Opinion ID: 1057637
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Causation and Permanency

Text: Having concluded that Dr. Thurman's report was not properly admitted into evidence, we must examine the record to determine if the remaining evidence is sufficient to support the trial court's award of workers' compensation benefits. This Court reviews a trial court's findings of fact in a workers' compensation case de novo with a presumption of correctness unless the preponderance of the evidence is otherwise. Tenn.Code Ann. § 50-6-225(e)(2) (2008). When a trial court has seen the witnesses and heard the testimony, especially where issues of credibility and the weight of testimony are involved, we must extend considerable deference to the trial court's factual findings. Whirlpool Corp. v. Nakhoneinh, 69 S.W.3d 164, 167 (Tenn.2002). We extend no deference to the trial court's findings when reviewing documentary evidence such as depositions, however. Id. The records of Jackson-Madison County General Hospital list Albuterol as a current medication for Ms. Arias in 2003 and 2004. Ms. Arias confirmed the accuracy of these records at trial. Dr. McCartney testified that Albuterol is prescribed solely for treatment of asthma. Ms. Arias's medical records therefore are consistent with a diagnosis of asthma and treatment for that condition prior to the events of June and July 2006. Dr. McCartney also testified unequivocally that Ms. Arias's asthma was not caused by dust exposure at work, although he testified that the dust exposure at Duro Standard may have aggravated Ms. Arias's pre-existing asthmatic condition by triggering an asthma attack. Dr. McCartney was unwilling to assign any permanent impairment for Ms. Arias's condition without regard to whether such impairment was pre-existing or work-related. The trial court also heard testimony from Ms. Arias that her condition had permanently worsened. Although that testimony was admissible, McIlvain v. Russell Stover Candies, Inc., 996 S.W.2d 179, 183 (Tenn.1999), causation and permanency must be proven by expert medical testimony except in the most obvious cases. Thomas v. Aetna Life & Cas. Co., 812 S.W.2d 278, 283 (Tenn.1991). This is not such an obvious case in which expert testimony is unnecessary. Without reference to Dr. Thurman's report, the evidence preponderates against the trial court's finding that Ms. Arias sustained permanent impairment or disability as a result of her exposure to dust while working for Duro Standard in June and July 2006. We therefore reverse the judgment of the trial court and dismiss the complaint. [4]