ÿWPCä zs4:í(nº€ìíFí½-µØšáЗ„O, ó2Q,èaØwOO[€gjèH|qÅçóL…0èëƒà¥ú]…Ÿp‹œó"xNÀíß8u£6Ù_Ò:áG5ç®–GfÝ `^“¢ù‹GêTùjisXßï,òÄ—ê‘b¡‚i臆2Æg|‡ÈÍTB¯†H®á„}˜œ’^|s­F v¸cçIÎØÈPü5Ä`¾m½<÷lާæ6—y»Âü“Â_+£?wx½@KÃÒƒâÜ*çÛÏ0†q’êÍ ú»H°â˜¤éÅÅ:L#åGêkå ¤çx¡]3Ø(ýxtÄ}r-„¹ƒðÂà œÈdõ¯_—œ”de 5ΰÇ8r¹Ü¦¯’=¡´jf남րöHìç±¥¹Å»Ïš ÷ݪm·(­PF‰Mƒã(0+NnÈ¿‰vó'&\PN÷Ú-ïvhhÔ ½µmò³ýKrC´³ŒÜSèãÅØíÿØ„+/?"ùR¶_ÞAû«âÙª½ú‰=3ÝÝM!o˜høÅF—²-;¦¹sxÐoHì‡zc5v£q:‚ìRiÈ\_};+Èœ·Nþ¯.Ôí[b#Á\ % ^ # 0ˆ/ UN· w 4 z Ò— i x mz UN‘ Æß Æ¥ Æk Æ1UN÷NEGNOEQ zSÒÍÍU:ŸŸŸŸŸŸŸŸŸŸŸŸŸŸŸŸŸŸŸŸbÙÙÙÙÙÙÙÙÙÙÙÙÙÙÙÙÙÙÙÙÙÙÙÙÙÙÙÙÙÙÙÙÙÙÙÙ 0ëáááá B ÌÌ 0¤é D3 D-À 0Kíí AS8Æ‹ 0¤Q 0Dõ A«9˜HP LaserJet 4,ü,,,,,ü0»‚!)L (`£ª$¡¡Ñ€.ÑÑ8€½­»»d»»d8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  Ó(í€"  Z6Times New Roman Regular˜L-(X°ª ˜C:\PROGRA~1\COREL\WORDPE~1\TEMPLATE\CUSTOM~1\REVISE~1.WPTC:\Program Files\Corel\WordPerfect Office 2000\Template\Custom WP Templates\revised standard opinion.wpt3|xÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ(ÈhH  Z ‹6Times New Roman RegularLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5‚Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5„Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5…Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(ÈhH  Z 6Times New Roman Regular ˜C:\PROGRA~1\COREL\WORDPE~1\TEMPLATE\CUSTOM~1\REVISE~1.WPTC:\Program Files\Corel\WordPerfect Office 2000\Template\Custom WP Templates\revised standard opinion.wpt, øð AZ‹"Arial Regular- ù-(|G2àp$¤¤Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€³œ»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  ÚóóÔ€X¹ûX»»Ô d(|3 $££Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€³œ»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝVVVV'ÿÿdxd)!ÈÈÈÈdxdx( ±þ$’’ò òFigure€Ú  Ú1Ú  Úó ó^_X`YEþÿ<<CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(|3 $¢¢Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€³œ»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó óX[Z&OLE 2.0 Box <=8ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿCÿÿ HKKKKÝ ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€£D»»ddÈ8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÔ€¼£D»»»ÔÑ8€¼ÓXXdð»»d8ÑÓ  Óà@@7 7 ìàIN€THE€SUPREME€COURT€OF€TENNESSEEÐ ° ÐSPECIAL€WORKERSðð€COMPENSATION€APPEALS€PANELÐ È Ðà@@ƒƒìàAT€JACKSONÐ à0 Ð(January€27,€2000€Session)Ð øH ÐÔ‡X¼ÓX»¼£DÔÌò òÔ#†¼£D»XX¼ÓÙ#ÔREX€TAYLOR€òòóóv.€EMERSON€MOTOR€COMPANYÔ‡X¼ÓX»¼£DÔó óÐ  P ÐÌà@@¼¼ìàò ò€Direct€Appeal€from€the€Circuit€Court€for€Decatur€CountyÐ  X Ðà@@ôôìàNo.€2428€€€€€€Creed€McGinley,€JudgeÐ ø H ÐÌÌà@@ìì*ìàßA€V) °°` d€÷E<Ç` AßÐ È  ÐÌNo.€W1999„00497„SC„WCM€„CV€„€Mailed€May€8,€2000;€Filed€September€1,€2000€€Ð Ç  ÐÌßA€V) °°` dE<¦` AßÐ §÷  Ðó óÌÓ  ÓÓ  Óà  àÔ‡ XyÓXXX¼ÓÔThis€workersðð€compensation€appeal€has€been€referred€to€the€Special€Workersðð€CompensationÐ ¦ö ÐAppeals€Panel€of€the€Supreme€Court€in€accordance€with€òòTennessee€Code€Annotated€óóðð50„6„225(e)(3)Ð ’â Ðfor€hearing€and€reporting€to€the€Supreme€Court€of€findings€of€fact€and€conclusions€of€law.€€TheÐ ~Î Ðdefendant,€Emerson€Motor€Company€(Emerson),€appeals€the€judgment€of€the€Circuit€Court€ofÐ jº ÐDecatur€County,€where€the€trial€court€found:€(1)€an€injury€by€accident,€(2)€the€plaintiff,€Rex€TaylorÐ V¦ Ð(Taylor),€€did€not€have€a€meaningful€return€to€work,€€and€(3)€awarded€the€maximum€benefits€of€twoÐ B’ Ðhundred€sixty€(260)€weeks€of€benefits€under€òòTennessee€Code€Annotatedóó,€ðð50„6„207(4).€€For€theÐ .~ Ðreasons€stated€in€this€opinion,€we€affirm€the€judgment€of€the€trial€court.Ô#†X¼ÓXX XyÓu#ÔÔ#†¼£D»XX¼ÓH#ÔÔ‡X¼ÓX»¼£DÔÐ j ÐÓ]ÓÌò òTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€50„6„225(e)€(1999)€Appeal€as€of€Right;€Judgment€of€the€Circuit€CourtÐ öF ÐAffirmedó óÐ æ6 ÐÌòòÓ  ÓMaloan,€Sp.€J.Ô#†¼£D»àX¼Ó^#ÔÔ‡X¼ÓX.¼£DÔóó,€delivered€the€opinion€of€the€court,€in€which€òòHolder,€J.,óó€and€òòWeatherford,€Sr.Ð Æ ÐJ.óó,€joined.Ð ¶ ÐÌP.€Allen€Phiillips€and€B.€Duane€Willis,€Jackson,€Tennessee,€for€the€appellant,€Emerson€MotorÐ –!æ  ÐCompany.Ð †"Ö! ÐÌGayden€Drew€IV,€Jackson,€Tennessee,€for€the€appellee,€Rex€TaylorÐ f$¶# ÐÌÔ  ÔÓ8 ÓÓ  Óò òMEMORANDUM€OPINIONó óÔ#†¼£D»XX¼Óu #ÔÔ‡X¼ÓX»¼£DÔÐ F&–!% ÐÌòòÓ  ÓóóÔ#†¼£D»XX¼Óo #ÔÔ‡X¼ÓX»¼£DÔà  àÔ‡ XyÓXXX¼ÓÔAt€the€trial€of€this€case,€Taylor€was€sixty„two€(62)€years€old€and€completed€the€fifth€(5th)Ð &(v#' Ðgrade€in€school.€€He€testified€he€can€only€read€or€write€ð ðlittle€stuffðð€and€would€be€unable€to€read€aÐ )b$( Ðnewspaper.€€He€does€not€have€any€vocational€training.€€Taylor€began€working€at€age€fifteen€(15)€inÐ þ)N%) Ðhis€uncleððs€garage.€€He€worked€for€United€Foods€on€a€production€line€for€five€(5)€years.€€He€thenÐ ê*:&* Ðfarmed€and€drove€tractors€for€a€few€years€and€worked€in€a€service€station€for€nine€(9)€or€ten€(10)Ð Ö+&'+ Ðyears.€€He€worked€at€Standard€Oil€for€eleven€(11)€years€doing€machinery€maintenance€before€heÐ Â,(, Ðbegan€to€work€for€Emerson€in€the€maintenance€department.Ð ®-þ(-ý Їà  àOn€November€20,€1997,€Taylor€injured€his€back€while€using€a€sledge€hammer€to€loosen€aÐ ° Ðfrozen€bearing€on€a€lathe€shaft.€€He€felt€a€ð ðpopðð€and€pain€in€his€low€back€and€left€leg.€€Prior€to€thisÐ œì Ðinjury,€Taylor€did€not€have€any€back€problems.Ð ˆØ ÐÌà  àTaylor€continued€to€work€for€Emerson€at€the€same€wage€as€before€his€injury€until€he€retiredÐ `° Ðin€May€1999.€€He€testified€fellow€workers€assisted€him;€he€sat€down€when€necessary;€he€limited€hisÐ L œ Ðlifting€and€climbing;€and€he€obtained€a€parking€card€so€he€would€not€have€to€walk€across€the€parkingÐ 8 ˆ Ðlot.€€€€He€stated,€ð ðI€kept€dragging€around€with€everybodyððs€help,€helping€me€out.ðð€€€During€this€time,Ð $ t Ðhe€experienced€a€lot€of€back€pain€and€finally€retired€due€to€the€back€pain€and€his€limited€ability€toÐ  ` Ðwork.Ð ü L  ÐÌà  àDr.€Glenn€Barnett,€a€neurosurgeon€in€Jackson,€Tennessee,€was€Taylorððs€treating€physician.€Ð Ô$  ÐHe€first€saw€Taylor€on€July€20,€1998.€€A€CT€scan€of€Taylorððs€back€showed€significant€degenerativeÐ À  Ðjoint€disease€in€his€lumbar€spine,€spondylolisthesis€at€L4€and€L5,€and€evidence€of€an€acutelyÐ ¬ü  Ðherniated€L4€disc.€€An€EMG€disclosed€mild€early€peripheral€neuropathy€in€his€legs.€€Dr.€Barnett€wasÐ ˜è  Ðof€the€opinion€the€spondylolisthesis€was€not€caused€by€his€work,€but€could€have€been€aggravated€byÐ „Ô  Ðhis€work€injury,€and€the€herniated€L4€disc€ð ðcertainly€could€have€been€caused€by€work€injury€or€otherÐ pÀ Ðinjuries€in€his€life.ðð€€Dr.€Barnett€last€saw€Taylor€on€February€1,€1999.€€He€felt€Taylor€should€limitÐ \¬ Ðhis€lifting€and€be€careful€in€how€he€lifts.€€Dr.€Barnett€assigned€a€ten€percent€(10%)€permanentÐ H˜ Ðimpairment€to€the€body€as€a€whole€for€his€back€condition€and€recommended€Taylor€work€towardÐ 4„ Ðearly€retirement-„€ð ðget€out€of€the€plant€and€take€it€easy.ððÐ  p ÐÌà  àDr.€John€Brophy,€a€neurosurgeon€in€Memphis,€saw€Taylor€on€October€14,€1998,€for€a€secondÐ øH Ðopinion.€€Dr.€Brophy€diagnosed€lumbar€radiculopathy€and€back€pain€associated€with€lumbarÐ ä4 Ðspondylolisthesis.€€Although€Dr.€Brophy€did€not€find€any€relationship€between€the€work€injury€andÐ Ð  Ðthe€spondylolisthesis,€he€agreed€the€lumbar€radiculopathy€was€aggravated€by€the€injury.€€Dr.€BrophyÐ ¼  Ðassigned€an€eight€percent€(8%)€permanent€impairment€to€the€body€as€a€whole.Ð ¨ø ÐÌà  àTaylor€was€examined€by€Dr.€Joseph€Boals,€an€orthopedic€surgeon€in€Memphis,€for€anÐ €Ð Ðindependent€medical€evaluation€on€November€11,€1998.€€Dr.€Boals€diagnosed€spondylolisthesis€atÐ l¼ ÐL4„5,€degenerative€disc€disease€at€L4„5€and€L5„S1,€a€ruptured€L4€disc€and€severe€loss€of€motionÐ X ¨ Ðsecondary€to€these€conditions.€€Dr.€Boals€stated€the€injury€aggravated€Taylorððs€preexisting€backÐ D!” Ðproblems.€€Dr.€Boals€assigned€a€twenty„four€percent€(24%)€permanent€impairment€to€the€body€as€aÐ 0"€  Ðwhole€and€placed€permanent€restrictions€of€no€prolonged€walking,€standing,€squatting,€lifting€ofÐ #l! Ðmore€than€five€(5)€pounds€at€a€time,€€or€any€type€of€rotary€or€bending€activities€with€his€back.Ð $X" ÐÌÔ  Ôà@&ìàANALYSISˆÐ à%0!$ ÐÌà  àThe€scope€of€review€of€issues€of€fact€is€òòde€novoóó€upon€the€record€of€the€trial€court,Ð ¸'#& Ðaccompanied€by€a€presumption€of€correctness€of€the€findings,€unless€the€preponderance€of€evidenceÐ ¤(ô#' Ðis€otherwise.€€òòTennessee€Code€Annotatedóó€ðð50„6„225(e)(2).€€òòLollar€v€Wal„Mart€Stores,€Inc.,€óó767Ð )à$( ÐS.W.2d€143€(Tenn.€1989).€€When€a€trial€court€has€seen€and€heard€witnesses,€especially€where€issuesÐ |*Ì%) Ðof€credibility€and€weight€of€oral€testimony€are€involved,€considerable€deference€must€be€accordedÐ h+¸&* Ðthe€trial€courtððs€factual€findings.€€òòHumphrey€v€David€Witherspoon,€Inc.óó,€734€S.W.2d€315€(Tenn.Ð ° Ð1987).€€However,€where€the€issues€involve€expert€medical€testimony€which€is€contained€in€the€recordÐ œì Ðby€deposition,€as€it€is€in€this€case,€then€all€impressions€of€weight€and€credibility€must€be€drawn€fromÐ ˆØ Ðthe€contents€of€the€depositions,€and€the€reviewing€court€may€draw€its€own€impression€as€to€weightÐ tÄ Ðand€credibility€from€the€contents€of€the€depositions.€€òòOverman€v€Williams€Sonoma,€Inc.óó,€803€S.W.2dÐ `° Ð672,€676„77€(Tenn.€1991).Ð L œ ÐÌà  àEmerson€has€presented€three€issues€in€this€appeal:Ð $ t ÐÌà0  àI)à0` (#(#àPlaintiff€has€not€suffered€an€injury€by€accident€within€the€meaning€of€the€WorkersððÐ ü L  ÐCompensation€Act.Ðè 8 ` (#` (# ÐÌà0  àII)à0` (#(#àThe€plaintiff€is€not€permanently€and€totally€disabled€under€the€WorkersððÐ À  ÐCompensation€Act.Ьü ` (#` (# ÐÌà0  àIII)à0` (#(#àIf€plaintiff€is€entitled€to€an€award,€it€should€be€subject€to€the€2„1/2€times€cap,€as€setÐ „Ô  Ðforth€in€òòTennessee€Code€Annotatedóó,€ðð50„6„241(a)(1).ÓÓÐpÀ` (#` (# Ðà  àTaylor€has€presented€as€an€additional€issue:Ð H˜ Ðà  àIV)à0 ` àWas€the€defendantððs€appeal€frivolous?Ð p` (#` (# ÐÔ  ÔÓÓò òI.€€Has€Taylor€suffered€a€compensable€injury€by€accident?ó óÐ øH ÐÌÔ#†X¼ÓXX XyÓ #ÔÔ‡X¼ÓXXX¼ÓÔÔ#†¼£D»XX¼ÓÙ #ÔÔ‡SŸÁ R»¼£DÔà  àThe€plaintiff€in€a€workerððs€compensation€case€has€the€burden€of€proving€every€element€of€hisÐ Ð  Ðcase€by€a€preponderance€of€the€evidence.€€òòElmore€v.€Travelerððs€Ins.€Co.óó,€824€S.W.2d€541,€543€(Tenn.Ð ¾ Ð1992).€€An€accidental€injury€arises€out€of€oneððs€employment€when€there€is€apparent€to€the€rationalÐ ¬ü Ðmind,€upon€a€consideration€of€all€the€circumstances,€a€causal€connection€between€the€conditionsÐ šê Ðunder€which€the€work€is€required€to€be€performed€and€the€resulting€injury,€and€occurs€in€the€courseÐ ˆØ Ðof€oneððs€employment€if€it€occurs€when€an€employee€is€performing€a€duty€he€was€employed€to€do.€Ð vÆ ÐòòFink€v.€Caudleóó,€856€S.W.2d€952€(Tenn.€1993).€€As€to€causation,€our€Supreme€Court€stated€in€òòTindallÐ d ´ Ðv.€Waring€Park€Assððnóó,€725€S.W.2d€935,€937€(Tenn.€1987)€as€follows:Ð R!¢ ÐÌà8  àThis€Court€has€consistently€held€that€causation€and€permanency€of€a€work„relatedÐ .#~! Ðinjury€must€be€shown€in€most€cases€by€expert€medical€evidence.€€Furthermore,€byÐ $l" Ðð ðcausal€connectionðð€is€meant€not€proximate€cause€as€used€in€the€law€of€negligence,Ð  %Z # Ðbut€cause€in€the€sense€that€the€accident€had€its€origin€in€the€hazards€to€which€theÐ ø%H!$ Ðemployment€exposed€the€employee€while€doing€his€work.€€Although€absoluteÐ æ&6"% Ðcertainty€is€not€required€for€proof€of€causation,€medical€proof€that€the€injury€wasÐ Ô'$#& Ðcaused€in€the€course€of€the€employeeððs€work€must€not€be€speculative€or€so€uncertainÐ Â($' Ðregarding€the€cause€of€the€injury€that€attributing€it€to€the€plaintiffððs€employmentÐ °)%( Ðwould€be€an€arbitrary€determination€or€a€mere€possibility.€€If,€upon€undisputed€proof,Ð ž*î%) Ðit€is€conjectural€whether€disability€resulted€from€a€cause€operating€withinÐ Œ+Ü&* Ðemployment,€there€can€be€no€award.€€If,€however,€equivocal€medical€evidenceÐ ° Ðcombined€with€other€evidence€supports€a€finding€of€causation,€such€an€inference€mayÐ žî Ðnevertheless€be€drawn€by€the€trial€court€under€the€case€law.Ô#†SŸÁ R RSŸÁ'&#ÔÔ‡ Sdß R RSŸÁÔÔ#† ¼0O » R Sdßi&#ÔÔ‡ XyÓX » ¼0OÔÐŒÜÐ Ð  ÐÌà  àThe€medical€evidence€in€this€case€is€conflicting,€a€common€occurrence€in€workersððÐ f¶ Ðcompensation€cases.€€The€trial€court€has€the€discretion€to€accept€the€opinion€of€one€medical€expertÐ R ¢ Ðover€the€opinion€of€another€medical€expert.€€òòJohnson€v€Midwesco,€Inc.óó,€801€S.W.2d€804,€813€(Tenn.Ð > Ž Ð1990).Ð * z ÐÌà  àDr.€Glenn€Barnett€testified€Taylorððs€herniated€L4€disc€ð ðcertainly€could€have€been€caused€byÐ  R  Ðwork€injury€or€other€injuries€in€his€lifeðð€and€his€preexisting€spondylolisthesis€could€have€beenÐ î >  Ðaggravated€by€his€work€injury.€€Dr.€Brophy€did€not€find€any€relationship€between€TaylorððsÐ Ú*  Ðspondylolisthesis€and€his€work€injury,€but€stated€the€injury€aggravated€his€lumbar€radiculopathy.€Ð Æ  ÐDr.Boals€was€of€the€opinion€the€injury€ð ðmore€likelyðð€caused€the€L4€disc€and€aggravated€his€otherÐ ²  Ðback€conditions.€€Dr.€Boals€placed€severe€permanent€restrictions€on€him.€€Each€physician€assignedÐ žî  Ðvarying€degrees€of€permanent€impairment.Ð ŠÚ  ÐÌà  àAbsolute€certainty€of€medical€evidence€as€to€causation€is€not€required.€€òòStratton„WarrenÐ b² ÐHardware€v€Parkeróó,€557€S.W.2d€494,€497€(Tenn.€1977).€€It€is€sufficient€for€the€medical€evidence€toÐ Nž Ðindicate€the€workerððs€injury€ð ðcould€haveðð€caused€the€workerððs€condition€if€other€credible€evidenceÐ :Š Ðsupports€causation.€€òòHinson€v€Wal„Mart€Stores,€Inc.óó,€644€S.W.2d€675,€677€(Tenn.€1983);€òòThomasÐ &v Ðv€Aetna€Life€&€Casualty€Co.óó,€812€S.W.2d€278€(Tenn.€1991).€€Any€reasonable€doubt€as€to€whetherÐ b Ðan€injury€arose€out€of€the€employment€is€to€be€resolved€in€favor€of€the€employee.€€òòLegions€v€LibertyÐ þN ÐMutual€Ins.€Co.óó,€703€S.W.2d€620,€622€(Tenn.€1986).Ð ê: ÐÌà  àFurther,€the€law€in€Tennessee€is€clear€that€an€employer€takes€an€employee€as€he€finds€him€andÐ Â Ðassumes€the€risk€of€having€a€preexisting€condition€aggravated€or€accelerated€by€his€employment.€Ð ®þ ÐòòHill€v€Eagle€Bend€Manufacturing€Co.óó,€942€S.W.2d€483,€488€(Tenn.€1997).Ð šê ÐÌà  àThe€panel€finds€the€evidence€in€the€case€fully€supports€the€trial€courtððs€finding€of€an€injuryÐ r Ðby€accident.ò òÐ ^ ® ÐÌÔ  ÔII.€€Did€the€trial€court€err€in€finding€Taylor€permanently€and€totally€disabled?ó óÐ 6"†  ÐÌà  àIn€assessing€vocational€disability,€the€trial€court€is€required€to€consider€all€pertinent€facts,Ð $^" Ðincluding€lay€and€expert€testimony,€employeeððs€age,€education,€skills€and€training,€local€jobÐ ú$J # Ðopportunities,€and€capacity€to€work€at€types€of€employment€available€in€claimantððs€disabledÐ æ%6!$ Ðcondition€in€determining€the€extent€of€an€injured€workerððs€permanent€disability.€€òòTennessee€CodeÐ Ò&""% ÐAnnotatedóó,€ðð50„6„241(2)(1).€òòWorthington€v€Modine€Manuf.€Co.óó,€298€S.W.2d€232,€234€(Tenn.€1990).Ð ¾'#& ÐÌà  àAt€the€close€of€this€trial,€the€trial€court€did€not€specifically€find€Taylor€to€be€ð ðpermanentlyÐ –)æ$( Ðand€totally€disabled,ðð€but€stated€he€was€limited€to€a€maximum€of€260€weeks€of€benefits€due€to€TaylorÐ ‚*Ò%) Ðbeing€over€the€age€of€60€at€the€time€of€the€injury.€€òòTennessee€Code€Annotatedóó,€ðð50„6„207(4).€€TheÐ n+¾&* Ðtrial€court€stated€Taylor€had€ð ðvery,€very€significant€anatomical€problems,ðð€€and€a€higher€award€wouldÐ ° Ðbe€appropriate,€but€that€Taylor€was€limited€in€his€award€by€statute.Ð œì ÐÌà  àAfter€considering€all€of€the€relevant€statutory€factors,€we€find€the€evidence€does€notÐ tÄ Ðpreponderate€against€the€trial€courtððs€award€of€sixty„five€percent€(65%)€permanent€partial€disabilityÐ `° Ðto€the€body€as€a€whole€or€two€hundred€sixty€(260)€weeks€of€benefits,€the€maximum€permitted€byÐ L œ ÐòòTennessee€Code€Annotatedóó,€ðð50„6„207(4).Ð 8 ˆ Ðò òÌÔ  ÔÔ  ÔIII.€€Did€the€trial€court€err€in€finding€Taylor€did€not€have€a€meaningful€return€to€work?ó óÐ  ` ÐÌà  àòòTennessee€Code€Annotatedóó,€ðð50„6„241(a)(1)€provides€as€follows:Ð è 8  ÐÌà8  à(a)(1)€For€injuries€arising€on€or€after€August€1,€1992,€in€cases€where€an€injuredÐ À  Ðemployee€is€eligible€to€receive€any€permanent€partial€disability€benefits,€pursuant€toÐ ¬ü  Ððð50„6„207(3)(A)(I)€and€(F),€and€the€pre„injury€employer€returns€the€employee€toÐ ˜è  Ðemployment€at€a€wage€equal€to€or€greater€than€the€wage€the€employee€was€receivingÐ „Ô  Ðat€the€time€of€injury,€the€maximum€permanent€partial€disability€award€that€theÐ pÀ Ðemployee€may€receive€is€two€and€one„half€(2€ðð)€times€the€medical€impairment€ratingÐ \¬ Ðdetermined€pursuant€to€the€provisions€of€the€American€Medical€Association€GuidesÐ H˜ Ðto€the€Evaluation€of€Permanent€Impairment€(American€Medical€Association),€theÐ 4„ ÐManual€for€Orthopedic€Surgeons€in€Evaluating€Permanent€Physical€ImpairmentÐ  p Ð(American€Academy€of€Orthopedic€Surgeons),€or€in€cases€not€covered€by€either€ofÐ  \ Ðthese,€an€impairment€rating€by€any€appropriate€method€used€and€accepted€by€theÐ øH Ðmedical€community.€€In€making€determinations,€the€court€shall€consider€all€pertinentÐ ä4 Ðfactors,€including€lay€and€expert€testimony,€employeeððs€age,€education,€skills€andÐ Ð  Ðtraining,€local€job€opportunities,€and€capacity€to€work€at€types€of€employmentÐ ¼  Ðavailable€in€claimantððs€disabled€condition.ШøÐ Ð  ÐÌà  àIf€the€injured€worker€returns€to€his€former€employer€at€a€wage€equal€to€or€greater€than€theÐ €Ð Ðwage€at€the€time€of€the€accident,€his€award€of€permanent€partial€disability€is€capped€at€a€maximumÐ l¼ Ðof€two€and€one„half€(2€ðð)€times€the€medical€impairment€rating€if€the€injured€worker€has€aÐ X ¨ Ðð ðmeaningful€returnðð€to€work.€€Whether€the€worker€has€made€a€meaningful€return€to€work€dependsÐ D!” Ðon€numerous€relevant€factors€for€the€trial€court€to€consider:€(1)€the€reasonableness€of€an€employerððsÐ 0"€  Ðoffer€to€return€an€employee€to€work;€(2)€the€nature€of€the€work€to€be€performed,€and€restrictions,€ifÐ #l! Ðany,€placed€on€an€employee;€(3)€whether€an€employeeððs€refusal€to€return€to€work€is€reasonable€inÐ $X" Ðlight€of€the€nature€of€work€and€restrictions;€and€(4)€the€reasonableness€of€an€employeeððs€decision€toÐ ô$D # Ðdiscontinue€working€if€he€returned€to€work€for€a€period€of€time.€€òòNewton€v€Scott€Health€Care€Centeróó,Ð à%0!$ Ð914€S.W.2d€884,€886€(Tenn.€1995).Ð Ì&"% ÐÌà  àThe€proof€in€this€case€is€that€Taylor€did€return€to€his€former€employer€and€worked€at€the€sameÐ ¤(ô#' Ðor€greater€wage€for€eighteen€(18)€months€before€he€voluntarily€retired.€€However,€Taylor€testified€heÐ )à$( Ðð ðkept€dragging€aroundðð€and€was€assisted€by€fellow€employees.€€Taylor€was€allowed€by€his€employerÐ |*Ì%) Ðto€ð ðjust€do€what€I€had€to€doðð€and€rest€whenever€he€needed€to.€€Dr.€Boals€placed€severe€limitationsÐ h+¸&* Ðon€Taylorððs€ability€to€work€and€Dr.€Barnett€advised€Taylor€to€retire.€€Taylor€was€clearly€unable€toÐ ° Ðperform€his€job€at€this€pre„injury€level€and€his€return€to€work€was€not€meaningful.Ð œì ÐÌà  àThe€trial€court€found€Taylor€had€not€made€a€meaningful€return€to€work€and,€therefore,€wasÐ tÄ Ðnot€limited€by€the€provisions€of€òòTennessee€Code€Annotated€ððóó50„6„241.€€The€proof€does€notÐ `° Ðpreponderate€against€this€finding.Ð L œ ÐÌÔ  Ôò òIV.€€Was€Emersonððs€appeal€frivolous?ó óÐ $ t ÐÌà  àAfter€considering€all€the€facts€of€this€case,€this€panel€cannot€say€the€appeal€was€without€anyÐ ü L  Ðmerit€and€frivolous.€€Taylorððs€motion€for€this€panel€to€find€this€appeal€frivolous€is€denied.Ð è 8  ÐÌÔ  Ôà  àà@ll%ìàCONCLUSIONˆÐ À  ÐÌà  àThe€judgment€of€the€trial€court€€awarding€plaintiff,€Rex€Taylor,€sixty„five€percent€(65%)Ð ˜è  Ðpermanent€partial€disability€to€the€body€as€a€whole€or€two€hundred€sixty€(260)€weeks€of€benefits€isÐ „Ô  Ðaffirmed.€€The€defendant,€Emerson€Motor€Company,€is€taxed€with€the€cost€of€this€appeal.Ð pÀ ÐÌÐ  H˜ ÐÔ#† ¼0O »X XyÓ¼/#ÔÑ  ÑÑ  Ñà@™ ™ ìàÔ‡ î/Þî » ¼0OÔIN€THE€SUPREME€COURT€OF€TENNESSEEˆÐ ° Ðà@õõ%ìàAT€JACKSONˆÐ Ö& ÐÔ#† ¼0O »î î/Þ?S#ÔÔ‡ XyÓX » ¼0OÔÌò òÔ#† ¼0O »X XyÓêS#ÔÓ  ÓREX€TAYLORòòóó€v.€EMERSON€MOTOR€COMPANYÔ‡ XyÓX » ¼0OÔó óÐ è8 ÐÓ0TÓÌà@ìì*ìàò òˆÌà@ìì*ìàßA€V) °°` d€÷E<Ó ` A߈Ð Ô $ ÐÌà@( ( ìàNo.€W1999„00497„SC„WCM„CV€„€Filed€September€1,€2000ˆÐ Ï  ÐÌßA€V) °°` dE<¦ ` AßÐ § ÷  Ðó óÌÔ#† ¼0O »X XyÓeT#ÔÔ‡ XyÓX » ¼0OÔà@ƒƒ(ìàò òORDERó óÔ#† ¼0O »X XyÓV#ÔÔ‡ XyÓX » ¼0OԈР¢ò  ÐÌòòóóÔ#† ¼0O »X XyÓfV#ÔÔ‡ XyÓX » ¼0OÔÌÔ#† ¼0O »X XyÓÅV#ÔÔ‡ XyÓX » ¼0OÔÌÔ#†X¼ÓXX XyÓz/#ÔÔ‡X MXXX¼ÓÔà  àà ` àThis€case€is€before€the€Court€upon€motion€for€review€pursuant€to€Tenn.€CodeÐ R¢  ÐAnn.€ðð€50„6„225(e)(5)(B),€the€entire€record,€including€the€order€of€referral€to€the€SpecialÐ 8ˆ ÐWorkers'€Compensation€Appeals€Panel,€and€the€Panel's€Memorandum€Opinion€settingÐ n Ðforth€its€findings€of€fact€and€conclusions€of€law,€which€are€incorporated€herein€by€reference;Ð T Ðà  àà ` àWhereupon,€it€appears€to€the€Court€that€the€motion€for€review€is€not€well„Ð ê: Ðtaken€and€should€be€denied;€andÐ Ð  Ðà  àà ` àIt€is,€therefore,€ordered€that€the€Panel's€findings€of€fact€and€conclusions€ofÐ ¶ Ðlaw€are€adopted€and€affirmed,€and€the€decision€of€the€Panel€is€made€the€judgment€of€theÐ œì ÐCourt.€€ò òÐ ‚Ò Ðó óà  àà ` àCosts€on€appeal€are€taxed€to€the€defendant.Ð h¸ ÐÌà  àà ` àIT€IS€SO€ORDERED€this€1st€day€of€Ô_ÔSeptember,Ô_Ô€2000.Ô#†X¼ÓXXX MKW#ÔÔ‡X MXXX¼ÓÔÐ 4„ ÐÌÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àPER€CURIAMÐ æ6 ÐÌÌHolder,€J.€„€Not€participating.Ô#†X¼ÓXXX MÆ[#ÔÐ ˜!è! ÐÌÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àÔ#†¼£D»XX¼ÓW#ÔÔ‡X¼ÓX»¼£DÔÔ#†¼£D»XX¼Ó5]#ÔÔ€X¼ÓX»¼£DÔ