WPC  HqVtްj( m[}].9ӢnjDz6FDKQ&ǡ: \#.)=;86L5Gp?X`^--N& %x&07?Mn8 Ս2Ҋ\n,!ca=U%Qg5@d+/1yQ_ൕňk8jaӒM$m/cSH ϭPp9 +h@\0pسܝ   vK#;sFkсh p/<55̟넛/x$b#\ % ^ # 0/ UDN w 4 z  i x mz   _ %  0NC 0xE 0CEUBU.D rIU#@N( z*UNvvvvvvvvvvvvvb 0 B  0 D3x D- 0K AS#v 0< 0D A$ HP LJ 4000/4050 PCL 5e,,,,0-t- (`$.8dd8    ("  Z6Times New Roman Regulardb,|Ѥ C:\PROGRA~1\COREL\WORDPE~1\TEMPLATE\CUSTOM~1\REVISE~1.WPTC:\Program Files\Corel\WordPerfect Office 2000\Template\Custom WP Templates\revised standard opinion.wpt3|xU Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5`:footnote reffootnote reference        V :footnote texfootnote text  W\  `*Times New RomanTTW        XXXW\  `*Times New RomanTTW  ($    \  `*Times New RomanTT%2A`ArialTT  R$      1  X qX  _X qXXX q XX qAccordingtoMs.Williams,therearenojobsavailabletoherthathaveanhourlywageof$20.00perhourthat  shewasearningatthetimeofherterminationatUPS.Herstartingwagesinthelightclassjobsremainingavailableto t herwouldrangebetween$6.00to$9.00anhour.Also,Mrs.Urseryhaslostaccesstoherformerjobasasalesclerk 8 duetoherliftingrestrictions.#   ~#    L Ѐ#   ##X qX  #  R$      3  X qX  _ԀX qXXX q XX qTheemployeeinWalkerhada3to15%anatomicalimpairmenttotheleftarm,noimpairmentratingtothe  rightarmandpermanentrestrictions.#   ##X qX  #  R$      2  X qX  _X qXXX q XX qSeeAtchleyv.LifeCareCtr.,906S.W.2d428,431(Tenn.1995)(holdingthatTenn.CodeAnn.506  241(a)(1),whichlimitsawardsforpermanentpartialdisabilityto21/2timestheanatomicalimpairmentrating,applies t onlytocasesinvolvinginjuriestothebodyasawhole);Adkinsv.ModineMfg.Co.,No.E200101237WC!R3CV, 8 2002Tenn.Lexis181(Tenn.Apr.8,2002)(citingAtchleyandholdingthatthe6timesmultipliercapcontainedin L TennesseeCodeAnnotated506241(b)doesnotapplytoscheduledmemberawards).#   ##X qX  #(9 Z(Times New Roman 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(9 Z 6Times New Roman Regular- -(|G2$ !.8Jdd8         0  X X d(|3G$ !.8Jdd8     VVVV'dxd)!dxdx( $ Figure  1  ^_X`YE<<CLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(|3G$ !.8Jdd8     ($$   1  X[Z&OLE 2.0 Box <=8C HKKKK !.8Sdd8     _S8 qXXdd8  SS @  @  @  @ @@7 7 INTHESUPREMECOURTOFTENNESSEE  SPECIALWORKERSCOMPENSATIONAPPEALSPANEL & @@ATNASHVILLE#SS# L July2002Session "r X qXS #SXX q<#CYNTHIAL._URSERY_v.LIBERTYMUTUALINSURANCEGROUP,et  p al.X qXS  4  @@ DirectAppealfromtheCircuitCourtforDavidsonCounty 4  @@No.00C2899ThomasW.Brothers,Judge  p  @@*AV) ` dE<` A 4  No.M200102749_WC_ԄR3CVMailedOctober17,2002 /  #SXX q#X qXSFiledNovember20,_2002_  AV) ` dE<` A       #SXX q#X qXSX qXXX qThisworkerscompensationappealhasbeenreferredtotheSpecialWorkersCompensation  AppealsPanelinaccordancewithTennesseeCodeAnnotated506225(e)(3)forhearingand  reportingtotheSupremeCourtoffindingsoffactandconclusionsoflaw.Inthiscase,theemployer v appealsthetrialcourtsawardof80%permanentpartialdisabilitytotheemployeewhere1)the b medicalproofestablisheda5%anatomicalimpairmenttobothelbows;and2)avocationalexpert N gavetheemployeea90%vocationaldisabilityrating#X qXXX q#X qXXX q#SXX q#X qXSԀbasedonlossofaccessto90.4%ofthejobs : availabletoherpriortoherinjuryduetoherpermanentmedicalrestrictions.Wefindthatthe &v evidencedoesnotpreponderateagainstthetrialcourtsfindings,andthereforetheawardisnot b excessive.Weaffirmthejudgmentofthetrialcourtinallrespects. N #X qXXX q##SXX q #X qXS   Tenn.CodeAnn.506225(e)(1999)AppealasofRight;JudgmentoftheCircuitCourt  Affirmed.        JamesL._Weatherford_,Sr.J.#SX q #X qX.S,deliveredtheopinionofthecourt,inwhichJaniceHolder,J.,and "! Joec.Loser,Jr.,sp.J.,joined. r#" DavidT.Hooper,Brentwood,Tennessee,fortheappellants,LibertyMutualInsuranceGroupand J% $ UnitedParcelService,Inc. 6&!% H.Tom_Kittrell_,Jr.,Nashville,Tennessee,fortheappellee,Cynthia_Ursery_. (^#'    MEMORANDUMOPINION #SXX qK #X qXS )6%)   #SXX q#X qXSX qXXX q  Mrs.Cynthia_Ursery_,theemployeeappellee,was46yearsoldatthetimeoftrial.She +'+ graduatedfromhighschoolin1972andhashadnofurthereducationaltraining. ,',    -(-? _  From1979untilAprilof2001,Mrs.UrseryworkedforUnitedParcelService(UPS),the  employerappellant,onaparttimebasis.#X qXXX q+#X qXXX qForanumberofyearsshe baggedsmallpackagesby  pulling,pushing,orliftingthepackagesintobagsandinturnputtingthebagsontoaconveyorbelt.  Thesepackagesweresupposedtobelimitedto10poundsbutattimesexceeded20poundsin t weight.Mrs.Urseryestimatedshesorted2,000to4,000packagesanight. `   #X qXXX q?#X qXXX qForatleast10yearsofheremploymentwithUPS,shesortedindividualsmallpackages.In 8  thisjobshewasrequiredtopickupthepackageandmoveherpalmsintoanuprightposition $ t continuouslytoreadthelabelonthepackagestoplacetheminthecorrectbin.Otherjobdutiesshe  ` performedatUPSincludedloadingandfueling#X qXXX q'#X9 XXX qԀ#X qX XX9#X qXXX qtrucks,anddrivinglocalroutes.#X qXXX q5#X qXXX q  L    From1988to1992,Mrs.UrseryalsoworkedatCastnerKnottsasasalesclerkwhereher $  jobdutiesincludedunpackingclothesandhangingtheitemsondisplayracks.     InJuneof1998,Mrs.UrserysawDr.RobertRussellbecauseshehadbeenexperiencingpain   inherleftelbow.Dr.Russellprescribedmedicineandgaveheran armbandit.Shereturnedto   Dr.Russellinthefallof1998complainingofrightelbowpainforwhichhealsoprescribedan arm p bandit.InJanuaryof1999,shereceivedtwocortisoneshotswhichonlyseemedtoincreasethepain \ inherelbows. H    4   Mrs.UrserysoughtadditionalmedicalcareandchoseDr.JaneSiegelfromapanelpresented  p toherbyUPS.Dr.SiegeltookMrs.Urseryoffworkforabout5or6weeks.Thoughherelbows  \ improvedwithrest,assoonasshereturnedtowork,herpainresurfaced.Dr.Siegeldiagnosed H chronicmedialepicondylitisandperformedsurgeryonMrs.UrserysrightelbowinMayof1999. 4   Mrs.Urseryreturnedtoworkwithrestrictions.UPSassignedhertoalightdutyjobfueling   trucksanddrivingthemshortdistancesacrosstheyard.Mrs.Urserybegantohavetroublepulling  herselfintothetrucksandeventuallyreinjuredherrightelbowinMayof2000.Shewasputon  medicalleaveuntilSeptemberof2000,whenshereturnedtoworksortinglightweightletters.    Mrs.Urseryselbowpaincontinued.Consequently,Dr.Siegelplacedheronpermanent X  restrictionsofliftingnomorethan5poundsandofmakingnohighlyrepetitivemotionofherwrist D! formorethan1houratatime.Dr.SiegelfoundthatMrs.Urseryhadreachedmaximummedical 0"  improvementonApril20,2001,andassigneda5%anatomicalimpairmentratingtobothelbows. #l!   InAprilof2001,UPS#X qXXX q#X qXXX qԀterminatedMrs.Urserysemploymentbecauseithadnowork %0!$ availablethatshecouldperformwithinhermedicalrestrictions.Shewasearning$20.00perhour &"% atthetimeofhertermination. '#&   Ms.RebeccaWilliams,aCertifiedVocationalEvaluationSpecialist,testifiedattrialon )$( behalfofMrs.Ursery.AspartofavocationalevaluationperformedinAugustof2001,Ms. |*%) WilliamsinterviewedMrs.Urseryforover3hours,administeredtheWideRangeAchievementTest h+&* andreviewedhermedicalrecords.Ms.WilliamsfoundthatMrs.Urseryhadlostaccessto90.4%  ofthejobsavailabletoherpriortoherinjury,duetoherpermanentmedicalrestrictions.#X qXXX q#X qXXX qԀ#X qXXX q-"#X qXXX qԀBasedon  thislossofaccess,Ms.WilliamsdeterminedthatMrs.Urseryhada90%vocationaldisability  rating.   1       t   Ms.WilliamsalsocitedthefactthatMrs.Urseryisapproachingolderworkerstatus(age L  50);theremotenessofherhighschooleducation;andherlackoftransferrablejobskillsasfactors 8  workingagainstherinobtaininganewoccupation. $ t   #X qXXX qp"#X qXXX q  Mrs.Urserytestifiedthatshecouldnolongerdohouseworkorparticipateinrecreational  L  activitiesthatsheenjoyedpriortoherinjury.Shealsostatedshecouldnotperformthejob  8  functionsrequiredforworkinadepartmentstoreoratUPS.#X qXXX q$#X qXXX q $      ThetrialcourtfoundthatMrs.Urseryhadsustainedan80%permanentpartialdisabilityto   botharmspursuanttoTennesseeCodeAnnotated506207(3)(A)(ii)(w)forscheduledinjuries.#X qXXX qj&#X qXXX qԀ      @ ANALYSIS  p     Ourreviewofthefindingsoffactmadebythetrialcourtisdenovoupontherecordof H thetrialcourt,accompaniedbyapresumptionofcorrectness,unlessthepreponderanceofthe 4 evidenceisotherwise.Tenn.CodeAnn.506225(e)(2).Theapplicationofthisstandard  p requiresthisCourttoweighinmoredepththefactualfindingsandconclusionsofthetrialcourts  \ inworkerscompensationcases.SeeCorcoranv.FosterAutoGMC,Inc.,746S.W.2d452,456 H (Tenn.1988). 4   Thesoleissueraisedbytheappellantinthiscaseiswhethertheawardof80%permanent   partialdisabilitytoeacharmisexcessiveunderallthecircumstances.    Theappellantsclaimthatthetrialcourtsawardof80%permanentpartialdisabilityis   aberrantbecausetheawardis16timesMrs.Urserysanatomicalimpairmentrating.However, l thestatutorymultiplierlimitsonpermanentpartialdisabilityaward#X qXXX q'#X qXXX qscontainedinTennessee X  CodeAnnotated506241donotapplytocasesinvolvinginjuriestoscheduledmembers.d   2      ׀#X qXXX q,#X qXXX q D!  0"    Anatomicaldisabilityratingsarebutonefactortoconsiderindeterminingvocational  disability,theultimateissueinallworkerscompensationcases.Ormanv.WilliamsSonoma,  Inc.,803S.W.2d672,67778(Tenn.1991).Thetestiswhethertherehasbeenadecreaseinthe  employeesabilitytoearnwagesinanylineofworkavailabletotheemployee.Corcoranat459. t  `   Inassessingtheextentofanemployeesvocationaldisability,thetrialcourtmayconsider L  theemployeesage,education,skillsandtraining,localjobopportunities,anatomicalimpairment 8  ratings,andthecapacitytoworkatthetypesofemploymentavailableinherdisabledcondition. $ t Walkerv.SaturnCorp.,986S.W.2d204,208(Tenn.1998)#X qXXX q.#X qXXX q.Theclaimantsownassessmentof  ` herphysicalconditionandresultingdisabilitiesiscompetenttestimonyandcannotbe  L  disregarded.TomStillTransferCo.v.Way,482S.W.2d775,777(Tenn.1972).  8  Ѐ $    Thetrialcourtisnotboundtoacceptphysiciansopinionsregardingtheextentofthe   plaintiffsdisability,butshouldconsideralltheevidence,bothlayandexperttestimony,in   determiningtheextentofanemployeesdisability.Walkerat208;Hinsonv.WalMartStores,   Inc.,654S.W.2d675,677(Tenn.1983).SeeVannatav.Tomlinson,774S.W.2d921,924   (Tenn.1989)(notingthatanatomicaldisabilityratingsgivenbyphysicians,thoughimportant,are p notcontrolling).#X qXXX q72#X qXXX q \   ThetrialcourtfoundthatMrs.Urserys abilitytoearnmoneyhasbeendrastically 4 reducedduetoherworkinjury.Whilenotingthedisparitybetweenthe5%anatomical  p impairmentratingandthe90%vocationaldisabilityrating,thetrialcourtconcludedthather  \  substantialvocationaldisabilityand considerablemedicalrestrictionssupportedafindingof H 80%permanentpartialdisability.ThetrialcourtcitedWalkerv.SaturnCorp.,986S.W.2d204 4 (Tenn.1998)insupportofitsruling.     InWalker,theSupremeCourtupheldanawardof85%disabilitytobotharms#X qXXX q6#X qXXX qeven  thoughthemedicalproofdidnotestablishagreatpercentageofanatomicalimpairment,   3      ׀where  theplaintiffhadestablishedproofofdiminishedearningcapacityintheopenlabormarketwhich  includeda97%occupationaldisability#X qXXX qd9#X qXXX qԀratingduetoconsiderablemedicalrestrictions,limited l trainingandlackoftransferrablejobskills.#X qXXX q!;#X qXXX qԀId. X  Ѐ#X qXXX q;#X qXXX qԀ#X qXXX qC<#X qXXX q D!   Mrs.Urserywas46yearsoldatthetimeofthetrial,hasahighschooleducation,andhas 0"  nospecialskills.Shehasa5%anatomicalimpairmentratingforbothelbowsandpermanent #l! restrictionsofliftingnomorethan5poundsandofmakingnohighlyrepetitivemotionofher $X" wristformorethan1houratatime.#X qXXX q<#X qXXX qӀMs.Williamsfoundthatthesephysicallimitations $D # preventedherfromaccessing90.4%oftheemploymentpositionsshewouldhavebeenableto %0!$ applyforpriortoherinjury.Moreover,#X qXXX qe>#X qXXX qԀMs.WilliamstestifiedthatMrs.Urseryhadno &"% transferrablejobskills.#X qXXX q?#X qXXX q '#& _ (#'   Lastly,weconsiderMrs._Ursery_sownassessmentofhercondition.Mrs._Ursery_Ԁtestified  thatshecouldnolongerdohouseworkorparticipateinrecreationalactivitiesthatsheenjoyed  priortoherinjury.Further,shetestified,andtheevidenceshowed,thatshecouldnotreturnto  workatUPSinanycapacity. t   InlightofMrs._Ursery_sseverelydiminishedabilitytoaccessemploymentinthelocal L  jobmarket,considerablemedicalrestrictions,education#X qXXX q7@#X qXXX qԀandlackoftransferrablejobskillsas 8  wellasherownunchallengedtestimonyastohercondition,weagreewiththetrialcourts $ t assessmentthatMrs._Ursery_sabilitytoearnwageshasbeendrasticallyreducedbyherwork  ` injury.Accordingly,wefindthattheevidencesupportsthefindingofthetrialcourtthatMrs.  L  _Ursery_Ԁsustaineda80%permanentpartialdisabilitytobothelbows.    8    CONCLUSION    E  Thejudgmentofthetrialcourtisaffirmed.Costsareassessedtotheappellants,Liberty   MutualInsuranceGroupandUnitedParcelService,Inc.   #X qXXX qdC#   `     h     ___________________________________  \    `     h     JAMESL._WEATHERFORD_,SR.J.  H _SXX q  @@7 7 INTHESUPREMECOURTOFTENNESSEE  SPECIALWORKERSCOMPENSATIONAPPEALSPANEL  #X qXS6H# SXX qCYNTHIAL.URSERYv.LIBERTYMUTUALINSURANCEGROUP,et " al.#X qXSI#   6 @@ CircuitCourtforDavidsonCounty  6 @@No.00C2899  " @@*AV) ` dE<` A   No.M200102749WCR3CVFiledNovember20,2002   AV) ` dE<h` A i       cK  JUDGMENT  <   !X qXXX q  ThiscaseisbeforetheCourtupontheentirerecord,includingtheorderofreferraltothe d SpecialWorkersCompensationAppealsPanel,andthePanelsMemorandumOpinionsettingforth P itsfindingsoffactandconclusionsoflaw,whichareincorporatedhereinbyreference. <   Whereupon,itappearstotheCourtthattheMemorandumOpinionofthePanelshouldbe  acceptedandapproved;and    Itis,therefore,orderedthatthePanelsfindingsoffactandconclusionsoflawareadopted  andaffirmed,andthedecisionofthePanelismadethejudgmentoftheCourt. t   Costswillbepaidbytheappellants,LibertyMutualInsuranceGroupandUnitedParcel L  Service,Inc.,forwhichexecutionmayissueifnecessary. 8!    ITISSOORDERED. #`"    `     h     PERCURIAM &"&   #X qXX!X qiL#_