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A.r'L U12345678910H A.(*EGMSY_ekqAutoList10A.A.A.A.A.A.A.A./A.(:EGMSY_ekqAutoList11A.A.A.A.A.A.A.A.1A.(JEGMSY_ekqAutoList12A.A.A.A.A.A.A.A.3A.(ZEGMSY_ekqAutoList13A.A.A.A.A.A.A.A.5A.(jEGMSY_ekqAutoList14A.A.A.A.A.A.A.A.7A.(zEGMSY_ekqAutoList15A.A.A.A.A.A.A.A.9A.(EGMSY_ekqAutoList16A.A.A.A.A.A.A.A.;A.(EGMSY_ekqAutoList17A.A.A.A.A.A.A.A.=A.(EGMSY_ekqAutoList18A.A.A.A.A.A.A.A.?A.(EGMSY_ekqAutoList19A.A.A.A.A.A.A.A.AA.(jEGMSY_ekqAutoList20A.A.A.A.A.A.A.A.CA.(zEGMSY_ekqAutoList21A.A.A.A.A.A.A.A.EA.(EGMSY_ekqAutoList22A.A.A.A.A.A.A.A.GA.(EGMSY_ekqAutoList23A.A.A.A.A.A.A.A.IA.(EGMSY_ekqAutoList24A.A.A.A.A.A.A.A.KA.(EGMSY_ekqAutoList25A.A.A.A.A.A.A.A.MA.(EGMSY_ekqAutoList26A.A.A.A.A.A.A.A.OA.(EGMSY_ekqAutoList27A.A.A.A.A.A.A.A.QA.(EGMSY_ekqAutoList28a.a.a.a.a.a.a.a.Sa.)EGMSY_ekqAutoList29A.A.A.A.A.A.A.A.UA.)EGMSY_ekqAutoList30A.A.A.A.A.A.A.A.WA.((3$ !      0  (#$  0  (3$ !   d,cAZ"Arial Regular,cAZ"Arial Regular   e bcdefC<<CLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(3$ !  (3$ !  ($$   1  ]]]])!dxdx , c"  _iXcXXXi3?XiXc   Ad FILEDiXcXi3?  December30,1999Cecil_Crowson_,Jr.AppellateCourtClerkdAx ,cAZ"Arial Regular f c"USUS.,  _oXmXXXo XoXm   Ad FILEDoXmX o  December30,1999  Cecil_Crowson_,Jr. xx AppellateCourtClerkdA Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5,cAZ"Arial Regular !  _% - TR[A' Legal3'A' Legal3'T XXvahf@0,j:`  `@E` 8ttxP  v@  INTHESUPREMEOFTENNESSEE  @'ATNASHVILLE % # LISAJOPHILLIPS%#@-} p % $ WARRENGeneralSessions%$  \ @-} p No.Below% % 6565%%l  n  ` Plaintiff/Appellee0 h 0h(#h(#0(#(#}0 (#(# @-} p Hon.% & BarryMedley%&: B  vs.@-H-} T  @-}@-} p No.% ' M199800206_WC_ԄR3CV%' x  % ( MORTONSHORTICULTURAL%(X@-}   PRODUCTS,INC.0 h 0h(#h(#0(#(#}(#(# @-} ` Defendant/Appell% ) ant%)K@-} p % * REVERSEDandDISMISSED%*  @&JUDGMENTORDER F  ` ThiscaseisbeforetheCourtupontheentirerecord,includingthe ,| orderofreferraltotheSpecialWorkersCompensationAppealsPanel,andthePanelsMemorandumOpinionsettingforthitsfindingsoffactandconclusionsoflaw,whichareincorporatedhereinbyreference. ` Whereupon,itappearstotheCourtthattheMemorandumOpinionofthePanelshouldbeacceptedandapproved;and ` Itis,therefore,orderedthatthePanelsfindingsoffactandconclusionsoflawareadoptedandaffirmed,andthedecisionofthePanelismadethejudgmentoftheCourt. ` Costswillbepaidby% + plaintiff/appellee,LisaJoPhillips%+ ,forwhichexecutionmayissueifnecessary. ` ITISSOORDEREDon% , December30,1999%,M . `     h      p PER_CURIAM_ 5,1.   8P30 _X8^c^XXdXXd8_    р@ D INTHESUPREMECOURTOFTENNESSEE  @ DSPECIALWORKERSCOMPENSATIONAPPEALSPANEL ( @)DATNASHVILLE < @!D(September23,1999Session)  P __LISAJOPHILLIPS,@DD/D p )  d  @DD/D p )  x   ` Plaintiff/Appellee, @DD/D p )   WARRENCOUNTY   X@/ p )   GENERALSESSIONS   COURT    h      p         v. @/ p )  NO.6565GSWC   ____@/ p )      x  & __MORTONSHORTICULTURAL@/ p )  NO.01S019810GS00181  4 X xajfB2.jz6`  `@EV` 8ttxP xPRODUCTS,INC., @DD/D p )    H  __ `     h      p )0  HON.BARRYMEDLEY  \%%  ` Defendant/Appellant.#_}| #_}@DD/D p )  p __ ` @DD/D p ) .~  `     h      p ) <  FORTHEAPPELLANT:      p   FORTHEAPPELLEE: f NICOLEB.CLAYTON     p   FRANKFARRAR,ESQ.   FREDC.STATUM,III h      p WILLIAMJOSEPHBUTLER !  Manier&Herrod   h      p Farrar&Holliman " 150FourthAvenueNorth,Suite2200 p P.O.Box280 # Nashville,Tennessee372192494 p   Lafayette,Tennessee37083 $"   `     h      p  `     h      p  `     h      p @D MEMORANDUMOPINION z1,* @33'DMembersofPanel: 3., @!D JusticeAdolphoA.Birch,Jr. x  51. @ff"DSeniorJudgeF.LloydTatum 6(2/ @!DSpecialJudgeCarolL.McCoy 7630  ;`63 Ї REVERSEDANDDISMISSED * F.LLOYDTATUM,SENIORJUDGE #_}V#^}   R `F@VV,D OPINION   #^}#_}   ` ThisworkerscompensationappealwasreferredtotheSpecial ( WorkersCompensationAppealsPaneloftheSupremeCourtpursuantto D TennesseeCodeAnnotated506225(e)(3)forhearingandreportingtothe  ` SupremeCourtoffindingsoffactandconclusionsoflaw.#_}Ħ#^}  , |  ` Thisisanappealbytheemployer,MortonsHorticulturalProducts,Inc., H  fromajudgmentoftheGeneralSessionsCourtofWarrenCountyinfavorof d  theplaintiff,findingthat,duetoaworkrelatedneckinjury,shehad60percent  permanentpartialdisabilitytothebodyasawhole.Onthisappeal,the  defendantpresentssixissues:   (503"3"  325  1  .3  0 `   ThetrialjudgeerredindeterminingthatAppelleesatisfiedthenotice $ requirementsofTennesseeCodeAnnotated506201soastoentitle 2 hertoreceiveworkerscompensationbenefitsunderthestatute.3݌@` %` % Ќ  "3"  3 25  2  .3  0 `   ThetrialjudgeerredindeterminingthatAppelleesconditionwas  \ causallyrelatedtotheallegedinjurysustainedonoraroundMay8, j 1997,ortoheremploymentatMortonsHorticulturalProducts,Inc.3 ݌( x` %` % Ќ  "3"  3w"25  3  .3  0 `   ThetrialjudgeerredindeterminingthatAppelleepresentedsufficient D" medicaltestimonytosustainherburdenofprovingpermanencyand R# causationofthisallegedworkrelatedinjury.3w""݌`$` %` % Ќ  "3"  3!$25  4  .3  0 `   ThetrialjudgeerredindeterminingthatAppelleeretainsa60percent |&!  permanentpartialdisabilityasaresultofherallegedinjuryonorabout '"! May8,1977.3!$N$݌(#"` %` % Ќ  "3"  3%25  5  .3  0 `   ThetrialjudgeerredinaccreditingtheopinionofAppellees *&$ independentmedicalevaluationphysiciansovertheopinionsoftreating +'% doctors,inlightoftheconflictingandsubstantialevidencetothe , (& contrary.3%%݌-.)'` %` % Ќ  "3"  3'25  6  .3  0 `   Inthealternative,ifAppelleeisdeemedtohavesustainedawork /J+) relatedinjury,thetrialjudgeerredinnotapplyingTennesseeCode 1X,* Annotated506241(a)(1)andthetwoandonehalftimescap.3''݌2f-+` %` % Ќ   ` Thestandardofreviewoffactualissuesinworkerscompensation 24/- casesisdenovoupontherecordofthetrialcourtwithapresumptionof N61/ correctness,unlessthepreponderanceoftheevidenceisotherwise.Tenn. j831 CodeAnn.506225(e)(2);Hensonv.Lawrenceburg,851S.W.2d809,812  (Tenn.1993).Underthisstandard,wearerequiredtoconductanindepth  examinationofthetrialcourtsfindingsoffactandconclusionsoflawto 8 determinewherethepreponderanceoftheevidencelies.SeeThomasv.  T AetnaLifeandCasualtyCo.,812S.W.2d278,282(Tenn.1991);Kingv.  p JonesTruckLines,814S.W.2d23,25(1991).Inmakingsucha <  determination,thiscourtmustgiveconsiderabledeferencetothetrialjudges X  findingsregardingtheweightandcredibilityofanyoraltestimonyreceived. t Townsendv.State,826S.W.2d434,437(Tenn.1992).Anappellatecourt  isaswellsituatedtogaugetheweight,worthandsignificanceofdeposition  testimonyasthetrialjudge.Seiberv.GreenbriarIndustries,Inc.,906S.W.2d  444,446(Tenn.1995). 4  ` Theplaintiffinaworkerscompensationsuithastheburdenofproving P everyelementofthecasebyapreponderanceoftheevidence.Talleyv.  l VirginiaIns.Reciprocal,775S.W.2d587,591(Tenn.1989).Compensable 8" injuriesarethosecausedby accidentarisingoutofandinthecourseof T$ employment.Tenn.CodeAnn.506102(a)(4).Thephrase inthecourse p&!  ofreferstotimeandplaceand arisingoutoftocauseororigin.Aninjury (#" byaccidenttoanemployeeis inthecourseofemploymentifitoccurred *%$ whilehewasperformingadutyhewasemployedtodoandinjury arisingout ,(& ofemploymentiscausedbyahazardincidenttosuchemployment.Billv. .0*( KelsoOilCo.,597S.W.2d731,734(Tenn.1980). 0L,*  ` Wefirstaddressissuetwo,threeandfour,whichareinterrelatedand 3h., requireustodeterminewhethertheplaintiffsconditionwascausedbyan 450. accidentarisingoutofandinthecourseofheremployment. P720  ` TheplaintiffbeganworkingforMortonsHorticulturalProducts,Inc.in l942 `F `e `  March,1997.ItisplaintiffstheorythatonoraboutMay7,1997,whileworking e forthedefendants,sheandacoworker,LisaSchackle(Sullivan),were  loadingandunloadingseveraltrucksoffernswhenshefeltaseverepainin 8 herneck.Shetestifiedthatshewokethenextmorningwithpaininherneck  T andarms.Itisthedefendantstheorythatthepreponderanceoftheevidence  p didnotsupportthetrialjudgesfindingsinplaintiffsfavor.Thedefendant   statesthatitisequallyormorethanlikelythattheplaintiffsinjuryoccurred    fromanincidentthenightbeforesheawokewitha crickinherneck.During ) thisincident,theplaintiffallegedlyreceivedawhiplashtypeinjuryona E personalmissionwhileavoidingatruck. a @)D LAYEVIDENCE  }  ` Theplaintiff,LisaPhillips,testifiedthatshewas37yearsoldatthetime @ oftrialwithan11thgradeeducation,aGEDdegree,andsomeuncompleted \ trainingatMotlowState.TheplaintifftestifiedattrialthatinMay,1997,she x wasinjuredatwork.Shedescribedtheincidentasfollows: !  (80 ! !";"  ;:0 ` 2  A  .3  0 ` %` %  Theweekpriortothe9th,meandLisahadbeenloadingand $ unloadingseveraltrucksofferns.Andtheyhadthehanging #%  basketthingonthem.AndwhenIpickedthemup,Ifeltabad 1&!  strain,youknow,justsomethingIdneverfeltbeforeinmylifeas ?'"! Ipickedthemup.Anditcontinuedtogetworse.AndIaskedMr. M(#" Mortonifhecouldputmedoingsomethinglighterthatitwas [)$# reallyhurtingmyneck.;: ;݌i*&$ % % Ќ  : (88! !"3"   ` 3>2  Q  .3  0   Andwhatis itwashurtingyourneck?3>>݌, (& % % Ќ   ` >";"  ;?0 ` 2  A  .3  0 ` %` %  Thecarryingtheheavyobjects.Liftingtreesandflats.;?@݌.<*( % % Ќ   (88! ! ` @xx-D*** 0X,*  (ʽ88! !"3"   ` 3jB2ʽ  Q  .3  0   Didyoucontinuetoworkthatday,therestoftheday,the7th?3jBB݌2t., % % Ќ   ` ";"  ;C0 ` 2ʽ  A  .3  0 ` %` %  OnedayIwokeupandIcouldntmove,butthatwas!Ididntgo 40. toworkbecauseIwashurtingsobad.Ithinkthatmighthave 61/ beenthe6th,7th.Iwenttoworkthe8th,andtoldhimthatIwas 720 hurtingreallybadandthatIcouldntdoanyliftingthatday.And 831 thatwasthe8th,Ithink.;CC݌-942 % % Ќ   (ڽ88! ! ` Q.0 DidyouindicateanythingtoMr.Mortonwhenyoucameintowork s thatday!letmedropback.Themorningthatyouwokeup,what  hadyoubeendoingthedaybefore!  * % % ";"  ;G0 ` 2ڽ  A  .3  0 ` %` %  Hangingallthembaskets.;GG݌ F % % Ќ   (88! !"3"   ` 3UI2  Q  .3  0   !themorningyouwokeupwithneckproblems?3UII݌ b % % Ќ   ` ";"  ;gJ0 ` 2  A  .3  0 ` %` %  Hangingtheferns,themhangingferns.;gJJ݌ ~  % % Ќ   (88! !"3"   ` 3 L2  Q  .3  0   Okay.Anydifficultiesoranyproblemsatallbeforethattime?3 LFL݌  % % Ќ   ` ";"  ;/M0 ` 2  A  .3  0 ` %` %  No,Iworked.;/M\M݌  % % Ќ   ` Theplaintifftestifiedthatthedaythatshehadthe crickinherneck, 7 shewenttoworkandtoldMr.Morton,thepresidentofhercompany,on S severaloccasions,thattheheavyliftingwashurtingherneck.Sherequested o  thathegiveherlighterwork,butMr.Mortondeclinedtodoso.Shetestified & thatshedidnotknowwhatwaswrongwithherneck. B  ` ApparentlyonMay9,1997,shewenttotheemergencyroomandsaw ^ Dr.Goldberg.Shetestifiedthatsheinformedtheemergencyroomthatshe  z hadabadstrainwhileliftingferns.DoctorGoldbergreleasedherfromwork " aftershetoldhimthatshedidheavyliftinginherjob.Shetestifiedthatshe %  wastoldattheemergencyroomthatshehada strainedneckandthatDr. 3'"! Morganlatersaidthatshehadawhiplash. O)$#  ` TheplaintifffurthertestifiedthatonJune17,1997,shequitworkingfive k+'% minutesearlybecauseofseverepain.Twofellowemployeeshelpedher -")' duringthatday.ShesawLisaChiltonatthattime,whowasapparentlyan />+) officeemployeeandsisterofMr.Morton.TheplaintifftoldLisaChiltonthat 1Z-+ shecouldnotdotheheavywork,whereuponMs.Chiltonwrotea 3v/- memorandumsaying LisaPhillipsisnolongerabletoworkforusduetoher 51/ inabilitytolift.Thelastdayofwork,6/17/97. 831  ` Aspreviouslystated,theplaintiffsawDr.MorganandthensawDr. /:53 Hildabrand.ShealsosawDr.McCombs,Dr.Gaw,andDr.Lytle.She e admittedthatonJuly30,1997,shegaveastatementtotheeffectthat this  wholethingstartedandthesymptomswerewhenshe wokeuponemorning 8 anditfeltlikeIhadacrickinmyneck.  T  ` TheplaintiffdeniedtellingLisa_Chilton_Ԁthatherinjurywasnotjob  p related.Shealsodeniedthatshetoldwitnessesthatsheinjuredherneckto   avoidatruckinfrontofherwhenshetookhermothertoNashville.She    statedthatshedidnotslamonherbrakesordoanythingthatwouldcause ) awhiplashinjuryandthatshewaswithherbrotherandBillRobertsandnot E hermotherwhenthisincidentoccurred.Shetestifiedthatshetookher a mothertoNashvilleinMarch,1997,whenshewasworkingatCaptainDs. } Shetestifiedthatwhenthedoctormarkedonaformthattheinjurywas job 4 relatedwasthefirstthatsheknewthatitwasjobrelated.Dr.Morgan P performedanMRIathermothersinsistence. l  ` BettyAnnRay,plaintiffsmother,whowasalicensedpracticalnurse, ! testifiedthattheplaintifftookherandherhusbandtoNashvilleinMarch,  $ 1997,whenplaintiffwasworkingatCaptainDs.Therewasnounusual %&!  occurrencewithdrivingonthisoccasion.Shetestifiedthattheplaintiffalso A(#" tookhersontoGallatinsometimeinJanuary,1997,whentheplaintifftoldher ]*%$ ofadrivingincidentinvolvingatruckinfrontofher. y,(&  ` Mrs.RaytestifiedthatbeforetheplaintiffsawDr.Morganbutafterthe .0*( timethatshehadthe crickinherneck,shefelttheplaintiffsneckand 0L,* noticedamusclespasm.Theplaintiffsneck,arms,andbackgrew 2h., progressivelyworseovertime. 40.  ` LisaDawnSchackletestifiedthatsheworkedwiththeplaintiffat 720 Mortonsandthattheycarriedheavypotsintheiremployment.Shetestified !942 thattheplaintiffhadnocomplaintsofpainorinjurybeforeMay7,1997.On e May7,theirworkrequiredthemtogotothegreenhouse,putfernsontrucks,  movethem,andhangthemup.Theplaintiffmadenocomplaintsthatday. 8 Thenextday,May8,1997,theplaintiff couldntmoveherneck.The  T witnessandanotheremployeedidtheheavyworkonthatday.Thewitness  p heardtheplaintifftellTonyMortononMay8,1997,andseveralsubsequent   occasionsthattheworkwashurtingherneck.Thenextday,May9,1997,the    plaintiffwenttotheemergencyroom. )  ` Thewitnessdidnottestifythattheplaintiffevercomplainedofpainor E aworkrelatedinjurybeforethemorningsheawokewiththe crickinher a neck.Thewitnesstestifiedthattheplaintifftoldherthatshehadbeen } informedbyherdoctorthatshehadawhiplashinjuryandtheycouldonly 4 relateawhiplashinjurytoanincidentwhentheplaintiffhadtoswervearound P atruck. l  ` AnnMorton,secretaryatMortonsandwifeofTonyMorton,testifiedthat ! theplaintifftoldherthatshewascomingbackfromNashvillewithhermother  $ whenatruckinfrontofherjackknifed,forcinghertoswerveofftheinterstate %&!  intothemedian.Shetestifiedthattheplaintifftoldherthisoccurredtheday A(#" beforeshecametoworkwithastiffneckinMay,1997.Shetestifiedthatthe ]*%$ plaintifftoldherthatherneck poppedwhenshewasavoidingthetruck. y,(&  ` LisaChiltonisalicensedpracticalnurseandworksforMortons.She .0*( testifiedthattheplaintiffcametoherandaskedheropinionasanLPNabout 0L,* receivingtreatmentforherneck.Shehadnotbeentoadoctoratthistime. 2h., Thewitnesstestifiedthatshedidnotrememberthedetailsbutthatthe 40. plaintifftoldhersomethingabouttheplaintiffsmotherandaNashvilletrip 720 whenabigtruckcausedhertohavetoswerve.Sherecalledthattheplaintiff !942 mentioned whiplash. e  ` Thewitnesstestifiedthattheplaintiffsboyfriendcametoherwitha  documentsignedbytheplaintiffsphysician,Dr.Morgan.Thedocumentwas 8 datedJuly8,1997.Itstatedthattheplaintiffsinjurywas workrelated.This  T isthefirstthatthewitnesshadheardabouttheinjurybeingworkrelated.The  p witnesstestifiedthatshethenreceivedatelephonecallfromtheplaintiff   concerningthedocumentsignedbythedoctor.Thewitnesstestifiedthatthe    plaintifftoldherthatshewassorryaboutthisandthatshedidnottellthe ) doctorthatherinjurywasworkrelated.Thewitnesstestifiedthatupon E receivingthedocumentsignedbythedoctor,shegavetheworkers a compensationinsurancecarrieralloftheinformationthattheplaintifftoldher } aboutthenearaccidentwhensheavoidedthetruckonatrip.Theplaintiff 4 toldthewitnessthatthenextdayshecouldnotmoveherneck. P  ` EddieEldridge,anemployeeatMortons,testifiedthattheplaintifftold l himthatshewascomingbackfromNashvillewithhermotherwhenatruck ! pulledinfrontofher,causinghertojerkthewheel.Shecametoworkthe  $ nextdaywitha crickinherneck.Thewitnesscouldnotrememberthedate %&!  ofthisconversation. A(#"  ` DorothySwann,anemployeeatMortons,testifiedthattheplaintifftold ]*%$ herandEddieEldridgethatavehiclepulledinfrontofher realquickand y,(& plaintiffsaidthatshe turnedherbrakeson,assheunderstooditand .0*( rememberedit.Theplaintifftoldthewitnessthatshe jerkedherneck.The 0L,* witnessadvisedhertogotoadoctor. 2h.,  ` RobertPatton,anemployeeatMortons,testifiedthathesawthe 40. plaintiffonemorning,andshewas workingherneck.Whenthewitness 720 askedherwhatwaswrong, shesaidsomethingaboutsomebodycutting !942 themofforpullinginfrontoftheminNashville,shehadtostopsuddenly. e  ` TonyMorton,presidentofMortonsHorticulturalProducts,Inc.,testified  thathecametoworkonemorningandsawtheplaintiffandLisaSchackle. 8 Theplaintiffwasholdingherneckasifitwasstiffandtoldhimthatshehad  T hurtherneck.Mr.Mortontestifiedthatheaskedtheplaintiffifshehadhurt  p herneckatwork,andtheplaintifftoldhimno,thatshethoughtshehad   whiplash.Mr.Mortontestifiedthat shetoldmebrieflyabouttheincidentwith    thetruckandswerving,andherneckwentthiswayandthatway,andthats ) allIknow. E  ` BillRobertstestifiedthathewasengagedtomarrytheplaintiff.They a hadbeengoingtogetherforeightyearsandhadbeenlivingtogetherseven } andonehalfyears.BetweenFebruary20andMarch2,1997,thewitness, 4 theplaintiff,andtheplaintiffsbrotherwereinavehiclegoingtoGallatin. P Therewasatruckinfrontofthemthat hithisbrakes.Somethingwentonin l frontofhimandhehithisbrakesprettyquick.Andwehadachoiceofeither ! hithim,orgoaroundhim.Sowejustwentaroundhim.Hetestifiedthatthe  $ plaintiffsneckwasnotinjuredandthatshemadenocomplaintabouther %&!  neckuntilMay8,1997,whensheawokewithpaininherneck.Theplaintiff A(#" didnotknowwhatcausedthepain.AfterDr.Morgansaid whiplash,the ]*%$ coupledecidedthatthetruckincidentwastheclosesttoanaccidentthatthey y,(& hadexperienced. .0*( @'D MEDICALEVIDENCE  0L,*  ` Dr.CharlesMorgan,afamilypractitioner,testifiedbydepositionthathe 2t., sawtheplaintiffonMay20,1997.Shewascomplainingofneckpainand 40. statedthatthepainwascausedfromheavyliftingatwork.Thepainradiated 720 downherleftarm,accordingtoherhistory,andherneckwasstiff.Shehad -942 fullrangeofmotion.Dr.MorgantreatedherwithPrednisone.Hetestified e thathesawtheplaintiffagainonJune3,andshewasstillcomplainingofpain  inherneckandarms.HetreatedherwithNaproxenalongwithanarcoticfor 8 pain.Dr.MorganreferredhertoDr.HildabrandatVanderbiltOrthopedics.  T  ` Dr.Morganwasnotquestionedastohisdiagnosis,buthismedical  p noteswhichwereanexhibittohisdeposition,indicatedthathisdiagnosiswas   cervicalgia(painintheneck).Dr.Morganstatednoetiologyorcauseofthe    plaintiffspain. )  ` Thedoctorhadinhispossessionarecordfromtheemergencyroomof E RiverParkHospital,whichhehadreviewedinforminghisopinions.The a hospitalrecordwasdatedMay9,1997,andnotedthattheplaintiff states } doesheavyworkbutdoesntrememberinjury.Theemergencyroomrecord 4 alsonoted straininLshoulderanddownarmXtwowks.Althoughthe P etiologyoftheplaintiffsneckpainwasunknowntoDr.Morgan,heopinedthat l thework atleastexacerbatedherproblemandthatherwork mayhave ! beenthecause.Dr.Morgandidnotrelateanyspecificworkinjuryhistory  $ giventohimbytheplaintiff. %&!   ` Dr.AlanHildabrand,anorthopedicsurgeonwithaspecialtyinspine A(#" surgery,testifiedbydeposition.HesawtheplaintiffonJuly7,1997,upon ]*%$ referralbyDr.Morgan.Dr.Hildabrandtestifiedthathe specificallyaskedthe y,(& plaintiffifshehadanyspecificeventortraumaticaccidentandshedescribed .0*( onlyatwomonthhistoryofpaininherneckradiatingtotheshouldersand 0L,* botharms,whichpainstartedonemorningwhenshewokeupwithwhatshe 2h., describedasacrickinherneck.Shegavehimnohistoryofhurtingherself 40. thedaybeforeshehadthe crickbyliftingoranyotheractivityatworkor 720 elsewhere. !942  ` Uponexamination,Dr.Hildabrandfoundanabnormalreflexcalleda e Babinskireflex,whichindicatedeitherspinalcordcompressionoran  abnormalitysomewherewithinthebrainorbrainsstem.HereviewedanMRI 8 madebyDr.Morgan,whichwasofpoorquality,butfoundadiscbulgeatC5  T 6withnospinalcordornerverootcompression.Hisdiagnosiswas  p degenerativechangesintheplaintiffsneckatC56.Hetestifiedthatitdoes   nottakeanythingextremetobringonsymptomsfromanarthriticcondition    andthatpatientswillhavethisconditionalongtimebeforesymptoms ) develop.Theplaintiffstatedtothedoctorthatshedidheavyliftingatwork E andathome.Thefirsttimehesawher,shehadreducedrangeofmotion,but a thesecondtime,onSeptember8,1998,shehadnormalrangeofmotion. }  ` Whenaskedifhedisagreedwiththetwoorthopedicsurgeonswho 4 opinedthattheplaintiffhadworkrelatedinjuries,herespondedthathehad P readtheirrecordsbutreachedadifferentconclusionbecausetheplaintiffhad l giventheothertwodoctorsadifferenthistorythanthatshehadgiventohim. !  ` Dr.FranciscaV.G.Lytle,anorthopedicsurgeon,testifiedbydeposition,  $ thathefirstsawtheplaintiffonMay29,1998,attherequestoftheplaintiffs %&!  attorney.ThefullhistorythattheplaintiffgavetoDr.Lytleisstatedinhis A(#" officenote,whichisanexhibittohisdeposition: ]*%$ 0 ` 36YEAROLDWHITEFEMALEwithhistoryofinjuryonorabout y,(& 5/9/1997.Sinceaboutoneweekbeforethisdate,whiledoingalotof -")' strenuousliftingatworkshefirstfeltastrainintheneck;shepoints .0*( towardstheanterolateralaspectoftheneck,bothsidesequally />+) involved.Patientatthetimewasworkingforahorticultureshop. 0L,* Patientrequestedthatheremployerallowhertoworklightdutyonly, 1Z-+ i.e.noliftingbutthatwasdeclined.Nextthearmsstartedhurting,left 2h., worsethanrightandmostlyintheshoulderarea. Asiftheywere 3v/- comingoutofthesockets.Patientwenttotheemergencyroomin 40. McMinnvillebecauseshewokeupwithseverepainintheleftarmand 51/ painontheleftsideoftheneck.Patientdenieshearingorfeelingany 720 poppingbutdoesrecallagrindingfeelinginthebackoftheneck, 831 mostlywhilepickinguphangingbaskets,oneineachhands.Whenshe !942 lookeduptohangupthebasketsshefeltthegrindingfeelinginthe /:53 backoftheneck.Thegrindingsincethenhasremained,isnowworse.e` %` %  ` Dr.Lytlesdiagnosiswasasfollows:  0 ` Thispatienthasamildlossofrangeofmotionofthecervicalspine. 8 Mostsignificantfindingwasasuspectedcervicalradiculopathy,or  F otherwiseknownasapinchednerve.Inthiscasebecauseofabulging  T discatthelevelbetweenthe5thandthe6thcervicalvertebraetotheleft,  b asdocumentedbytheCTmyelogram. p` %` %  ` InDr.Lytlesopinionthe workinjurydescribedtohimbytheplaintiff   causedthe suspectedcervicalradiculopathy.     ` Dr.LytlenextsawtheplaintiffonJune12,1998,atwhichtimeshewas ) tenseanddepressed.Shehadmildswellingintheloweraspectoftheneck E butnomusclespasms.Thebicepstendonwassymmetrical,andtherewas a nosignificantchangefromherlastvisit.Hetestifiedthatwithregardtothe }  suspectedpinchednerve,theplaintiffhasprobablyreachedhermaximum 4 improvement.Hethoughtthattheancillarypainscouldbeimproved. P  ` Dr.S.M.Smith,anorthopedicsurgeon,testifiedfortheplaintiffby l depositionthathesawtheplaintiffonJune2,1998,attherequestofthe ! plaintiffsattorney.ShegaveDr.Smiththefollowinghistory:  $ 0 ` Examineeshistory:Thisexamineeisa35yearold,whitefemalewho %&!  wasemployedatMortonsHorticultural,Inc.whenshedeveloped 3'"! problemsinherneckandshoulders.Herjobrequiredalotofheavy A(#" liftingwhichcausedhertofeellikeher, neckandarmswerecoming O)$# outoftheirsockets.Shedidfrequentbendingover,liftingand ]*%$ reachinguptohangbasketsofplants.Shefeelsthatshestrainedher k+'% neckduetothis.Shestatesthatonorabout5897,shewokeupone y,(& morningandcouldntmoveherneckfromsidetosideandwasin -")' severepain.Shewenttotheemergencyroomonthisday..0*(` %` %  ` Dr.Smithtestifiedthatinadditiontoobtainingthehistoryfromthe 0L,* plaintiff,hereviewedthemedicalrecordsfromthefollowingdoctors:Dr. 2h., CharlesMorgan,Dr.AlanHildabrand,Dr.J.C.Gaw,Dr.PaulMcCombs, 40. RiverParkHospital,andNHCRehabilitation. 720  ` Dr.Smithfurthertestifiedasfollows: !942  ( 88 ! !"3"   ` 32   Q  .3  0   Doctor,onJune2of1998,didyou,again,toorwithina e reasonabledegreeofmedicalcertainty,formulateanopinionwith s regardtotheexistenceofpermanentimpairmentasitpertainsto  LisaPhillips?3݌* % % Ќ  ";"  ;0 ` 2   A  .3  0 ` %` %  Idid.;݌ F % % Ќ   /(*88 ! !"3"   ` 32*  Q  .3  0   Whatwasthatopinion?3R݌ b % % Ќ  ";"  ;0 ` 2*  A  .3  0 ` %` %  Theexamineescomplaintsofpainseemtooutweighherphysical  ~  findingsatthetimeofexamination.Wekeepcarryingherneck   througharangeofmotionpassively,Iwasabletoobtainmuch   moremotionthanmeasuredactively.Shestillcomplainedof    pain,butinpalpatingtheareasofpainduringthistimeIcouldfeel   nomusclespasmpresentinthisarea.Thedecreasedsensation ) intheglovetypedistributionthatshecomplainsofwouldbea 7 longglove,butasitinvolvestheentirehandandforearmand E conformstonodermatomalpattern.IdonotthinkthatIcangive S heranimpairmentbasedupondecreasedrangeofmotionwithin a areasonabledegreeofmedicalprobability.;2݌o  % % Ќ   1(:88/! !"3"   ` 32:  Q  .3  0   AccordingtotheAMAfourtheditionGuides,isthereanyother & waytoformulateorevaluateanindividualwithregardto 4 permanentimpairmentotherthanrangeofmotion?36݌B % % Ќ  ";"  ;0 ` 2:  A  .3  0 ` %` %  Thereis.;Ѩ݌^ % % Ќ   3(J881! !"3"   ` 3-2J  Q  .3  0   How?3-f݌ z % % Ќ  ";"  ;0 ` 2J  A  .3  0 ` %` %  WithDRE.;4݌" % % Ќ   5(Z883! !"3"   ` 32Z  Q  .3  0   DidyoudothatwithregardtoMs.Phillips?3ɬ݌%  % % Ќ  ";"  ;0 ` 2Z  A  .3  0 ` %` %  Idid.;݌3'"! % % Ќ   7(j885! !"3"   ` 32j  Q  .3  0   Didshequalifyforanypermanentimpairmentinaccordancewith O)$# thefourtheditionoftheAMAGuidesdiagnosticrelatedevaluation ]*%$ andpain?3Q݌k+'% % % Ќ  ";"  ;0 ` 2j  A  .3  0 ` %` %  Shedid.;ϰ݌-")' % % Ќ   9(z887! !"3"   ` 3*2z  Q  .3  0   Whatcategory?3*c݌/>+) % % Ќ  ";"  ;0 ` 2z  A  .3  0 ` %` %  CervicalThoracicCategoryII,minorimpairment.;;݌1Z-+ % % Ќ   ;(889! !"3"   ` 32  Q  .3  0   Howmuchisthat?3݌3v/- % % Ќ   ` ";"  ;0 ` 2  A  .3  0 ` %` %  Itsafive(5)percentpermanentpartialimpairmenttothewhole 51/ person.Thatstable73,page3/110.;޵݌720 % % Ќ   =(88;! !"3"   ` 32  Q  .3  0   Thankyou.Doctor,doyouhaveanopinionbasedupona !942 reasonabledegreeofmedicalcertaintyorprobabilityasto /:53 whethertheworkinjurydescribedtoyoubyMs.Phillipscaused e theinjuryyoudiagnosedandformulatedyouropinionwithregard s topermanentimpairmentupon?3݌ % % Ќ  ";"  ;0 ` 2  A  .3  0 ` %` %  Baseduponthehistoryshegaveme,yes.;݌8 % % Ќ   ?(88=! !"3"   ` 32  Q  .3  0   Hadsheobtainedorreachedmaximummedicalimprovementas  T ofthedatethatyousawher?Ifyoudonthaveanopinion,you  b donthaveanopinion.3˻݌ p % % Ќ  ";"  ;(0 ` 2  A  .3  0 ` %` %  Idontknowthatshehad.;(U݌  % % Ќ   ` Dr.Smithtestifiedthattherewasnoobjectiveevidenceoftheplaintiff   havingsustainedaninjuryandthatshehadnormaldegenerativechanges 7 whichcouldjusthaveaslikelybeenasymptomaticasinanyotherpatient.He S furthertestifiedthattheplaintiffwasnotacandidateforsurgeryand,before o  hewouldrecommendsurgery,hewould wanttoseesomeobjective & findings.Hefurthertestifiedasfollows: B  A(88?! !"3"   ` 32  Q  .3  0   Andthats,inyouropinion,allyoucanseeontheMRIisabulge, ^ andeverybodyprettymuchhasabulge?3M݌l % % Ќ  ";"  ;k0 ` 2  A  .3  0 ` %` %  Thatscorrect.;k݌! % % Ќ   C(j88A! !"3"   ` 32j  Q  .3  0   And,Doctor,yourconclusionforthat,Ms.Phillipscomplaints  $ weregreaterthananyobjectivefindings?36݌%  % % Ќ  ";"  ;S0 ` 2j  A  .3  0 ` %` %  Yes,thatstrue.;S݌3'"! % % Ќ   E(z88C! !"3"   ` 32z  Q  .3  0   And,Doctor,isittruethatyourexaminationdidnotverifyMs. O)$# Phillipscomplainttoyouthatshehadnostrengthinherarms?3 ݌]*%$ % % Ќ  ";"  ;U0 ` 2z  A  .3  0 ` %` %  Ifoundthatshehadnormalmusclefunctioninherarms,you y,(& know,soIdontknowhowtoexplainthat.;U݌-")' % % Ќ   G(88E! ! `  I(88G! !"3"   ` 32  Q  .3  0   Doctor,onyourexaminationofMs.Phillipsyoufoundher />+) complaintsofdecreasedsensationtofitwhatyoutermaglove 0L,* distributionratherthanfittingadermatomalpattern;isthat 1Z-+ correct?3:݌2h., % % Ќ   ` ";"  ;0 ` 2  A  .3  0 ` %` %  Thatscorrect.; ݌40. % % Ќ   K(88I! !"3"   ` 3q2  Q  .3  0   Doctor,wouldthattellyouthathercomplaintsofdecreased 720 sensationwerenotreliable,thatshewasbasicallycomplainingof 831 everythingbeingdecreased?3q݌!942 % % Ќ   /:53 ";"  ;0 ` 2  A  .3  0 ` %` %  ThatwaswhatIfelt.Itwouldbemoreaccuratetomeasfaras e givinghersometypeofimpairment,orasanobjectivefinding,if s thesensationdecreasedrelatedtoaspecificdermatome.;K݌ % % Ќ   O(88K! !"3"   ` 32  Q  .3  0   And,Doctor,youtestifiedthatMs.Phillipsdemonstratedmore 8 motionwhenyoutestedherpassively,whichmeantwhenyou  F actuallymovedherratherthanrelyinguponMs.Phillipstomove  T herself?3݌ b % % Ќ  ";"  ;W0 ` 2  A  .3  0 ` %` %  Thatiscorrect.;W݌ ~  % % Ќ   Q(88O! !"3"   ` 32  Q  .3  0   And,Doctor,canyouexplainthesignificanceoftherehaving   beennospasmwhenyouweremovingMs.Phillipsthroughthese    plains?3 ݌  % % Ќ  ";"  ;h0 ` 2  A  .3  0 ` %` %  Well,normallywhenyoumovesomebodysnecklikethatandyou 7 gettoapointthatitbeginstohurt,youcanfeelsomemuscle E spasminthemusclebecausethisisusuallywhatthesourceof S thepainis.;h݌a % % Ќ   U(88Q! !"3"   ` 32  Q  .3  0   Soyouwerefeelingnospasm,butshewascomplainingofpain?3*݌} % % Ќ  ";"  ;0 ` 2  A  .3  0 ` %` %  Thatscorrect.;2݌4 % % Ќ   W(88U! ! ` Dr.Smithtestifiedthathisprevioustestimonythattheplaintiffs P condition,permanentimpairment,andrestrictionswerecausallyrelatedtoa l workinjuryinMay,1997,wasbaseduponarelianceonwhattheplaintifftold ! him.Hetestifiedthattheplaintiffsconditioncouldhavebeencompatiblewith  $ othersourcesoftrauma,suchasawhiplashtypeinjury. %&!  @44*D CONCLUSION  A(#"  ` TheplaintiffstrialtestimonywasthatinearlyMay,1997,whilehanging i*&$ basketsoffernsshefelta badstrain,youknow,justsomethingIneverfelt , (& beforeinmylifeasIpickedthemup.ShetestifiedthatonoraboutMay8, .<*( 1997,sheawokewitha crickinherneck.Theevidenceisoverwhelming 0X,* thatshetoldapproximatelysixdisinterestedwitnessesthatherneckdifficulty 2t., wastheresultofanincidentthatoccurredthenightbeforeshehadthe crick, 40. whenshejerkedherneckwhileavoidingatruckdrivingonatriptoNashville. 720 ShedidnottellLisaDawnSchacklethatsheinjuredherneckwhilehanging -942 ferns,althoughsheworked shouldertoshoulderwithLisaSchackle.She e didnotcomplainofpaintoherboyfriendwithwhomshewasliving,toLisa  Schackle,oranyoneelseofpainpriortothemorningofthe crick. 8  ` Theplaintiffgavenohistoryofaspecificinjuryattheemergencyroom,  T toDr.Morgan,ortoDr.Hildabrand,althoughshedidstatethattheworkthat  p shewasdoinghurtherneck.ShetoldDr.Hildabrandthatherpainbegan   whensheawokewiththe crick.Therewasothersimilarevidenceofthis.     ` ItwasnotuntilMay29,1998,thatshegaveamedicalhistoryofa ) specificepisodetoDr.FranciscaV.G.Lytle,whenshetoldhimthatshehad E agrindingfeelinginherneckwhilehangingbaskets.OnJune2,1998,she a gaveDr.S.M.Smithahistoryoffeelingthather neckandarmswerecoming } outoftheirsocketswhilehangingbaskets.TheopinionsofDr.LytleandDr. 4 Smithwerebaseduponahistorythatwasgivenaboutoneyearafterthe P allegedinjuryoccurred. l  ` Afteracarefulreviewoftheentirerecordinthiscase,wefindthatthe ! plaintiffdidnotprovebyapreponderanceoftheevidencethatshewas  $ injuredbyaccidentgrowingoutofandinthecourseofheremploymentforthe %&!  defendant.Forthisreason,wefindthatissuestwo,threeandfourhave A(#" merit. ]*%$  ` Moreover,thediagnosticevidencepresentedbythedepositionsoffour y,(& doctorshavebeencarefullyreviewed.Dr.Morgansdiagnosiswassimply .0*(  neckpainwithnoetiology.Dr.Lytlesdiagnosiswasonlya suspected 0L,* pinchednerve.BothDr.HildabrandandDr.Smithopinedthattheplaintiff 2h., sufferedfromdegenerativearthriticchanges.Weaccreditthediagnosis 40. testimonyofDrs.HildabrandandSmithaswellasthemedicalevidencethat 720 extremetraumaisnotrequiredtobringonsymptomsfromdegenerative !942 changesandthata whiplashtypeinjurycouldcausesymptoms. e  ` Theevidenceisclearthattheplaintiffsworkactivityandactivityat  homecausedpain,buttheevidencedoesnotestablishthatherworkcaused 8 aconditionoraggravatedapreexistingconditionthatwastheetiologyofthe  T plaintiffsrelatedpain.  p  ` InBollingv.RaytheonCo.,223Tenn.528,448S.W.2d405,408(1969),   itwasstated:    0 ` Insubstance,whatwehavehereisanemployeewithadisablinginjury ) ordiseasenotrelatedtoemployment,buttheemploymentdoes 7 aggravatethedisablinginjuryordiseasebymakingthepainworse. E Thissituationdoesnotconstitutean accidentasthiswordisusedin S ourworkmenscompensationstatutes.a` %` %  ` InSweatv.SuperiorIndus.,Inc.,966S.W.2d31,32(Tenn.1998),the } followingruleisstated: 4 0 ` Thegeneralruleisthataggravationofapreexistingconditionmaybe P compensableundertheworkerscompensationlawofTennessee,but ^ itisnotcompensableifitresultsonlyinincreasedpainorother l symptomscausedbytheunderlyingcondition(citationsomitted).Ithas  z beenotherwisestatedthattobecompensable,thepreexistingcondition ! mustbe advanced(citationsomitted),ortheremustbean anatomical " changeinthepreexistingcondition(casesomitted),ortheemployment  $ mustcause anactualprogression8oftheunderlyingdisease. %  (citationomitted).%&! ` %` %  ` Thereisnoevidencethatduringtheperiodoftwomonthsorlesswhen A(#" theplaintiffworkedforthedefendant,herworkcausedananatomical ]*%$ advanceorchangeinherunderlyingcondition.Inhertestimony,shegave y,(& severalexamplesofactivitycausingpain,bothatworkandathome.The .0*( evidencepreponderatesagainstthetrialjudge'sfindingthattheplaintiffwas 0L,* injuredby accident. 2h.,  ` Itresultsthatissuestwo,threeandfouraresustainedforthese 40. additionalreasons.Thejudgmentofthetrialcourtisreversed,andthecase 720 isdismissed.Sinceissuestwo,threeandfouraredispositiveofthiscase,we !942 pretermittheremainingissues. e  ` Costsareadjudgedagainsttheplaintiff.  **%򀀀  p &%F.LLOYDTATUM,SENIORJUDGE  ~  CONCUR: ) 򀀀 o  ADOLPHOA.BIRCH,JR.,JUSTICE } 򀀀 ^ CAROLL.MCCOY,SPECIAL_JUDGE#^}^##XX#__XX_ p #XX#