Opinion ID: 1060699
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Percentage of Disability

Text: We begin our analysis by noting the applicable standard by which to review workers' compensation cases. Issues of fact are reviewed de novo upon the record of the trial court, accompanied by a presumption of the correctness of the findings, unless the preponderance of the evidence is otherwise. Tenn.Code Ann. § 50-6-225(e)(2) (1991 & Supp.1998). When a trial court has seen and heard witnesses, especially where issues of credibility and weight of oral testimony are involved, considerable deference must be accorded to the trial court's factual findings. E.g., Collins v. Howmet Corp., 970 S.W.2d 941, 943 (Tenn.1998). However, where the issues involve expert medical testimony, and all the medical proof is contained in the record by deposition, as it is in this case, then this Court may draw its own conclusions about the weight and credibility of that testimony, since we are in the same position as the trial judge. E.g., Krick v. City of Lawrenceburg, 945 S.W.2d 709, 712 (Tenn.1997). The extent of vocational disability is a question of fact to be determined from all the evidence, including lay and expert testimony. E.g., Henson v. City of Lawrenceburg, 851 S.W.2d 809, 812 (Tenn.1993). Factors to be considered in determining the extent of vocational disability include the employee's job skills and training, education, age, extent of anatomical impairment, duration of impairment, local job opportunities, and the employee's capacity to work at the kinds of employment available to her in her disabled condition. E.g., Perkins v. Enterprise Truck Lines, Inc., 896 S.W.2d 123, 127 (Tenn.1995). The employee's own assessment of her physical condition and resulting disability is competent testimony that should be considered as well. Id. With these principles in mind, we review the record to determine whether the evidence preponderates against the trial court's finding of 40 percent permanent partial disability to each arm. The record reveals several factors which support the trial court's decision on vocational disability. Both McIlvain and her husband testified that she is no longer able to do household chores, she has difficulty and pain when driving or writing, and she has disrupted sleep. Mr. McIlvain testified that he has had to take over chores at home and the antique store, and has to help his wife perform simple tasks like buttoning and snapping clothing or tightening jar lids. With respect to McIlvain's job skills and training, the proof reflects that every employment McIlvain has had which might allow her to obtain another similar job in Tennessee has required McIlvain to make repetitive use of her hands and wrists. [1] The medical proof in the record, however, is unequivocal in restricting McIlvain from making repetitive use of her hands and wrists. This restriction weighs heavily in support of the trial court's assessment of disability. In insisting that the evidence preponderates against the trial court's award of disability, Russell Stover emphasizes: 1) Dr. Hudson's finding of zero percent impairment; 2) McIlvain's work at her antique store; and, 3) McIlvain's statement to Dr. Colburn that she intended to retire. However, our review of the record and the detailed findings of the trial judge reveals that the trial judge properly took all these factors into consideration. We agree with the trial court that Dr. Hudson's finding of zero percent impairment seems inconsistent with his restricting her from work and is insufficient to preponderate against other medical proof in the record. As to the issue of McIlvain's work at the antique store, Patterson's testimony fails to overcome the trial court's finding that this work required no repetitive hand and wrist movements. Further, the trial court clearly considered the factor of McIlvain's age, which, in our view, is relevant to whether McIlvain would soon retire. Accordingly, after considering all the evidence in the record, the parties' arguments, and applicable law, we conclude that the evidence fails to preponderate against the trial court's finding of 40 percent permanent partial disability to both arms arising out of and in the course of McIlvain's employment with Russell Stover.