolaryngology,   examinedMr.Neeleyanddiagnosedpositionalvertigoanddisequilibriumalongwithtinnitus.  AccordingtoDr.Crook,Mr.Neeleystatedhewashavingalotoftroublewithdisequilibrium:  v 8  Hejustdescribeditastroublewalking,staggering.Whenheputhisheadback,like  H lyingdown,thenhewouldgetthespinningsensation.Thespinningsensationis  1  whatwecallvertigo,buthehadwhatwecallastaggeringproblemwhenwalking,    whichIcalladisequilibrium.h      Dr.Crookassignedan8%impairmenttothebodyasawholefortheheadinjurybasedon :  lossofequilibrium.Dr.CrookadvisedrestrictingMr.Neeleytosedentarytypework! younever #  knowwhenthismighthit.AndIthinkitwouldbeverydangerousforhimtobeclimbingaladder    orworkingscaffoldtypework.Dr.Crookexplainedthatincasesliketheseequilibriumcomesand  goeshe doubt[ed]that[Mr.Neeley]willeverclearup.AtthetimehesawMr.Neeley,Dr.Crook y didnotthinkhewasabletoreturntothattypeofwork. b   InresponsetoaseriesofquestionsaboutMr.Neeleysabilitytousetools,paint,climbsteps, 4 etc.,Dr.CrookstatedthattherewouldbedaysMr.Neeley coulddoalmostanything.Therewould  bedayswherehewouldbeincapacitated.Hesaiditwastypicalofpositionalvertigotohave k periodswherethepatientisasymptomatic. T   Dr.Crookacknowledgedhewouldnotexpectsomeonewithpositionalvertigotobe & symptomaticandbeabletoclimb12footladders,workontankswithweldingtoolsandbendover  machinery.UponlearningthatMr.Neeleyworkedfor4monthsaftertheaccident,Dr.Crook  responded: | 8   ` Well,Icannotattributethepositionalvertigototheblowontheheadifit N wasntpresentalmostimmediately.Idonotseehowhecouldgofourmonthsand  7 beasymptomaticandthenhavesymptomsbeattributedtotheblowonthehead.#   X X## X X   #XWX X X## X XXXW!       Howeverlateroninhistestimony,Dr.CrookacknowledgedthatwhetherMr.Neeleywas W#" infactsymptomaticorhavingproblemsduringthefourmonthsafterhisaccidentwoulddependon @$# Mr.Neeleystestimonyandhedidnothavethatinformation. )% $  (03! !  Dr.Crookfoundthehearinglosstobepermanentandassigneda2%impairmenttothebody &"&  asawholebasedonaudiogramresultsshowingamilddropinspeechrangeandmoderatedropin '#' highfrequencyrange.$ #  2      ׀Dr.Crookattributedthishighfrequencylossto causingthetinnitus.As e  tocausation,Dr.Crookconcludedthat, Ireallydontknowthatyoucan...blame...thehigh N frequencylossontheinjuryatallbecausethehighfrequencylossdidnotshowuponthefirst 7 audiogram.HefoundthatMr.Neeleyshearinglosswasmostlikelyrelatedtonoiseexposure: I   wouldimaginethatwhereheworkswouldbenoisy.Idontknow.   #XWX X XM.##yXXW .#  y X X   THECARPALTUNNELINJURY  v   Aftertellingtheshopforemanhewashavingtroublewithhishands,Mr.Neeleysought  H medicaltreatmentfromDr.StanleyHoppthroughworkerscompensation.OnOctober7,1999,  1  Dr.Hoppdiagnosedbilateralcarpaltunnelsyndromeandappliedconservativetreatment.#   X Xs4# X X   #XWX X XT4# X XXXWWhenhis    paindidnotresolve,hesoughtcarefromhisprimaryphysicianwhoreferredhimtoDr.Chenger. h  Ѐ Q    OnJuly20,2000,Dr.JosephChenger,orthopedicsurgeon,examinedMr.Neeleywho :  complainedofhavingnumbness,tinglingandothersymptomsinbothhandsforabout6months;and #  thathisworkactivitiescausedincreasedsymptoms.Dr.Chengerdiagnosedcarpaltunnelsyndrome,    worseontherightthantheleft.    OnAugust2,2000,Dr.Chengerperformedacarpaltunnelreleaseontherighthand.Dr. b ChengerreleasedMr.Neeleytoreturntoworklightduty.SouthernTankmadespecial K accommodationsforoneweek,buthadnomorelightdutyworkavailable.Mr.Neeleys 4 employmentwasterminatedonAugust10,2000.  Ѐ  #   X X(6# X X   #XWX X Xj6# X XXXW `  k   After3monthsofphysicaltherapyandlightdutyworkrestrictions,Mr.Neeleystillhad T complaintsofnumbnessanddifficultywithfinemotorskills. #  3      ׀Dr.Chengernoteddiminishedgrip = strengthand dramaticallydiminishedtwopartdiscriminationinaglovetypepatternfrombelow & theelbowdistallyinvolvingbothofhishands.Dr.ChengerorderedanEMG,anerveconduction  study,andafunctionalcapacityevaluation.    BasedontheNovember17,2000,FCEresults,Dr.ChengersopinionwasthatMr.Neeley e showedinconsistencyontheFCE,wasntfunctioningatmaximumcapacity,andthathe probably N coulddomorethanthetestsuggested.s #  4      ׀#XWX X X:# X XXXW#   X X:# X X   AccordingtoDr.Chenger,theEMGandnerveconduction  7 studies showedsomeevidenceofpolyneuropathyprimarilyinvolvingthesensorynerves,butno e motorneuropathy.He...doeshaveevidenceofcarpaltunnelsyndrome. N     Dr.Chengerdiagnosedpolyneuropathyaffectingsensoryandautonomicnervefibersof   unknownetiologyandunrelatedtohisoccupation.Dr.Chengerdeterminedthatthepolyneuropathy   wasunrelatedtohisworkbasedon:1)theconditionaffectedonlythesensoryandnotmotornerves,  2)theEMGstudiesand3)Dr.Stricklands(theneurologist)report.Headmittedthatheisnotan  v expertonpolyneuropathy.Dr.ChengerstatedthatDr.Stricklandsreportwasconsistentwithhis  _ impression.WhileDr.Stricklandfoundtheperipheralneuropathynotrelatedtowork,healsofound  H inhisreportthatthecarpaltunnelmayberelatedtowork.  1    OnJanuary9,2001,Dr.ChengerfoundthatMr.Neeleyhadreachedmaximummedical h  improvementforcarpaltunnelsyndrome.Inhisopinion,hiscarpaltunnelsyndromehadresolved Q  tothepointwhereMr.Neeleycouldreturntoworkathisregularemployment,wereitnotfor :  problemsassociatedwithneuropathy.Hereleasedhimtoactivitieswithinhislimitsoftolerance. #  Dr.Chengerassigneda2%impairmenttotherightupperextremityforcarpaltunnelsyndrome.He    didnotassignanimpairmentratingorrecommendsurgeryfortheleftupperextremity.Heassigned  permanentliftingrestrictionsofnomorethan10poundsbasedontheFCE. y   Dr.Chengercouldnotbe 100%sureorwithinareasonabledegreeofmedicalcertainty K astotheetiologyofMr.Neeleyscomplaints!whetherthecarpaltunnelwascausedbyuseof 4 vibratorytoolsorwhetherthepolyneuropathywasmoreofacontributoryfactor.Hedidagreethat  Mr.Neeleyshouldhavevocationalrehabilitationtominimizeexposuretovibratorytools. k   OnFebruary14,2001,Dr.WeikertexaminedMr.Neeleyattherequestofthedefendants. = Dr.WeikertfoundthatMr.Neeleywashavingresidualsymptomsintherighthand5monthsafter & surgeryandhadminimalevidenceforleftcarpaltunnelsyndrome.Dr.Weikertstatedthatsomeof  theperipheralneuropathymightbecausedbyvibrationinducedtrauma.    #   X X]?# X X   #XWX X X?# X XXXW  Dr.Wheelhouse,whosubmittedaC32form,diagnosedbilateralcarpaltunnelsyndrome e relatedtoemployment.Heassigneda5%impairmenttotherightupperextremityforamedian N neuropathyoftherightwristanda5%impairmentoftheleftupperextremityformediannerve  7 dysfunctionintheleftwrist.Heassignedworkrestrictionswhichincludedliftingnomorethan10 !   poundsfrequently. n" !   OnFebruary6,2002,Ms.RebeccaWilliams,vocationalevaluationspecialist,interviewed @$# Mr.Neeleyfor3hours.Hetestedonthe4thgradereadinglevel.Althoughhewasaskilledwelder, )% $ hehadnotransferrablejobskills.Shefoundthathehadlostaccessto90%ofjobsavailabletohim &!% andwaslimitedtosedentarytypejobsduetohisvertigoalone.Basedonthecarpaltunnelcondition &"& alone,sheconcludedthathehadlostaccessto97%ofjobsavailabletohim.Shefoundthatin '#' combiningthesetwoinjurieshehad essentiallylostaccessto100%ofhisjobpool.Thereareno (h$( jobsremainingforwhichhecoulddo.󀀀 )Q%)     Mr.Neeleyneverhadanyproblemswithdizzinesspriortotheheadinjury.Hehastaken +#'+ Antivertsincetheaccidentbecausewithoutthismedicationhegetssodizzy itshardtofunction. e Hehasappliedforatleast3jobsinvolvingmaintenancetypework,buthasnotbeenhired.He N frequentlyhitshisheadonfurnitureandhastouseaseatintheshower,becauseofhisproblems 7 withbalance.Hefindsithardtoconcentrateandfocus.Mr.Neeleydoesnotconsiderhimself    totallyhelpless.Hecandriveanddolightworkaroundthehouse.Aspartofhischurchvolunteer   work,hedrivesatruckandpicksupbreadatlocalstorestodonatetothehomeless. #  5          InitsorderenteredJune6,2002,thetrialcourtfoundthattheplaintiffsufferedtwoseparate  _ anddistinctjobrelatedinjuries.Thecourtfoundthat:1)Mr.Neeleycouldnothaveameaningful  H returntoworkduetohismedicalrestrictions,2)hewasentitledtoamultiplierof5.5basedon,  1  amongotherthings,hiseducationlevel,lackoftransferrablejobskills,andamedicalconditionthat    preventshimfromperformingintheworkplace.Thetrialcourtfoundthatthe plaintiffisatmost h  100%permanentlydisabled.Thetrialcourtawarded50%vocationaldisabilityfortheheadinjury Q  resultinginvertigo,tinnitusandhearingloss;and25%toeacharmforthecarpaltunnelinjury. : #  6       :    #XWX X XK# X XXXW#   X XJ# X X     ANALYSIS    3X  Ourreviewofthefindingsoffactmadebythetrialcourtisdenovoupontherecordofthe y trialcourt,accompaniedbyapresumptionofcorrectness,unlessthepreponderanceoftheevidence b isotherwise.Tenn.CodeAnn.506225(e)(2).TheapplicationofthisstandardrequiresthisCourt K toweighinmoredepththefactualfindingsandconclusionsofthetrialcourtsinworkers 4 compensationcases.SeeCorcoranv.FosterAutoGMC,Inc.,746S.W.2d452,456(Tenn.1988).#XWX X XW# X XXXW    Conclusionsoflawarerevieweddenovowithoutanypresumptionofcorrectness.Iveyv.Trans k GlobalGas&Oil,3S.W.3d441,446(Tenn.1999#XWX X XZ# X XXXW). #XWX X X[# X XXXW T    Wherethetrialjudgehasseenandheardwitnesses,especiallywhereissuesofcredibilityand & weightoforaltestimonyareinvolved,onreviewconsiderabledeferencemuststillbeaccordedto  thosecircumstances.Humphreyv.DavidWitherspoon,Inc.,734S.W.2d315(Tenn.1987).#XWX X X6\##yXXWX#XWXy   X XXXW  Whenthemedicaltestimonyispresentedbydeposition,asitwasinthiscase,thisCourtis e abletomakeitsownindependentassessmentofthemedicalprooftodeterminewherethe N preponderanceoftheevidencelies.Cooperv.InsuranceCo.ofNorthAmerica,884S.W.2d446,  7 451(Tenn.1994). !   ";"  ;_0  2  I  .3  0` (#(#  Whetherthetrialcourterredinfindingthattheplaintiffsallegedheadinjury W#" symptomswerecompensable.;_`݌C$#` (#` (# Ќ  #XWX X X;^#  Theemployeehastheburdenofprovingeveryessentialelementofhisclaim.Whitev. N WerthanIndustries,824S.W.2d158,159(Tenn.1992). 7   Inordertobeeligibleforworkers'compensationbenefits,anemployeemustsuffer"an   injurybyaccidentarisingoutofandinthecourseofemploymentwhichcauseseitherdisablement  ordeath."Tenn.CodeAnn.50-6-102(12).Thephrase arisingoutofreferstocausation.The  v causationrequirementissatisfiediftheinjuryhasarational,causalconnectiontothework.Reeser  _ v.YellowFreightSystem,Inc.,938S.W.2d690,692(Tenn.1997).  H   Althoughcausationcannotbebaseduponmerelyspeculativeorconjecturalproof,absolute    certaintyisnotrequired.Anyreasonabledoubtinthisregardistobeconstruedinfavorofthe h  employee.Wehavethusconsistentlyheldthatanawardmayproperlybebaseduponmedical Q  testimonytotheeffectthatagivenincident couldbethecauseoftheemployeesinjury,when :  thereisalsolaytestimonyfromwhichitreasonablymaybeinferredthattheincidentwasinfactthe #  causeoftheinjury.Reeserv.YellowFreightSystems,Inc.,938S.W.2d690,692(Tenn.    1997)(citationsomitted.) X XXXW      Exceptwherepermanentdisabilityisobvioustoalayman,afindingofpermanencymustbe b basedoncompetentmedicalevidencethatthereisamedicalprobabilityofpermanencyorthat K disabilityisreasonablycertaintobepermanent.Kellermanv.FoodLion,Inc.,929S.W.2d333, 4 33536(Tenn.1996).    Dr.Crookprovidedtheonlymedicaltestimonyonvertigo,tinnitusandhearingloss.He T assignedan8%impairmenttothebodyasawholeforlossofequilibriumbasedontheAMA = Guides.Hestateditwastypicalofpositionalvertigotohaveperiodswherethepatientis & asymptomatic.    Inordertoattributethepositionalvertigototheheadinjury,Dr.Crookstatedthatthe | symptomswouldhavetobepresentalmostimmediatelyaftertheheadinjury.Hecouldnot e attributethevertigototheheadinjuryifMr.Neeleyhadbeenasymptomaticforfourmonthsand N thenstartedhavingsymptoms.  7 Ѐ !     Dr.CrooksopiniononcausationdependsuponthecredibilityofMr.Neeleystestimony n" ! andotherproofthathewassymptomaticduringthefourmonthperiodaftertheaccident.Mr. W#" NeeleycomplainedofdizzinessonMarch28,April1,andApril3accordingtothemedicalrecords @$# fromtheemergencyroomandCentraCare.Mr.NeeleystatedthathetookAntivertsincethe )% $ accident.Hestatedthathesuffereddizzinessandheadachesthatgraduallyworsened.He &!% acknowledgedgoingtohisprimaryphysicianonAugust25,2000,complainingofdizziness. &"&   ThetrialcourtfoundMr.Neeleytobeaverycrediblewitness.Thetrialcourtwasinthebest (h$( positiontojudgethecredibilityofthewitnesses.Wefindthattheevidencedoesnotpreponderate )Q%) againstafindingthatMr.Neeleysvertigoresultedfromhisheadinjurysufferedatwork. *:&*  +#'+   Dr.Crookcouldnotattributethetinnitusandhearinglosstotheheadinjurybasedonthe e audiogramperformed5monthsaftertheheadinjurywhichshowedminimalhearingloss.He N indicatedthehearinglosswasmostlikelyduetonoiseexposureand imagined whereheworked 7 mightbenoisybutdidntknow.TheplaintiffdidnotallegeinitscomplaintthatMr.Neeleys   hearinglossandtinnituswerecausedbynoiseexposureatworkanddidnotpresentanytestimony   attrial.WefindtheevidencepreponderatesagainstafindingthatMr.Neeleyshearinglossand  tinnituswererelatedtotheheadinjury.Wevacatethetrialcourtsjudgmenttotheextentthatit  v attributesMr.Neeleyshearinglossortinnitustoaworkrelatedinjury.  _   #XWX X Xfg# X XXXW";"  ;t0  2  II  .3  0` (#(#  #XWX X Xst# Whethertheplaintifffailedtocarryhisburdenofproofthathehadsustained    permanentphysicalimpairmenttohisupperextremitiesasaresultofanon k  thejobinjury,and,therefore,wasnotentitledtoanybenefitsforthisinjury.;tt݌U ` (#` (# Ќ   X XXXW0   (#(#   Dr.Chengerassigneda2%impairmenttotherightupperextremityforcarpaltunnel (  syndrome,butfeltthatMr.Neeleycouldreturntoworkwereitnotforproblemsassociatedwith   neuropathywhichhefoundwereunrelatedtoemployment.Hecouldnotbecertainwhetherthe  carpaltunnelwascausedbyvibratorytoolsorthepolyneuropathywasmoreacontributingfactor ~ tohiscondition.Heassignedliftingrestrictionsandadvisedminimizingexposuretovibratorytools. g Ѐ  Dr.Weikertfoundminimalevidenceforcarpaltunnelsyndromeandfeltthatsomeofthe 9 neuropathymightbecausedbyvibrationinducedtrauma.Dr.Wheelhousefoundthecarpaltunnel " relatedtoemploymentandassigneda5%impairmenttoeachextremityandassignedpermanent p  restrictions. Y Ѐ  Thetrialcourthasthediscretiontoaccepttheopinionofonemedicalexpertoveranother + medicalexpert.Kellermanv.FoodLion,Inc.,929S.W.2d333,335(Tenn.1996);Johnsonv.  Midwesco,Inc.,801S.W.2d804,806(Tenn.1990).    Uponreviewingtherecord,wefindthattheevidencedoesnotpreponderateagainstafinding j thatthecarpaltunnelsyndromewasrelatedtoMr.Neeleysemployment.#XWX X Xv#  S ";"  ;}0  2  III  .3  0` (#(#  Whethertheevidencepreponderatesagainstthetrialcourtsawardforthe !%  headinjuryandthecarpaltunnelsyndrome.;}4}݌v"!` (#` (# Ќ    Theextentofvocationaldisabilityisaquestionoffacttobedeterminedfromallofthe I$# evidence,includinglayandexperttestimony.Worthingtonv.ModineManufacturingCo.,798 2% $ S.W.2d232,234(Tenn.1990).Theclaimantsownassessmentofhisphysicalconditionand &!% resultingdisabilitiesiscompetenttestimonythatshouldbeconsideredaswell.McIlvainv.Russell '"& StoverCandies,Inc.,996S.W.2d179,183(Tenn.1999);Collinsv.HowmetCorp.,970S.W.2d941, '#' 943(Tenn.1998). (q$(    )Z%)   Thecourthastheauthoritytoawardpermanentpartialdisabilitybenefits,nottoexceed400 *C&* weeks,inexcessofthemaximumdisabilityawardunderTenn.CodeAnn.506241(a)(2)or(b), +,'+ inappropriatecases,wherepermanentmedicalimpairmentisfound.Seiberv.GreenbrierIndus. e Inc.,906S.W.2d444,44748(Tenn.1995).Thecourtmustfindbyclearandconvincingevidence N thattheemployeemeetsatleast3ofthecriteriasetoutinTenn.CodeAnn.506242. 7   Mr.Neeleycannotreturntohisformeremploymentduetohismedicalrestrictions.Hehas  notransferrablejobskills.EventhoughheearnedhisG.E.D.whileinthearmy,hetestedatthe4th  gradereadinglevel.Thevocationalexperttestifiedthatincombininghistwoinjurieshehadlost  t accesstoessentially100%ofhisjobpool.  ]   Wefindthattheevidencedoesnotpreponderateagainstafindingof75%vocational  /  disabilityforlossofequilibriumcausedbytheheadinjuryandafindingof25%vocational }   disabilityforthecarpaltunnelsyndrome. f    ";"  ;0  2  IV  .3  0` (#(#  Whetherthedefendantsweredeprivedofafairtrialasaresultofthetrial 8  courtsapparentbiasagainstthemand/ortheirtrialattorney.;݌$ ` (#` (# Ќ    Thedefendantcitesseveralplacesinthetrialtranscriptinsupportofitsargumentthatthe  trialcourtwasbiasedagainstitordefendantscounsel.Whiledefendantstrialcounselwascross { examiningtheplaintiffondiscrepanciesaboutdoctorvisitsinhistestimony,thetrialcourttoldthe d plaintiff, Thatsallright.Itdoesnthelphercase.Shecanbeasargumentativeasshewants.Shes M turningthejudgeoff.Whendefensecounselcontinuedthesamelineofquestioning,thetrialcourt 6 stated You[defensecounsel]obviouslyknowofaJunedate,butyourehidingitfromme.Sohide  it.Seewhereitgetsyou. m   Whendefensecounselobjectedtothecourtsrequesttomaketheplaintiffsmedical ? summaryinhistrialnotebookanexhibitthetrialcourtrespondedasfollows: ( 8  Well,takealookatthem,becauseyourcaseisntwellpreparedanditsamishmash  tome.Now,ifyouwant,IwontputtheminandIlljustassumethatallthethings ~ hesaysaretrue.Imtryingtoseejustaboutthedoctorsvisits.Youvejumped g fromonetotheothertobackandforth,anditisdifficult.Butnevermind.They P wontbeanexhibit.JustgivethembacktoMr.Dughman.Thatsfine.Illjust  9 makesomeassumptionsonmyown.!"      Partieswhochallengeajudgesimpartialitymustcomeforwardwithsomeevidencethat Y#" wouldpromptareasonable,disinterestedpersontobelievethatthejudgesimpartialitymight B$# reasonablybequestioned.Davisv.TennesseeDept.ofEmploymentSecurity,23S.W.3d304,313 +% $ (Tenn.Ct.App1999). &!%   4pwo5  ?  S?`  N  6BhOS.W.  7icV4qic5  N  65hOS.W.  7icI4ric5  N  6ؑhOS.W.  7ic4tic5  N  6~hOS.W.  7icjX XXXW?`݌̌  S#XWX XjX!#  Recusalmotionsmustbefiledpromptlyafterthefactsformingthebasisforthemotion :(#' becameknownandthefailuretoseekrecusalinatimelymannerresultsinawaiverofapartys #)$( righttoquestionajudgesimpartiality.Id.(citationsomitted).  *%) Ѐ *&*   Whilewefindthejudgesremarksinthistrialtobedisconcertingandat_times +y'+ inappropriate,theissueofapparentbiasonthepartofthetrialjudgewasnotraisedinthelower e courtandisthereforewaived. N ";"  ;>0  2  V  .3  0` (#(#  Whetherthetrialcourterredinexcludingthetestimonyofthedefendant   investigatorandcertainvideosurveillancetapes.;>k݌ ` (#` (# Ќ    OnAugust27,2001,plaintiffscounselsubmittedinterrogatoriesandrequestsfor  v productionofdocumentswhichincludedquestionsastowhetherthedefendanthademployed  _ investigatorsandtheexistenceofvideosurveillance.Theinterrogatoriesalsocontaineda  H requestthatthedefendantprovidesupplementaryanswersshoulditreceiveanynewinformation  1  requestedinthediscoverymaterials.      OnNovember5,2001,defendantansweredthisportionofthediscoveryrequestby Q  indicatingitwasprivilegedinformationprotectedfromdiscovery.Thedefendanthadengageda :  privatedetectiveandconductedvideotapedsurveillanceofMr.NeeleyasearlyasMarch13, #  2001,andextendingupuntilMarch5,2002.Thedefendantdidnotnotifyplaintiffscounselof    thevideotapesortheprivateinvestigatoruntilMarch6,2002,whichwas13dayspriortotrial.  OnMarch15,2002,plaintiffscounselfiledamotionin_limine_Ԁtoexcludethevideotapesand y testimonyfromtheprivateinvestigator. b   ThetrialcourtruledthatthevideotapesofMr.NeeleytakenonMarch25,2002,andthe 4 privateinvestigatorstestimonyforthattimeperiodwereadmissiblebecausedefensecounsel  hadcompliedwiththelocalrulerequiring10daysnoticebeforetrial.Thetrialcourtruledthat k anyearliertapesandtestimonyfromthattimeperiodwereinadmissablebecausetheywerenot T disclosedduringthediscoveryprocess. =   Whenawitnessidentityisnotrevealedduringdiscovery,thetrialcourthasbroad  discretionastohowtoproceed._Pettus_Ԁv._Hurst_,882S.W.2d783,787(_Tenn.Ct.App_.1993).  Thetrialcourtmaypermitthetestimony,ormayexcludethetestimony,ormaygranta | continuancetoallowopposingcounseltimeforpreparation.AirlineConstruction,Inc.v.Barr, e 263(_Tenn.Ct.App_.1990)(citing_Strickland_Ԁv._Strickland_,618S.W.2d496,50001(_Tenn.Ct.App_. N 1981)).Wefindnoerroronthepartofthetrialcourtonthisissue.  7   CONCLUSION *:&* v +#'+   Thejudgmentofthetrialcourtisaffirmed.CostsaretaxedtoSouthernTankLeasing e Company. N    7      ̀   h ___________________________________  v    `     h JAMESL._WEATHERFORD_,_SR.J._  _   N  N  N  N   `        _yXXW  @@7 7 INTHESUPREMECOURTOFTENNESSEE e SPECIALWORKERSCOMPENSATIONAPPEALSPANEL v #XWXy#yXXWLARRYNEELEYv.SOUTHERNTANKLEASINGCOMPANY,etal.#XWXy#  @@CircuitCourtforDavidsonCounty }  @@No.01C702 g  @@*AV) ` dE<$` A %  No.M200201526_WC_ԄR3CVFiledNovember17,2003   AV) ` dE<` A       yXXW#XWXy #  JUDGMENTyXXW#XWXy# Z   yXXW#XWXy#yXXW#XWXy4#oX XXXW  ThiscaseisbeforetheCourtupontheentirerecord,includingtheorderofreferralto . theSpecialWorkersCompensationAppealsPanel,andthePanelsMemorandumOpinion } settingforthitsfindingsoffactandconclusionsoflaw,whichareincorporatedhereinby g reference. Q   Whereupon,itappearstotheCourtthattheMemorandumOpinionofthePanelshould % beacceptedandapproved;and    Itis,therefore,orderedthatthePanelsfindingsoffactandconclusionsoflaware ~ adoptedandaffirmed,andthedecisionofthePanelismadethejudgmentoftheCourt. h   CostswillbepaidbyAppellant,SouthernTankLeasingCompany,forwhichexecution < mayissueifnecessary.  &    ITISSOORDERED. _""    `     h     PER_CURIAM_ &!&   #XWX XoXv#