Court Opinion

ID: 4560570
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2020-08-26 21:02:21.991474+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:27:40.620607
License: Public Domain

FILED
                                                                                             Mar 26, 2020
                                                                                             03:54 PM(CT)
                                                                                          TENNESSEE COURT OF
                                                                                         WORKERS' COMPENSATION
                                                                                                CLAIMS

             TENNESSEE BUREAU OF WORKERS’ COMPENSATION
            IN THE COURT OF WORKERS’ COMPENSATION CLAIMS
                             AT JACKSON

MARY GILLUM,                                            )   Docket No. 2019-07-0191
         Employee,                                      )
v.                                                      )   State File No. 32026-2018
DOLLAR GENERAL CORP.,                                   )
         Employer.                                      )   Judge Amber E. Luttrell
                                                        )

                                EXPEDITED HEARING ORDER

       The Court held an Expedited Hearing on March 5, 2020. Ms. Gillum requested
medical and temporary disability benefits for her alleged cervical injury. Dollar General
contended the medical proof does not establish Ms. Gillum’s injury arose primarily out of
her employment.1 The legal issues are whether Ms. Gillum is likely to prevail at trial in
establishing her cervical injury arose primarily out of her employment and if so, whether
she is entitled to temporary disability benefits. For the reasons below, the Court holds
Ms. Gillum provided sufficient proof at this interlocutory stage that she is entitled to
limited medical and temporary disability benefits.

                                          History of Claim

       Ms. Gillum alleged she injured her neck/left shoulder on Monday, April 2, 2018.2
While pulling a container carrying large bags of pet food, a bag fell on her left shoulder.
She testified her pain increased throughout the day, so she reported the injury to her
supervisor, who told her to file for FMLA leave. Ms. Gillum filed the FMLA application
noting a work-related injury. Dollar General did not initially provide Ms. Gillum a panel
of physicians, so she sought unauthorized treatment and took FMLA leave, which Dollar
General approved through April 16.

1
 At the hearing, Dollar General asserted that notice was no longer an issue.
2
  The Court notes some inconsistencies in the medical records regarding the date of the incident. Some
records state it occurred on Friday, March 30. However, the date of injury was not asserted as an issue at
the expedited hearing, and the Court finds the records supported Ms. Gillum’s account of the incident
where a bag of dog food fell on her.
                                                    1
       Ms. Gillum first saw her primary care providers at Bruceton Clinic on April 2 for
acute left-shoulder pain. Her physician took her off work through April 20. (Ex. 5.) Two
days later, she sought emergency treatment at Camden Hospital for left-sided shoulder
and neck pain radiating down her left arm, which she related to a fifty-pound bag of dog
food falling on her at work. The provider diagnosed an acute cervical sprain.

       Ms. Gillum later underwent a cervical MRI and saw Dr. William Scott, a
neurosurgeon, for further evaluation. Dr. Scott noted the MRI showed severe spondylosis
throughout Ms. Gillum’s cervical spine with disc bulging and mild to moderate canal and
neural foraminal narrowing. He diagnosed neck and upper trapezius pain with no true
radicular weakness or sensory discrepancies and cervical spondylosis. He did not
recommend surgery and referred her to a pain specialist.

       Several months later, Dollar General offered a panel of physicians, from which
Ms. Gillum selected Dr. Blake Garside. Ms. Gillum gave Dr. Garside a history of the dog
food falling on her and reported persistent pain, weakness, numbness, and tingling in her
neck and posterior shoulder radiating down her left arm and difficulty with range of
motion.

       Dr. Garside’s report stated that Dollar General provided him greater than 430
pages of medical records for review, and he spent four and one-half hours on the
evaluation and report. In addition to Ms. Gillum’s treatment records, Dr. Garside also
reviewed several records from 2015 and 2016, where Ms. Gillum saw her primary care
provider for left shoulder/arm complaints/symptoms. He summarized her prior treatment,
noting her previous complaints of left-hand and arm numbness and tingling dating back
to 2015. She saw her primary care provider for moderate left upper-extremity pain with
numbness and tingling. She was also evaluated by Dr. Ronald Bingham in 2016 for an
EMG/nerve conduction study. He found normal results but stated her clinical history
suggested a cervical radiculopathy.

       After evaluating Ms. Gillum, Dr. Garside diagnosed chronic cervical spondylosis
with acute cervical strain and left scapular pain. He stated her MRI findings suggested
chronic cervical spondylosis; however, he noted her recent history of an acute work
injury with increase in her symptoms. He stated, “Whereas, I do not feel these have
caused her underlying pre-existing spondylosis and degenerative changes, she has an
acute increase in her pain, likely related to the traumatic event.” Dr. Garside
recommended she see a physiatrist for her acute pain. He went on to conclude,

      In my opinion, Ms. Gillum’s pre-existing cervical spondylosis is not
      primarily related to her work injury. However, her mechanism of injury is
      consistent with an acute strain of her cervical spine that would likely
      benefit from continued non-operative management such as physical
      therapy, anti-inflammatory, or trigger point injections for return to her

                                           2
       baseline status. Any treatment for the underlying chronic degenerative
       changes is . . . not related to the work incident.

        Regarding her shoulder, Dr. Garside stated that nothing suggested underlying
shoulder pathology to warrant any further diagnostic testing. He recommended a lifting
restriction of no more than ten pounds until Ms. Gillum could be seen by a physiatrist.

       At the hearing, the parties stipulated Dollar General terminated Ms. Gillum on
July 29, 2018, for not returning to work after the exhaustion of her FMLA leave. Dollar
General asserted her FMLA leave ended on April 16, but it extended it through April 20
based on her physician’s off-work slip. The parties further stipulated that Dr. Garside was
Ms. Gillum’s panel-selected authorized treating physician, and her compensation rate is
$223.92.
                       Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law

       To prevail at an expedited hearing, Ms. Gillum must demonstrate that she is likely
to prevail at a hearing on the merits. Tenn. Code Ann. § 50-6-239(d)(1) (2019).

                                    Motion to Dismiss

      At the conclusion of Ms. Gillum’s proof, Dollar General moved for dismissal of
Ms. Gillum’s expedited hearing request on grounds her affidavit did not comply with
Tennessee Compilation Rules and Regulations 0800-02-21-.15(1) (Aug. 2019). It further
moved for involuntary dismissal of Ms. Gillum’s claim under Tennessee Rule of Civil
Procedure 41.02(2).

        In its first argument, Dollar General asserted that Ms. Gillum’s affidavit failed to
state the relief requested and did not provide documentation demonstrating she is entitled
to relief as required under Tennessee Compilation Rules and Regulations 0800-02-21-
.15(1). The Court finds no merit in this argument.

       Ms. Gillum provided in her affidavit the nature, date, and mechanism of injury,
and to whom she reported it. In the Petition for Benefit Determination (PBD), Ms. Gillum
also described her injury and conveyed the requested relief by stating, “I am not receiving
medical treatment and not receiving temporary total [disability] benefits.” The Dispute
Certification Notice (DCN) confirmed Ms. Gillum’s alleged injury and the issues. The
mediator filed documents with the DCN provided by Ms. Gillum in support of her claim,
which included a medical records index containing eighty-four pages of records.

       Considering Ms. Gillum’s affidavit addressing her injury, combined with the PBD,
DCN, and the record as a whole, the Court holds Ms. Gillum complied with Rule 0800-
02-21-.15(1) and demonstrated she believes she is entitled to medical and temporary
disability benefits. She provided sufficient facts for Dollar General to prepare for the

                                             3
expedited hearing or otherwise respond to the claim.

       Dollar General further moved for involuntary dismissal under Tennessee Rule of
Civil Procedure 41.02, which provides: After the plaintiff in an action tried by the court
without a jury has completed the presentation of plaintiff’s evidence, the defendant . . .
may move for dismissal on the ground that upon the facts and the law the plaintiff has
shown no right to relief.

       At this interlocutory stage, Ms. Gillum need not prove all elements of her case by
a preponderance of the evidence. Instead, she must present sufficient evidence to show
that she is likely to prevail at a hearing on the merits. Tenn. Code Ann. § 50-6-239(d)(1).
Thus, a motion to dismiss is not appropriate at an Expedited Hearing, an interlocutory
proceeding.
                                  Application of Law to Facts

       Dollar General contended Ms. Gillum did not establish her alleged cervical injury
arose primarily out of her employment based on Dr. Garside’s causation opinion. It
acknowledged that Dr. Garside related her symptoms, in part, to her work injury.
However, it argued he did not quantify the contribution of her work to her symptoms and
need for treatment. Respectfully, the Court finds this argument unpersuasive.

        Dr. Garside stated his opinion that Ms. Gillum had chronic underlying cervical
spondylosis and degenerative changes that were not primarily related to her work injury.
On this point, the Court agrees that, based on Dr. Garside’s opinion, Ms. Gillum is not
likely to prevail in her request for medical benefits related to those underlying conditions.
However, he made a distinction concerning her acute cervical strain. He stated her
reported mechanism of injury was consistent with an acute cervical strain and would
benefit from nonoperative management to return her to baseline status. His record
indicates he considered Ms. Gillum’s prior treatment for similar symptoms in his
evaluation. While Dr. Garside might not have “couched his opinion in a rigid recitation of
the statutory definition of injury,” our Appeals Board has concluded that a physician need
not use particular words or phrases included in the statute to establish the requisite
medical proof to succeed at trial. “What is necessary, however, is sufficient proof from
which the trial court can conclude that the statutory requirements of an injury as defined
in 50-6-102(14) are satisfied.” Panzarella v. Amazon.com, Inc., 2017 TN Wrk. Comp.
App. Bd. LEXIS 30, at *14 (May 15, 2017). Here, the Court finds Dr. Garside’s opinion
regarding Ms. Gillum’s acute strain and need for nonoperative treatment sufficient, at this
expedited hearing stage, to show she is likely to prevail in her request for medical
benefits. Further, the Court holds she established entitlement to see a physiatrist, as
recommended by Dr. Garside.

      Turning to Ms. Gillum’s request for temporary disability benefits, Dollar General
argued Ms. Gillum would not be entitled to these benefits after her termination date of

                                             4
July 29, 2018, based on her violation of its attendance policy.

       To establish entitlement to temporary benefits, Ms. Gillum must show (1) she
became disabled from working due to a compensable injury, (2) a causal connection
between that injury and his inability to work, and (3) the duration of the period of
disability. Jones v. Crencor Leasing and Sales, TN Wrk. Comp. App. Bd. LEXIS 48, at
*7 (Dec. 11, 2015). Here, Ms. Gillum’s primary care providers took her off work through
April 20, 2018. However, no medical proof shows that she was taken off work beyond
that date. Thus, the Court finds Ms. Gillum is entitled to temporary total disability
benefits through April 20, 2018.3

IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED:

    1. Dollar General shall provide Ms. Gillum a panel of physiatrists for nonoperative
       treatment for her acute cervical strain as recommended by Dr. Garside under
       Tennessee Code Annotated section 50-6-204.

    2. Dollar General shall pay Ms. Gillum temporary disability benefits from the date of
       injury through April 20, 2018, at her stipulated rate of $223.92.

        ENTERED March 26, 2020.

                                                _____________________________________
                                                JUDGE AMBER E. LUTTRELL
                                                Court of Workers’ Compensation Claims

                                            APPENDIX

Exhibits
   1. Ms. Gillum’s Affidavit
   2. First Report of Injury
   3. Wage Statement
   4. Panel
   5. Notice letter
   6. FMLA leave documentation
   7. Handbook Acknowledgement
   8. Dollar General Letter
3
  Arguably, Ms. Gillum might be entitled to temporary partial disability benefits. However, neither party
introduced proof on her work status and whether she is not working because of Dr. Garside’s restrictions,
and Ms. Gillum did not request these benefits. Therefore, the Court declines to rule on the issue at this
time.
                                                   5
   9. Rule 72 Declaration of Bobby Ray
   10. Excerpts of Employee Handbook
   11. Medical Records (collective)

Technical Record
   1. Petition for Benefit Determination
   2. Dispute Certification Notice
   3. Attorney Keeton’s Motion to Withdraw
   4. Response to Motion to Withdraw
   5. Order Denying Motion to Withdraw
   6. Order Setting for Show Cause
   7. Order Resetting Show Cause Hearing
   8. Order Allowing Additional Time and Granting Motion to Withdraw
   9. Order Allowing Additional Time
   10. Request for Expedited Hearing
   11. Order Denying Request for Decision on the Record
   12. Order Setting Expedited Hearing
   13. Employer’s Pre-Hearing Brief
   14. Employer’s Witness List
   15. Employer’s Amended Witness and Exhibit List

                            CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

       I certify that a copy of this Order was sent as indicated on March 26, 2020.

Name                                    First Class Email          Service sent to:
                                           Mail
Mary Gillum,                                 X            233 N. Wyatt
Employee                                                  Bruceton, TN 38317
James Tucker,                                        X    jtucker@manierherod.com
Employer’s counsel

                                          _____________________________________
                                          Penny Shrum, Clerk of Court
                                          Court of Workers’ Compensation Claims

                                             6
                           Expedited Hearing Order Right to Appeal:

     If you disagree with this Expedited Hearing Order, you may appeal to the Workers’
Compensation Appeals Board. To appeal an expedited hearing order, you must:

   1. Complete the enclosed form entitled: “Notice of Appeal,” and file the form with the
      Clerk of the Court of Workers’ Compensation Claims within seven business days of the
      date the expedited hearing order was filed. When filing the Notice of Appeal, you must
      serve a copy upon all parties.

   2. You must pay, via check, money order, or credit card, a $75.00 filing fee within ten
      calendar days after filing of the Notice of Appeal. Payments can be made in-person at
      any Bureau office or by U.S. mail, hand-delivery, or other delivery service. In the
      alternative, you may file an Affidavit of Indigency (form available on the Bureau’s
      website or any Bureau office) seeking a waiver of the fee. You must file the fully-
      completed Affidavit of Indigency within ten calendar days of filing the Notice of
      Appeal. Failure to timely pay the filing fee or file the Affidavit of Indigency will
      result in dismissal of the appeal.

   3. You bear the responsibility of ensuring a complete record on appeal. You may request
      from the court clerk the audio recording of the hearing for a $25.00 fee. If a transcript of
      the proceedings is to be filed, a licensed court reporter must prepare the transcript and file
      it with the court clerk within ten business days of the filing the Notice of
      Appeal. Alternatively, you may file a statement of the evidence prepared jointly by both
      parties within ten business days of the filing of the Notice of Appeal. The statement of
      the evidence must convey a complete and accurate account of the hearing. The Workers’
      Compensation Judge must approve the statement before the record is submitted to the
      Appeals Board. If the Appeals Board is called upon to review testimony or other proof
      concerning factual matters, the absence of a transcript or statement of the evidence can be
      a significant obstacle to meaningful appellate review.

   4. If you wish to file a position statement, you must file it with the court clerk within ten
      business days after the deadline to file a transcript or statement of the evidence. The
      party opposing the appeal may file a response with the court clerk within ten business
      days after you file your position statement. All position statements should include: (1) a
      statement summarizing the facts of the case from the evidence admitted during the
      expedited hearing; (2) a statement summarizing the disposition of the case as a result of
      the expedited hearing; (3) a statement of the issue(s) presented for review; and (4) an
      argument, citing appropriate statutes, case law, or other authority.

For self-represented litigants: Help from an Ombudsman is available at 800-332-2667.
                                              NOTICE OF APPEAL
                                      Tennessee Bureau of Workers’ Compensation
                                        www.tn.gov/workforce/injuries-at-work/
                                        wc.courtclerk@tn.gov | 1-800-332-2667

                                                                                  Docket No.: ________________________

                                                                                  State File No.: ______________________

                                                                                  Date of Injury: _____________________

         ___________________________________________________________________________
         Employee

         v.

         ___________________________________________________________________________
         Employer

Notice is given that ____________________________________________________________________
                         [List name(s) of all appealing party(ies). Use separate sheet if necessary.]

appeals the following order(s) of the Tennessee Court of Workers’ Compensation Claims to the
Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board (check one or more applicable boxes and include the date file-
stamped on the first page of the order(s) being appealed):

□ Expedited Hearing Order filed on _______________ □ Motion Order filed on ___________________
□ Compensation Order filed on__________________ □ Other Order filed on_____________________
issued by Judge _________________________________________________________________________.

Statement of the Issues on Appeal
Provide a short and plain statement of the issues on appeal or basis for relief on appeal:
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________

Parties
Appellant(s) (Requesting Party): _________________________________________ ☐Employer ☐Employee
Address: ________________________________________________________ Phone: ___________________
Email: __________________________________________________________
Attorney’s Name: ______________________________________________ BPR#: _______________________
Attorney’s Email: ______________________________________________ Phone: _______________________
Attorney’s Address: _________________________________________________________________________
                           * Attach an additional sheet for each additional Appellant *

LB-1099 rev. 01/20                              Page 1 of 2                                              RDA 11082
Employee Name: _______________________________________ Docket No.: _____________________ Date of Inj.: _______________

Appellee(s) (Opposing Party): ___________________________________________ ☐Employer ☐Employee
Appellee’s Address: ______________________________________________ Phone: ____________________
Email: _________________________________________________________
Attorney’s Name: _____________________________________________ BPR#: ________________________
Attorney’s Email: _____________________________________________ Phone: _______________________
Attorney’s Address: _________________________________________________________________________
                              * Attach an additional sheet for each additional Appellee *

                                             CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

I, _____________________________________________________________, certify that I have forwarded a
true and exact copy of this Notice of Appeal by First Class mail, postage prepaid, or in any manner as described
in Tennessee Compilation Rules & Regulations, Chapter 0800-02-21, to all parties and/or their attorneys in this
case on this the __________ day of ___________________________________, 20 ____.

                                                           ______________________________________________
                                                            [Signature of appellant or attorney for appellant]

LB-1099 rev. 01/20                                 Page 2 of 2                                        RDA 11082