WPC$ hl`a2%n,PLIRp[a隴rPоRle#<9׭.`N>KϿKjCOm=~Zpݔa"Զ.>AGѬ+ސ)p"nO0I*t}vgܼ}-o͓<~'Жm6^dz%ok=;xp fb#\UN %k 0:q U> b : b+ 3 bJ R bi q ^ w 4   m b     E N  z UNYEUN 0 B  0V D3 D-N 0K{{ AS 0V 0D5 AyHP LaserJet 8000 Series PS0(9 Z6Times New Roman RegularX($USUS.,\  `&Times New Roman[2] 0#Xd#  [3]   [4]   [5]   y) B )0k1U3|xU[6]   сLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5C:\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("  Z6Times New Roman Regular(9 Z 6Times New Roman Regular(.G2 $ !USUS.,      0  XXXX dclsccl9(.3$ !USUS.,  VVVV'dxd)!dxdx( $ Figure  1  ^_X`YE<<CLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(.3$ !USUS.,  ($$   1  X[Z&OLE 2.0 Box <=8C HKKKK !USUS.,  _ LXX  Y ' ' ''INTHESUPREMECOURTOFTENNESSEE  SPECIALWORKERSCOMPENSATIONAPPEALSPANELAT  NASHVILLE ( JUNE2000SESSION < WALTERTAYLOR,JR.,v.ATHENSPAPERCOMPANY,INC.,and  d GREATAMERICANINSURANCECOMPANIES  ( x  DirectAppealfromtheChanceryCourtforDavidsonCounty N  No.983195III,Hon.EllenHobbsLyle,Judge  b   @  @`  @  @  @h  @     No.M199900853WCR3CVMailedJuly17,2000 @   @x  @  @     FiledAugust17,2000    򀀀 $ _ 8LL  #XXL@#Thisworkers'compensationappealhasbeenreferredtotheSpecialWorkers'CompensationAppeals  PaneloftheSupremeCourtinaccordancewithTenn.CodeAnn.506225(e)(3)forhearingand o reportingoffindingsoffactandconclusionsoflaw.Theemployercontends#XXXXg#XXXXԀthetrialcourterredin#XXXX#XXXX [ #XXXXo#XXXXfindingtheemployeedidnotintentionallymisrepresenthisphysicalconditiontotheemployer,and G infindingacausalconnectionbetweentheJune1998accidentandtheOctober1998surgeryand 3 permanentimpairment,andinfindingemployerresponsiblefor unauthorizedmedicalbenefits. o ЀThepanelhasconcludedthatthejudgmentofthetrialcourtshouldbeaffirmedonallissues.  [ #XXXX#  Tenn.CodeAnn.506225(e)(3)AppealasofRight;JudgmentoftheChanceryCourt 3 Affirmed.   _Turnbull_,Sp.J.,deliveredtheopinionofthecourtinwhich_Drowota_,J.,andLoser,Sp.J.joined. ! A.GregoryRamos,North,_Pursell_Ԁ&Ramos,Nashville,Tennessee,fortheappellants,AthensPaper # Company,Inc.,andGreatAmericanInsuranceCompanies k$  JosephK._Dughman_,Bruce,Weathers,_Corley_,_Dughman_Ԁ&Lyle,Nashville,Tennessee,forthe C&!" appellee,WalterTaylor,Jr. /'"#      MEMORANDUMOPINION )W$% Facts )C%& L    *,X` XX*  Theemployee,WalterTaylor,Jr.,wasfortyoneyearsoldatthetimeoftrial.Hehasahigh +'( schooleducationandhasbeenemployedatanumberofjobssincegraduatingfromhighschool,all ,() laborrelatedandnotrequiringspecializedtraining.Theemployeebeganworkingfortheemployer, -(* Y 8XXdd8   AthensPaperCompany,Inc.,inAugust1997.  6,X,` X,X` X6  In1994,theemployeeinjuredhislowerbackwhileworkingforapreviousemployerandfiled  aworkerscompensationclaim.TheemployeesufferedaherniateddiskatL5S1whichresulted t ina_laminectomy_ԀsurgeryinJuly1994.Afterthesurgery,thesurgeon,Dr.Stanley_Hopp_,putthe ` employeeonpermanentrestrictionsofnotliftingmorethantwentyfivepoundsandalsogavethe L  employeea10%impairmentrating.Dr._Hopp_ԀalsofilledoutaC32DepartmentofLaborForm 8  restrictingpushingandpullingtoonehundredandfiftypoundsifusingrollersandonlevelground. $ t Theemployeetestifiedthatafterthesurgeryherehabilitatedhimselfwithaweightliftingprogram  ` andhadjobswhereheworkedbeyondhisrestrictions.  L  6,X` X,X,` X6  OnAugust18,1997,theemployeefilledoutanapplicationforemploymentasatruckdriver $  withAthensPaper.Theemployeecheckedthe noboxinresponsetoaquestionthatstated, Do   youhaveanyphysicallimitationsthatprecludeyoufromperforminganyworkforwhichyouare   beingconsidered?TheemployeewasinterviewedseparatelybyRon_Crecelius_,operations   manager,andDonaldJenkins,thenpresidentandnowchairmanofAthensPaperCompany,Inc.The   employeeandemployerdifferedintheirtestimonyoverwhethertheemployeewasspecificallyasked p by_Crecelius_ԀorJenkinsduringtheinterviewsiftheemployeesufferedfromanybackproblems.The \ testimonyofbothpartiesalsoconflictedonwhethertheemployeevolunteeredhispasthistoryof H backproblemstoJenkinsand_Crecelius_Ԁandif_Crecelius_ԀorJenkinstoldtheemployeethatthetruck 4 driverpositionrequiredheavylifting.  p   Theemployeesufferedtwoinjurieswhileworkingfortheemployer.ThefirstwasonNovember H 5,1997,whenthedeliverytrucktheemployeewasdrivingwasstruckfrombehindresultingin 4 injuriestohiscervicalspine,neck,rightarm,andlumbarspine.Theemployeesoughtmedical   treatmentforneckpainonNovember5,butdidnottakeoffwork.TheemployeesawDr._Hopp_Ԁon   February5,1998,complainingoflegandlowerbackpainsthatDr._Hopp_Ԁeventuallydeterminedwas  relatedtotheNovember1997accident.    ThesecondaccidentoccurredonJune9,1998,whentheemployeeslippedandfellintheback l ofatruckwhiletryingtounloaditscontents,resultinginpaininhislumbarspine.OnJune23and X  July7of1998,theemployeesawDr.ThomasJ.OBrien,chosenbytheemployeefromapanelof D! threephysiciansprovidedbytheemployer.Dr.OBriendeterminedthatthepainofwhichthe 0"  employeecomplainedwasrelatedtopostoperativescarringfromtheJuly1994surgeryandnotthe #l! employeesJune1998accident. $X"   Meanwhile,theemployeereturnedtoseeDr._Hopp_ԀonJuly2,1998,withouttheemployers %0!$ knowledge.OnJuly23,theemployeepresentedtheemployerwithanotefromDr._Hopp_Ԁforlight &"% restrictionsonhiswork.ThiswasthefirsttimetheemployerhadanyknowledgeofDr._Hopp_s '#& treatmentoftheemployee.OnJuly27,theemployersinsurancecompanyreceivedaletterfromDr. (#' _Hopp_ԀthathewasrecommendingaraycagefusionsurgeryatL5S1duetotheemployeesworsening )$( conditionandincreasingpain.Aftersomedelays,onSeptember30,1998,theinsurancecompany |*%) scheduledanappointmentforNovember12,withDr.DanielM._Spengler_,forasecondopinionto h+&*  '      determinewhethersurgerywasnecessary.    OnOctober5,1998,Dr._Hopp_Ԁperformedtheraycagefusionsurgeryontheemployee.  Apparently,theemployeeonlytoldDr._Hopp_ԀabouttheJune1998accidentbeforegoingintothe t operatingroom.TheemployeestillsawDr._Spengler_ԀonNovember12,1998.Dr._Spengler_Ԁopined ` thattheOctober1998surgerywastheresultoffurtherdegenerativediskdiseasefromthe1994 L  accidentandnottheJune1998accident.Dr._Hopp_ԀopinedinhisdepositionthattheJune1998injury 8  madetheOctober1998surgerynecessary. $ t   Fromtheaboveevidence,thetrialjudgefoundthattheemployeedidnotintentionally  L  misrepresenthisphysicalconditionwhenhiredbytheemployerandthattherewasacausal  8  connectionbetweentheemployeesJune1998injuryandtheOctober1998surgery.Thetrialjudge $  awardeda36%vocationaldisabilityrating,workerscompensationbenefitstotaling$72,314.20,   whichincludedthecostofthesurgeryinOctober1998.      Issues   s' Wearefacedwiththreeissues: \ 1.Didtheemployeemakeanintentionalmisrepresentationofhisphysicalcondition? 4 2.Didtheemployeeproveacausalconnectionbetweenhisworkinjuryandthefusionsurgery  p performedbyDr._Hopp_ԀonOctober5,1998?  \ 3.Shouldtheemployerbeheldresponsibleforemployeesunauthorizedmedicalexpenses?  H   Analysis   ) Inaworkerscompensationcase,appellatereviewonfactualissuesisdenovowithapresumption  thatthetrailcourtsfindingsarecorrect,unlessthepreponderanceoftheevidenceisotherwise.  Tenn.CodeAnn.section506225[e][2](1991Supp.1998);E.g.,HillvEagleBendMfg.,Inc.,  942S.W.2d483,487(Tenn.1997).Questionsoflawarereviewed denovowithnopresumption l ofcorrectness.See_Ridings_ԀvRalphM.ParsonsCo.,914S.W.2d,79,80(Tenn.1996)  X    Misrepresentation  0"  y,  Thefirstissueweconsideriswhethertheemployeeintentionallymisrepresentedhisphysical $X" problemstotheemployer.Absentclearandconvincingevidencetothecontrary,appellatecourts $D # willnotreevaluateatrialjudgesassessmentofwitnesscredibility.SeeWellsv.TennesseeBd.of %0!$ Regents,9S.W.3d779,783(Tenn.1999). &"%   Tobarrecoveryofworkerscompensationbenefitsforgivingfalsemedicalinformation, the (#' employermustshow(1)thattheemployeeknowinglyandwillfullymadeafalserepresentationof )$( hisphysicalcondition;(2)thattheemployerreliedonthefalserepresentationandthatthisreliance |*%) wasasubstantialfactorinthedecisiontohire;and(3)thatthereisacausalconnectionbetweenthe h+&*  '       falserepresentationandtheinjurysubsequentlysufferedbytheemployee.XXXXBanev.Daniel  ConstructionCo.,793S.W.2d256,258(Tenn.1990).#XXXX1#    Wenotethatthequestionontheemploymentapplication: Doyouhaveanyphysicallimitations t thatprecludesyoufromperforminganyworkforwhichyouarebeingconsidered?requiresa ` subjectiveresponsebytheemployee.Hisbeliefinhisownabilitieswasbeingcalledfor.The L  employeetestifiedthatthroughweightlifting,hehadincreasedhisabilitytolift,pullorpush. 8  6,X,` X,X` X6Becausethetrialcourtfoundtheemployeestestimonycredibleinthathedidnotintentionally $ t misrepresenthisphysicalcondition,andtheemployerfailstopresentanyclearandconvincing  ` evidencetothecontrary,weaffirmastotheissueofintentionalmisrepresentationbytheemployee.XXXX  L  6,X` X,X,` X6   Causation   8  5  WenextexaminewhetherthetrialcourterredinfindingacausalconnectionbetweentheJune   1998accidentandtheOctober1998surgery.Whenreviewingtestimonybydeposition,% W %W6appellate   courtsmaymakeanindependentassessmentofthecredibilityofthedocumentaryproofitreviews,   withoutaffordingdeferencetothetrialcourt'sfindings.SeeWellsv.TennesseeBd.ofRegents,9   S.W.3dat78384. p   Inaworkerscompensationcase,anawardmaybebaseduponmedicaltestimonythatagiven H incident couldbethecauseoftheplaintiffsinjury,whenthereislaytestimonythatreasonably 4 pointstothegivenincidentasthecauseoftheinjury.E.g.,HillvEagleBendMfg.Inc.,942  p S.W.2d483,487(Tenn.1997)#XXXX'5#Reasonabledoubtastocausation mustbeextendedinfavorofthe  \ employee.LongvTriConIndustries,Ltd.,996S.W.2d173,177.(Tenn.1999) H   ThetrialjudgeaccreditedDr._Hopp_stestimonyoverthetestimonyofthephysiciansofferedby   theemployer,Drs.OBrienand_Spengler_,becauseofDr._Hopp_slengthyhistoryoftreatingthe   employee.Incontrast,Drs.OBrienand_Spengler_Ԁonlysawtheemployeethreetimescollectively.  ThetrialjudgefurtherfoundwithregardtoOBrienand_Spengler_stestimony, ifyoureadtheir  testimony,theyreinmanyinstancescommentingonwhetherDr._Hopp_Ԁintendedormeantcertain  things.AndsoreallythebestproofofwhatDr._Hopp_Ԁfound,intendedandmeantisDr._Hopp_s l deposition.AfterreviewingthedepositionsofDrs._Hopp_,OBrien,and_Spengler_Ԁandtakinginto X  considerationtheamountoftimeeachphysicianspenttreatingtheemployee,wealsoplacegreater D! weightonDr._Hopp_stestimony.WefinditreasonablethattheJune1998accidentwasthecause 0"  oftheOctober1998surgery.Construingreasonabledoubtinfavoroftheemployee,weaffirmthe #l! trialcourtsfindingofacausalconnectionbetweentheJune1998accidentandtheOctober1998 $X" surgery. $D #   UnauthorizedMedicalExpense &"% WA  Finally,weconsiderwhethertheemployerisresponsibleforthecostoftheOctober1998surgery (#' eventhoughtheemployerdidnotauthorizethesurgery.Section506204(a)(4)oftheTennessee )$( Coderequiresanemployertoprovidemedicalservicestoaninjuredemployeeandlettheemployee |*%) choosefromatleastthreephysicians.Section506204(a)(6)oftheTennesseeCoderequiresthe h+&*  '       employeetoacceptthemedicalservicesprovidedbytheemployer.See_Dorris_Ԁv.IVAInsurance  Company,764S.W.2d538,54041(Tenn.1989). Whetheranemployeeisjustifiedinseeking  additionalmedicalservicestobepaidforbytheemployerwithoutconsultingtheemployerdepends  onthecircumstancesofeachcase.Id.at541. t   ThetestimonyoftheemployeeandDr._Hopp_ԀindicatethatafterseeingDr.OBrienonJuly7, L  1998,theemployeewasinpainandhisconditioncontinuedtodeteriorate.Theemployerdid 8  provideasecondpanelofphysiciansfromwhichtheemployeecouldchoose.However,the $ t appointmentwithDr._Spengler_ԀwasnotscheduleduntilSeptember30,andthedateofthe  ` appointmentwasnotuntilNovember12,1998.TheemployerreceivedtheletterfromDr._Hopp_  L  recommendingtheraycagefusionsurgeryonJuly27,1998,adifferenceofmorethanthreemonths.  8  Theemployercitesvariousreasonsforthedelay,butunderthecircumstancesofthiscase,thisdelay $  wasunreasonablebecausetheemployeewasinpain,unabletowork,andadoctorwas   recommendingsurgery.Theemployerhadanobligationtostandonitsdenialorpromptlyschedule   anappointmentiftheemployermighthavebeenpersuadedtoauthorizethesurgery.Consequently,   thetrialcourtsawardofmedicalcostsrelatingtotheOctober1998surgeryareaffirmed.     Thejudgmentofthetrialcourtisaffirmedinallrespects.Costsonappealaretaxedtothe \ appellants,AthensPaperCompany,Inc.,andGreatAmericanInsuranceCompanies. H   4 '     LXX8?XXdXXd8  @@7 7 INTHESUPREMECOURTOFTENNESSEE  SPECIALWORKERSCOMPENSATIONAPPEALSPANEL  #XXL@L# LXXWALTERTAYLOR,JR.,v.ATHENSPAPERSCOMPANY,INC.,etal.#XXLVM#  " @@ ChanceryCourtforDavidsonCounty  " @@No.983195III   @@*AV) ` dE<` A   No.M199900853_WC_ԄR3CVFiledAugust17,2000 }  AV) ` dE<T` A U       O  JUDGMENT  (x   XXXX  ThiscaseisbeforetheCourtupontheentirerecord,includingtheorderofreferraltotheSpecial P WorkersCompensationAppealsPanel,andthePanelsMemorandumOpinionsettingforthits < findingsoffactandconclusionsoflaw,whichareincorporatedhereinbyreference. (   Whereupon,itappearstotheCourtthattheMemorandumOpinionofthePanelshouldbe  acceptedandapproved;and    Itis,therefore,orderedthatthePanelsfindingsoffactandconclusionsoflawareadoptedand t affirmed,andthedecisionofthePanelismadethejudgmentoftheCourt. `   Costswillbepaidbyappellants,AthensPaperCompany,Inc.,andGreatAmericanInsurance 8 Companies,forwhichexecutionmayissueifnecessary. $ t   ITISSOORDERED. !L!    `     h     PERCURIAM % %   #XXXX P#