TENNESSEE BUREAU OF WORKERS' COMPENSATION 

IN THE COURT OF WORKERS' COMPENSATION CLAIMS 

AT COOKEVILLE 

JACK D. RAMSEY, 

Employee, 

) Docket No. 2018-04-0155 

) 

v. 

AVERITT EXPRESS, INC. 

) State File No. 1329-2018 

) 

Employer. ) Judge Robert Durham 

EXPEDITED HEARING ORDER DENYING REQUESTED BENEFITS 

(ON THE RECORD) 

This case came before the Court on Mr. Ramsey's Request for Expedited Hearing 

on the record. Averitt agreed to a record review. On October 8, 20 18, the Court sent a 

Docketing Notice to the parties regarding the contents of the record offered for 

consideration. 1 The issue is whether Mr. Ramsey is entitled to treatment for his asserted 

work-related back injury from unauthorized physicians and to temporary disability 

benefits. The Court holds that he is not likely to establish his entitlement to the requested 

benefits at this time. However, he is entitled to a panel of orthopedists within his 

community from which he may select an authorized physician. 

History of Claim 

Mr. Ramsey worked as a driver for Averitt for approximately six weeks when he 

allegedly suffered a low back injury on January 26, 2018, after slipping on ice while 

strapping down a load in Michigan. He asserted he tried to work through the pain, but 

upon his return home to Florida, the pain grew so severe that he reported it to his 

supervisor. Averitt authorized him to visit a walk-in clinic, which ordered an MRl and 

physical therapy. The MRl report stated Mr. Ramsey suffered from low back pain that 

radiated down both legs as a result of a hyper-extension/fall. It concluded that he had 

multi-level degenerative disc disease, with the most significant abnormality at L5-S1 

1 After reviewing the record, the Court found that it required additional evidence as to whether Mr. 

Ramsey chose the authorized physician from a panel and held a brief hearing by telephone to clarify this 

issue. After the hearing, Averitt submitted a Choice of Physician Form along with an email chain 

regarding Mr. Ramsey's selection. In addition, Averitt objected to the admissibility of several of the 

documents submitted by Mr. Ramsey. With the exception of the pre-employment back evaluation, the 

Court overruled Averitt's objections. 

1 

FILED

Oct 22, 2018

02:03 PM(CT)

TENNESSEE COURT OF

WORKERS' COMPENSATION

CLAIMS
where he suffered from "eburnation inflammatory change associated with degenerative 

disc disease," as well as mild bilateral foramina! encroachment. 

Physical therapy only slightly alleviated Mr. Ramsey's symptoms, so Averitt 

provided an orthopedic panel. However, they were all located in Orlando, about a 

hundred miles from Mr. Ramsey's residence. He requested doctors closer to home, and 

the adjuster substituted Dr. Mark Gillespy in Daytona Beach for one of the Orlando 

orthopedists. Mr. Ramsey chose Dr. Gillespy but stated he felt "funneled" to him. 

Following examination, Dr. Gillespy stated Mr. Ramsey appeared to suffer from 

a lumbar sprain "superimposed upon pre-existing degenerative changes." He further 

believed that the sprain was not the "major contributing cause" for necessary treatment. 

Thus, he concluded Mr. Ramsey's condition was "partially" work-related. Dr. Gillespy 

placed him at maximum medical improvement (MMI) from his work-related injury and 

assigned three-percent impairment. He concluded that Mr. Ramsey would not benefit 

from further treatment of his work-related injury from an "orthopedic surgical 

standpoint." Finally, he felt that Mr. Ramsey could no longer work as a driver due to preexisting degenerative changes, although this condition might have been exacerbated by 

his work injury. He encouraged Mr. Ramsey to speak with a primary care doctor about 

treating his underlying osteoarthritic/degenerative disc disease. 

Afterward, Averitt sent Mr. Ramsey's records to Dr. Toney Hudson, a physiatrist 

in Cookeville, Tennessee, for his opinion as to whether Mr. Ramsey could return to work 

as a driver. Dr. Hudson noted that the MRI film actually showed fewer degenerative 

changes than he would expect due to Mr. Ramsey's age and obesity. However, given that 

he experienced three back injury events in the short time he worked for Averitt, he would 

be at high risk for recurrent back injuries. Thus, he agreed with Dr. Gillespy that Mr. 

Ramsey should not return to commercial truck driving. He also agreed that he was at 

MMI with three-percent impairment. 

Mr. Ramsey sought treatment on his own with Dr. Sonia Millan Pinzon. She 

diagnosed lumbar radiculopathy vs. piriformis pain and recommended pain management 

as well as physical therapy. 

Mr. Ramsey obtained pain management with Dr. Manuel Lopez-Diez. He 

diagnosed lumbar radiculopathy, right-sided sciatica and a lumbar disc herniation. Dr. 

Lopez-Diez ordered a transforaminal steroid injection and pain medication. Mr. Ramsey 

also underwent several sessions of physical therapy, which he testified greatly alleviated 

his symptoms. 

Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law 

Mr. Ramsey need not prove every element of his claim by a preponderance of the 

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evidence to obtain relief at an expedited hearing. Instead, he must present sufficient 

evidence that he is likely to prevail at a hearing on the merits. See Tenn. Code Ann. § 50-

6-239(d)(1) (2018); McCord v. Advantage Human Resourcing, 2015 TN Wrk. Comp. 

App. Bd. LEXIS 6, at *7-8, 9 (Mar. 27, 2015). 

The issues are whether Mr. Ramsey is entitled to additional medical treatment and 

temporary disability benefits. As to medical benefits, the evidence established that 

Averitt provided Mr. Ramsey with a panel of orthopedists as required by Tennessee Code 

Annotated section 50-6-204(a)(3)(A)(i) only after initial conservative care failed. Even 

then, however, the initial panel did not meet the statute's requirement that the doctors be 

"in the employee's community." Instead, it consisted entirely of orthopedists in Orlando, 

about 100 miles from Mr. Ramsey's home. When he specifically asked for doctors closer 

to home, Averitt substituted Dr. Gillespy from Daytona Beach but kept two orthopedists 

from Orlando on the panel. Thus, if Mr. Ramsey wished to see a doctor within in his 

community, as was his statutory right, he had no choice but Dr. Gillespy. 

In Lamm v. E. Miller Constr. Co., Inc., 2016 TN Wrk. Comp. App. Bd. LEXIS 83, 

at *16-18 (Nov. 8, 2016), the Appeals Board addressed the possible consequences of an 

inadequate panel: 

[Tennessee Code Annotated section 50-6-204] authorizes the employer to 

choose a panel of three physicians, but the employee is given the privilege 

to make the final choice of the attending physician from the panel of three. 

. . . Referring the employee to a single physician does not comply with the 

statute; it is a usurpation of the privilege of the employee to choose the 

ultimate treating physician. An employer who would claim the benefits of 

the statute should, himself, be required to comply with it. 

Here, the Court finds that the Orlando orthopedists on the panel did not fall within 

the requirement of being "in the employee's community" as required by statute. Averitt 

effectively gave Mr. Ramsey the option of only a single physician, which was a 

"usurpation" of his privilege to choose his treating doctor. Thus, Averitt is not entitled to 

the benefits afforded an employer that is in compliance with the statute. 

However, the question remains whether Mr. Ramsey is entitled to another panel or 

reimbursement of expenses and continued care with, Drs. Millan Pinzon and Lopez-Diez. 

Whether an employee is justified in seeking payment for unauthorized medical expenses 

from an employer depends upon the circumstances. Hackney v. Integrity Staffing 

Solutions, 2016 TN Wrk. Comp. App. Bd. LEXIS 29, at *8-9 (July 22, 2016). 

Here, neither Dr. Millan Pinzon nor Dr. Lopez-Diez gave an opinion that their 

treatment is reasonable and necessary to treat symptoms primarily caused by Mr. 

Ramsey's work injury. Thus, the Court holds that the circumstances do not justify 

3 
compelling Averitt to authorize them as his authorized doctors. However, the Court 

holds that Mr. Ramsey is entitled to a panel of orthopedists in compliance with Tennessee 

Code Annotated section 50-6-204(a)(3)(A)(i) from which he may choose an authorized 

physician, and Averitt shall provide it to him. 

Finally, as to temporary disability benefits, Mr. Ramsey provided no medical 

evidence that he is temporarily disabled as a result of his work injury. Thus, his request 

is denied at this time. 

IT IS, THEREFORE, ORDERED that: 

1. Averitt shall provide Mr. Ramsey with a panel of orthopedists located within his 

community from which he can choose an authorized physician. Mr. Ramsey's 

request for reimbursement of unauthorized expenses and to allow Drs. Millan 

Pinzon and Lopez-Diez be his authorized physicians, as well as his request for 

temporary disability benefits, is denied at this time. 

2. This matter is set for a Scheduling Hearing on December 3, 2018, at 2:30 p.m. 

C.S.T. The parties or their counsel must call 615-253-0010 or toll-free at 855-

689-9049 to participate in the hearing. Failure to call may result in a 

determination of the issues without your participation. 

3. Unless interlocutory appeal of the Expedited Hearing Order is filed, compliance 

with this Order must occur no later than seven business days from the date of entry 

of this Order as required by Tennessee Code Annotated section 50-6-239(d)(3). 

The Insurer or Self-Insured Employer must submit confirmation of compliance 

with this Order to the Bureau by email to WCCompliance.Program@tn.gov no 

later than the seventh business day after entry of this Order. Failure to submit the 

necessary confirmation within the period of compliance may result in a penalty 

assessment for non-compliance. For questions regarding compliance, please 

contact the Workers' Compensation Compliance Unit vta email at 

WCCompliance.Program@tn.gov. 

ENTERED OCTOBER 22, 2018. 

1!:;-j;;rt!Judge Court of Workers' Compensation Claims 

APPENDIX 

4 
Technical Record 

1. Petition for Benefit Determination 

2. Dispute Certification Notice 

3. Request for Expedited Hearing 

4. Averitt's Response to Request for Expedited Hearing 

5. Docketing Notice 

6. Mr. Ramsey's Pre-Hearing Statement 

7. Averitt's Pre-Hearing Brief and Objections to the Record 

Exhibits 

1. Mr. Ramsey's affidavit 

2. Medical Treatment Reporting Form from U.S. Healthworks 

3. MRI Report 

4. Dr. Gillespy's records 

5. Dr. Millan Pinzon's records 

6. Dr. Lopez-Diez's records 

7. C-42 Choice of Physician Form with attached e-mail chain 

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE 

I hereby certify that a true and correct copy of the Expedited Hearing Order was 

sent to the following recipients by the following methods of service on October 22, 2018. 

Name Certified Via Service sent to: 

Mail Email 

Jack D. Ramsey X X 1 Morington Lane 

Flagler Beach, FL 32136 

J ackramsey91 O@}yahoo.com 

Elizabeth G. Hart X betsy@swaffordlawfirm.com 

. /) JJv~ ~' ~ urt Clerk 

Court of Wor ,rs' Compensation Claims 

5 
Expedited Hearing Order Right to Appeal:

If you disagree with this Expedited Hearing Order, you may appeal to the Workers’ 

Compensation Appeals Board. To appeal an expedited hearing order, you must:

1. Complete the enclosed form entitled: “Expedited Hearing Notice of Appeal,” and file the 

form with the Clerk of the Court of Workers’ Compensation Claims within seven 

business days of the date the expedited hearing order was filed. When filing the Notice 

of Appeal, you must serve a copy upon all parties. 

2. You must pay, via check, money order, or credit card, a $75.00 filing fee within ten 

calendar days after filing of the Notice of Appeal. Payments can be made in-person at 

any Bureau office or by U.S. mail, hand-delivery, or other delivery service. In the 

alternative, you may file an Affidavit of Indigency (form available on the Bureau’s 

website or any Bureau office) seeking a waiver of the fee. You must file the fullycompleted Affidavit of Indigency within ten calendar days of filing the Notice of 

Appeal. Failure to timely pay the filing fee or file the Affidavit of Indigency will 

result in dismissal of the appeal.

3. You bear the responsibility of ensuring a complete record on appeal. You may request 

from the court clerk the audio recording of the hearing for a $25.00 fee. If a transcript of 

the proceedings is to be filed, a licensed court reporter must prepare the transcript and file 

it with the court clerk within ten business days of the filing the Notice of 

Appeal. Alternatively, you may file a statement of the evidence prepared jointly by both 

parties within ten business days of the filing of the Notice of Appeal. The statement of 

the evidence must convey a complete and accurate account of the hearing. The Workers’ 

Compensation Judge must approve the statement before the record is submitted to the 

Appeals Board. If the Appeals Board is called upon to review testimony or other proof 

concerning factual matters, the absence of a transcript or statement of the evidence can be 

a significant obstacle to meaningful appellate review.

4. If you wish to file a position statement, you must file it with the court clerk within ten

business days after the deadline to file a transcript or statement of the evidence. The 

party opposing the appeal may file a response with the court clerk within ten business 

days after you file your position statement. All position statements should include: (1) a 

statement summarizing the facts of the case from the evidence admitted during the 

expedited hearing; (2) a statement summarizing the disposition of the case as a result of 

the expedited hearing; (3) a statement of the issue(s) presented for review; and (4) an 

argument, citing appropriate statutes, case law, or other authority.

For self-represented litigants: Help from an Ombudsman is available at 800-332-2667.


ll 

. 

Tennessee Bureau of Workers' Compensation 

220 French Landing Drive, 1-B 

Nashville, TN 37243-1002 

800-332-2667 

AFFIDAVIT OF INDIGENCY 

.. I 

I, , having been duly sworn according to law, make oath that 

because of my poverty, I am unable to bear the costs of this appeal and request that the filing fee to appeal be 

waived. The following facts support my poverty. 

1. Full Name: ___________ _ 2. Address:-------------

3. Telephone Number:--------- 4. Date of Birth:-----------

5. Names and Ages of All Dependents: 

----------------- Relationship:-------------

----------------- Relationship:-------------

---------------- - Relationship:-------------

----------------- Relationship:-------------

6. I am employed by: ------------------------------,-

My employer's address is:-------------------------

My employer's phone number is:-----------------------

7. My present monthly household income, after federal income and social security taxes are deducted, is: 

$ _______ __ 

8. I receive or expect to receive money from the following sources: 

AFDC $ per month beginning 

SSI $ per month beginning 

Retirement $ per month beginning 

Disability $ per month beginning 

Unemployment $ per month beginning 

Worker's Camp.$ per month beginning 

Other $ per month beginning 

LB-1108 (REV 11/15) RDA 11082 
9. My expenses are: ' ; !• 

' 

Rent/House Payment $ per month Medical/Dental $ per month 

Groceries $ per month Telephone $ per month 

Electricity $ per month School Supplies $ per month 

Water $ per month Clothing $ per month 

Gas $ per month Child Care $ per month 

Transportation $ per month Child Support $ per month 

Car $ per month 

Other $ per month (describe: 

10. Assets: 

Automobile $ ____ _ 

Checking/Savings Acct. $ ____ _ 

House 

) 

Other 

11. My debts are: 

Amount Owed 

$ _ ___ _ 

$ ____ _ 

To Whom 

(FMV) - ---------

(FMV) ----------

Describe: _____ _____ _ 

I hereby declare under the penalty of perjury that the foregoing answers are true, correct, and complete 

and that I am financially unable to pay the costs of this appeal. 

APPELLANT 

Sworn and subscribed before me, a notary public, this 

___ dayof _____________ ,20 ___ _ 

NOTARY PUBLIC 

My Commission Expires: _ _ _____ _ 

LB-1108 (REV 11/15) RDA 11082