Opinion ID: 1060403
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: standard of review

Text: Our standard of review of factual issues in a workers' compensation case is de novo upon the record of the trial court, accompanied by a presumption of correctness of the trial court's findings, unless the preponderance of the evidence is otherwise. Tenn.Code Ann. § 50-6-225(e)(2) (1999 & Supp.2001); see Seals v. England/Corsair Upholstery Mfg. Co., Inc., 984 S.W.2d 912, 915 (Tenn. 1999). Our standard of review of legal issues is de novo. Tucker v. Foamex, LP, 31 S.W.3d 241, 242 (Tenn.2000). When the trial court has seen the witnesses and heard the testimony, especially where issues of credibility and the weight of testimony are involved, the appellate court must extend considerable deference to the trial court's factual findings. Seals, 984 S.W.2d at 915; see also Houser v. Bi-Lo, Inc., 36 S.W.3d 68, 71 (Tenn.2001). In contrast, when medical proof is presented by deposition, the reviewing court may draw its own conclusions about the weight and credibility of the expert testimony since it is in the same position as the trial judge for evaluating such evidence. 984 S.W.2d 915, 36 S.W.3d at 71.