ÿWPCÈ ÐŒúÄg3½µ¯8ç8 £%rdíRlöÒ´\ŒbEš9ЯŒ`d™ÛCEwCN4ŽÅ`|Ì h2o@XÎbº 8Ùî+FÔ[­’¸“C —’éñrï±”ìµÐ[×/()¬P }+r CÇú‚ëì†:Ú1ð`ï`§¨˜kEÓ9sþ°•³Ñî‘¢j§Ô±î?ÚI" ÝÐ+a~6?Â)Qg»ÄÛ„¶HîW4¼ ¦Žú[ÃïÝá_;"zðPÈf”R6&Z| }ɳÕâ.U<èƒ?hùm—ehò·Ä¼~üÚ©[‡¸|Kž¡(ß©“Ÿßc˜¿péeQ<ïçÕ)q*sCý`gŠ„85•nèN$³¼CóKîq+L´ç±hj€pqP| KÑé5›µË6Ö‘?¼mOˆí±’áÓ=z2ùîMh¦ò@ Œæ[ŒÝw6‘B?Ö#ã=ô›¢ù:²ˆ]<”ÜùêÙ:†GÂ…¶îíô®¿ôl5Ï?°Hƒø.óI˜S÷<íÜ?~r“‘粂qžP@&A1ñÔ´Õ8l¤Âgº\ü|Ov.”Ý\ùg46 “’¢=E×™G Cö”óf®‘tÏÃÿ}öR>·b#Á\ % ^ # 0ˆ/ UN· w 4 z Ò— i x mz ‘ Æ™ Æ_ Æ% Æë ±NÇÇÉEßNá zãÒ]U@/UNooooooooooooooooooob½½½½½½½½½½½½½½½½½½½½½½½½½½½½½½½½½½½½ 0ëÅÅÅÅ B °° 0¤Í D3q D-¤ 0KÑÑ ASÆo 0¤5 0DÙ A«˜HP LaserJet 8000 Series PSØÚØÚÚØØÚ0»d5)â (`£ª$¡¡Ñ€.ÑÑ8€½­»»d»»d8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  Ó(í€"  Z6Times New Roman Regularûr')˜CrtyBar€®  ˜C:\PROGRA~1\COREL\WORDPE~1\TEMPLATE\CUSTOM~1\REVISE~1.WPTC:\Program Files\Corel\WordPerfect Office 2000\Template\Custom WP Templates\revised standard opinion.wpt3|x ÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5‚Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5„Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5…Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5 Ñ G Ñ Ñ ° јC:\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(ÖÃ9 Z‹(Times New Roman (ÆúI Z‹6Times New Roman Regular- ù-(|G2î®$¤¤Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€OL»»d d 8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  ÚóóÔ€X'ÜX»»Ô d(|3Mý$££Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€OL»»d d 8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝVVVV'ÿÿdxd)!ÈÈÈÈdxdx( ±þ$’’ò òFigure€Ú  Ú1Ú  Úó ó^_X`YEþÿ<<CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(|3Mý$¢¢Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€OL»»d d 8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó óX[Z&OLE 2.0 Box <=8ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿCÿÿ HKKKKÝ ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€R»»d dÈ8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÔ€¼ˆZ»»»ÔÑ8€?XXdê»»d 8ÑÓ  ÓÔ  ÔÑ  ÑÑ€TÑÑ€OaÑà@@7 7 ìàIN€THE€SUPREME€COURT€OF€TENNESSEEÐ ° ÐSPECIAL€WORKERSðð€COMPENSATION€APPEALS€PANELÐ Â Ðà@@ƒƒìàAT€JACKSONÐ Ô$ Ð(€November€15,€1999€Session)Ð æ6 Ðò òÔ‡XÑ&X»¼ˆZÔó óÌò òÔ#†¼ˆZ»XXÑ&#ÔANTONIA€REGINA€ROSEòòóó€v.€EMERSON€MOTOR€COMPANYòòóóÔ‡XÑ&X»¼ˆZÔó óÐ ä 4 ÐÌà@@¼¼ìàò ò€Direct€Appeal€from€the€Chancery€Court€for€Gibson€CountyÐ ä 4 Ðà@@ôôìàNo.€H€4108€€€€€€€Ô#†¼ˆZ»XXÑ&˜#ÔÔ‡XÑ&X»¼ˆZÔGeorge€R.€Ellis,€ChancellorÐ Ð  ÐÌà@@ìì*ìàßA€V) °°` d€÷E<§` AßÐ ¨ø  ÐÌNo.€W1999„02705„SC„WCM„CV€„€Mailed€May€17,€2000;€Filed€September€20,€2000Ð £ó  ÐÌßA€V) °°` dE<z` AßÐ {Ë  Ðó óÌÓ  ÓÓ  ÓThis€is€an€appeal€by€the€defendant/employer.€€The€only€issue€presented€is€whether€the€evidenceÐ vÆ  Ðpreponderates€against€the€trial€court's€award€of€35%€permanent€partial€disability€to€each€of€theÐ b² Ðplaintiff's€arms.€€We€find€it€does€not€and€affirm€the€judgment€of€the€trial€court.Ð Nž ÐÓöÓÌò òTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€50„6„225(e)€(1999)€Appeal€as€of€Right;€Judgment€of€the€Chancery€CourtÐ &v Ðis€Affirmed.ó óÐ b ÐÌòòÓ  ÓStafford,€Sp.€J.Ô#†¼ˆZ»àXÑ&x#ÔÔ‡XÑ&X.¼ˆZÔóó,€delivered€the€opinion€of€the€court,€in€which€òòHolder,€J.,óó€joined€and€Ô_ÔTatumÔ_Ô,€Sr.€J.,Ð ê: Ðfiled€a€dissenting€opinion.Ð Ö& ÐÌP.€Allen€Phillips,€Jackson,€Tennessee,€for€the€appellant,€Emerson€Motor€Company.Ð ®þ ÐÌT.J.€Emison,€Jr.,€Alamo,€Tennessee,€for€the€appellee,€Antonia€Regina€Rose.Ð †Ö ÐÌÔ  ÔÓüÓÓ  Óò òMEMORANDUM€OPINIONó óÔ#†¼ˆZ»XXÑ&;#ÔÔ‡XÑ&X»¼ˆZÔÐ ^® ÐÌÓ  Óà  àThis€workerððs€compensation€appeal€has€been€referred€to€the€Special€Workersðð€CompensationÐ 6!†  ÐAppeals€Panel€of€the€Supreme€Court€in€accordance€with€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€50„6„225(e)€for€hearingÐ ""r! Ðand€reporting€to€the€Supreme€Court€of€findings€of€fact€and€conclusions€of€law.Ô#†¼ˆZ»XXÑ&E #ÔÔ‡XÑ&X»¼ˆZÔÐ #^" ÐÌà  àReview€of€the€findings€of€fact€made€by€the€trial€court€is€òòde€novoóó€upon€the€record,Ð æ$6 $ Ðaccompanied€by€a€presumption€of€the€correctness€of€the€findings,€unless€the€preponderance€of€theÐ Ò%"!% Ðevidence€is€otherwise.€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€50„6„225(e)(2);€òòStone€v.€City€of€Ô_ÔMcMinnvilleÔ_Ô,€óó896€S.W.2dÐ ¾&"& Ð548,€550€(Tenn.€1995).€€The€application€of€this€standard€requires€this€Court€to€weigh€in€more€depthÐ ª'ú"' Ðthe€factual€findings€and€conclusions€of€the€trial€court€in€a€workerððs€compensation€case.€€òòSeeÐ –(æ#( ÐCorcoran€v.€Foster€Auto€Ô_ÔGMCÔ_Ô,€Inc.óó,€746€S.W.2d€452,€456€(Tenn.€1988).€€Ô_ÔÔ_ÔHowever,€considerableÐ ‚)Ò$) Ðdeference€must€be€given€to€the€trial€judge,€who€has€seen€and€heard€witnesses,€especially€where€issuesÐ n*¾%* Ðof€credibility€and€weight€of€oral€testimony€are€involved.€€òòJones€v.€Hartford€Accident€&€Ô_ÔIndemÔ_Ô.€Co.,Ð Z+ª&+ Ðóó811€S.W.2d€516,€521€(Tenn.€1991).Ð F,–', ÐÐ 2-‚(-ý ÐÔ  ÔÔ#†¼ˆZ»XXÑ&í #ÔÔ‡XÑ&X»¼ˆZÔà@––&ìàò òòòI.€€Factsóóó óÔ#†¼ˆZ»XXÑ&è#ԈР° ÐÌà  àÔ€XÑ&X»¼ˆZÔThe€plaintiff€is€a€thirty„two„year„old€female.€€She€is€a€high€school€graduate€who€attendedÐ ªú Ðbeauty€school€and€Jackson€State€Community€College€for€one€and€one„half€years€each.€€She€is€aÐ –æ Ðcertified€nursing€assistant€and€has€additionally€worked€in€a€factory€and€as€a€fast€food€employee.Ð ‚Ò ÐÌà  àThe€plaintiff€began€her€employment€with€the€defendant€in€April€1994€as€a€"brush"€person.€Ð Z ª ÐThis€job€required€her€to€place€parts€in€a€machine€and€brush€them€with€sandpaper.€€In€June€1997,€theÐ F – Ðplaintiff€began€a€new€job€which€she€described€as€being€more€hand€intensive.€€Her€hands€subsequentlyÐ 2 ‚ Ðbegan€to€go€numb€and€tingle.€€After€reporting€this€to€the€plant€nurse,€she€was€seen€by€Dr.€Ô_ÔWoodallÔ_ÔÐ  n  Ðapproximately€seven€times€and€then€by€Dr.€Hugh€Glenn€Barnett.Ð  Z  ÐÌà  àTwo€nerve€conduction€studies€were€performed€on€the€plaintiff€which€revealed€that€she€wasÐ â2  Ðsuffering€from€carpal€tunnel€syndrome.€€She€received€injections€in€her€wrists,€was€prescribedÐ Î  Ðmedication€and€also€wore€braces.€€None€of€this€treatment€was€successful.€€She€was€subsequentlyÐ º  Ðplaced€on€lighter€duty€but€continued€to€experience€pain.Ð ¦ö  ÐÌà  àOn€January€9,€1998,€Dr.€Barnett€performed€surgery€on€the€plaintiff's€left€hand.€€On€June€18,Ð ~Î Ð1998,€he€performed€surgery€on€the€plaintiff's€right€hand.€€On€July€10,€1998,€Dr.€Barnett€released€theÐ jº Ðplaintiff€to€return€to€work.€€He€did€not€place€any€restrictions€on€her€other€than€to€state€that€"if€it€hurtÐ V¦ Ðto€try€not€to€do€it."Ð B’ Ðà  àÌà  àThe€plaintiff€returned€to€the€same€job€that€she€held€before€her€surgery.€€At€the€time€of€trial,Ð j Ðshe€testified€that€she€was€working€eight€hours€a€day,€six€days€a€week.€€She€has€not€bid€for€anotherÐ V Ðjob€because€she€currently€works€days€and€does€not€want€to€lose€her€shift.Ð òB ÐÌà  àAt€trial,€the€plaintiff€testified€that€she€continues€to€have€problems€with€both€hands€with€herÐ Ê Ðright€hand€being€worse€than€her€left€hand.€€Her€right€thumb€aches€and€her€fingers€tingle€and€go€numb.€Ð ¶ ÐHer€left€thumb€is€also€sore€and€the€fingers€on€her€left€hand€tingle€and€go€numb€as€well.€€She€€testifiedÐ ¢ò Ðthat€her€strength€and€gripping€ability€in€both€hands€is€not€as€good€now€as€it€was€before€the€injury.Ð ŽÞ ÐÌà  àThe€plaintiff€testified€that€the€injury€has€affected€the€way€in€which€she€performs€her€job.€€SheÐ f!¶ Ðis€required€to€lift€motors€that€weigh€between€five€and€ten€pounds€each.€€When€lifting€heavier€motors,Ð R"¢  Ðit€hurts€her€arms€and€shoulders.€€She€is€also€unable€to€work€as€fast€now€as€she€could€before€theÐ >#Ž! Ðinjury.Ð *$z" ÐÌà  àThe€plaintiff€has€difficulty€sweeping,€washing€dishes€and€vacuuming.€€She€also€has€difficultyÐ &R!$ Ðopening€jars,€buttoning€a€shirt€and€fixing€her€daughter's€hair.€€She€testified€that€she€has€problemsÐ î&>"% Ðholding€on€to€anything€tight€for€a€long€period€of€time.€€She€has€pain€in€her€fingers,€arms€and€handsÐ Ú'*#& Ðthat€she€did€not€have€before€the€injury.€€Because€of€the€pain,€she€takes€approximately€six€Aleve€perÐ Æ($' Ðday.Ð ²)%( Ðâ âÐ ž*î%) ÐÑTÑâ âÑG°Ñâ âÑ  Ñà  àDr.€Barnett€and€Dr.€Joseph€C.€Boals€testified€by€way€of€deposition.€€Dr.€Barnett€performedÐ ° Ðâ âthe€surgery€on€both€of€the€plaintiff's€arms.€€He€last€saw€the€plaintiff€on€September€23,€1998.€€At€thatÐ œì Ðtime,€he€testified€that€the€plaintiff€was€relatively€satisfied€with€the€surgeries€but€had€experienced€aÐ ˆØ Ðrecurrence€of€some€symptoms€in€her€right€hand€after€returning€to€work.€€He€found€no€obviousÐ tÄ Ðatrophy€and€believed€the€plaintiff€had€excellent€grip€strength.€€He€placed€no€restrictions€on€theÐ `° Ðplaintiff€other€than€"if€it€hurt€to€try€not€do€it."€€Dr.€Barnett€opined€that€the€plaintiff€had€suffered€a€5%Ð L œ Ðimpairment€to€each€arm€as€a€result€of€the€carpal€tunnel€syndrome€and€surgeries.Ð 8 ˆ ÐÌà  àDr.€Boals€evaluated€the€plaintiff€on€October€14,€1998.€€He€testified€that€his€examinationÐ  ` Ðrevealed€a€negative€Phalen's€test€bilaterally€and€an€average€grip€strength€of€48€pounds€bilaterally.€Ð ü L  ÐHe€also€stated€that€the€normal€grip€strength€for€a€person€in€the€plaintiff's€age€group€would€be€70Ð è 8  Ðpounds.€€He€diagnosed€the€plaintiff€as€suffering€from€residuals€from€bilateral€carpal€tunnel€release.€Ð Ô$  ÐHe€utilized€a€Jaymar€dynamometer€to€test€the€plaintiff's€grip€strength€and€opined€that€the€plaintiffÐ À  Ðhad€suffered€a€20%€impairment€to€each€arm.€€He€stated€that€the€plaintiff€should€avoid€work€requiringÐ ¬ü  Ðheavy€gripping€and€repetitive€use€of€her€hands€and€wrists.€€He€also€testified€that€this€impairment€wasÐ ˜è  Ðbased€solely€on€her€diminished€strength.Ð „Ô  ÐÌÔ  Ôà@ss$ìàòòò òII.€€ANALYSISó óóóˆÐ \¬ ÐÌà  àBoth€Dr.€Barnett€and€Dr.€Boals€testified€that€the€plaintiff€had€suffered€an€impairment€as€aÐ 0€ Ðresult€of€her€injury.€€Dr.€Barnett€opined€that€the€plaintiff€had€suffered€a€5%€impairment€bilaterallyÐ l Ðwhile€Dr.€Boals€believed€that€the€plaintiff€had€suffered€a€20%€impairment€bilaterally.Ð X ÐÌà  àWhen€medical€testimony€differs,€it€is€within€the€discretion€of€the€trial€judge€to€determineÐ à0 Ðwhich€expert€testimony€to€accept.€€òòÔ_ÔKellermanÔ_Ô€v.€Food€Lion,€Inc.óó,€929€S.W.2d€333,€335€(Tenn.€1996);Ð Ì ÐòòJohnson€v.€Midwesco,€Inc.óó,€801€S.W.2d€804€(Tenn.€1990).Ð ¸ Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àÐ ` x` x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð à"[Ô_ÔW]hereÔ_Ô€the€issues€involve€expert€medical€testimony€and€all€theÐ à Ðmedical€proof€is€contained€in€the€record€by€deposition,€as€it€is€in€thisÐ |Ì Ðcase,€then€this€Court€may€draw€its€own€conclusions€about€the€weightÐ h¸ Ðand€credibility€of€that€testimony,€since€we€are€in€the€same€position€asÐ T ¤ Ðthe€trial€judge€.€.€.€.€With€these€principles€in€mind,€we€review€theÐ @! Ðrecord€to€determine€whether€the€evidence€preponderates€against€theÐ ,"|  Ðfindings€of€the€trial€court."Ð#h!` x` x ÐòòÔ_ÔKrickÔ_Ô€v.€City€of€Lawrenceburgóó,€945€S.W.2d€709,€712€(Tenn.€1997);€see€also€òòÔ_ÔElmoreÔ_Ô€v.€Travelers€Ins.óó,Ð $T" Ð824€S.W.2d€541,€544€(Tenn.€1992)€(when€testimony€is€presented€by€deposition,€this€Court€is€in€justÐ ð$@ # Ðas€good€a€position€as€the€trial€court€to€judge€the€credibility€of€those€witnesses.)Ð Ü%,!$ ÐÌà  àThe€defendant€challenges€the€amount€of€vocational€disability€assessed€by€the€trial€court.€€TheÐ ´'#& Ðextent€of€an€injured€workerððs€disability€is€an€issue€of€fact.€€òòJaske€v.€Murray€Ohio€Mfg.€Co.,€óó750Ð  (ð#' ÐS.W.2d€150,€151€(1988).€€The€Supreme€Court€discussed€a€similar€injury€in€òòWalker€v.€Saturn€Corp.óó,Ð Œ)Ü$( Ð986€S.W.2d€204€(Tenn.€1998).€€€€In€òòWalker,óó€the€plaintiff€claimed€to€have€suffered€a€work„relatedÐ x*È%) Ðinjury€to€both€her€right€and€left€arms.€€She€€received€a€disability€rating€on€her€left€arm€from€medicalÐ d+´&* Ðproviders€but€did€not€receive€one€on€her€right€arm.€€Even€though€no€doctor€had€given€the€plaintiffÐ P, '+ Ða€disability€rating€to€her€right€arm,€the€trial€court€found€that€she€had€suffered€an€85%€vocationalÐ <-Œ(, ÐÑOaÑâ âѰGÑâ âÑ  Ñdisability€to€both€arms.€€The€Special€Workersðð€Compensation€Appeals€Panel€of€the€Supreme€CourtÐ ° Ðreversed€the€award.€€The€Panel€found€that€the€medical€testimony€did€not€support€an€award€ofÐ œì Ðpermanent€partial€disability€to€the€right€arm€and€modified€the€award€to€the€left€arm.Ð ˆØ ÐÌà  àThe€Supreme€Court€reversed€the€Panel€decision€and€reinstated€the€trial€courtððs€award€of€85%Ð `° Ðpermanent€partial€disability€to€both€arms.€€The€Court€stated€that:Ð L œ ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à"The€Panel€correctly€held€that€a€vocational€impairment€is€measuredÐ $ t Ðnot€by€whether€the€employee€can€return€to€her€former€job,€butÐ  ` Ðwhether€she€has€suffered€a€decrease€in€her€ability€to€earn€a€living.€€SeeÐ ü L  ÐòòCorcoranóó,€746€S.W.2d€at€458.€€This€Court€stated€in€òòCorcoranóó€that€aÐ è 8  Ðvocational€disability€results€when€ð ðthe€employeeððs€ability€to€earnÐ Ô$  Ðwages€in€any€form€of€employment€that€would€have€been€available€toÐ À  Ðhim€in€an€uninjured€condition€is€diminished€by€an€injury.€€Id.€at€459.Ьü ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àIn€assessing€the€extent€of€an€employeeððs€vocational€disability,€the€trialÐ „Ô  Ðcourt€may€consider€the€employeeððs€skills€and€training,€education,€age,Ð pÀ Ðlocal€job€opportunities,€anatomical€impairment€rating,€and€herÐ \¬ Ðcapacity€to€work€at€the€kinds€of€employment€available€in€her€disabledÐ H˜ Ðcondition.€€Further,€the€claimantððs€own€assessment€of€her€physicalÐ 4„ Ðcondition€and€resulting€disabilities€cannot€be€disregarded.€€The€trialÐ  p Ðcourt€is€not€bound€to€accept€physiciansðð€opinions€regarding€the€extentÐ  \ Ðof€the€plaintiffððs€disability,€but€should€consider€all€the€evidence,€bothÐ øH Ðexpert€and€lay€testimony,€to€decide€the€extent€of€an€employeeððsÐ ä4 Ðdisability."€€(Citations€omitted.)ÐÐ ` x` x ÐÌòòWalkeróó,€986€S.W.2d€at€207„08.Ð ¨ø ÐÌà  àBoth€doctors€agree€that€the€plaintiff€has€suffered€an€impairment€to€each€arm€as€a€result€of€theÐ €Ð Ðinjury.€€The€plaintiff€testified€regarding€the€impact€the€injury€has€had€on€her€life.€€Although€sheÐ l¼ Ðpreviously€worked€as€a€certified€nurse's€assistant,€she€testified€she€could€not€do€that€job€now€due€toÐ X ¨ Ðthe€lack€of€strength€in€her€arms.€€She€also€testified€that€she€continues€to€suffer€pain,€numbness€andÐ D!” Ðtingling€in€both€of€her€hands€and€shoulders.€€Because€of€the€injury,€she€now€has€difficulty€performingÐ 0"€  Ðmany€tasks€required€of€her€at€home.Ð #l! ÐÌà  àWe€find€that€the€trial€court€properly€applied€the€relevant€factors€in€determining€the€amountÐ ô$D # Ðof€vocational€disability€suffered€by€the€plaintiff.€We€are€to€presume€the€correctness€of€the€trial€courtððsÐ à%0!$ Ðfindings€unless€the€preponderance€of€the€evidence€is€otherwise.€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€50„6„225(e)(2);Ð Ì&"% ÐòòHumphrey€v.€Witherspoonóó,€734€S.W.2d€315€(1987).€€We€find€that€the€evidence€does€not€preponderateÐ ¸'#& Ðagainst€the€judgment€of€the€trial€court.Ð ¤(ô#' ÐÌà  àThe€judgment€of€the€trial€court€is€affirmed.€€The€costs€of€this€appeal€are€taxed€to€theÐ |*Ì%) Ðdefendant.Ð h+¸&* Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àÌÌÐ  ˆØ ÐÔ‡¼ˆZ»XXÑ&ÔÓ  Óà@@7 7 ìàIN€THE€SUPREME€COURT€OF€TENNESSEEÐ ° ÐSPECIAL€WORKERSðð€COMPENSATION€APPEALS€PANELÐ Â Ðà@@ƒƒìàAT€JACKSONÐ Ô$ Ð(November€15,€1999€Session)Ð æ6 ÐÔ#†XÑ&X»¼ˆZ?#ÔÌò òÔ‡¼ˆZ»XXÑ&ÔANTONIA€REGINA€ROSE€v.€EMERSON€MOTOR€COMPANYÔ#†XÑ&X»¼ˆZX@#Ôó óÐ ä 4 ÐÌà@@¼¼ìàò ò€Direct€Appeal€from€the€Chancery€Court€for€Gibson€CountyÐ ä 4 Ðà@@ôôìàNo.€H4108€€€€€€George€R.€Ellis,€ChancellorÐ Ð  ÐÌÌà@@ìì*ìàßA€V) °°` d€÷E<“` AßÐ ”ä  ÐÌNo.€W1999„02705„SC„WCM„CV€„€Mailed€May€17,€2000€Ð ß  ÐFiled€September€20,€2000€Ð {Ë  ÐÌßA€V) °°` dE<R` AßÐ S£ Ðó óÌÔ‡¼ˆZ»XXÑ&ÔÌòòÓ  ÓÔ#†XÑ&X.¼ˆZËB#ÔSenior€Judge€Tatumóó,€dissenting.Ð `° ÐÌà  àThis€is€an€appeal€by€the€defendant/employer€in€which€the€only€issue€presented€is€whether€theÐ 8ˆ Ðtrial€court€erred€in€awarding€35€percent€permanent€partial€disability€to€each€of€the€plaintiff's€arms.€Ð $t ÐIt€is€undisputed€that€the€plaintiff€suffered€bilateral€carpal€tunnel€syndrome€from€a€work€injury.€€IÐ ` Ðagree€that€the€plaintiff€has€a€permanent€injury€but€I€would€modify€the€award€to€20€percent€disabilityÐ üL Ðto€both€arms.Ð è8 ÐÌà  àI€agree€with€the€summary€in€the€majority€opinion€governing€the€standards€of€our€review.€€IÐ À Ðam€mindful€that€the€evidence€of€both€doctors€is€by€deposition€and€that€we€are€as€capable€ofÐ ¬ü Ðevaluating€this€evidence€as€the€trial€judge.€€From€the€entire€record,€I€am€convinced€that€the€evidenceÐ ˜è Ðpreponderates€against€the€finding€that€the€plaintiff€has€35€percent€permanent€disability€to€both€arms.€Ð „Ô ÐI€will€now€summarize€the€evidence.Ð p À ÐÌà  àThe€plaintiff€began€working€for€the€defendant€in€April,€1994,€as€a€ð ðbrush€person.ðð€€She€placesÐ H"˜! Ðparts€in€a€machine€and€then€brushes€them.€€It€is€necessary€for€her€to€lift€the€parts,€which€weigh€fromÐ 4#„" Ðfive€(5)€to€ten€(10)€pounds€each,€in€order€to€place€them€in€the€machine.€€Ð  $p# ÐÌà  àShe€testified€that€her€right€hand€gives€her€more€problems€than€the€left.€€Her€right€thumb€achesÐ ø%H!% Ðand€fingers€tingle€and€go€to€sleep.€€This€difficulty€ð ðcomes€and€goes.ðð€€Lifting€heavy€weights€andÐ ä&4"& Ðdriving€automobiles€causes€tingling€and€numbness€in€her€fingers.€€She€testified€that€she€has€achingÐ Ð' #' Ðin€her€right€wrist€and€forearm,€mostly€when€she€is€at€home.€€She€does€not€know€the€cause€of€this.€Ð ¼( $( ÐShe€obtains€relief€by€rubbing€her€arm€and€taking€Aleve.€€Ð ¨)ø$) Ðâ âÐ ”*ä%* Ðà  àShe€testified€that€she€has€soreness€in€her€left€thumb,€and€the€fingers€on€her€left€hand€tingleÐ ° Ðâ âand€go€to€sleep.€€She€has€loss€of€grip€strength€in€both€the€right€and€left€hand,€and€the€throbbing,Ð œì Ðtingling,€and€going€to€sleep€of€her€hands€or€fingers€interferes€with€her€sleep€about€three€nights€eachÐ ˆØ Ðweek.€€This€is€relieved€by€massaging.€€This€also€causes€her€difficulty€in€doing€her€housework.€€Dr.Ð tÄ ÐBarnett€released€her€from€further€treatment€on€July€10,€1998.Ð `° ÐÌà  àThe€plaintiff€testified€that€she€works€six€(6)€days€each€week€and€has€a€forty„eight€(48)€hourÐ 8 ˆ Ðwork€week.€€She€has€worked€for€the€defendant€for€five€(5)€years€and€has€the€highest€paying€job€sheÐ $ t Ðhas€ever€had.€€The€plaintiff€testified€that€she€has€lost€no€time€from€her€work,€except€for€one€day€whenÐ  ` Ðsurgery€was€done.€€She€was€doing€the€same€work€at€the€time€of€trial€on€February€2,€1999,€that€sheÐ ü L  Ðwas€doing€before€she€had€carpal€tunnel€syndrome.€€The€plaintiff€further€testified€that€the€carpalÐ è 8  Ðtunnel€syndrome€has€affected€her€work€only€ð ða€little€bitðð€and€she€received€an€increase€in€pay€sinceÐ Ô$  Ðsurgery.€€She€testified€that€she€enjoys€her€work€and€expects€to€continue€with€the€same€work.€Ð À  ÐAlthough€she€has€approximately€five€(5)€years€seniority,€she€has€not€bid€for€an€easier€job€because€sheÐ ¬ü  Ðdoes€not€want€to€lose€her€daytime€shift.Ð ˜è  ÐÌà  àDanny€Stewart€testified€that€he€is€the€plaintiff's€supervisor€and€that€the€quality€of€her€workÐ pÀ Ðhas€remained€the€same€before€and€after€her€surgery.€€Mr.€Stewart€testified€that€the€plaintiff€has€neverÐ \¬ Ðcomplained€to€him€about€any€difficulties€that€she€has€had€with€her€hands€and€arms€in€her€work.Ð H˜ ÐÌà  àDr.€Joseph€C.€Boals,€an€orthopedic€surgeon,€testified€by€deposition€on€behalf€of€the€plaintiff.€Ð  p ÐDr.€Boals€testified€that€he€saw€the€plaintiff€on€October€14,€1998,€at€the€request€of€plaintiff's€attorney,Ð  \ Ðfor€evaluation€purposes€only.€€Dr.€Boals€testified€that€by€use€of€a€Jaymar€dynamometer,€he€tested€theÐ øH Ðplaintiff's€grip€strength€which€showed€forty„eight€(48)€pounds€bilaterally.€€The€normal€grip€strengthÐ ä4 Ðfor€a€person€of€her€age€is€around€seventy€(70)€pounds.€€Dr.€Boals€testified€that€the€plaintiff€had€20Ð Ð  Ðpercent€permanent€impairment€to€both€arms€according€to€the€AMA€Guidelines.€€He€testified€that€thisÐ ¼  Ðimpairment€rating€was€based€ð ðsolely€upon€her€diminished€strength.ðð€€He€did€not€attribute€anyÐ ¨ø Ðimpairment€for€tingling€fingers€or€pain.€€Dr.€Boals€testified€that€the€AMA€Guides€cautioned€againstÐ ”ä Ðrelying€on€grip€strength€in€assessing€disability.€€He€testified€that€the€reason€for€this€is€ð ðthe€mannerÐ €Ð Ðof€measuring€it€(grip€strength)€is€somewhat€difficult€and€that€is€the€problem€we€have€in€performingÐ l¼ Ðany€type€of€strength€test.ððÐ X ¨ ÐÌà  àDr.€Boals€testified€that€the€plaintiff€had€no€nerve€root€entrapment€and€no€atrophy€in€muscles.€Ð 0"€  ÐHe€stated€that€the€plaintiff€was€not€able€to€return€to€activities€required€by€her€job€with€the€defendantÐ #l! Ðor€perform€any€work€that€required€repetitive€use€of€her€hands€and€wrists.€€He€specified€severalÐ $X" Ðoccupations€that€the€plaintiff€could€not€follow€that€required€repetitive€use€of€hands€and€wrists.Ð ô$D # ÐÌà  àDr.€Glenn€Barnett,€a€neurological€surgeon,€testified€by€deposition€on€behalf€of€the€defendant.€Ð Ì&"% ÐDr.€Barnett€stated€that€he€first€saw€the€plaintiff€on€December€30,€1997,€when€she€was€complainingÐ ¸'#& Ðof€both€hands€hurting.€€The€plaintiff's€history€was€that€her€hands€began€to€tingle€and€go€to€sleep.€€SheÐ ¤(ô#' Ðsaw€a€Dr.€Woodall€about€seven€times€from€September,€1997,€to€December,€1997.€€ConservativeÐ )à$( Ðtreatment€was€without€success.€€Nerve€conduction€studies€showed€bilateral€carpal€tunnel€syndrome.€Ð |*Ì%) ÐÐ h+¸&* Ðà  àDr.€Barnett€performed€left€carpal€tunnel€release€on€January€9,€1998,€which€relieved€most€ofÐ ° Ðthe€plaintiff's€symptoms,€but€her€right€hand€and€arm€continued€to€be€symptomatic.€€On€June€18,Ð œì Ð1998,€Dr.€Barnett€performed€surgery€on€the€plaintiff's€right€carpal€tunnel,€and€she€was€released€onÐ ˆØ ÐJuly€10,€1998.€€Ð tÄ ÐÌà  àDr.€Barnett€testified€that€the€plaintiff€returned€on€September€23,€1998,€and€told€him€she€wasÐ L œ Ðrelatively€satisfied€with€her€surgeries,€particularly€on€the€left,€but€that€something€had€recurred€toÐ 8 ˆ Ðsome€extent€on€the€right.€€No€atrophy€was€found,€and€Dr.€Barnett€described€her€strength€asÐ $ t Ðð ðexcellent.ðð€€Dr.€Barnett€offered€the€plaintiff€supportive€symptomatic€treatment€and€told€her€that€ifÐ  ` Ðshe€could€not€tolerate€the€activities€of€her€job,€she€should€seek€work€less€physically€demanding.€€Dr.Ð ü L  ÐBarnett€placed€no€specific€restrictions€on€the€plaintiff€but€told€her€that€her€activities€should€beÐ è 8  Ðcontrolled€by€the€amount€of€pain€that€she€experienced.€Ð Ô$  ÐÌà  àDr.€Barnett€testified€that€the€plaintiff€had€5€percent€permanent€impairment€to€both€armsÐ ¬ü  Ðaccording€to€the€AMA€Guidelines.€€He€stated€that€the€surgery€was€successful.€€He€did€not€test€theÐ ˜è  Ðplaintiff's€grip€strength€with€a€Jaymar€dynamometer,€stating€that€it€was€his€opinion€that€this€was€aÐ „Ô  Ðsubjective€test€and€was€not€reliable.€€Ð pÀ ÐÌà  àAfter€considering€all€of€the€evidence,€I€conclude€that€the€preponderance€of€the€evidence€doesÐ H˜ Ðnot€support€an€award€based€on€35€percent€permanent€partial€disability€to€each€arm.€€In€my€opinion,Ð 4„ Ðthe€preponderance€of€the€evidence€supports€an€award€based€on€20€percent€permanent€partialÐ  p Ðdisability€to€each€arm.€€Ð  \ ÐÌà  àThe€plaintiff's€testimony€reveals€that€she€has€lost€no€time€from€her€work€due€to€her€conditionÐ ä4 Ðand€has€continued€to€work€for€six€(6)€days€each€week€and€forty„eight€(48)€hours€per€week.€€TheÐ Ð  Ðrecord€reveals€that€this€work€is€strenuous,€but€the€carpal€tunnel€syndrome€has€affected€the€plaintiff'sÐ ¼  Ðwork€only€slightly,€according€to€her€own€testimony.€€She€actually€enjoys€her€work,€according€to€herÐ ¨ø Ðtestimony,€and€has€made€no€attempt€to€procure€an€easier€job.€€She€expects€to€continue€with€this€jobÐ ”ä Ðindefinitely.€€It€is€true€that€Dr.€Boals€testified€that€she€was€unable€to€continue€with€this€type€of€work,Ð €Ð Ðwhile€Dr.€Barnett€testified€that€she€should€be€guided€by€the€amount€of€pain€that€she€had.€€TheÐ l¼ Ðplaintiff€has€elected€to€reject€Dr.€Boals€opinion€that€she€cannot€continue€with€the€same€work;€sinceÐ X ¨ Ðshe€is€not€experiencing€enough€pain€to€cause€her€to€desire€other€employment.€€She€is€taking€Dr.Ð D!” ÐBarnett's€advice€and€continuing€with€the€same€work.€€I€am€convinced€that€she€would€not€and€couldÐ 0"€  Ðnot€continue€this€work€with€35€percent€disability€to€both€arms.Ð #l! ÐÌà  àDr.€Boals'€rating€of€20€percent€impairment€is€based€solely€upon€his€testing€of€strength.€€Dr.Ð ô$D # ÐBoals€testified€that€there€were€difficulties€and€problems€in€connection€with€strength€testing,€as€didÐ à%0!$ ÐDr.€Barnett.€€The€AMA€Guides€also€recognized€the€unreliability€of€the€testing€of€grip€strength.€€Dr.Ð Ì&"% ÐBarnett€saw€the€plaintiff€several€times€for€a€period€of€about€six€months€and€performed€surgery€onÐ ¸'#& Ðboth€wrists.€€Dr.€Boals€saw€the€plaintiff€only€one€time€and€that€was€for€the€purpose€of€litigation€andÐ ¤(ô#' Ðnot€treatment.Ð )à$( Ðâ âÐ |*Ì%) Ðà  àThe€plaintiff€is€comparatively€well€educated,€was€only€thirty€(30)€years€of€age€at€the€time€ofÐ ° Ðâ âtrial,€and,€if€not€already€qualified,€she€could€easily€become€qualified€to€obtain€other€work€with€littleÐ œì Ðphysical€requirements.€€From€her€testimony,€it€is€clear€that€she€does€not€find€it€necessary€to€seekÐ ˆØ Ðother€employment€and€does€not€desire€other€employment.€€Ð tÄ ÐÌà  àI€would€modify€the€judgment€so€as€to€award€the€plaintiff€compensation€based€upon€20Ð L œ Ðpercent€permanent€partial€disability€to€each€arm.Ð 8 ˆ ÐÌÐ   ` ÐÔ‡XÑ&XXXÑ&ÔÔ‡¼ˆZ»XXÑ&Ôà@7 7 ìàIN€THE€SUPREME€COURT€OF€TENNESSEEˆÐ ° Ðà@''%ìàAT€JACKSONˆÐ  ÐÔ#†XÑ&X»¼ˆZ˜n#ÔÌò òÓ  ÓANTONIA€REGINA€ROSE,€Respondent€v.€Ð À ÐEMERSON€MOTOR€COMPANYòòóó,€ApplicantÐ ¬ü ÐÔ‡¼ˆZ»XXÑ&Ôòòóóó óÓYoÓÌò òÓ  ÓÔ#†XÑ&X»¼ˆZØo#ÔChancery€Court€for€Gibson€CountyÐ ª ú ÐNo.€H€4108€€€€€George€R.€Ellis,€ChancellorÐ – æ ÐÌÓpÓÌà@ìì*ìàßA€V) °°` d€÷E<Y` A߈Ð Zª  ÐÌÓ  Ó€€€€€€No.€€W1999„02705„SC„WCM„CV€„€Filed€September€20,€2000Ð U¥  ÐÓ3qÓÌßA€V) °°` dE<,` AßÐ -}  ÐÌó óà@±±&ìàò òJUDGMENTó óˆÐ (x  ÐÌòòóóà  àThis€case€is€before€the€Court€upon€Emerson€Motor€Companyððs€motion€for€review€pursuantÐ P Ðto€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€50„6„225(e)(5)(B),€the€entire€record,€including€the€order€of€referral€to€theÐ ì< ÐSpecial€Workers'€Compensation€Appeals€Panel,€and€the€Panel's€Memorandum€Opinion€setting€forthÐ Ø( Ðits€findings€of€fact€and€conclusions€of€law,€which€are€incorporated€herein€by€reference;Ð Ä ÐÌà  àWhereupon,€it€appears€to€the€Court€that€the€motion€for€review€is€not€well„taken€and€shouldÐ œì Ðbe€DENIED;€andÐ ˆØ ÐÌà  àIt€is,€therefore,€ordered€that€the€Panel's€findings€of€fact€and€conclusions€of€law€are€adoptedÐ `° Ðand€affirmed,€and€the€decision€of€the€Panel€is€made€the€judgment€of€the€Court.Ð Lœ ÐÌà  àCosts€will€be€assessed€to€Emerson€Motor€Company€for€which€execution€may€issue€ifÐ $t Ðnecessary.Ð ` ÐÌÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àPER€Ô_ÔCURIAMÔ_ÔÐ Ô!$! ÐÌHolder,€J.,€not€participatingÔ#†XÑ&XXXÑ&yn#ԀР¬#ü# ÐÌ