ÿWPC… ëå¼&°wX‹ Y´ p9óŽl^Ç)¹ ¹E´ËñF7Ñi“¡×——F·KëLüÜá¥yXÿkhÏY¸¡gvØú€5+0ñÌ.³W¦¤ YŠh!ãÛãd¡ïx%˜»‹ª•ú¾ã<Œ|L¢G8ºÑ.Îþ‘"í¨ü~† wWUxo ÂŸ2ì5·$wµÉ¡QÖ•¨lóÛ.6¶^ĤgÙÅñn;GûÁe>- ‚H‹¡oö0ÕEûÏ¥(8X ·ì‡.ôBí6ûxȶ2÷≡xä~™7Íy¨ÓºÔ‚…¸vföêHNç´ ð$dæß)¨Á~†¡õ:€´êÆÌˆÈÊh$†wûËJÏOÆ£(©ÒÈÆW[ “¯éžr$C&ˆÙ«Ch}õiÁÇ|ÙŽÕïü6¬íƒO5Á–¤éÖsþ«s5@Ø’+=—|6o»ŠA–6×úSêðE#š¿þ30³eò£rå‰lÙÀhH%® ÃÅ(NO·^8Šß´õñˆFU37ð…91䄱ÊÑ–%BœJ‘,ÖØØ9dR6´Í@›Îñoòg(:B>|-”iZ…âÞÁ•+'w¢èES ¦÷³(t04§ù—Çb %\ 1ub 0ˆ×U)N_ 72­ 0Ûß^ º zÆ Ò@ w 4 * 9 Æ; Æ ÆÇ Æ mSNj#Ál-E5N7 0D9 72}Н 0c9Nœ zžÒUNêU@88888888888888bxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 0뀀€€ B kk 0¤ˆ D5, D-a 0KŽŽ ASÙÆ, 0¤ò 0D– A«Ú»3#37=CIQYag­­1.a.i.(1)(a)(i)1)a)(`£ª$¡¡Ñ€.ÑÑ8€½­»»d»»d8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  Ó(í€"  Z6Times New Roman Regulari)(³Àô$ººà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àà0¸ (#¸ (#àà0h(#(#àà0Àh(#h(#àÔ2#ÔÚ  Ú0Ú  Ú)Ô3  Ôà0À(#À(#à·Œ)L  ˜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.wpt˜L-((¢Ø+003|xLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5‚Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5„Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5…Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5ÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ˜HP LaserJet 4,ü,,,,,ü0 (%Ã$òòÚ  Ú1Ú  Úóói) €Ý ƒRyÖ$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÔ€XëãX»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔJudge€Robert€L.€Childers,€the€circuit€judge€in€the€present€case,€was€the€author€of€this€opinionÐ ° Ðsitting€as€Special€Judge€on€the€Special€Workersðð€Compensation€Appeals€Panel€of€the€Supreme€Court.€Ð  ð ÐThe€provisions€of€Tenn.€Code€Annotated€ðð50-6-241€did€not€apply€in€that€case€as€the€plaintiffððsÐ à Ðinjuries€occurred€prior€to€August€1,€1992.€€Neither€party€cited€this€case€in€the€briefs€submitted€to€thisÐ €Ð ÐPanel.Ð pÀ ÐÌ(;3£$´´Ô2#ÔÚ  Ú0Ú  Ú.Ô3  Ôà0  à˜C:\PROGRA~1\COREL\WORDPE~1\TEMPLATE\CUSTOM~1\REVISE~1.WPTC:\Program Files\Corel\WordPerfect Office 2000\Template\Custom WP Templates\revised standard opinion.wpt(ÈhH  Z 6Times New Roman Regular(ÖÃ9 Z‹(Times New Roman - ù-(|G2yÖ$¤¤Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€..ÑÑ8€äÔ»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  ÚóóÔ€XëãX»»Ô d(|3y3$££Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€..ÑÑ8€äÔ»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝVVVV)ÿÿ!dxdx)!ÈÈÈÈdxdx( ±þ$’’ò òFigure€Ú  Ú1Ú  Úó ó^_X`YEþÿ<<CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(|3y3$¢¢Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€..ÑÑ8€äÔ»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó óX[Z&OLE 2.0 Box <=8ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿCÿÿ HKKKKÝ ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€äÔ»»ddÈ8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÔ€¼äÔ»»»ÔÑ  Ñà@7 7 ìàIN€THE€SUPREME€COURT€OF€TENNESSEEˆÐ ° Ðà@OOìàSPECIAL€WORKERS'€COMPENSATION€APPEALS€PANELˆÐ È Ðà@''%ìàAT€JACKSONˆÐ à0 Ðà@òòìà(January€27,€2000€Session)ˆÐ øH ÐÌò òÓ  ÓDOROTHY€TAYLORòòóó€v.€SENIOR€CITIZENS€SERVICES,€òòINC.,€et€al.óóÔ‡XëãX»¼äÔÔó óÐ ( x ÐÓÊÓÌà@„ „ ìàò òDirect€Appeal€from€the€Circuit€Court€for€Shelby€CountyˆÐ 0 € Ðà@F F ìàNo.€70466„9T.D.€€€€€€Robert€L.€Childers,€JudgeˆÐ  p ÐÌÌà@ìì*ìàßA€V) °°` d€÷E<ï` A߈Ð ð@  ÐÌà@ìàNo.€W1999„02152„WC„R3€„CV€Mailed€June€21,€2000;€Filed€August€1,€2000ˆÐ ï?  ÐÌßA€V) °°` dE<Î` AßÐ Ï Ðó óÌThis€workers'€compensation€appeal€has€been€referred€to€the€Special€Workers'€Compensation€AppealsÐ Î ÐPanel€of€the€Supreme€Court€in€accordance€with€€Tennessee€Code€Annotated€ðð50-6-225€(e)(3)€forÐ ¾ Ðhearing€and€reporting€to€the€Supreme€Court€of€findings€of€fact€and€conclusions€of€law.€€The€plaintiff,Ð ®þ ÐDorothy€Taylor,€appeals€the€judgment€of€the€Circuit€Court€of€Tennessee€for€the€30th€Judicial€DistrictÐ žî Ðat€Memphis,€where€the€trial€court€found:€€(1)€that€€Ms.€Taylor€failed€to€give€proper€notice€to€herÐ ŽÞ Ðemployer€regarding€her€carpal€tunnel€injury,€(2)€that€if€the€trial€court€had€found€the€carpal€tunnelÐ ~Î Ðinjury€to€be€compensable,€it€would€have€awarded€Ms.€Taylor€a€10%€permanent€impairment€to€eachÐ n¾ Ðextremity€and€temporary€total€disability€benefits€up€to€May€7,€1997,€(3)€that€Ms.€Taylor€had€a€10%Ð ^® Ðpermanent€impairment€to€the€body€as€a€whole€as€a€result€of€a€back€injury€and€awarded€a€judgmentÐ Nž Ðin€the€amount€of€$6,043.20,€(4)€that€Ms.€Taylor€was€entitled€to€open€medical€benefits€for€life€as€theyÐ >Ž Ðrelated€to€the€specific€back€injury€she€suffered€on€January€31,€1994,€(5)€that€the€defendants€were€notÐ .~ Ðrequired€to€pay€for€unauthorized€medical€bills€for€treatment€of€Ms.€Taylorððs€back€or€(6)€for€theÐ n Ðevidentiary€deposition€of€John€Howser,€M.D.€€For€the€reasons€stated€in€this€opinion,€we€affirm€theÐ ^ Ðjudgment€of€the€trial€court.€€€Ð þN ÐÌò òTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð50-6-225€(e)€(1999)€Appeal€as€of€Right;€Judgment€of€the€Circuit€CourtÐ Þ!.  ÐAffirmed.ó óÐ Î"! ÐÌòòÔ#†¼äÔ»àXëã#ÔÔ‡XëãX.¼äÔÔWeatherford,€Sr.€J.óó,€delivered€the€opinion€of€the€court,€in€which€òòHOLDER,€J.,óó€andòò€MALOAN,€SP.Ð ®$þ# ÐJ.,óó€joined.Ð ž%î $ ÐÌAlbert€G.€McLean,€Memphis,€Tennessee,€for€the€appellant,€Dorothy€Taylor€.Ð ~'Î"& ÐÌWm.€B.€Walk,€Jr.,€Memphis,€Tennessee,€for€the€appellees,€Senior€Citizens€Services,€Inc.€d/b/aÐ ^)®$( ÐSenior€Services,€and€Hartford€Insurance€Co.Ð N*ž%) Ðâ âÐ >+Ž&*ýC ÐÔ  Ôâ âà@  !ìàò òMEMORANDUMó ó€ò òOPINIONó óˆÐ ° ÐÌà  àThe€employee,€Dorothy€Taylor,€was€forty€years€old€at€the€time€of€trial.€€She€has€an€11th€gradeÐ à Ðeducation€and€later€took€a€course€and€became€a€certified€nursing€assistant.€€Ms.€Taylor€worked€forÐ €Ð ÐSenior€Citizens€Services,€Inc.€as€a€personal€care€aid€from€October€17,€1988€until€April€27,€1994.€€Ð pÀ ÐHer€daily€job€activities€included€lifting€patients€in€and€out€of€wheel€chairs€and€putting€them€in€theÐ ` ° Ðtub,€giving€bed€baths,€making€beds,€doing€some€house€cleaning,€cooking,€running€errands,€and€takingÐ P   Ðvital€signs.€Ð @  ÐÌà  àPrior€to€her€job€at€Senior€Citizens€Services,€Inc.,€Ms.€Taylor€worked€for€Court€ManorÐ  p  ÐNursing€Home€for€two€years€where€she€performed€the€same€job€activities.€€Before€working€at€CourtÐ `  ÐManor€Nursing€Home,€she€worked€for€a€cleaners€as€a€flat€iron€worker€for€about€seven€(7)€months.€Ð P  ÐPrior€to€that€time,€she€and€her€husband€had€operated€a€restaurant€lounge€from€1983€to€1985€whereÐ ð@  Ðshe€handled€the€paper€work,€the€purchasing€and€inventory.€€She€also€worked€behind€the€bar.Ð à0  ÐÌà  àMs.€Taylor€stated€that€she€had€injured€her€back€in€1991,€but€had€recovered€after€being€offÐ À Ðwork€for€about€three€months.€€She€also€testified€that€she€hurt€her€right€hip€and€shoulder€in€June€ofÐ ° Ð1993,€but€was€only€off€a€few€days€from€that€injury.€€She€never€received€any€permanent€disabilityÐ  ð Ðbenefits€from€either€prior€injury.Ð à ÐÌà  àMs.€Taylor€testified€that€she€injured€her€back€on€January€31,€1994,€when€she€was€putting€aÐ pÀ Ðpatient€back€to€bed.€Ms.€Taylor€had€the€upper€part€of€the€patient's€body€while€another€person€wasÐ `° Ðholding€the€patient's€legs.€€When€the€other€person€dropped€the€patient's€legs,€Ms.€Taylor€twisted€herÐ P  Ðback€and€she€heard€a€"pop"€in€her€lower€back€and€it€started€to€hurt€"real€bad."€€Pursuant€to€theÐ @ Ðcompany's€procedures,€Ms.€Taylor€advised€the€work€schedulers€of€her€injury€and€they€in€turn€wereÐ 0€ Ðto€inform€her€supervisor.€€About€two€weeks€later,€Ms.€Taylor€personally€told€her€supervisor,€MattieÐ  p ÐHewlett,€about€the€accident.Ð ` ЀÌà  à€Ms.€Taylor€testified€that€she€stayed€off€work€for€three€days€and€then€attempted€to€go€backÐ ð@ Ðto€work,€but€was€unable€to€do€so€because€of€back€pain.€€She€saw€her€family€doctor,€Dr.€A.€E.€Horne,Ð à0 Ðone€(1)€week€exactly€from€the€date€of€the€accident.€€Prior€to€this€time,€she€had€not€been€given€theÐ Ð  Ðnames€of€any€workers'€compensation€approved€doctors.€€Ms.€Taylor€stayed€off€work€approximatelyÐ À! Ðone€(1)€month€after€the€accident.Ð °"  ÐÌà  àSenior€Citizens€Services€authorized€Ms.€Taylor€to€see€Dr.€Mark€Harriman,€who€began€hisÐ $à" Ðtreatment€of€Ms.€Taylor€in€March€of€1994.€€Dr.€Harriman€testified€that:Ð €%Ð # ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àMy€exam€at€that€time€was€fairly€non„physiologic.€€I€did€not€think€thatÐ `'°"% Ðthere€was€anything€going€on.€€She€was€very€histrionic€in€herÐ P( #& Ðpresentation.€€She€had€pain€to€light€touch,€had€pain€when€I€checkedÐ @)$' Ðher€deep€tendon€reflexes.€€Otherwise,€she€was€neurologically€intact.Ð0*€%(` x` x Ðâ âÐ  +p&) Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àI€felt€like€at€that€time€we€should€just€give€her€a€few€days€to€get€readyÐ ° Ðâ âand€go€back€to€work€and€sent€her€back€to€work€as€of€the€22nd€ofÐ  ð ÐMarch.Ðà` x` x ÐÌà  àDr.€Harriman€also€Ô_ÔstatedÔ_ÔÔ_Ô,Ô_Ô€"She€was€very€jumpy€on€exam,€exhibited€signs€of€symptomÐ pÀ Ðmagnification€without€any€real€physical€exam€findings€to€go€along€with€it."Ð ` ° ÐÌà  àMs.€Taylor€subsequently€went€back€to€work€and€her€back€started€hurting€again.€€On€MarchÐ @  Ð29,€1994,€Dr.€Harriman€examined€Ms.€Taylor€again,€sent€her€to€physical€therapy€for€about€ten€daysÐ 0 € Ðand€prescribed€pain€medication.€Ð  p  ÐÌà  àAccording€to€Dr.€Harriman,€ð ðI€felt€we€should€go€ahead€and€give€her€the€benefit€of€the€doubtÐ P  Ðand€get€her€some€therapy€because€she€had€already€made€her€mind€up€she€was€not€going€back€toÐ ð@  Ðwork.ðð€€On€April€5,€1994,€Dr.€Harriman€released€Ms.€Taylor€for€full€duty€with€no€restrictions€orÐ à0  Ðimpairment.€€Dr.€Harriman€testified€that€Ms.€Taylor€had€reached€maximum€medical€improvementÐ Ð  Ðon€April€5,€1994,€and€did€not€have€any€permanent€impairment.Ð À ÐÌà  àMs.€Taylor€testified€that€she€went€back€to€work€again€and€started€having€pain€in€the€sameÐ  ð Ðplace€in€her€back.€€She€was€not€able€to€continue€working€at€Senior€Citizens€Services€because€of€theÐ à Ðpain€in€her€back.€€Her€last€day€of€work€was€April€27,€1994.€€Jeff€Weesner,€Vice€President€of€HumanÐ €Ð ÐResources€at€Senior€Citizens€Services,€testified€that€according€to€his€records,€Ms.€Taylor€worked€sixÐ pÀ Ð(6)€days€in€April€of€1994.€€Since€January€31,€1994,€Ms.€Taylor€had€worked€a€total€of€nine€days€.Ð `° ÐÌà  àMs.€Taylor€testified€that€she€started€having€problems€with€her€hands€around€June€of€1994.€Ð @ ÐShe€stated€that€she€had€some€pain€in€her€hands€before€June€of€1994,€but€the€first€time€she€told€Dr.Ð 0€ ÐHorne€about€the€pain€was€probably€in€June€of€1994.Ð  p ÐÌà  àDr.€Horne's€records€reflect€that€the€first€time€that€Ms.€Taylor€said€anything€about€having€anyÐ P Ðproblem€with€either€hand€was€on€June€13,€1994.€€His€notes€on€that€date€were€as€follows:€€"RecheckÐ ð@ Ðback€pain„„numbness€(R)€hand€and€leg....to€see€Dr.€Anthony€Segal€on€6„20„„„workmen's€compÐ à0 Ðdoctor."Ð Ð  ÐÌà  àIn€June€of€1994,€Ms.€Taylor€saw€Dr.€Segal,€a€neurosurgeon€approved€by€workers'Ð °"  Ðcompensation,€for€follow„up€treatment€for€her€back.€€When€she€saw€him€for€her€back€injury,€Ms.Ð  #ð! ÐTaylor€testified€that€she€told€him€about€having€the€numbness€in€her€fingers€and€pain€in€her€arm€andÐ $à" Ðwrist.€€According€to€Ms.€Taylor,€Dr.€Segal€did€not€tell€her€what€was€wrong€with€her€hands€and€didÐ €%Ð # Ðnot€even€examine€them.Ð p&À!$ ÐÌà  àMs.€Taylor€was€terminated€from€Senior€Citizens€Services€in€August€of€1994€due€toÐ P( #& Ðunavailability€for€work.€€For€the€remainder€of€1994,€Ms.€Taylor€did€not€work€or€receive€furtherÐ @)$' Ðtreatment.€€During€this€time€period€she€was€in€bed€most€of€the€time€or€just€at€home,€and€herÐ 0*€%( Ðdaughters€took€care€of€her€housework.€€Ms.€Taylor€testified€that€she€was€not€able€to€work€at€all.€Ð  +p&) ÐÐ ,`'* Ðà  àMs.€Taylor€saw€Dr.€Howser,€a€neurosurgeon,€for€the€first€time€on€February€10,€1995,€withÐ ° Ðchief€complaints€of€low€back€pain€and€right€leg€pain€and€numbness€and€tingling€of€the€right€leg€andÐ  ð Ðright€hand€and€arm€pain.€€She€was€referred€to€Dr.€Howser€by€her€attorney,€David€James,€Jr.Ð à ÐÌà  àAccording€to€Dr.€Howser,€Ms.€Taylor€told€him€at€that€time€that€the€right€hand€and€arm€painÐ pÀ Ðstarted€about€four€to€five€months€ago.€€Dr.€Howser€administered€a€Neurometer€test€which€indicatedÐ ` ° Ðcarpal€tunnel€syndrome.€On€March€9,€1995,€Dr.€Howser's€records€reflect€that€he€explained€theÐ P   Ðfindings€on€the€Neurometer€to€Ms.€Taylor.€€However,€Ms.€Taylor€testified€that€Dr.€Howser€never€toldÐ @  Ðher€what€caused€her€carpal€tunnel€syndrome.€Ð 0 € ÐÌà  àOn€April€3,€1995,€an€Ô_ÔEMGÔ_Ô€test€performed€by€Dr.€Bertorini€confirmed€a€carpal€tunnel€problemÐ `  Ðbilaterally,€worse€on€the€right.€€Dr.€Howser€prescribed€carpal€tunnel€splints€and€also€some€lumbarÐ P  Ðfacet€blocks€for€her€back€injury.€€On€April€12,€1995,€Dr.€Howser€prescribed€a€Boston€Overlap€braceÐ ð@  Ðfor€her€back.Ð à0  ÐÌà  àMs.€Taylor's€counsel€notified€Senior€Citizens€Services€and€Hartford€by€letter€dated€June€13,Ð À Ð1995,€certified€mail,€return€receipt€requested,€that€Ms.€Taylor€had€been€diagnosed€with€carpal€tunnelÐ ° Ðsyndrome.€€Senior€Citizens€Services€received€this€letter€on€June€15,€1995,€and€Hartford€received€itÐ  ð Ðon€June€20,€1995.€€In€this€letter,€counsel€advised€that€Ms.€Taylor€had€recently€been€diagnosed€asÐ à Ðsuffering€from€carpal€tunnel€syndrome,€and€as€yet€no€medical€opinion€had€been€given€as€to€the€causeÐ €Ð Ðof€her€condition.€€Also€on€June€13,€1995,€Ms.€Taylor€filed€a€complaint€for€workers'€compensationÐ pÀ Ðbenefits,€for€the€lumbar€injury€and€carpal€tunnel€syndrome.Ð `° ÐÌà  àDr.€Howser€continued€treating€Ms.€Taylor€for€her€lumbar€injury€and€carpal€tunnel€syndromeÐ @ Ðand€saw€her€on€August€28,€1995,€November€28,€1995,€April€9,€1996,€May€17,€1996,€July€3,€1996€andÐ 0€ ÐAugust€23,€1996.€€Ms.€Taylor's€counsel€received€a€letter€dated€April€18,€1996,€in€which€Dr.€HowserÐ  p Ðstated€that€her€carpal€tunnel€syndrome€was€caused€by€repetitive€use€of€the€hands€in€the€work€place,Ð ` Ðand€that€Ms.€Taylor€had€not€reached€maximum€medical€improvement€with€regard€to€her€back€injury.€Ð P ÐHer€counsel€then€notified€opposing€counsel€by€letter€dated€April€29,€1996€that€Ms.€Taylor's€carpalÐ ð@ Ðtunnel€syndrome€had€been€found€to€be€work€related.Ð à0 ÐÌà  àDr.€Howser€referred€Ms.€Taylor€to€the€Neuro€Clinic€for€carpal€tunnel€surgeries€on€her€wrists.€Ð À! ÐIn€January,€1997,€she€had€surgery€on€her€right€wrist€and€in€April,€1997,€she€had€surgery€on€the€left.Ð °"  ÐMs.€Taylor€continued€to€see€Dr.€Howser€for€treatment€after€her€surgeries.Ð  #ð! ÐÌà  àDr.€Howser€testified€that€in€his€opinion,€to€a€reasonable€degree€of€medical€certainty,€Ms.Ð €%Ð # ÐTaylor's€carpal€tunnel€syndrome€was€caused€by€the€repetitive€use€of€her€hands€in€the€work€place.€Ð p&À!$ ÐHe€agreed€that€eighty€to€ninety€percent€of€carpal€tunnel€cases€caused€by€repetitive€use€involve€factoryÐ `'°"% Ðworkers€using€the€same€kinds€of€tools€or€computer€users,€and€that€Ms.€Taylor€did€not€have€these€jobÐ P( #& Ðactivities.€€Dr.€Howser€testified€that€Ms.€Taylor€had€a€fifteen€(15%)€permanent€partial€impairmentÐ @)$' Ðto€each€arm€due€to€her€carpal€tunnel€syndrome.€€Post„surgery,€Dr.€Howser€did€not€perform€anyÐ 0*€%( Ðobjective€tests,€such€as€the€grip€strength€or€two€point€discrimination€test,€to€determine€the€results.€Ð  +p&) ÐDr.€Howser€did€admit€that€had€he€complied€with€the€AMA€Guidelines,€the€rating€would€have€beenÐ ,`'* Ð8%€to€each€extremity.€€He€testified€that€he€assigns€a€fifteen€percent€(15%)€impairment€rating€inÐ ° Ðninety€percent€(90%)€of€his€carpal€tunnel€cases,€and€it€has€ð ðnothing€to€do€with€how€good€or€poorlyÐ  ð Ðthey€do.ððÐ à ÐÌà  àHe€also€gave€her€permanent€restrictions:€€(1)€wearing€carpal€tunnel€splints€in€the€workplace,Ð pÀ Ð(2)€keeping€the€amount€of€repetitive€use€of€her€hands€to€a€minimum,€if€any,€and€(3)€a€ten€to€fifteenÐ ` ° Ðpound€weight€limit€to€protect€the€median€nerves€bilaterally.€€He€further€testified€that€she€reachedÐ P   Ðmaximum€medical€improvement€from€her€carpal€tunnel€syndrome€on€May€7,€1997,€and€that€she€hadÐ @  Ðbeen€temporarily€totally€disabled€from€working€at€Senior€Citizens€Services€prior€to€that€point€inÐ 0 € Ðtime.€Ð  p  ÐÌà  àDr.€Howser€testified€that€Ms.€Taylorððs€January€31,€1994,€accident€at€work€ð ðcaused€a€lumbarÐ P  Ðfacet€syndrome€and€aggravated€a€previous€existing€lumbar€canal€stenosis€and€caused€aÐ ð@  Ðradiculopathy.ðð€€Dr.€Howser€stated€that€a€CT€scan€revealed€a€bulge€in€the€L5€disc€space€and€mildÐ à0  Ðlumbar€canal€stenosis€at€L5.€€An€MRI€performed€in€May,€1996,€revealed€an€osteoarthritic€bulge€atÐ Ð  Ðthe€L5€disc€space,€and€Dr.€Ô_ÔHowserÔ_Ô€concluded€that€this€was€a€spur€and€not€a€ruptured€disc.€€Dr.Ð À ÐHowser€stated€that€he€tried€to€obtain€relief€for€Ms.€Taylor€by€lumbar€Ô_ÔepiduralsÔ_Ô€and€caudal€blocks,Ð ° Ðwithout€lasting€success.Ð  ð ÐÌà  àAccording€to€Dr.€Ô_ÔHowserÔ_Ô,€the€findings€on€the€CT€were€mainly€degenerative€and€hypertrophyÐ €Ð Ðof€the€ligament€and€facet€joints€and€what€is€called€spinal€stenosis.€€He€concluded€that€these€problemsÐ pÀ Ðall€preceded€the€injury€and€were€related€to€the€aging€process.Ð `° ÐÌà  àDr.€Howser€testified€that€the€1994€injury€aggravated€these€pre„existing€problems€in€Ms.Ð @ ÐTaylorððs€back€to€make€her€become€symptomatic.€€Although€he€had€not€reviewed€Dr.€HarrimanððsÐ 0€ Ðrecords€and€was€not€aware€of€her€1991€back€injury,€Dr.€Howser€did€not€agree€that€her€back€problemsÐ  p Ðwere€related€to€her€back€injury€in€1991,€as€she€had€made€a€full€recovery€and€she€had€returned€to€workÐ ` Ðwithout€further€problems.Ð P ÐÌà  àÔ#†¼äÔ»XXëãL #ÔÔ‡XëãX»¼äÔÔDr.€Howser€did€give€her€permanent€restrictions€of€lifting€no€more€than€ten€to€fifteen€poundsÐ à0 Ðand€wearing€a€Boston€Overlap€Brace€that€would€keep€her€from€doing€any€bending€or€stooping.€€HeÐ Ð  Ðtestified€that€Ms.€Taylor€did€not€have€any€anatomical€disability€from€her€January€31,€1994€backÐ À! Ðinjury;€therefore,€he€would€not€assign€any€percent€of€anatomical€permanent€partial€impairment.Ô#†¼äÔ»XXëã±D#ÔÔ‡XëãX»¼äÔÔÐ °"  ÐÌà  àHe€testified€that€there€were€no€signs€or€indication€on€the€part€of€Ms.€Taylor€that€she€had€notÐ $à" Ðbeen€truthful€or€forthright€about€her€problems€or€the€pain€she€was€experiencing.Ð €%Ð # ÐÌà  àMs.€Taylor€did€not€work€in€1995€or€1996.€€Her€only€efforts€in€obtaining€work€came€with€twoÐ `'°"% Ðjob€applications€during€the€year€of€1996€for€Trinity€Health€Care€and€Methodist€Hospital.€€Ms.€TaylorÐ P( #& Ðhad€bilateral€carpal€tunnel€surgeries€in€January€and€April€of€1997,€and€even€though€the€surgeriesÐ @)$' Ðwere€successful,€she€did€not€seek€employment€in€1997.€€She€did€not€attempt€to€go€back€into€theÐ 0*€%( Ðâ ârestaurant€business€because€she€ð ðdidnððt€want€to.ðð€€She€finally€obtained€a€job€in€October,€1998,Ð  +p&) Ðworking€for€Pro„Serve,€Inc.,€a€chemical€plant,€where€she€does€light€cleaning,€including€sweepingÐ ° Ðfloors,€cleaning€off€tables,€and€cleaning€bathrooms.Ð  ð Ðâ âÌà  àMs.€Taylor€still€takes€Ô_ÔDarvocetÔ_Ô€for€pain€in€her€lower€back€and€hands.€€She€stated€that€her€backÐ €Ð Ðhurts€all€the€time€and€her€right€hand€hurts€almost€everyday,€and€her€left€hand€hurts€two€or€three€timesÐ pÀ Ða€week.€€According€to€Ms.€Taylor,€her€fingers€on€the€right€hand€are€real€sore€and€it€hurts€in€her€wristsÐ ` ° Ðand€she€has€some€pain€going€up€her€arm€to€her€elbow.€€On€the€left€hand,€her€fingers€are€not€sore,€butÐ P   Ðshe€has€pain€that€goes€up€her€arm€into€her€elbow.Ð @  ÐÌà  àOn€February€10,€1998,€Dr.€Harriman€again€evaluated€Ms.€Taylor€to€conduct€an€independentÐ  p  Ðmedical€examination€for€the€back€and€carpal€tunnel€claims.€€In€regard€to€the€back€claim,€Dr.Ð `  ÐHarriman€testified,€"I€felt€that€she€was€still€presenting€with€symptom€magnification,€as€far€as€herÐ P  Ðback€was€concerned,€and€I€could€find€no€evidence,€physical€evidence€of€any€ongoing€back€problem.€Ð ð@  ÐHer€symptoms€were€subjective€without€objective€findings€to€support€them."€€Dr.€Harriman€concurredÐ à0  Ðwith€Dr.€Howserððs€opinion€that€Ms.€Taylor€did€not€have€any€permanent€impairment€to€her€back.€€Dr.Ð Ð  ÐHarriman€went€on€to€conclude€that€he€ð ðsaw€no€reason€why€she€should€not€be€working€withoutÐ À Ðrestrictionsðð€regarding€the€back€injury.€€Dr.€Harriman€opined€that€Ms.€Taylor€had€reached€maximumÐ ° Ðmedical€improvement€on€April€5,€1994,€and€released€her€for€full€duty€with€no€restrictions.€Ð  ð ÐÌÔ#†¼äÔ»XXëã©F#ÔÔ‡XëãX»¼äÔÔà  àIn€Dr.€Harrimanððs€independent€medical€exam€report€he€stated:Ð €Ð ЀÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à[Ms.€Taylor]€says€first€of€all€that€the€carpal€tunnel€symptoms€beganÐ `° Ðin€mid„1993.€€I€have€reviewed€records€dating€back€to€1991€in€ourÐ P  Ðchart€concerning€this€patient€and€I€do€not€see€any€complaint€referableÐ @ Ðto€the€hands....€€She€currently€says€that€her€hands€are€giving€her€noÐ 0€ Ðproblems€at€all.€€She€currently€says€she€is€wearing€splints,€but€saysÐ  p Ðshe€is€only€wearing€them€because€she€was€told€to€do€by€Dr.€Howser.Ð`` x` x ÐÌà  àDr.€Harriman€testified€that€because€she€reported€no€problems€or€symptoms€whatsoever€toÐ ð@ Ðhim,€and€that€she€was€doing€well,€that€he€would€put€her€in€the€zero€impairment€category€regardingÐ à0 Ðthe€carpal€tunnel€syndrome.€€Dr.€Harriman€also€stated€that€he€thought€ð ðthat€it€would€be€extremelyÐ Ð  Ðunlikely€to€develop€carpal€tunnelðð€from€the€type€of€job€activities€that€Ms.€Taylor€performed€at€SeniorÐ À! ÐCitizens€Services.€€He€also€testified€that€in€his€opinion€within€a€reasonable€degree€of€medicalÐ °"  Ðcertainty€that€it€would€be€ð ðvirtually€impossibleðð€for€Ms.€Taylorððs€carpal€tunnel€syndrome€to€beÐ  #ð! Ðcausally€related€to€her€job€at€Senior€Citizens€Services€if€her€last€day€of€work€was€in€May€of€1994€andÐ $à" Ðher€earliest€complaint€of€numbness€and€tingling€in€the€hands€did€not€occur€until€September€of€1994Ð €%Ð # Ðaccording€to€Dr.€Howserððs€notes.€Ð p&À!$ ÐÌà  àAfter€hearing€the€proof€and€final€argument€of€counsel,€the€trial€court€ruled€from€the€benchÐ P( #& Ðthat€Ms.€Taylor€failed€to€give€timely€notice€of€her€carpal€tunnel€injuries,€and€therefore€was€notÐ @)$' Ðentitled€to€recover€for€her€carpal€tunnel€syndrome.Ð 0*€%( Ðâ âÐ  +p&) ÐÔ#†¼äÔ»XXëãŽQ#ÔÔ‡XëãX»¼äÔÔà  àThe€trial€court€did€state€that€if€the€Tennessee€Supreme€Court€should€find€that€Ms.€Taylor€isÐ ° Ðâ âentitled€to€recover€for€her€carpal€tunnel€injuries,€Ô_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔtheÔ_Ô€Court€would€award€her€10%€permanent€partialÐ  ð Ðdisability€to€each€arm€and€Ô_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔsheÔ_Ô€would€be€entitled€to€temporary€total€disability€benefits€to€May€7,€1997,Ð à Ðthe€date€of€her€maximum€medical€improvement.€Ð €Ð ÐÌà  àThe€trial€court€found€that€Ms.€Taylorððs€January€31,€1994€back€injury€was€compensable,€evenÐ ` ° Ðthough€there€was€no€anatomical€permanent€impairment€because€the€permanent€restrictions€as€to€herÐ P   Ðactivities€affected€her€ability€to€get€employment€on€the€open€labor€market.€€€The€trial€court€found€thatÐ @  ÐMs.€Taylor€had€a€ten€percent€(10%)€permanent€partial€disability€to€the€body€as€a€whole.€€The€trial€Ð 0 € Ðcourt€also€did€not€award€any€temporary€total€disability€benefits€for€the€back€injury€in€addition€toÐ  p  Ðthose€already€provided€by€the€defendants.Ð `  ÐÌà  àThe€trial€court€ruled€that€Ms.€Taylor€was€entitled€to€open€medical€benefits€for€life€as€theyÐ ð@  Ðrelated€to€the€back€injury,€that€Dr.€Howserððs€bill€and€Dr.€Horneððs€bill€were€unauthorized,€andÐ à0  Ðtherefore€not€recoverable,€and€also€that€the€defendants€were€not€required€to€pay€for€the€evidentiaryÐ Ð  Ðdeposition€of€Dr.€Howser.Ð À ÐÌÔ#†¼äÔ»XXëãËY#ÔÔ‡XëãX»¼äÔÔÔ  Ôà@þþ&ìàANALYSISˆÐ  ð ÐÌà  àThe€scope€of€review€of€issues€of€fact€is€òòde€novoóó€upon€the€record€of€the€trial€court,Ð €Ð Ðaccompanied€by€a€presumption€of€correctness€of€the€findings,€unless€the€preponderance€of€theÐ pÀ Ðevidence€is€otherwise.€€€Tennessee€Code€Annotated€ðð50-6-225(e)(2);€òòLollar€v.€Wal„Mart€Stores,Ð `° ÐInc.óó,€767€S.W.2d€143€(Tenn.€1989).€€When€a€trial€court€has€seen€and€heard€witnesses,€especiallyÐ P  Ðwhere€issues€of€credibility€and€weight€of€oral€testimony€are€involved,€considerable€deference€mustÐ @ Ðbe€accorded€the€trial€courtððs€actual€findings.€€òòóóHumphrey€v.€David€Witherspoon,€Inc.,€734€S.W.2d€315Ð 0€ Ð(Tenn.€1987).€Ð  p ÐÌà  àMs.€Taylor€has€presented€five€issues€in€this€appeal:€Ð P ÐÌà  àI.à ` àWhether€the€trial€court€erred€in€holding€that€Ms.€Taylor€failed€to€give€proper€noticeÐ à0 Ðto€her€employer€of€her€carpal€tunnel€syndrome€claim€in€accordance€with€Tenn.€Code€AnnotatedÐ Ð  Ððð50-6-201?Ð À! ÐÌà  àII.à ` àIf€this€Court€finds€that€Ms.€Taylor€is€allowed€to€recover€for€her€carpal€tunnelÐ  #ð! Ðsyndrome,€what€amount€should€she€receive€as€permanent€partial€disability€for€that€injury?Ð $à" ÐÌà  àIII.à ` àWhether€Ms.€Taylor€is€entitled€to€temporary€disability€benefits€for€both€her€carpalÐ p&À!$ Ðtunnel€syndrome€and€her€back€injury?Ð `'°"% ÐÌà  àIV.à ` àWhether€Senior€Citizens€Services€and€Hartford€Insurance€Company€should€beÐ @)$' Ðrequired€to€pay€for€Ms.€Taylorððs€medical€bills€from€Dr.€Howser€and€Methodist€Hospital€for€treatmentÐ 0*€%( Ðof€carpal€tunnel€syndrome.Ð  +p&) ÐÐ ,`'* Ðà  àV.à ` àWhether€Dr.€Howserððs€evidentiary€deposition€fee€should€be€considered€as€a€cost€ofÐ ° Ðthe€case€pursuant€to€Tenn.€Code€Annotated€ðð50-6-226€(c)(1)€and€charged€against€Senior€CitizensÐ  ð ÐServices€and€Hartford€Insurance€Company?€Ô_ÔÔ_ÔÐ à ÐÌà  àSenior€Citizens€Services€and€Hartford€Insurance€Company€have€presented€an€additionalÐ pÀ Ðissue:Ð ` ° ÐÌà  àVI.à ` àWhether€the€trial€court€erred€when€it€ruled€that€Ms.€Taylor€suffered€a€ten€percentÐ @  Ð(10%)€permanent€partial€disability€to€the€body€as€a€whole€for€her€alleged€back€injury€when€neitherÐ 0 € Ðthe€treating€nor€evaluating€physician€gave€Ms.€Taylor€any€anatomical€impairment.Ð  p  ÐÌÔ  Ôò òI.à  àWhether€the€trial€court€erred€in€holding€that€Ms.€Tayloró ó€ò òfailed€to€give€proper€notice€toÐ P  Ðher€employer€of€her€carpal€tunnel€syndrome€claim€in€accordance€with€Tennessee€CodeÐ ð@  ÐAnnotated€ðð50-6-201.Ð à0  ÐÌà  àó óTennessee€Code€Annotated€ðð50-6-201€provides:Ð À ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àò òNotice€of€injury.ð!ðó óEvery€injured€employee€or€such€injuredÐ  ð Ðemployeeððs€representative€shall,€immediately€upon€the€occurrence€ofÐ à Ðan€injury,€or€as€soon€thereafter€as€is€reasonable€and€practicable,€giveÐ €Ð Ðor€cause€to€be€given€to€the€employer€who€has€no€actual€notice,€writtenÐ pÀ Ðnotice€of€the€injury,€and€the€employee€shall€not€be€entitled€toÐ `° Ðphysicianððs€fees€or€to€any€compensation€which€may€have€accruedÐ P  Ðunder€the€provisions€of€the€Workersðð€Compensation€Law€from€theÐ @ Ðdate€of€the€accident€to€the€giving€of€such€notice,€unless€it€can€beÐ 0€ Ðshown€that€the€employer€had€actual€knowledge€of€the€accident;€andÐ  p Ðno€compensation€shall€be€payable€under€the€provisions€of€this€chapterÐ ` Ðunless€such€written€notice€is€given€the€employer€within€thirty€(30)Ð P Ðdays€after€the€occurrence€of€the€accident,€unless€reasonable€excuse€forÐ ð@ Ðfailure€to€give€such€notice€is€made€to€the€satisfaction€of€the€tribunalÐ à0 Ðto€which€the€claim€for€compensation€may€be€presented.ÐÐ ` x` x ÐÌTennessee€Code€Annotated€ðð50-6-201.Ð °"  ÐÌà  àThe€Tennessee€Supreme€Court€held€that€the€time€for€the€plaintiff€to€give€notice€did€not€beginÐ $à" Ðto€run€ð ðuntil€the€plaintiff€knew€or€as€a€reasonably€prudent€person€should€have€known,€that€hisÐ €%Ð # Ð[injury]€was€work€connected.ðð€€€òòHawkins€v.€Consolidated€Aluminum€Corp.óó,€742€S.W.2d€253,254Ð p&À!$ Ð(Tenn.€1987).Ð `'°"% ÐÌà  àIn€€òòHawkinsóó,€the€Court€went€on€to€state:Ð @)$' ЀÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àIt€is€well€settled€in€this€State€that€the€running€of€the€statute€ofÐ  +p&) Ðlimitations€and€of€the€time€for€giving€notice€of€an€injury€is€suspendedÐ ,`'* Ðuntil€by€reasonable€care€and€diligence€it€is€discoverable€and€apparentÐ ° Ðthat€a€compensable€injury€has€been€sustained.Рð` x` x ÐÌòòóóHawkins,€742€S.W.2d€at€255.Ð €Ð ÐÌà  àThere€are€conflicts€in€the€record€as€to€when€Ms.€Taylor€first€started€experiencing€symptomsÐ ` ° Ðof€carpal€tunnel€syndrome.€€She€testified€that€she€had€some€pain€in€her€hands,€before€June€of€1994,Ð P   Ðbut€did€not€tell€her€family€doctor,€Dr.€Horne,€until€June€of€1994,€when€his€records€indicate€sheÐ @  Ðreported€numbness€in€her€right€hand.€€While€Dr.€Howser€testified€that€when€he€examined€her€onÐ 0 € ÐFebruary€10,€1995,€Ms.€Taylor€stated€that€her€right€hand€and€arm€pain€had€started€about€four€or€fiveÐ  p  Ðmonths€ago,€which€would€mean€her€symptoms€started€in€September€or€October€of€1994.€€AccordingÐ `  Ðto€Dr.€Harrimanððs€February€10,€1998€independent€medical€exam€record,€Ms.€Taylor€told€him€thatÐ P  Ðher€symptoms€started€in€mid„1993.€€Ms.€Taylor€last€worked€for€Senior€Citizens€Services€on€AprilÐ ð@  Ð27,€1994.Ð à0  ÐÌà  àHaving€seen€and€heard€the€witnesses,€the€trial€court€was€in€the€best€position€to€judge€theÐ À Ðweight€and€credibility€of€oral€testimony.€€Here€the€trial€court€expressed€concern€about€some€of€Ms.Ð ° ÐTaylorððs€testimony€in€general€and€on€the€issue€of€notice€in€particular:Ð  ð ÐÌÔ#†¼äÔ»XXëãˆ`#ÔÔ‡XëãX»¼äÔÔà8  àà8` Ð Ð àAs€to€the€carpal€tunnel€injuries,€I€understand€that€lay€people€may€notÐ €Ð Ðknow€that€a€particular€injury€is€referable€to€an€on„the„job€injury,€butÐ pÀ Ðgiven€all€of€the€testimony€in€this€case„and€again„my€concern€aboutÐ `° Ðsome€of€the€things,€frankly,€that€[Ms.€Taylor]€has€testified€to€in€thisÐ P  Ðcase,€I€have€some€concern€about€that.€€Dr.€Harrimanððs€testimony€inÐ @ Ðhis€deposition,€that€[Ms.€Taylor]€said€that€she€first€startedÐ 0€ Ðexperiencing€symptoms€of€carpal€tunnel€in€1993,€and€based€on€thatÐ  p ÐI€just€have€some€real€problems€with€[Ms.€Taylorððs]€failure€to€sayÐ ` Ðanything€at€all€to€the€employer€about€the€carpal€tunnel.€€For€thatÐ P Ðreason,€I€donððt€think€proper€notice€was€given€and,€and€therefore,€IÐ ð@ Ðdonððt€think€it€is€compensable.Ô#†¼äÔ»XXëãùz#ÔÐà0` x` x ÐÌÔ‡XëãX»¼äÔÔà  àAfter€tests€confirmed€Ms.€Taylor€had€carpal€tunnel€syndrome,€her€counsel€wrote€theÐ è!8 Ðdefendants€on€June€13,€1995,€advising€them€that€Ms.€Taylor€had€recently€been€diagnosed€as€sufferingÐ Ø"(  Ðfrom€carpal€tunnel€syndrome,€but€it€had€not€been€determined€by€medical€opinion€whether€or€not€thisÐ È#! Ðcondition€was€work€related.€€Also€on€June€13,€1995,€Ms.€Taylorððs€counsel€filed€a€complaint€forÐ ¸$ " Ðworkersðð€compensation€benefits€which€asserted€the€carpal€tunnel€claim:€ð ð[A]lthough€she€has€not€beenÐ ¨%ø # Ðadvised€as€to€whether€or€not€said€carpal€tunnel€syndrome€is€a€result€of€her€work€for€[SeniorÐ ˜&è!$ ÐCitizens]....€€As€soon€as€[Ms.€Taylor]€is€advised€whether€or€not€her€carpal€tunnel€syndrome€is€relatedÐ ˆ'Ø"% Ðto€her€work,€[she]€will€so€notify€her€employer€within€thirty€(30)€days€of€receipt€of€saidÐ x(È#& Ðinformation/opinion,€as€required€by€law.ððÔ#†¼äÔ»XXëã#ÔÔ‡XëãX»¼äÔÔÐ h)¸$' Ðâ âÐ X*¨%( Ðà  àOn€January€2,€1996,€defendants€filed€a€motion€to€compel€the€plaintiff€to€respond€toÐ ° Ðâ âInterrogatories€and€Request€for€Production€of€Documents€that€had€been€filed€on€July€18,€1995.Ð  ð ÐÌà  àDr.€Howser€continued€to€treat€Ms.€Taylor€on€August€28,€1995,€November€28,€1995,€and€AprilÐ €Ð Ð9,€1996,€for€her€carpal€tunnel€symptoms€and€back€pain.€€They€also€discussed€carpal€tunnel€surgery.€Ð pÀ ÐAccording€to€Ms.€Taylor,€no€one€ever€told€her€that€her€carpal€tunnel€syndrome€was€related€to€herÐ ` ° Ðemployment.€€It€was€not€until€April€18,€1996,€that€Dr.€Howser€stated€in€his€letter€that€ð ðMs.€DorothyÐ P   ÐTaylor€has€a€carpal€tunnel€problem€which€was€caused€by€repetitive€use€of€her€hands€in€theÐ @  Ðworkplace.€€She€was€last€seen€in€my€office€on€April€9,€1996,€and€was€no€better€from€the€carpal€tunnelÐ 0 € Ðproblem.€€She€will€now€have€carpal€tunnel€surgery€on€the€right.ððÐ  p  ÐÌà  àCounsel€then€notified€defendants€by€letter€dated€April€29,€1996,€that€Ms.€Taylorððs€carpalÐ P  Ðtunnel€syndrome€had€been€diagnosed€as€work€related.€€This€notice€did€not€come€until€almost€one€yearÐ ð@  Ðafter€the€filing€of€the€complaint,€over€one€year€after€the€diagnosis€of€carpal€tunnel,€and€two€yearsÐ à0  Ðafter€Ms.€Taylor€last€worked€for€Senior€Citizens€Services.Ð Ð  Ðà  àòòóóÌà  àAccordingly,€after€reviewing€the€record€in€this€case,€we€find€that€the€evidence€supports€theÐ ° Ðfinding€of€the€trial€court€that€Ms.€Taylor€failed€to€meet€her€burden€in€regard€to€providing€properÐ  ð Ðnotice€of€her€carpal€tunnel€injury€to€her€employer,€Senior€Citizens€Services,€pursuant€to€TennesseeÐ à ÐCode€Annotated€ðð50-6-201.Ð €Ð ÐÌà  àIt€is€our€opinion€that€the€evidence€does€not€preponderate€against€a€finding€that€throughÐ `° Ðreasonable€care€and€diligence,€it€was€discoverable€and€apparent€that€a€compensable€injury€had€beenÐ P  Ðsustained€prior€to€April€18,€1996,€the€date€of€Dr.€Howserððs€letter.€€This,€together€with€the€trial€courtððsÐ @ Ðstatements€regarding€Ms.€Taylorððs€credibility€on€the€notice€issue€to€which€we€must€give€highÐ 0€ Ðdeference,€leads€us€to€conclude€that€the€trial€court€should€be€affirmed€on€this€issue.Ð  p ÐÌÔ  Ôò òII.à  àIf€this€Court€finds€that€Ms.€Taylor€is€allowed€to€recover€for€her€carpal€tunnel€syndromeÐ P Ðwhat€amount€should€she€receive€as€permanent€partial€disability€for€that€injury?Ð ð@ ÐÌó óà0  àOur€decision€on€the€issue€of€notice€renders€this€issue€moot€as€to€permanent€partial€disability€ÐÐ (#(# Ðbenefits€for€carpal€tunnel€syndrome,€and€it€is,€therefore,€pretermitted.Ð À! ÐÌÔ  Ôò òIII.à  àWhether€Ms.€Taylor€is€entitled€to€temporary€disability€benefits€for€both€her€carpalÐ  #ð! Ðtunnel€syndrome€and€her€back€injury?ó óÐ $à" ÐÌà  àOur€decision€on€the€issue€of€notice€renders€this€issue€moot€as€to€temporary€disability€benefitsÐ p&À!$ Ðfor€carpal€tunnel€syndrome,€and€it€is,€therefore,€Ô_Ôpretermitted.Ô_ÔÐ `'°"% ÐÌà  àAccording€to€the€complaint€and€answer,€defendants€did€provide€temporary€total€disabilityÐ @)$' Ðbenefits€for€the€back€injury,€including€authorized€medical€treatment€for€Ms.€Taylorððs€on„the„jobÐ 0*€%( Ðinjury€through€June€14,€1994.Ð  +p&) ÐÐ ,`'* Ðà  àMs.€Taylor€argues€that€she€is€entitled€to€receive€temporary€disability€benefits€for€her€backÐ ° Ðinjury€from€the€date€of€the€injury,€January€31,€1994,€to€April€16,€1996,€the€date€of€Dr.€Howserððs€letterÐ  ð Ðstating€that€she€had€not€reached€her€maximum€medical€improvement€as€of€that€date€as€to€her€backÐ à Ðinjury,€less€the€period€of€time€that€she€worked€at€the€company€after€the€injury€which€was€at€mostÐ €Ð Ðthree€(3)€weeks.Ð pÀ ÐÌà  àWhere€issues€involve€expert€medical€testimony€and€all€medical€proof€is€contained€in€theÐ P   Ðrecord€by€deposition,€the€Supreme€Court€may€draw€its€own€conclusions€about€weight€and€credibilityÐ @  Ðof€that€testimony.€€Ô#†¼äÔ»XXëã1ƒ#ÔÔ‡XëãX»¼äÔÔ€òòÔ_ÔKrickÔ_Ô€v.€City€of€Lawrenceburgóó,€945€S.W.2d€709€(Tenn.€1997).Ð 0 € ÐÌà  àDr.€Harriman€opined€that€Ms.€Taylor€reached€maximum€medical€improvement€on€April€5,Ð `  Ð1994,€and€released€her€for€full€duty€with€no€restrictions.€€After€she€saw€Dr.€Horne€and€Dr.€Segal€inÐ P  ÐJune€of€1994,€Ms.€Taylor€did€not€work€or€receive€further€treatment€for€her€back€until€she€saw€Dr.Ð ð@  ÐHowser€in€February€of€1995.Ð à0  ÐÌà  àAccording€to€Dr.€Howser,€Ms.€Taylor€had€not€reached€maximum€medical€improvement€asÐ À Ðof€April€18,€1996,€and€he€gave€her€permanent€restrictions€regarding€her€back€injury.Ð ° ÐÌÔ#†¼äÔ»XXëãY•#ÔÔ‡XëãX»¼äÔÔà  àThe€trial€court€did€express€concern€about€Ms.€Taylorððs€credibility€and€efforts€to€gainÐ à Ðemployment:Ð €Ð ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àNow,€one€of€the€problems€in€this€case,€and€one€of€the€things€that€theÐ `° ÐCourt€always€has€to€look€at€in€a€case€like€this,€is€so€much€hinges,Ð P  Ðparticularly€where€there€is€a€dispute,€on€the€credibility€of€the€PlaintiffÐ @ Ðin€this€case€and€frankly,€the€Court€is€somewhat€concerned€in€theÐ 0€ Ðtestimony€of€Ms.€Taylor,€because€for€a€substantial€period€of€time,€inÐ  p Ð1995;€all€of€1996,€and€a€good€part€of€1997,€frankly,€she€didnððt€makeÐ ` Ðmuch€effort€to€try€to€go€out€and€get€employment.ÐP` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àNow,€I€realize€and€understand€that€she€was€also€dealing€with€a€carpalÐ à0 Ðtunnel€problem€at€this€point,€and€I€understand€that€that€had€someÐ Ð  Ðeffect€on€her€ability€to€go€out€and€seek€employment.€€In€any€event,Ð À! Ðshe€has€now€returned€to€work€and€is€able€to€work€and€has€gotten€aÐ °"  Ðjob.Р#ð!` x` x ÐÌà  àÔ#†¼äÔ»XXëㄘ#ÔÔ‡XëãX»¼äÔÔAfter€reviewing€all€the€medical€testimony,€we€are€satisfied€that€the€trial€court€was€justifiedÐ €%Ð # Ðin€ruling€that€Ms.€Taylor€was€not€entitled€to€any€further€temporary€total€disability€benefits€in€additionÐ p&À!$ Ðto€those€already€provided€by€the€defendants.Ð `'°"% ÐÌà  àThis€issue€is€without€merit.Ð @)$' Ðâ âÐ 0*€%( ÐÔ  Ôâ âÔ#†¼äÔ»XXëã›#Ôò òÔ€XëãX»¼äÔÔIV.à  àWhether€Senior€Citizens€Services€and€Hartford€Insurance€Company€should€be€requiredÐ ° Ðto€pay€for€Ms.€Taylorððs€medical€bills€from€Dr.€Howser€and€Methodist€Hospital€for€treatmentÐ  ð Ðof€carpal€tunnel€syndrome.Ð à ÐÌà  àó óOur€decision€on€the€issue€of€notice€renders€this€issue€moot,€and€it€is€therefore€pretermitted.Ð pÀ ÐÌÔ  Ôò òV.à  àWhether€Dr.€Howserððs€evidentiary€deposition€fee€should€be€considered€as€a€cost€of€theÐ P   Ðcase€pursuant€to€Tenn.€Code€Annotated€ðð50-6-226(c)(1)€and€charged€against€Senior€CitizensÐ @  ÐServices€and€Hartford€Insurance€Co.€ó óÐ 0 € ÐÌà  àTennessee€Code€Annotated€ðð50-6-226€(c)(1)€provides:Ð `  ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àThe€fees€charged€to€the€claimant€by€the€treating€physician€or€aÐ ð@  Ðspecialist€to€whom€the€employee€was€referred€for€giving€testimony€byÐ à0  Ðoral€deposition€relative€to€the€claim,€shall,€unless€the€interests€ofÐ Ð  Ðjustice€require€otherwise,€be€considered€a€part€of€the€costs€of€the€case,Ð À Ðto€be€charged€against€the€employer€when€the€employee€is€theÐ ° Ðprevailing€party.Рð` x` x ÐÌTennessee€Code€Annotated€ðð50-6-226(c)(1).Ð €Ð ÐÌà  àThe€trial€court€found€that€the€bills€associated€with€Dr.€Howserððs€treatment€of€Ms.€Taylor€forÐ `° Ðher€back€ð ðwere€not€compensable€as€they€were€unauthorized€and€the€plaintiff€did€not€seek€furtherÐ P  Ðtreatment€from€Senior€Citizens€Services.ðð€€The€trial€court€stated€in€its€ruling€from€the€bench€thatÐ @ Ðð ðbased€on€that€same€rationale,€that€I€would€not€order€that€the€Defendant€pay€for€Doctor€HowserððsÐ 0€ Ðdeposition€either.ððÐ  p ÐÌà  àAppellate€courts€are€generally€disinclined€to€interfere€with€a€trial€courtððs€decision€in€assessingÐ P Ðcosts€unless€there€is€a€clear€abuse€of€discretion.€€€òòPerdue€v.€Green€Branch€Mining€Co.óó,€837€S.W.2dÐ ð@ Ð56€(Tenn.€1992).Ð à0 ÐÌà  àIt€is€our€opinion€that€the€trial€court€did€not€abuse€its€discretion€in€denying€the€fee€for€Dr.Ð À! ÐHowserððs€deposition€even€though€Ms.€Taylor€was€the€prevailing€party€on€the€issue€of€permanentÐ °"  Ðpartial€disability€for€her€back€injury.Ð  #ð! ÐÌà  àThis€issue€is€without€merit.Ð €%Ð # ÐÌÔ  Ôò òVI.à  àWhether€the€trial€court€erred€when€it€ruled€that€Ms.€Taylor€suffered€a€ten€percentÐ `'°"% Ð(10%)€permanent€partial€disability€to€the€body€as€a€whole€for€her€alleged€back€injury€whenÐ P( #& Ðneither€the€treating€nor€evaluating€physician€gave€Ms.€Taylor€any€anatomical€impairment?ó óÐ @)$' Ðâ âÐ 0*€%( Ðà  àIn€òòóóHill€v.€Royal€Insurance€Co.,€937€S.W.2d€873€(Tenn.€1996),׃×Ý ƒ%ÃÝòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€the€Supreme€Court€upheldÐ ° Ðâ â€an€award€of€permanent€partial€disability€based€on€permanent€restrictions€despite€the€fact€that€theÐ  ð Ðphysician€did€not€assign€any€anatomical€impairment€rating€to€the€plaintiff€in€that€case.Ð à ÐÌà  àAn€anatomical€impairment€rating€is€not€always€indispensable€to€a€trial€courtððs€finding€of€aÐ pÀ Ðpermanent€vocational€impairment;€anatomical€impairment€is€distinct€from€the€ultimate€issue€ofÐ ` ° Ðvocational€disability,€and€a€medical€expertððs€characterization€of€a€condition€as€ð ðchronicðð€and€theÐ P   Ðplacement€of€permanent€medical€restrictions€is€sufficient€to€prove€that€the€condition€was€permanent.€Ð @  ÐòòWalker€v.€Saturn€Corp.óó,€986€S.W.2d€204,€207€(Tenn.€1998)€(citing€€òòHill€v.€Royal€Ins.€Co.óó,€937Ð 0 € ÐS.W.2d€873,€876€(Tenn.€1996)).Ð  p  ÐÌà  àIn€òòóóCorcoran€v.€Foster€Auto€GMC,€Inc.,€746€S.W.2d€at€452€(Tenn€1988),€the€Supreme€CourtÐ P  Ðstated:Ð ð@  ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à[T]he€ultimate€issue€is€not€the€extent€of€anatomical€disability€but€thatÐ Ð  Ðof€vocational€disability,€the€percentage€of€which€does€not€definitelyÐ À Ðdepend€on€the€medical€proof€regarding€a€percentage€of€anatomicalÐ ° Ðdisability.Рð` x` x ÐÌòòCorcoran€v.€Foster€Auto€GMC,€Inc.óó,€746€S.W.2d€at€457.Ð €Ð ÐÌà  àAn€employer€takes€an€employee€as€he€finds€him€and€assumes€the€risk€of€having€a€preexistingÐ `° Ðcondition€aggravated€or€accelerated€by€his€employment.€€€òòHill€v.€Eagle€Bend€Manufacturing,€Inc.óó,Ð P  Ð942€S.W.2d€483,€488€(Tenn.€1997).Ð @ ÐÌà  àTo€be€compensable,€the€pre„existing€condition€must€be€advanced€or€there€must€be€anatomicalÐ  p Ðchange€in€the€pre„existing€condition,€or€the€employment€must€cause€an€actual€progression€of€theÐ ` Ðunderlying€disease.€€òòSweat€v.€Superior€Industries,€Inc.óó,€966€S.W.2d€31,€32€(Tenn.€1998).Ð P ÐÌà  àIn€òòòòGriffin€v.€Memphis€Community€Television€Foundationóóóó,€748€S.W.2d€87€(Tenn.€1988),€theÐ à0 ÐSupreme€Court€upheld€an€award€of€twenty€percent€(20%)€permanent€partial€disability€to€the€bodyÐ Ð  Ðas€a€whole€where€the€plaintiff€suffered€a€superimposed€cervical€strain€and€pre„existing€degenerativeÐ À! Ðdisc€condition,€but€the€doctor€opined€that€there€was€no€permanent€partial€impairment.€€The€doctorÐ °"  Ðdid€state€that€plaintiff€would€have€residual€symptoms€and€imposed€a€twenty€pound€weight€liftingÐ  #ð! Ðrestriction.€€The€Court€held€that€this,€together€with€the€plaintiffððs€testimony€regarding€his€disability,Ð ° Ðwas€enough€to€establish€permanency.€€òòGriffin€v.€Memphis€Community€Tele.€Found.óó,€748€S.W.2dÐ  ð Ðat€88„89.Ð à ÐÌà  àOnce€causation€and€permanency€have€been€established€by€expert€medical€testimony,€the€trialÐ pÀ Ðjudge€may€consider€many€pertinent€factors,€including€age,€job€skills,€education,€training,€durationÐ ` ° Ðof€disability,€anatomical€disabilities€established€by€medical€experts,€and€job€opportunities€availableÐ P   Ðto€a€worker€with€those€anatomical€disabilities,€to€determine€the€extent€of€the€workerððs€industrialÐ @  Ðdisability.€€òòóóHill€v.€Royal€Insurance€Co.,€937€S.W.2d€at€877€(citing€€òòÔ_ÔWorthingtonÔ_Ô€v.€ModineÐ 0 € ÐManufacturing€Co.óó,€798€S.W.2d€232,€234€(Tenn.€1990)).Ð  p  ÐÌà  àIn€his€ruling€from€the€bench€the€trial€court€referred€to€Dr.€Howserððs€testimony€as€to€whetherÐ P  Ðthe€1994€accident€advanced€the€severity€of€her€lumbar€condition:Ð ð@  ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àSo€I€think€he€[Dr.€Howser]€starts€out€saying€no,€it€didnððt€advance€it,Ð Ð  Ðthen€he€essentially€says€that,€yes,€it€did€advance€it,€because€now€sheÐ À Ðhas€a€lumbar€facet€syndrome€which€she€didnððt€have€before,Ð ° Ðapparently;€and€aggravated€a€previous„existing€lumbar€canal€stenosisÐ  ð Ðand€caused€a€Ô_ÔradiculopathyÔ_Ô€from€that€standpoint.Ðà` x` x ÐÌà  àThe€trial€court€then€found€that€the€permanent€restrictions€of€lifting€no€more€than€ten€to€fifteenÐ pÀ Ðpounds€and€avoiding€bending€and€stooping€imposed€by€Dr.€Howser€for€her€back€injury€establishedÐ `° Ðpermanency.€€He€found€that€these€permanent€restrictions€affected€Ms.€Taylorððs€ability€to€getÐ P  Ðemployment€on€the€open€labor€market.€After€considering€Ms.€Taylorððs€age,€education,€work€and€pastÐ @ Ðwork€experience,€and€the€permanent€restrictions,€the€trial€court€concluded€that€Ms.€Taylor€had€a€tenÐ 0€ Ðpercent€(10%)€permanent€impairment€to€the€body€as€a€whole.Ð  p ÐÌà  àAfter€reviewing€the€record€in€this€case,€we€find€that€the€evidence€does€not€preponderateÐ P Ðagainst€the€trial€courtððs€award€of€permanent€partial€disability€benefits.Ð ð@ ÐÌà@hh%ìàCONCLUSIONˆÐ Ð  ÐÌà  àThe€judgment€of€the€trial€court€is€affirmed.€€Costs€are€assessed€to€the€Appellants.€€We€remandÐ °"  Ðthe€case€to€the€trial€court€for€the€entry€of€any€order€necessary€to€carry€out€this€judgment.Ð  #ð! ÐÌÐ  €%Ð # ÐÑ8€ëãXXdð»»d8Ñà@r r ìàIN€THE€SUPREME€COURT€OF€TENNESSEEˆÐ ° Ðà@å å ìàSPECIAL€WORKERSðð€COMPENSATION€APPEALS€PANELˆÐ  ð Ðà@ŒŒ%ìàAT€JACKSONˆÐ à ÐÌò òÔ‡¼äÔ»XXëãÔÓ  ÓDOROTHY€TAYLOR€v.€SENIOR€CITIZENS€SERVICES,€INC.,€Et€al.Ô#†XëãX»¼äÔLÃ#Ôó óÐ pÀ ÐÓkÃÓÌà@zzìàò òCircuit€Court€for€Shelby€CountyˆÐ x È Ðà@"ìàNo.€€70466„9€T.D.ˆÐ h ¸ ÐÌÌà@ìì*ìàßA€V) °°` d€÷E<7` A߈Ð 8ˆ  ÐÌà@$ $ ìàNo.€W1999„02152„Ô_ÔWCÔ_Ô„R3„CV€„€Filed€August€1,€2000ˆÐ 7‡  ÐÌßA€V) °°` dE<` AßÐ g  Ðó óÌà@°°&ìàò òJUDGMENTó óˆÐ f  ÐÌòòóóÌÔ‡ Xw XXXëãÔà  àà ` àThis€case€is€before€the€Court€upon€the€entire€record,€including€the€order€of€referralÐ æ6 Ðto€the€Special€Workers'€Compensation€Appeals€Panel,€and€the€Panel's€Memorandum€Opinion€settingÐ Ò" Ðforth€its€findings€of€fact€and€conclusions€of€law,€which€are€incorporated€herein€by€reference;Ð ¾ ÐÌà  àà ` àWhereupon,€it€appears€to€the€Court€that€the€Memorandum€Opinion€of€the€PanelÐ –æ Ðshould€be€accepted€and€approved;€andÐ ‚Ò ÐÌà  àà ` àIt€is,€therefore,€ordered€that€the€Panel's€findings€of€fact€and€conclusions€of€law€areÐ Zª Ðadopted€and€affirmed,€and€the€decision€of€the€Panel€is€made€the€judgment€of€the€Court.Ð F– Ѐ€ò òÐ 2‚ Ðó óà  àà ` àCosts€on€appeal€are€taxed€to€the€Appellant,€for€which€execution€may€issue€ifÐ n Ðnecessary.Ð  Z ÐÌà  àà ` àIT€IS€SO€ORDERED.Ð â 2  ÐÌÌÌÔ#†XëãX X XwúÅ#ÔÔ‡XëãXXXëãÔÔ#†XëãXXXëã<Ê#ÔÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àPER€Ô_ÔCURIAMÔ_ÔÐ ‚%Ò % Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à