WPC[ ~"%Gݩi)~D׶m˫Zy՟ߡ}Q_YnϪ%@dH%&cjOR= 뿧x؃_Sm㶽Np?fCɗ >9 ")p:7̲к#ND@<|4κ:T׵K+)䤎hw@C.zٓɑq=i#4p*#R 7/mi?3j$8?)VI_+mji‘q"YV$D+@86jrSц׋w,h^xV8~m4 ^;dV7Ġ K (_֍ӱHRєӶZ1YA UoI WJeuӫ > SbfG"K?{{K *x4)^r;zl=^;Xj9RI# U:  %C 0(Iw@q4U: 0D%Z D3 U:  0l 0D`  = U: T %q U:\"%U: %GU:l AQ 0D B 0D%b D/U: B 0L                                EYHP LaserJet 4SiHPPCL5MS,,,,,,0nLh,cAZ"Arial RegularX($ VVӀӀh:&3|x,  AZ"Arial Regular(3$ !    !"   X*XXX U]X X*   Ad FILED X*X U]   March1,1999  CecilCrowson,Jr. X X*AppellateCourtClerk """"'dxd,cAZ"Arial Regular((3$ !      0  (%$  1   $    1    ݀SeeJohnW.Strong,McCormickonEvidence344,at463 Deviationsfrom  thetheory[burstingbubble]ingeneral(4thed.1992). 3 s$HX*XXX `   1    ݀SeeJohnW.Strong,McCormickonEvidence344,at463 Deviations  fromthetheory[burstingbubble]ingeneral(4thed.1992).,cAZ"Arial Regularc:\office\wpwin\template\legal\11deny.wpt  !"  X*XXXU]XX*   Ad FILEDX*XU]   March2,1999  CecilCrowson,Jr.XX*AppellateCourtClerk ,cAZ"Arial RegularLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5  !"  X*XXXU]XX*   Ad FILEDX*XU]   March1,1999  CecilCrowson,Jr.XX*AppellateCourtClerk ,cAZ"Arial Regular  !"  X*XXXU]XX*   Ad FILEDX*XU]   March2,1999  CecilCrowson,Jr.XX*AppellateCourtClerk ,cAZ"Arial Regular ! #%C<< CLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(3$ !   d($$   1    !"  &X*XXX&U]X&X*   Ad FILED&X*X&U]   March1,1999  CecilCrowson,Jr.&X&X*AppellateCourtClerk ''' dxd,cAZ"Arial RegularP Pd>c$"Small Circle"0 !  X   TR[A' Legal3'A' Legal3'Tr <,(j 8` `@E ` ttx$X rߛINTHESUPREMECOURTOFTENNESSEESPECIALWORKERSCOMPENSATIONAPPEALSPANELAUGUST1998SESSION   EA"H) xdEYxA Z  RALPHWARREN,   h     ) O   `     h     ) ` Plaintiff/Appellee, h     ) p DecaturCircuit ! q  `     h     ) v. `     h     ) p No.02S019801CV00007  =   `     h     ) TMLINSURANCEPOOL, h     ) p HonorableJulianP.Guinn    `     h     ) ` Defendant/Appellant.    )    FortheAppellant:   h      p FortheAppellee: _  JohnD.Burleson   h      p RickyL.Boren 7 JefferyG.Foster   h      p HillBorenP.C.  Rainey,Kizer,Butler, h      p 1269NorthHighlandAvenue  ЀReviere&Bell,PLC h      p P.O.Box3539  105SouthHighlandAvenue     p Jackson,TN383033539  P.O.Box1147Jackson,TN383021147 򀀀  K    MEMORANDUMOPINION S% % MembersofPanel: (g#(  SeniorJudgeJohnK.Byers )?%* SpecialJudgeF.LloydTatumSpecialJudgePaulR.Summers  REVERSEDANDDISMISSED     p     TATUM,SpecialJudge i729   U83:    XX7*XXdXXd7OPINION #X*X #     ` ThisworkerscompensationappealhasbeenreferredtotheSpecialWorkersCompensationAppealsPaneloftheSupremeCourtinaccordancewithTenn.CodeAnn.XmXXX*#X*XXXmb #Ԁ506225(e)(3)forhearingandreportingtotheSupremeCourtoffindingsoffactand  d conclusionsoflaw. ` Inhiscomplaint,theplaintiffchargesthathis hypertensionandheartproblemswerecausedoraggravatedbystressofworkingasalawenforcementofficer.Afterfindingthat therecorddoesnotrevealanysingletriggeringincidentthatwouldnecessarilybringthiscasewithinthepurviewofXmXXX*#X*XXXmj#751201oftheTennesseeCodeAnnotated,thetrial (x courtfound [t]hereis,however,aseriesofevents,anyoneofwhichstandingalonewouldhavesufficed.Thedefendantstipulatedthatplaintiffsufferedpermanentandtotaldisabilitytothebodyasawholeandthecourtenteredjudgmentinfavoroftheplaintiffaccordingly.Onthisappeal,thedefendant,TennesseeMunicipalLeague,presentsissueattackingthetrialcourtsfindingthatplaintiffshypertensionandheartdiseasewerecausallyrelatedtohisemploymentasapoliceofficer. ` PlaintiffbeganhisemploymentwiththeCityofParsons,TennesseePoliceDepartmentin1975andwaspromotedtoChiefofPolicein1992.OnSeptember25,1995,whileenroutetopatroltheindustrialparkinParsons,plaintifffellasleepatthewheelofhispatrolcaranditlefttheroadway.Plaintiffawokewhentheautomobilewasontheshoulder,andthustherewasnoaccidentorinjury.Plaintiffwasexperiencingchestpainandhadexperiencedchestpainforyearspriortothisoccurrence.OnOctober3,1995,hesoughtmedialattentionforchestpain. ` Theplaintiffwasfirstdiagnosedwithhypertensionin1977.HewashospitalizedinMay,1989andunderwentheartcatheterizationandangiographywhichshowedsignificantheartarteryblockage.Hisbloodpressurewas moderatelyelevated,andhecontinuedtohavehypertension.Plaintiffwasplacedonmedicationforhypertensioncontrolandforheartarteryblockage.Plaintiffwastreatedin1989byDr.JosephBlankenshipandplaintiffreturnedtoDr.BlankenshiponOctober3,1995. ` Dr.Blankenship,acardiologist,testifyingbydeposition,statedthathypertensionhasaneffectontheheartinthatitenlargesanddamagestheheartmuscles,increasestherisk 9L5; ofheartattackandstrokes,andtendstobeacausativefactorinthedevelopmentofcongestiveheartfailure.Dr.Blankenshipwasoftheopinionthatplaintiffprobablywasunderjobstressthataggravatedhistendencytohypertension,buthealsostatedthathecouldnot medicallysaythathisillnessandhospitalizationinOctober,1995wasorwasnotrelatedtohisworkasapoliceman.Dr.Blankenshipalsotestifiedthatsmoking,obesity,andfamilyhistorywereadditionalriskfactorspresentinplaintiffsmedicalhistorythatwouldincreasehisriskofcongestiveheartfailureandcoronaryarterydisease.Plaintiffalsohadafamilyhistoryofhypertension,whichisariskfactorforheartdiseases.Dr.BlankenshipsrecordscontainednohistoryofanyspecificstressfulortraumaticincidentthatoccurredwhileplaintiffwasworkingasapolicemanfortheCityofParsons.Dr.Blankenshiptestifiedthatplaintiffscongestiveheartfailurewouldpreventhimfromreturningtohisformeremploymentoranyphysicallydemandingoccupation,ifnotwellcontrolled. ` OnOctober2,1996,plaintiffwasseenforanindependentmedicalexaminationbyDr.PervisMilnor,Jr.,acardiologist,attherequestofplaintiffsattorney.Dr.Milnortestifiedbydeposition.Hediagnosedplaintiffashavingischemicheartdisease,chronicobstructivepulmonarydisease,andasbeingobese.Plaintiffsbloodpressurewasnormalbecauseitwasbeingcontrolledbymedication.Dr.Milnoropinedthatplaintiffshypertensionandischemicheartdiseasewere aggravated,ifnotprecipitated,bystressesassociatedwithhisemployment. ` Dr.Milnortestifiedthatcigarettesmokingisthenumberoneriskfactorincausingischemicheartdiseaseandthatfamilyhistoryandobesityplayimportantrolesasriskfactorsinischemicheartdisease.PlaintiffgaveDr.Milnorahistoryofsmokingtwotothreepacksofcigarettesaday,afamilyhistoryofheartdisease,andtheplaintiffwasanobeseperson.Plaintiffgavenohistoryofanysuddenorstressfuleventwhichcausedhimtohavesometypeofspecificresponse.TheplaintiffdescribedtoDr.Milnormanydistressfulexperiencesoveratwentyyearperiodwhileworkingasapoliceofficer.Dr.Milnoralsotestifiedthatapersonwiththeplaintiffsriskfactorsisaprimecandidateforheartdiseaseregardlessofpolicework. ` Dr.LaurenceGrossman,acardiologist,alsotestifiedbydeposition.Attherequest 84: ofdefendantsattorney,Dr.Grossmanreviewedtheplaintiffsmedicalrecords,whichhedeemedadequateforforminganopiniononcausation.Hediagnosedtheplaintiffwithhypertension,coronaryheartdisease,andobesity.Heopinedthatcigarettesmokingwasthemaincauseoftheplaintiffscoronaryheartdiseaseandthatothercontributingfactorswerehishypertension,obesity,andfamilyhistory.Dr.Grossmanstatedthattheplaintiffsworkasapoliceofficerhadnoeffectonhisheartcondition.Hefoundthattheplaintiffshypertensionwasminorandnotdisablingandthatitwasoflittlesignificanceincontributingtohiscoronaryarterydisease.Dr.Grossmannotedthatthemedicalrecordsdidnotindicateanyspecificincidentatwork.Dr.Grossmantestifiedthatjobstresses,evenhighpressurejobstresses,havenoeffectonapersonscardiaccondition. ` Althoughthelanguageemployedbythetrialjudgeinannouncinghisfindingsisnotentirelyequivocal,itappearsthathemadenoattempttoapplythepresumptioncreatedbyTenn.CodeAnn.XmXXX*751201(e)(1).Theplaintiffinsiststhatthepresumptioniseffective @ inthiscase.Hestatesthat:8 ` 8 ` (#` (#TheAppellantinthiscasecontendsthatifanydoctortestifiesthatthepoliceofficersconditionisnotworkrelated,itrebutsthepresumptionandthePlaintiffcannotwin.SuchaninterpretationoftheStatuteeffectivelyrepealstheStatutesinceitrendersitworthless.    ` ItisconcededthattheprerequisiteshavebeenmetsowemustexamineTenn.CodeAnn.#X*XXXm$#XmXXX*#X*XXXm*'#XmXXX*Ԁ751201(a)(1)todeterminewhetherthepresumptionisapplicableinthis % $ case.Wequotethepertinentportionofthestatute:8 ` 8 ` (#` (#WheneverthestateofTennessee,oranymunicipalcorporationorotherpoliticalsubdivisionthereofthatmaintainsaregularlawenforcementdepartmentmannedbyregularandfulltimeemployeesandhasestablishedorhereafterestablishesanyformofcompensationtobepaidtosuchlawenforcementofficersforanyconditionorimpairmentofhealthwhichshallresultinlossoflifeorpersonalinjuryinthelineofdutyorcourseofemployment,thereshallbeandthereisherebyestablishedapresumptionthatanyimpairmentofhealthofsuchlawenforcementofficerscausedbyhypertensionorheartdiseaseresultinginhospitalization,medicaltreatmentoranydisability,shallbepresumed(unless 3.3 thecontraryisshownbycompetentmedicalevidence)tohave 4/4 occurredortobeduetoaccidentalinjurysufferedinthe t505 courseofemployment(emphasisadded).    ` Aspreviouslystated,Dr.Grossmanstestimonywastotheeffectthattheplaintiffshypertensionandheartdiseasewerenotcausedbystresssufferedinthecourseofhis $:t5: employmentasalawenforcementofficer. ` InKrickv.CityofLawrenceburg,945S.W.2d709,71213(Tenn.1997),acase  similartothisone,theSupremeCourt,inconsideringtheabovestatute,stated:8 ` 8 ` (#` (#Inordertoovercomethepresumption, theremustbeaffirmativeevidencethatthereisnotasubstantialcausalconnectionbetweentheworkoftheemployeesosituatedandtheoccurrenceuponwhichtheclaimforbenefitsisbased(quotingStonev.CityofMcMinnville,896S.W.2d548,550 `  (Tenn.1995)).Inotherwords,theremustbe competentmedicalevidencethatthereisnotasubstantialcausalconnection.    `     h     *****8 ` 8 ` (#` (#AstheSpecialPanelrecognized,oncethepresumptionofcausationestablishedbyTenn.CodeAnn.#X*XXXmp'#XmXXX*#X*XXXm0#XmXXX*Ԁ751201(a)(1)is  rebuttedbythedefendant,itdisappears,andtheplaintiffmustprove,byapreponderanceoftheevidence,thathisconditionresultedfromaninjurybyaccidentarisingoutofandinthecourseofhisemployment.Thus,Krickwasrequiredtoprovethathisheartdiseasewasaninjurybyaccident.    ` AsintheKrickcase,supra,thetestimonyofDr.Grossmanrebuttedthetestimony  p oftheotherdoctors,therebydestroyingthepresumptionestablishedunderTenn.CodeAnn.#X*XXXm;1#XmXXX*#X*XXXm3#XmXXX*Ԁ751201(a)(1),andtheplaintiffwasrequiredtoprovethathisheartdiseaseand 0 hypertensionwerecausedbyinjuriessustainedinajobrelatedaccident. ` Theplaintiffhasmadealistofaseriesofverystressfulincidentsthathaveoccurredtohimonaregularbasisforthepasttwentyyears.Atthetimetheplaintifffellasleepanddrovehiscarofftheroad,hewasonaroutinepatrolandhadnotbeeninvolvedinanyunusuallystressfulsituationsformorethanamonthpriortothattime.Itiswellsettledthatthedisablingconditionmustbeprecipitatedbyaspecific,acute,orsuddenstressfulevent.Thereisnoindicationthattheincidentofgoingtosleepisinanywayrelatedtoplaintiffscondition.#X*XXXm4#XmXXX* .0*-  ` TheSupremeCourtalsoheldintheKrickcase,945S.W.2dat714: 0,/ 8 ` 8 ` (#` (#Wehaveheldthatheartattacksaregenerallycompensableasaccidentalinjurieswhentheyareprecipitatedbyphysicalexertionorstrainoraspecificincidentorseriesofincidentsinvolvingmentaloremotionalstressofanunusualorabnormalnature.Baconv.SevierCounty,808S.W.2d46(Tenn.1991); `615 Stonev.CityofMcMinnville,896S.W.2d548,550(Tenn. P726 1995).Thekeytorecoveryininstanceswhereitisallegedthatphysicalactivitycausedtheheartattack,iswhether thedisablingheartattackisprecipitatedbythephysicalactivityor  :p59 exertionorphysicalstrainoftheemployeesjob.Id.at552  (quotingBacon,808S.W.2dat50).Ininstanceswherethe  plaintiffassertsthatemotionalstresscausedtheheartattack,thedisablingcondition mustbeimmediatelyprecipitatedbyaspecificacuteorsuddenstressfulevent.Stonev.Cityof p McMinnville,896S.W.2dat552(quotingBacon,808S.W.2d `  at52).   #X*XXXmZ7#XmXXX* ` ItissuccinctlystatedinBaconv.SevierCounty,808S.W.2d46,52(Tenn.1991), 0  asfollows:8 ` 8 ` (#` (#[I]tisobviousthatinordertorecoverwherethereisnophysicalexertion,butthereisemotionalstress,worry,shock,ortension,theheartattackmustbeimmediatelyprecipitatedbyaspecificacuteorsuddenstressfulevent,ratherthangeneralizedemploymentconditions....Apremiumshouldbeplaceduponspecificityandclarityinidentifyingthatwhichconstitutesthe accidentandupondemonstratingthatsuchaccidentisdirectlyattributabletotheemployment(citationsomitted).    ` ItresultsthatwemustholdthatthepresumptionofcausationestablishedbyTenn.CodeAnn.#X*XXXm<#XmXXX*#X*XXXmb@#XmXXX*Ԁ751201(a)(1)isrebuttedandrenderednonexistent.Furthermore,wemust 0 holdthatthedisablingconditionoftheplaintiffwasnotimmediatelyprecipitatedbyaspecific,acute,orsuddenstressfulevent.Wemust,therefore,reversethejudgmentofthetrialcourtanddismissthecase. ` Wehaveconductedadenovoreviewofthiscaseupontherecordinthetrialcourt "  withapresumptionofcorrectnessofthefindingsofthetrialcourt.SeeTenn.CodeAnn. $" #X*XXXm@#XmXXX*#X*XXXmC#XmXXX*Ԁ506225(b)(2).#X*XXXm]C#XmXXX*ԀHowever,wefindthatthepreponderanceoftheevidenceisagainstthe p&!$ findingsandjudgmentofthetrialcourt,andthattheevidencepreponderatesagainstthefindingthatplaintiffsdisablingconditiongrewoutoforinthecourseofhisemploymentfordefendant.#X*XXXmC#XmXXX* ,`'*  ` Thejudgmentofthetrialcourtisreversedandthecaseisdismissed.Costsareadjudgedagainsttheplaintiff/appellee.#X*XXXmE# `     h     ________________________________________ `     h     F.LLOYDTATUM,SPECIALJUDGE̜  8^37 CONCUR:̜___________________________________JOHNK.BYERS,SENIORJUDGE̜___________________________________XmXXX* ^  PAULR.SUMMERS,SPECIALJUDGE#X*XXXmG#  D  X     UH  @@  INTHESUPREMECOURTOFTENNESSEE  @@B B SPECIALWORKERS'COMPENSATIONAPPEALSPANEL@@ATJACKSON   HRALPHWARREN,   h     ) " b  `     h     ) p   H Мr <,(j 8` `@E  ` ttx$X r ` Plaintiff/Appellee h     ) p DECATURCIRCUIT  (#   .   `     h     ) p     t$ >.*jxG` `@ELm` ttx$ ( tߛv. `     h     ) p NO.02S019801CV00007    `     h     ) p    TMLINSURANCEPOOL, h     ) p HON.JULIANP.GUINN,    `     h     ) p JUDGE l   ` Defendant/Appellant    ) R     SEPARATECONCURRINGOPINION  *    ` IagreewiththeresultreachedbyJudgeTatuminhisopinionbecausetheSupremeCourthasheldinBentonv.CityofSpringfield,973S.W.2d936(Tenn.1998)  andKrickv.CityofLawrenceburg,945S.W.2d709(Tenn.1997),thatcompetent ^ medicalprooftothecontraryrebutsthepresumptionraisedbyTenn.CodeAnn.751201(a)(1).Idonotagree,however,withthisrationaleforrejectionoftheapparentintentofthelegislaturetorecognizethestressrelatedoccupationofapoliceofficer. ` Icategorizethisapproachassimplisticbecauseallittakestorebutthepresumptionunderthisruleisforonequalifiedmedicalwitnesstotestifythatinhisorheropinionthestressoftheofficersworkdidnotcausetheclaimantsheartdisease.Thisviewwouldrebutthepresumptioninthefaceofanynumberofequallyqualifiedwitnessestestifyingtothecontrary. ` Obviously,therulebeingappliedinthesecasesisthesocalled burstingthebubblerule,whichholdsanyrebuttablepresumptionisovercomebyanyevidencetothecontrary.SeeJohnW.Strong,McCormickonEvidence344,at462(4thed. &.f*/ 1992). ` Ibelievethatinthehighlyspecializedareaofexperttestimony,whichwehavealwaysdescribedasspeculativeatbest,thedeterminationofwhetherthereisevidencetothecontrarysufficienttorebutthepresumptionshouldbebaseduponthequalityoftheevidenceasdeterminedbythetrieroffact,whoassessesnotonlythecredibilityofthewitnessesbuttheweighttobegiventhistestimony. ` Undertherule,whichweapparentlynowhave,awitnesswhosecredibilitymaybesuspectorpatentlyimpeachedcanpresentcompetentevidencethatthereisnota <8? substantialcausalconnectionbetweenthestressofanofficersworkandhisheartdisease.Thistestimonycanovercomethepresumptioninthefaceofanynumberofcompetent,crediblewitnessestothecontrary.ThiscreatesaresultwhichIdonotbelievethelegislatureintendedinthisareaandwhichIamnotcertaintheSupremeCourtactuallyenvisioned. %  1      כ  0  ` IhavethisviewbecauseIbelievecompetentevidenceinthefieldofmedicinemeansonlythatthewitnesswhoofferstheevidenceisfoundtobecompetenttotestifyandgiveanopiniononthematterinquestion.Tomaketheevidenceproofofthematterclaimed,Ibelievethewitnesstestimonymustbetestedundertherulesofcredibilityandacceptedassuchbeforeitcanhaveanytendencytoovercomethetestimonyofotherequallyqualifiedwitnessestothecontrary.Usingthisformula,thetrieroffactcanthendetermineifthepresumptionisovercome,andifithas,thedeterminationofliabilitywillthenberesolvedunderthedoctrineofKrickandBenton. P Thatis,theclaimantwouldhavetoshowthecardiaceventwasasaresultofsomeoccurrencewhichimmediatelyprecededtheattackasthosecaseshold.  ,  `  `     h     _____________________________ `     h     JohnK.Byers,SeniorJudge  P""    X` TR[A'Legal Red[A' LegalA' LegalA' LegalTr <,(j 8` `@Ef ` ttx$,` rr <,(j 8` `@Ef ` ttx$,` r@ INTHESUPREMECOURTOFTENNESSEE `  @tt)ATJACKSONRALPHWARREN,@.)  DECATURCIRCUIT d @.)  NO.2190 J  PLAINTIFF/APPELLEE,@.) 0 @.)  HON.JULIANP.GUINN, v  v.@.)   @ JUDGE \  @.)TMLINSURANCEPOOL,@.)  S.CT.NO.02S019801CV00007 (  @.) DEFENDANT/APPELLANT.@.)0  AFFIRMED T$T$ @II* JUDGMENT T$T$MT$ r  ThiscaseisbeforetheCourtuponmotionforreviewpursuanttoTenn.CodeAnn.506225(e)(5)(B),theentirerecord,includingtheorderofreferraltotheSpecialWorkers'CompensationAppealsPanel,andthePanel'sMemorandumOpinionsettingforthitsfindingsoffactandconclusionsoflaw,whichareincorporatedhereinbyreference; Whereupon,itappearstotheCourtthatthemotionforreviewisnotwelltakenandshouldbedenied;and Itis,therefore,orderedthatthePanel'sfindingsoffactandconclusionsoflawareadoptedandaffirmed,andthedecisionofthePanelismadethejudgmentoftheCourt. CostswillbepaidbyPlaintiff/Appellee,forwhichexecutionmayissueifnecessary. ITISSOORDERED.  0      8     PERCURIAM ;17 Ї