WILLIE RUCKER, JR. v. FEDERAL EXPRESS CORPORATION, ET AL. - Articles

All Content

WILLIE RUCKER, JR. v. FEDERAL EXPRESS CORPORATION, ET AL.

Posted by: Tanja Trezise on May 3, 2023

Court: TN Workers Comp Appeals Board

Attorneys 1: Willie Rucker, Jr., Memphis, Tennessee, employee-appellant, pro se.

Attorneys 2: Stephen P. Miller and Joseph B. Baker, Memphis, Tennessee, for the employer-appellee, Federal Express Corporation.

Judge(s): WEAVER

In this interlocutory appeal, the employee contends the trial court erred in denying his request for medical and temporary disability benefits following an expedited hearing. The employee alleged he suffered injuries to his head, neck, and back when a crate fell on him at work. Subsequently, the employee suffered a stroke, which he claims was causally related to the work accident. The employer did not deny that the original incident occurred but denied that it resulted in any permanent injury or caused the stroke. The authorized physicians performed diagnostic testing, provided conservative care, opined there were no objective findings, and released the employee from their care. Following an expedited hearing, the trial court determined the employee was not likely to prevail at a hearing on the merits, as he presented no medical proof to support his contention the stroke was causally related to the work accident. The employee has appealed. Having carefully reviewed the record, we affirm the trial court’s decision and remand the case.

Attachments: