Court Opinion

ID: 4559783
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2020-08-26 21:01:06.448696+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T11:19:09.115018
License: Public Domain

FILED
                                                                               April 13 2017

                                                                               TN COURI' OF
                                                                         1\ ORKI.RS' CO:MPINS.ATIO N
                                                                                  CLAIMS

                                                                                 Ti.m1e 1:48 PM
            TENNESSEE BUREAU OF WORKERS' COMPENSATION
           IN THE COURT OF WORKERS' COMPENSATION CLAIMS
                            AT KNOXVILLE

NATALIE WOODS,                              ) Docket No. 2016-03-1328
         Employee,                          )
v.                                          ) State File No.89721-2016
DOLLAR GENERAL,                             )
        Self-Insured Employer.              ) Judge Pamela B. Johnson

        EXPEDITED HEARING ORDER GRANTING BENEFITS IN PART
                   AND DENYING BENEFITS IN PART
                        (Decision on the Record)

        This matter came before the undersigned Workers' Compensation Judge upon the
Request for Expedited Hearing filed by Natalie Woods, seeking a decision on the record
in lieu of convening an evidentiary hearing. Dollar General did not file a Response to the
Request for Expedited Hearing and did not request an evidentiary hearing. The Court
issued a Docketing Notice on March 20, 2017, listing the documents to be considered.
This Court gave Ms. Woods and Dollar General until March 31, 2017, to file objections
and/or position statements. Ms. Woods filed a Supplemental Brief in Support of
Application for Attorneys' Fees on March 30, 2017. Dollar General filed a Response to
Employee's Application for Attorney's Fees and Memorandum of Law in Opposition to
Employee's Application for Attorney's Fees on April6, 2017.

         Upon careful consideration of the record, this Court finds it needs no additional
information to determine whether Ms. Woods is likely to prevail at a hearing on the
merits of the claim. Accordingly, pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated section 50-6-
239(d)(2) (2016) and Tennessee Compilation Rules and Regulations 0800-02-21-
.14( 1)(c) (20 16), the Court decides this matter upon a review of the written materials.

       The central legal issue is whether Ms. Woods is likely to prevail at a hearing on
the merits on entitlement to past and future medical benefits, temporary total disability
benefits, and attorney's fees. For the reasons set forth below, the Court holds Ms. Woods
came forward with sufficient evidence demonstrating she is likely to prevail at a hearing
on the merits on entitlement to a panel of physicians, but she failed to come forward with

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sufficient evidence demonstrating she is entitled to past medical benefits, temporary
disability benefits, or attorney's fees. Accordingly, this Court concludes Ms. Woods is
entitled to the requested benefits in part.

                                    History of Claim

        A review of the written materials revealed the following facts. Ms. Woods is a
forty-six year old resident of Blount County, Tennessee. She worked for a Dollar
General store as a general manager, working sixty to eighty hours per week. Ms. Woods
seeks workers' compensation benefits for an incident at work on November 16, 2016,
wherein she alleged she suffered a stroke and developed psychological issues following a
robbery at gunpoint.

       Prior to the alleged November 16 work incident, while working in a hot storeroom
on October 14, 2016, Ms. Woods purportedly suffered a stroke, experiencing left side
paralysis and speech difficulty. An ambulance transported her to Blount Memorial
Hospital. Dr. Ryan Joshi, the Emergency Room attending physician, diagnosed an acute
cerebrovascular accident and acute hypertensive emergency. He admitted her and
transferred her to the intensive care unit (ICU) for additional testing and specialist
consultations. Follow-up MRI scans showed no evidence of an actual stroke. She
remained hospitalized until October 20 when she transferred to Patricia Neal
Rehabilitation Center.

       At Patricia Neal, Ms. Woods received medical care, occupational therapy, and
speech therapy for conversion disorder with stroke-like symptoms. On October 25, Dr. J.
Sidney Alexander, following a psychiatry consultation, recommended further
psychotherapy for conversion disorder. Upon discharge on October 28, Ms. Woods was
instructed to continue outpatient physical therapy and occupational therapy and follow up
with Dr. Waller Werner, her primary care physician, and Dr. Wendy Pitts at Cove
Mountain Counseling.

       Ms. Woods saw Dr. Werner on November 7. Dr. Werner diagnosed hypertension,
cerebrovascular disease, and acute left otitis media. Dr. Werner released Ms. Woods to
resume work unrestricted. She missed work from October 14 through November 9.

       On November 16, a few days following her return to work, the armed robbery
occurred. At the time of the robbery, she experienced slurred speech, left-sided head
pain, and unilateral paresthesias of the right extremities. She went to Blount Memorial
Hospital and admitted with stroke-like symptoms. Dr. Kent O'Brien, the Blount
Memorial attending physician, diagnosed ( 1) acute stress reaction with neurologic
sequelae, (2) acute headache, and (3) acute hypertensive urgency. Ms. Woods was
discharged the same day because she preferred to go home instead of staying overnight

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and indicated she had a previously scheduled appointment with Dr. Werner the following
day.

      Dr. Werner evaluated Ms. Woods on November 17 for acute anxiety and fear. Dr.
Werner noted she did not have any physical injuries but she was shaken, severely fearful,
and apprehensive. Dr. Werner diagnosed acute reaction to stress and prescribed Lexapro
and Xanax. Dr. Werner suggested Ms. Woods remain off work for two weeks.

       The following day, Dollar General's carrier obtained a recorded statement from
Ms. Woods and verbally provided her a panel of physicians. She selected Park Med
Urgent Care. Dollar General's carrier scheduled a same-day appointment and offered
Ms. Woods transportation, which she declined, and instructed her on how to track
mileage and submit for reimbursement. Ms. Woods did not attend the appointment. The
panel was subsequently provided in writing, but was not signed or dated.

        At her next visit with Dr. Werner, on November 23, Ms. Woods stated she wanted
to talk to someone about what happened because she experienced nightmares and fear of
going out in public. Dr. Werner diagnosed (1) adjustment reaction with anxiety and
depression and (2) post-traumatic stress disorder. Dr. Werner referred Ms. Woods to
Compassion Counseling or to Parkway Psychiatric if Compassion Counsel was unable to
assist her. Dr. Werner released Ms. Woods to return to work on December 5, daytime
shift only. She missed work from November 16 through December 18.

                       Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law

       The following legal principles govern this case. Because this case is in a posture
of an Expedited Hearing, Ms. Woods need not prove every element of her claim by a
preponderance of the evidence in order to obtain relief. McCord v. Advantage Human
Resourcing, 2015 TN Wrk. Comp. App. Bd. LEXIS 6, at *7-8, 9 (Mar. 27, 2015).
Instead, she must come forward with sufficient evidence from which this Court might
determine she is likely to prevail at a hearing on the merits. !d.; Tenn. Code Ann. § 50-6-
239(d)(l) (2016).

       The Workers' Compensation Law provides that "[t]he employer or the employer's
agent shall furnish, free of charge to the employee, such medical and surgical treatment ..
. made reasonably necessary by accident as defined in this chapter." Tenn. Code Ann. §
50-6-204(a)(l)(A) (2016); see also !d. at 50-6-204(b)(l). Further, "[t]he injured
employee shall accept the medical benefits afforded ... provided that in any case when
the employee has suffered an injury and expressed a need for medical care, the employer
shall designate a group of three (3) or more independent reputable physicians, surgeons,
chiropractors or specialty practice groups if available in the injured employee's
community ... from which the injured employee shall select one ( 1) to be the treating
physician." !d. at 50-6-204(a)(3). Moreover, "treatment recommended by a physician ..

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. selected pursuant to [§ 50-6-204(a)(3)] or by referral, if applicable, shall be presumed to
be medically necessary for treatment of the injured employee." Tenn. Code Ann. § 50-6-
204(a)(3)(H) (2016); see also Morgan v. Macy's, 2016 TN Wrk. Comp. App. Bd. LEXIS
39, at *17 (Aug. 31, 2016).

        Here, Ms. Woods seeks medical benefits, to include specifically a panel of
neurologists and a panel of psychiatrists and payment of past medical expenses incurred
to date. She asserts the panel offered by Dollar General was not a proper panel because
the medical providers listed did not have offices in Tennessee and/or did not treat stroke
symptoms or post-traumatic stress disorder. In response, Dollar General asserts it
complied with the Workers' Compensation Law when it provided a panel to Ms. Woods
from which she selected Park Med as the authorized provider, even though she did not
attend the authorized appointment. Dollar General further asserts it is not obligated to
provide medical benefits for treatment with an unauthorized provider. Additionally, it is
not obligated to provide counseling based upon the referral of an unauthorized treating
physician.    Dollar General argues Ms. Woods must comply with the Workers'
Compensation Law and accept a panel physician to evaluate her and determine if further
treatment is necessary.

        Based upon a careful review of the written materials, this court finds Dollar
General did not provide a proper panel of physicians. As noted above, the Workers'
Compensation Law required Dollar General to provide Ms. Woods with a panel of three
physicians or specialty groups available in her community. Dollar General did not fulfill
its obligation with the panel offered because not all providers were in Ms. Woods' local
community and because the panel was not initially provided in writing and signed.
Accordingly, this Court concludes Ms. Woods came forward with sufficient evidence to
demonstrate that she is likely to prevail at a hearing on the merits on entitlement to a new
panel of physicians. Dollar General shall provide Ms. Woods a proper panel of
physicians under section 50-6-204(a)(3).

        As to the issue of entitlement to past medical expenses incurred to date, this Court
finds that Ms. Woods failed to offer any expert proof on the causal relationship between
her stroke-like symptoms and resulting diagnoses and her employment. To prevail, Ms.
Woods must prove "to a reasonable degree of medical certainty that [the injury]
contributed more than fifty percent (50%) in causing the death, disablement or need for
medical treatment, considering all causes." Tenn. Code Ann. § 50-6-102(14)(C). The
term "reasonable degree of medical certainty" means that, "in the opinion of the
physician, it is more likely than not considering all causes, as opposed to speculation or
possibility." Tenn. Code Ann. § 50-6-102(14)(D). Thus, lay testimony must generally be
corroborated by expert medical testimony in order to meet the burden of proof regarding
causation. Scott v. Integrity Staffing Solutions, 2015 TN Wrk. Comp. App. Bd. LEXIS
24, at *12 (Aug. 18, 2015). Without a causal connection established by expert proof, this
Court must conclude that Ms. Woods did not come forward with sufficient evidence, at

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this time, demonstrating she is likely to prevail at a hearing on the merits on entitlement
to reimbursement of past medical expenses.

        To prevail on the issue of entitlement to temporary disability benefits, Ms. Woods
must prove (1) total disability from working as the result of a compensable injury; (2) a
causal connection between the injury and the inability to work; and (3) the duration of the
period of disability. Shepherd v. Haren Canst. Co., Inc., et al., 2016 TN Wrk. Comp.
App. Bd. LEXIS 15, at *13 (Mar. 30, 2016). Without any expert proof on the causal
relationship between her stroke-like symptoms and resulting diagnoses and her
employment, this Court must likewise conclude that Ms. Woods did not come forward
with sufficient evidence, at this time, demonstrating she is likely to prevail at a hearing
on the merits on entitlement to temporary total disability benefits.

       In light of this Court's conclusions above, the issue of attorney's fees need not be
addressed.

IT IS, THEREFORE, ORDERED as follows:

   1. Dollar General shall provide Ms. Woods a proper panel of physicians under
      section 50-6-204(a)(3).

   2. Ms. Woods' request for past medical expenses, temporary disability benefits, and
      attorney's fees is denied at this time.

   3. This matter is set for a Scheduling Hearing on June 22, 2017, at 9:30 a.m.
      Eastern Time. The parties must call (865) 594-0091 or (toll-free) (855) 543-5041
      to participate in the Scheduling Hearing. Failure to appear by telephone may
      result in a determination of the issues without your further participation.

   4. 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)
      (20 16). The Insurer or Self-Insured Employer must submit confirmation of
      compliance      with    this     Order    to    the   Bureau     by     email    to
      WCC mpliance.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.

   5. For questions regarding compliance, please contact the Workers' Compensation
      Compliance Unit by email at WCCompliance.Program@tn.gov or by telephone at
      (615) 253-1471 or (615) 532-1309.

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       ENTERED this the 13th day of April, 2017.

                                 12~~    HON. PAMELA B. JOHNSON
                                         Workers' Compensation Judge

                                      APPENDIX

       The Court reviewed the entire case file in reaching its decision. Specifically, the
Court reviewed the following documents, marked as exhibits for ease of reference:

Exhibits:
   1. Petition for Benefit Determination
  2. Employee's December 12, 2016 Position Statement
  3. Medical Record Certification and Records of Dr. Werner/East Tennessee Medical
      Group
  4. Employer's February 3, 2017 Position Statement
  5. First Report of Work Injury (Form C-20)
  6. Employee's Choice ofPhysicians (Form C-42)
  7. Employee's Statement
  8. Dispute Certification Notice
  9. Request for Expedited Hearing
  10.Briefin Support ofEmployee's Request for an Expedited Hearing
  11. Affidavit of Timothy Roberto
  12. Affidavit of Natalie Woods
  13. Exhibits to Request for Expedited Hearing:
      • Exhibit 13.1, Medical Record Certification and Records of Blount Memorial
          Hospital
      • Exhibit 13.2, Medical Record Certification and Records of Patricia Neal
          Rehabilitation Center
      • Exhibit 13.3, Medical Record Certification and Records of Dr. Werner, East
          Tennessee Medical Group (duplicate records)
      • Exhibit 13 .4, Emails from Tim Roberto to Debbie Gardner
      • Exhibit 13.5, Reply Email from Debbie Gardner to Tim Roberto
  14.Docketing Notice for On-The-Record Determination
  15.Agreed Order for Extension ofTime To Respond
  16. Employee's Supplemental Brief in Support of Application for Attorney's Fees
  17.Affidavit ofTimothy Roberto Regarding Reasonableness of Attorney's Fees
  18.Employer's Response to Employee's Application for Attorney's Fees

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   19. Employer's Memorandum of Law in Opposition to Employee's Application for
       Attorney's Fees

                            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 this the 13th day
of April, 20 17.

         Name             Certified   Fax       Email     Service sent to:
                           Mail
Timothy A. Roberto,                              X        troberto@brownandroberto.com
Employee's Attorney
James H. Tucker,                                 X        jtucker@manierherod.com
Employer's Attorney

                                                         Y SHRUM, Court Clerk
                                                        .CourtCierk@tn.gov

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