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Gj=XGXj=Gj=  _       ,X8j=dd8*#X5Xj=    #b  ^XX5INTHESUPREMECOURTOFTENNESSEE#b݌  Ќj=^  ^j=SPECIAL_WORKERS _ԀCOMPENSATIONAPPEALSPANEL   ͐^AT% . -  KNOXVILLE-  %.: $ ^͐ԀApril26,2000Session C X5X^^XX5 % / %/VESTALMANUFACTURINGCOMPANYVS.TERESAANDERSONX5X^   5  X X?+4 44 <DL!X? % 0 %0DirectAppealfromthe% 1 ChanceryCourt%13for% 2 %2cԀMonroeCounty  A  X XE+ 4 <DL!444X!ENo.10978% 3 %3ԀLawrenceHoward_Puckett_,Judge  ' -  j=XX5 56k[W$~ Kp@0 dd`  KE] K K]2 -  X5Xj= No.% 8 %8ԀE199901470_WC_ԄR3CV!MailedSeptember12,2000 R  FILED:October17,2000 8  -  j=XX5 59k[W$~ Kp@0 dd`  KE K K2 -  X5Xj=    ThisworkerscompensationappealhasbeenreferredtotheSpecialWorkers u CompensationAppealsPaneloftheSupremeCourtinaccordancewithTennesseeCode [ Annotated506225(e)(3)forhearingandreportingtotheSupremeCourtoffindingsof A factandconclusionsoflaw.Theappellant,VestalManufacturingCo.,appealsanaward ' ofthirtyfivepercentdisabilitytothebodyasawholetoTeresaAnderson.Appellant   contendsthetrialcourterred(1)infindingthatMs.Andersonhasatwentypercent w medicalimpairmentratherthanafivepercentmedicalimpairment,(2)inconcludingMs. ] Andersonhasapermanentpartialdisabilityofthirtyfivepercenttothebodyasawhole, C and(3)inconstruingthephrase, Theemployertakestheemployeeasitfindsher.We ) affirmthejudgmentofthetrialcourt.  "  X5XXX5    "   " ݌̌    X5XX5  %X5XXX5     %_  % < Tenn.CodeAnn.506225(e)(1999)AppealasofRight%<;Judgmentofthe W % = %=EChanceryCourtisAffirmed.%_݌ = Ќ  X5XXX5      HowellN.Peoples,Sp.J.,deliveredtheopinionofthecourt,inwhich% > %>PWilliamm.    Barker,J.,and% ? %?L.Terry_Lafferty_,Sr.J.,joined. s ! X5XXX5   6 $ DL!X!6      &  "  DavidCollierNagle,Chattanooga,Tennessee,fortheappellant,VestalManufacturing ?"# Company"  Ԍ %#$ Ќ  * X!$ X!*X5XXX5  '?"X5XXX5      &  C  NestorEugene_Worthington_,Madison,Tennessee,fortheAppellee,TeresaAndersonC  rԌ $m!& ЌX5XXX5    % @ %@% A %A'$ .O+1    4    < OPINION    X  Reviewofthefindingsoffactmadebythetrialcourtinworkerscompensation P casesisdenovoupontherecordofthetrialcourt,accompaniedbyapresumptionofthe 6 correctnessofthefinding,unlessthepreponderanceoftheevidenceisotherwise.T.C.A.  506225(e)(2);Stonev.CityofMcMinnville,896S.W.2d548,550(Tenn.1995).The ~ applicationofthisstandardrequiresthisCourttoweighinmoredepththefactual d findingsandconclusionsofthetrialcourtsinworkerscompensationcases.Corcoranv.  J FosterAutoGMC,Inc.,746S.W.2d452,456(Tenn.1988).Wherethetrialjudgehas  0 madeadeterminationbaseduponthetestimonyofwitnesseswhomhehasseenand    heard,greatdeferencemustbegiventothatfindingindeterminingwhethertheevidence    preponderatesagainstthetrialjudgesdetermination.Humphreyv.DavidWitherspoon, f  Inc.,734S.W.2d315(Tenn.1987). L   2  $ XXX5XXX5    $?  TeresaAnderson,age37,beganworkatVestalManufacturingCo.,asteelplant,   onAugust3,1992.Herworkhistoryincludedemploymentinconstructionandmasonry z  workandasahamburgercook.ThepartiesstipulatedthatMs.Andersonwasinjuredin ` thecourseandscopeofheremploymentonJanuary6,1998.Shetestifiedthatherjob,at F thetimeofherinjury,wasa damperassembler,whichrequiredhertostandfulltime, , andtoworkwithoutairconditioningonanassemblyline.Theworkwasproduction  workandshewasexpectedtodo57dampersperhour,butshewasabletodo80to90 | perhourbeforetheinjury.Shetestifiedthatpriortotheinjury, IdidntknowIhada b pain.Shesaidthattheworkinjuryhascausedhertohavestiffness,catches,swelling, H sometinglingandpaininherback,andtohavetroublesleepingattimes.Shenolonger . engagesinmowinggrass,stretching,bowling,waterskiing,orpickingupherchild.She  testifiedshecouldpickuponehundredpoundsormorebeforetheinjury,butwouldnot v pickupmorethansixtypoundsnow.Shesaidshehasreturnedtowork,butworksin \ pain,andthatsheisaboutonehalfthepersonphysicallythatshewasbeforetheinjury. B VickiWoodby,acousinofMsAnderson,verifiedMs.Andersonshistoryofhardlabor ( andphysicalsportsactivity.$?݌  Ќ  X5XXX5 XX  $ XXX5XXX5    $!  $!N"݌ x Ќ  X5XXX5 XX  $ XXX5XXX5    $"  DavidF.Fardon,aboardcertifiedorthopedicsurgeontreatedMs.Anderson.He ^ initiallysawheronJanuary20,1998.Shehadspondylolisthesisofthethirdandfourth D   lumbarvertebra.Hetestifiedthisis thoughttobecongenitalinthesenseofaninborn *!! predisposition,thoughitisnotpresentatbirth.Hispreliminarydiagnosiswasacute "" backsprainandspondylolisthesisatlumbarthreeandfour.Hetreatedherwith "r# medicationandphysicaltherapyandreturnedhertoworkwithrestrictionsofliftingno #X $ morethantwentypoundsandnorepetitivestoopingandbending.Hetestifiedthatshe $>!% reachedmaximummedicalimprovementonFebruary8,1999,andthatshehada %$"& permanentliftingrestrictionoffiftypounds.Helatertestifiedthathehadwritteninhis & #' recordsthatshecouldreturntoworkwithoutrestrictions,butthatitwasnotagoodidea t'#( forhertosustainanoccupationthatrequiresliftingeightypounds.Hetestifiedthatshe Z($) wastwentypercentimpairedbutthat asubstantialpartofthat,bytheAMAGuidelines, @)%* relatestotheinstabilitycreatedbythespondylolisthesis.AndsoIthink!soI &*&+ commentedthatifItriedtoisolatetheaspectofherpermanentimpairmentthatIcould  +', relatetotheinjurythatshehadsustained,inmyopinionitwouldhavebeenfive +n(- percent.Hetestifiedthattheonthejobinjuryaggravatedthepreexisting ,T). spondylolisthesis.$"i#݌ -:*/ Ќ  X5XXX5 XX  $ XXX5XXX5    $*  $*O+݌ . +0 Ќ  X5XXX5 XX  $ XXX5XXX5    $+  $+j,݌  Ќ  X5XXX5 XX  JulianNadolsky,testifiedasavocationalexpertforMs.Anderson.Hehasa j Ph.D.fromAuburnandhasbeeninthevocationalfieldsince1962.Hetestifiedthather P readingabilitywasatthethirdgradelevelandherarithmeticskillsatthefourthgrade 6 level.Basedonherphysicalrestrictions,heopinedthat shewouldbeunabletoperform  approximately30percentoftheoccupationsinthelocallabormarketthatshewas ~ capableofperformingbeforeinjuringherlowerbackatworkonJanuary6th,1998.He d testifiedthateventually,shewouldbelimitedtosedentaryandlightjobsandthatshe  J wouldhaveavocationaldisabilityofsixtypercent.  0     $ XXX5XXX5    $h0  JeffreyChandler,aphysicaltherapist,testifiedthatheobservedMs.Anderson    doingherjobandthathewouldclassifyitasinthemediumormediumheavyclassof f  occupations.$h00݌ L  Ќ  X5XXX5 XX  $ XXX5XXX5    $]2  $]22݌ 2  Ќ  X5XXX5 XX  $ XXX5XXX5    $x3  TerryPippin,thefoundrymanageratVestalManufacturingCo.fortwentyyears,   describedtheheavyphysicallaborinvolvedinMs.Andersonsjob,testifiedthatshewas z  theonlyfemaledoingthatjob,andthatshewasabetterassemblerandbetterinalotof ` otherjobsthansomeofthemen.$x33݌ F Ќ  X5XXX5 XX  $ XXX5XXX5    $5  $5o6݌ , Ќ  X5XXX5 XX  WeagreewithcounselforVestalManufacturingCo.thatthethreeissuesare  intertwinedandareresolvedbyinterpretingHillv.EagleBendMfg.Co.,942S.W.2d483 | (Tenn.1997)whichheld: Anemployertakesanemployeeasheorsheisandassumes b theresponsibilityofhavingapreexistingconditionaggravatedbyaworkrelatedinjury H whichmightnotaffectanormalperson.(citationsomitted)Theemployerarguesthat . thetrialcourtshouldhaveusedthefivepercentimpairmentDr.Fardonsaidwasdirectly  causedbytheinjuryinsteadoftheentiretwentypercentimpairmentthatresultedfrom v theaggravationofthepreexistingspondylolisthesis.TheSupremeCourtinBennettv. \ HowardJohnsonsMotorLodge,714S.W.2d273(Tenn.1986)addressedtheissueof B whetheranemployerwouldonlyberesponsibletoanemployeewithapreexisting ( conditionforthedisabilitycausedbytheemploymentinsteadoftheentireresulting  disability.TheCourtheld: x   Ӏ ^  X  9  <%` ` ` <DLX!< NoapportionmentofanykindwillbepermittedinTennessee D   unlesstheLegislaturedeterminesthatsucharemedyisappropriate. *!! Absentsomeotherruleoflawtothecontrary,thelastsuccessive "" employerorinsurancecarrier,takingtheemployeeasheisfoundto "r# beatthetimeoftheaccident,willbeliablefortheentireresulting #X $ disability,includingallmedicalexpensesarisingfromthedisability $>!% andregardlessofanypreexistingcondition....Thisruleapplies %$"& whetherthesubsequentinjuryaggravatesormerelycombineswith & #' apreviousinjuryorconditionoftheemployee.714S.W.2dat t'#( 279. Z($)  X  9  E+ 4 <DL!` ` ` XE @)%* #X5XXX5  X  #A@  TheLegislaturesubsequentlyadoptedT.C.A.506207(3)(F)which,aspertinenttothis &*&+ case,provides:#A@@݌  +', ЌX5XXX5    ! XX5XXX5  X    $ ` ` -X!$!A   ` Ifanemployeehaspreviouslysustainedaninjurycompensable ,T). underthissectionforwhichacourtofcompetentjurisdictionhas -:*/ awardedbenefitsbasedonpercentageofdisabilitytothebodyas . +0 awholeandsuffersasubsequentinjurynotenumeratedabove,  theinjuredemployeeshallbepaidcompensationfortheperiodof j temporarydisabilityandonlyforthedegreeofpermanent P disabilitythatresultsfromthesubsequentinjury.!ApB݌ 6 ЌX5XXX5   ! XX5XXX5     !1E  !1EE݌  ЌX5XXX5 X  ! XX5XXX5    !&F  Thisprovisionlimitstherecoveryforanemployeewhohassustainedaprevious ~ injuryforwhichacourthasawardedbenefitstothebodyasawhole,butitdoesnot d purporttolimitorapportionbenefitsforapreexistingconditionforwhichnocourtaward  J hasbeenmade.AstheSupremeCourtnotedinParksv.Mun.LeagueRiskManagement  0 Pool,974S.W.2d677(Tenn.1998), thelimitationinthestatutemerelypreventsan    injuredemployeefromreceivingdualcompensationforthesameworkrelatedinjury.    974S.W.2dat679.TeresaAndersonhasneithersustainedapreviousinjurynorreceived f  priorcompensationforherbackcondition.Thereisnobasisintheworkers L  compensationstatutestodenyhercompensationfortheentiredisabilitycausedbythe 2  injuryshesustainedonJanuary6,1998.Theawardisproperlybasedonthetwenty   percentimpairmentassignedbyDr.Fardon.!&FzF݌ z  ЌX5XXX5 X  ! XX5XXX5  !RK  !RKK݌ ` ЌX5XXX5 X  ! XX5XXX5  !L  Theextentofvocationaldisabilityisaquestionoffacttobedeterminedfromall F oftheevidence,includinglayandexperttestimony.T.C.A.506241(c);Worthington , v.ModineMfg.Co.,798S.W.2d232,234(Tenn.1990).Inmakingdeterminationsof  disability,thecourtmustconsiderallpertinentfactors,includinglayandexpert | testimony,employeesage,education,skillsandtraining,localjobopportunities,and b capacitytoworkattypesofemploymentavailableinclaimantsdisabledcondition. H T.C.A.506241(c);Robersonv.LorettoCasketCo.,722S.W.2d380,384(Tenn. . 1986).TheevidenceinthiscaseisthatMs.Andersonhasatwentypercentmedical  impairmenttothebodyasawhole,mustlimitherlifting,readsatthethirdgradelevel, v doesarithmeticatthefourthgradelevel,ispresentlyunabletoperform30percentofthe \ occupationsshecouldpreviouslyperformbeforetheinjury,andwillprobablybeunable B toperformsixtypercentoftheoccupationsinthefuture.Wefindnobasistodisturbthe ( determinationofthetrialcourtthatshehasapermanentpartialdisabilityofthirtyfive  percenttothebodyasawhole.!LgL݌ x ЌX5XXX5 X  ! XX5XXX5  !R  !RR݌ ^ ЌX5XXX5 X  ! XX5XXX5    !`S  Conclusion !`SS݌ D   ЌX5XXX5 X  ! XX5XXX5    !OT  !OTT݌ *!! ЌX5XXX5 X  ! XX5XXX5  !(U  Thejudgmentofthetrialcourtisaffirmedandremandedforanynecessary "" proceedings.ThecostsoftheappealaretaxedtotheAppellant,VestalManufacturing "r# Company.!(UpU݌ #X $ ЌX5XXX5 X  ! XX5XXX5  !V  !VW݌ $>!% ЌX5XXX5 X  ! XX5XXX5  !W  !WW݌ %$"& ЌX5XXX5 X  ! XX5XXX5  !aX  !aXX݌ & #' ЌX5XXX5 X  ! XX5XXX5  !.Y  !.YvY݌ t'#( ЌX5XXX5 X  ! XX5XXX5  3DL!` ` 3!Y    __________________________ Z($)    D HowellN.Peoples !YvZ݌  @)%* ЌX5XXX5 X  ! XX5XXX5  !f[  ^XX5@9 9 INTHESUPREMECOURTOFTENNESSEE!f[[݌  ЌX5X^ X  @ATKNOXVILLE,TENNESSEE   #X5XXX5[# ^XX5  @ VESTALMANUFACTURINGCOMPANYVS.TERESA B ANDERSON#X5X^\#  N  ]@  ChanceryCourtforMonroeCounty Z  @FF&No.10978 @  @*ACc) ` dE< ` A߈    @ No.E199901470WCR3CVFiledOctober17,2000  y  ACc) ` dE< ` A E   @& JUDGMENT  6  ̀ThiscaseisbeforetheCourtupontheentirerecord,includingtheorderofreferral l totheSpecialWorkersCompensationAppealsPanel,andthePanelsmemorandum R Opinionsettingforthitsfindingsoffactandconclusionsoflaw,whichareincorporated 8 hereinbyreference;  Ѐ  ЀWhereupon,itappearstotheCourtthatthememorandumOpinionofthePanel f shouldbeacceptedandapproved;and L Ѐ 2 ЀItis,therefore,orderedthatthePanelsfindingsoffactsandconclusionsoflaware  adoptedandaffirmedandthedecisionofthePanelismadetheJudgementoftheCourt.  Ѐ h ЀCostsonappealaretaxedtotheappellant,VestalManufacturingCompanyand N DavidCollierNagle,suretyforwhichexecutionissueifnecessary. 4 10/17/00 |  ! XX5XXX5  !c  !cd݌ "$ ЌX5XXX5 X  ! XX5XXX5  !d  !dd݌ ~#% ЌX5XXX5 X  ! XX5XXX5  !Ve  !Vee݌ d$ & ЌX5XXX5 X  ! XX5XXX5  !#f  !#fkf݌ J%!' ЌX5XXX5 X    Ӏ 0&"( Ѐ '#) j=XX5