Opinion ID: 1900435
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: mary l. moon

Text: Mary L. Moon was injured at her place of employment, G.C. Murphy Company (Murphy) in Gadsden, Alabama, on 29 February 1980. She gave her employer prompt notice of her injury and was treated by the company physician, Dr. John Keeling. During the next two years, Moon made periodic attempts to return to her employment, but, because of pain, she could not satisfactorily perform her duties. These attempts were made while Moon was under the care of Dr. Keeling, and also her own family physician and a chiropractor. In July of 1981, Moon was working at G.C. Murphy on light duty status when she took vacation leave because of her pain. While she was home on leave, the company notified her by telephone that she was being placed back on disability leave. After Moon's vacation leave was up, her disability benefits were not renewed. When Moon contacted Murphy to inquire about her disability payment, she was informed the company would contact Liberty Mutual Insurance Company (Liberty Mutual), Murphy's workmen's compensation carrier. In October of 1981, a claims supervisor for Liberty Mutual informed Moon that the company would not pay any further disability benefits until she submitted to a myelogram examination. Moon was referred by Liberty Mutual to Dr. J. Clayton Davie, the neurologist who conducted the test. During Moon's hospitalization for the myelogram, Davie requested that a clinical psychologist, Dr. Lee M. Coleman, conduct various psychological tests and evaluations. The stated purpose of this testing was to rule out the possibility of any psychological or emotional component being a part of the back pain described by Moon. Dr. Coleman determined there was no emotional component contributing to Moon's pain and that her pain must originate from either physical or organic elements. Davie did not request a second opinion from another psychologist, but advised Moon her myelogram appeared normal and released her to return to work. Moon informed the company of Davie's evaluation of her myelogram and his opinion that she should be able to return to work with no restrictions as to duties. Moon was then informed by Margaret Carr, of Murphy, that she must receive a release from Keeling, the company physician, in order to return to work. Keeling refused to grant that permission except under light duty status. When Moon reported to Carr the doctor's decision, Carr advised her there were no light duty jobs available at G.C. Murphy and that she would again be placed on disability leave. Moon received disability benefits until November 1981, when, suddenly, they were discontinued. When Moon contacted Liberty Mutual to find out why, she was informed the company doctor had released her to return to work with no restrictions. Moon returned to work but was not able to perform her duties due to pain. Her supervisor again sent her to the company doctor, who then sent her to an orthopedic surgeon, Dr. L.R. Lonnegan. Lonnegan made X-rays and examined Moon. He advised her to return to work and try to schedule her work around her pain. Moon tried again to return to work but was not able to perform her duties due to the pain and requested an approved leave of absence. On 31 March 1982, Moon received the following notice that she was fired: Based on the statements of the physicians involved, there is no justification for granting another approved leave of absence. Since you are unwilling to perform the work available at the store, there is no choice but to terminate your employment with the G.C. Murphy Company, effective with the date of this letter. Please be advised that Workers' Compensation claims are not handled by employees of the G.C. Murphy Company. Any inquiries of this nature should be directed to Liberty Mutual, P.O. Box 7505A Birmingham, Alabama 35253. After being discharged by Murphy, Moon saw Dr. Thomas Staner at Brookwood Hospital in Birmingham and Dr. Richard Nasca of the University of Alabama Hospital at Birmingham. Both physicians determined that Moon's myelogram was in fact abnormal and that she had a herniated disc. Moon submitted to surgery on 7 April 1983. Dr. Nasca testified on deposition that Moon's condition was known as spinal canal stenosis and was consistent with the type of injury suffered by Moon at G.C. Murphy in February of 1980. Nasca further stated that Davie could have diagnosed and probably should have diagnosed the spinal canal stenosis found in Moon. He stated, I think her case is pretty obvious. I think just looking at the X-rays you can tell that there is a great deal of change there at L-4/L-5 and L-5/S-1 level. Moon retained an attorney who, on 10 May 1982, notified Liberty Mutual and G.C. Murphy Company that, unless they settled Moon's workmen's compensation claim, suit would be filed. In June, Moon filed suit against Murphy and Liberty Mutual alleging wrongful refusal to pay temporary total disability benefits; collusion and conspiracy to deprive Moon of benefits by discharging her on 29 March 1982; intentional infliction of emotional distress; breach of contract by Liberty Mutual; and the tort of outrage. The trial court severed the claims against G.C. Murphy from those against Liberty Mutual and, based on this court's interpretation of the Workmen's Compensation Act's exclusivity provision in Waldon v. Hartford Insurance Group, 435 So.2d 1271 (Ala.1983), granted summary judgment in favor of Liberty Mutual. Moon appeals that court's grant of final summary judgment.