Court Opinion

ID: 5134093
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2021-12-10 18:03:32.196823+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:23:41.748621
License: Public Domain

FILED
                                                                                              Dec 08, 2021
                                                                                             09:32 AM(CT)
                                                                                          TENNESSEE COURT OF
                                                                                         WORKERS' COMPENSATION
                                                                                                CLAIMS

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

    YOLANDA CAMACHO,                               )
            Employee,                              )    Docket No. 2021-06-0186
    v.                                             )
                                                   )
    RICARDO ALLEN, d/b/a                           )    State File No. 800375-2021
    SOUTHERN STANDARD                              )
    LOGISTICS, LLC,                                )
             Employer.                             )    Judge Joshua Davis Baker

    ____________________________________________________________________

                       EXPEDITED HEARING ORDER
                        (DECISION ON THE RECORD)
    ____________________________________________________________________

       The Court held an expedited hearing in this case. Ms. Camacho requested that the
Court decide this interlocutory claim based on a review of the record without an evidentiary
hearing. She requested temporary disability and medical benefits for an injury to her back
and tailbone from “a slip and fall down metal stairs.” Mr. Allen defended on the grounds
that Ms. Camacho was an independent contractor and not entitled to benefits. 1 Due to
Southern Standard Logistics’s lack of workers’ compensation coverage, Ms. Camacho also
requested eligibility to receive benefits from the Uninsured Employers Fund.

       The Court holds Ms. Camacho is likely to prove at a final hearing that she was an
employee of Southern Standard Logistics and is entitled to all requested benefits. The
Court, therefore, grants her request for medical benefits and finds she is entitled to
temporary disability benefits. However, because Ms. Camacho gave no proof of her
average weekly wage, the Court cannot award temporary disability benefits of a specific
amount.

1
 Mr. Allen added this defense to the Dispute Certification Notice. He did not file a brief supporting this
defense for this on the record determination.
                                                    1
                                     Claim History

      Ms. Camacho is a resident of Antioch, Tennessee, and worked for Southern
Standard Logistics, a company that contracted with Amazon for delivery services. While
working for Southern Standard Logistics, Ms. Camacho slipped and fell on metal stairs on
July 2, 2021, injuring her back and tailbone. She reported the injury to “amazon
employees” and to Mr. Allen.

       She explained to Mr. Allen by text message the medical treatment she needed and
discussed returning his truck and a gas card. When he asked about her condition, she then
asked whether he “talk[ed] to Amazon about the accident.” In response to his question
about an incident report, she stated that Amazon personnel “didn’t fill one out,” so he
offered to contact Amazon and follow up later.

       The next day, she asked if he had heard from Amazon. He responded, “I don’t have
workman’s comp[.] That’s what they asked me. . . . [T]he person I contacted asked me
about a workman’s comp policy. I don’t have one[.]”

       In another exchange, Mr. Allen texted, “Good evening[.] I’m gonna come get the
truck about 930[.] [I’]ll call you in the am for the address and to get the key[.]” Ms.
Camacho responded, “The gas card is in the door[.]”

       Ultimately, Dr. Derek Miller, a chiropractor, treated Ms. Camacho’s back strain and
completed and signed a questionnaire suggesting her “cervical/thoracic/lumbar
sprain/strain” requires medical treatment, specifically “MRI imaging.” He also marked
that he took Ms. Camacho “completely off work” from July 6 to October 20, 2021. Ms.
Camacho paid $2,838.05 for her treatment.

       Mr. Allen, in an objection to the Dispute Certification Notice, claimed he is exempt
from maintaining workers’ compensation coverage because his employees are independent
contractors. However, Ms. Camacho sent Mr. Allen a request for admissions asking him
to admit the following facts:

   1. Admit that when I got injured[,] I was a full time employee.
   2. Admit that [Southern Standard Logistics] supplied the truck, gas, and tool[s] for me
      to complete my job daily.
   3. [Southern Standard Logistics] was in control of scheduling of our hours and routes
      for the week.
   4. When I got injured there were five or more employees working at the time.

Ms. Camacho sent the request for admissions to Mr. Allen on September 15, 2021. He
failed to respond, and Ms. Camacho filed a motion asking that requests for admissions be
deemed admitted. Mr. Allen did not respond to the motion.

                                            2
                       Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law

       Ms. Camacho need only present sufficient evidence at this stage that she is likely to
prevail at a final hearing. See Tenn. Code Ann. § 50-6-239(d)(1) (2021); McCord v.
Advantage Human Resourcing, 2015 TN Wrk. Comp. App. Bd. LEXIS 6, at *9 (Mar. 27,
2015).

        Before addressing the merits of Ms. Camacho’s request for benefits, the Court must
determine her employment relationship with Mr. Allen and whether Southern Standard
Logistics meets the definition of an employer. As explained below, the Court finds both
issues in Ms. Camacho’s favor.

       Tennessee Code Annotated section 50-6-102(12)(D)(i) identifies seven factors for
determining whether an individual in a work relationship is an employee or an independent
contractor:

    (a) The right to control the conduct of the work;
    (b) The right of termination;
    (c) The method of payment;
    (d) The freedom to select and hire helpers;
    (e) The furnishing of tools and equipment;
    (f) Self-scheduling of working hours; and
    (g) The freedom to offer services to other entities.

No single aspect of a work relationship is conclusive in making this determination, and in
deciding whether a worker is an employee or independent contractor, the trier of fact must
examine all relevant factors and circumstances of the relationship. Smiley v. Four Seasons
Coach Leasing, 2016 TN Wrk. Comp. App. Bd. LEXIS 28, at *10-11 (July 15, 2016).

       Here, text messages imply that Mr. Allen provided a truck and gas card, which
suggests that Southern Standard Logistics furnished equipment. Also, in her request for
admissions, Ms. Camacho asserted that Mr. Allen provided all the tools and equipment for
her to do her job and scheduled her routes and hours for the week. She also asserted she
was a full-time employee.

       Mr. Allen never responded to the request for admissions or to Ms. Camacho’s
motion to deem the requests admitted. The Court deems the requests admitted and finds
these facts are sufficient to show Ms. Camacho would likely prove at a final hearing that
she was an employee of Southern Standard Logistics. These facts show that Mr. Allen
controlled how Ms. Camacho performed her work, the key consideration in determining
whether an employee-employer relationship existed.

                                             3
       Turning to whether Southern Standard Logistics is an employer subject to the
Workers’ Compensation Law, an employer must use “the services of not less than five (5)
persons for pay” to be subject to it. Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 50-6-102(13), 50-6-106(5). The
admitted fact that Southern Standard Logistics employed at least five employees at the time
Ms. Camacho was injured means it was required to maintain workers’ compensation
insurance. Therefore, the Court holds she is likely to prove at a final hearing that Southern
Standard Logistics was an employer and required to carry workers’ compensation
insurance.

       Since the Court determined that Mr. Allen is an employer under the Workers’
Compensation Law, he “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)(1)(A). An “injury” means “an injury by accident . . .
arising primarily out of and in the course and scope of employment that causes . . . the need
for medical treatment.” Tenn. Code Ann. § 50-6-102(14).

       Ms. Camacho injured her back when she slipped and fell down metal stairs while
working for Southern Standard Logistics and was diagnosed with a sprain. She incurred
$2,838.05 for her treatment. Mr. Allen did not pay for the treatment and lacked insurance
to cover the costs. Therefore, the Court holds Mr. Allen must pay all the bills for the
treatment. See, e.g., Ducros v. Metro Roofing and Metal Supply Co., Inc., TN Wrk. Comp.
App. Bd. LEXIS 62, at *10 (Oct. 17, 2017) (“[A]n employer who does not timely provide
a panel of physicians risks being required to pay for treatment an injured worker receives
on his own.”).

        Ms. Camacho also seeks temporary total disability benefits for the time she missed
work. Under Tennessee law, an employee who becomes disabled from working due to a
workplace injury that prevents her from working for a specific period is entitled to
compensation. See Jones v. Crencor Leasing and Sales, TN Wrk. Comp. App. Bd. LEXIS
48, at *7 (Dec. 11, 2015).

       Because of her injury, Dr. Miller took Ms. Camacho off work from July 6 until
October 20, 2021. Therefore, she is entitled to temporary benefits for that time. However,
Ms. Camacho provided no proof of the wages she earned from Southern Standard
Logistics. Without this information, the Court cannot award temporary total benefits for a
specific amount.

      Finally, because Southern Standard Logistics did not have insurance, the Court
considers whether Ms. Camacho is eligible to apply for benefits from the Bureau’s
Uninsured Employers Fund. Under Tennessee Code Annotated section 50-6-802(e)(1), the
Bureau has discretion to pay limited benefits to Ms. Camacho if she proves the following:

                                             4
   1. She worked for an employer who failed to carry workers’ compensation insurance;
   2. She suffered an injury arising primarily in the course and scope of employment on
      or after July 1, 2015;
   3. She was a Tennessee resident when injured;
   4. She provided notice to the Bureau of the injury and of her employer’s failure to
      secure payment of compensation within a reasonable period, but no longer than 180
      days after the date of injury.

See Tenn. Code Ann. § 50-6-801(d)(4).

       Ms. Camacho offered proof of all the criteria: she worked for an uninsured
employer, was injured after July 1, 2015, resided in Tennessee on the date of injury, and
filed her petition for benefit determination within 180 days of the date of the injury.
Therefore, Ms. Camacho satisfied all the requirements of section (e)(1). She may complete
the enclosed form for consideration of a discretionary payment through the Uninsured
Employers Fund.

IT IS ORDERED as follows:

   1. Mr. Allen shall provide medical benefits for Ms. Camacho with Dr. Derek Miller
      serving as the authorized treating physician.

   2. Mr. Allen shall reimburse Ms. Camacho for the $2,838.05 she spent on medical
      benefits.

   3. While Ms. Camacho proved entitlement to temporary total disability benefits, the
      Court cannot order payment of benefits because it has no information on the wages
      she earned while working for Southern Standard Logistics.

   4. Ms. Camacho is eligible to request benefits from the Uninsured Employers Fund at
      the Administrator’s discretion as provided in Tennessee Code Annotated section
      50-6-802(e)(1). To do so, she must complete and file the attached form.

   5. The Court sets this claim for a status hearing on February 14, 2022, at 9:30 a.m.
      Central Time. The parties must call (615) 741-2113 or toll-free at (855) 874-0474
      to participate. Failure to call might result in a determination of the issues without
      the party’s participation.

ENTERED December 8, 2021.
                                  ___________________________________
                                  Joshua Davis Baker, Judge
                                  Court of Workers’ Compensation Claims

                                            5
                                  APPENDIX

1.  Petition for Benefit Determination filed July 13, 2021
2.  Dispute Certification Notice filed August 26, 2021
3.  Objections and Additions to Dispute Certification Notice
4.  Request for Expedited Hearing filed September 23, 2021
5.  Declaration of Yolanda Camacho dated September 9, 2021
6.  Text messages with “Ricardo Boss” dated from July 2 through July 23, 2021
7.  Bill from LeConte Medical Center for $404.05 dated July 12, 2021, for services
    rendered on July 2
8. August 5, 2021 bill from TeamHealth charging $1,682 for physicians’ services at
    LeConte Medical Center
9. Bill from Vista Radiology for $229 dated August 24, 2021, for x-rays on July 2.
10. Questionnaire with responses signed by Dr. Derek Miller on September 1, 2021
11. Discharge instructions from LeConte Medical Center
12. Advanced Injury Care Clinic “Disability Certificate” dated September 28, 2021, and
    October 6, 2021.
13. Receipt for $200 from Covenant Health dated July 2, 2021
14. Receipt for $49 from ChiroHealthUSA
15. Receipt for $54 from Advanced Injury Care Clinic dated July 6, 2021
16. Receipt for $20 from Advanced Injury Care Clinic dated July 7, 2021
17. Receipt for $20 from Advanced Injury Care Clinic dated July 8, 2021
18. Receipt for $20 from Advanced Injury Care Clinic dated July 13, 2021
19. Receipt for $20 from Advanced Injury Care Clinic dated July 16, 2021
20. Receipt for $20 from Advanced Injury Care Clinic dated July 19, 2021
21. Receipt for $20 from ChiroHealthUSA on July 23, 2021
22. Receipt for $20 from Advanced Injury Care Clinic dated August 18, 2021
23. Receipt for $20 from Advanced Injury Care Clinic dated August 25, 2021
24. Receipt for $20 from Advanced Injury Care Clinic dated September 1, 2021
25. Receipt for $20 from Advanced Injury Care Clinic dated September 28, 2021
26. Receipt for $20 labeled “CHIRO VISIT” and signed “ERM”
27. Screenshots from a rideshare app for rides from July 6 to October 6, 2021
28. Filing Information from the Secretary of State, Division of Business Services, for
    Southern Standard Logistics, Inc.
29. Request for Investigation dated July 15, 2021
30. Motion to Deem Requests for Admissions Admitted

                                        6
                               CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

      I certify that a copy of this Order was sent as indicated on December 8, 2021.

Name                        Certified   Via      Via     Service sent to:
                             Mail       Fax     Email
Yolanda Camacho,                                 X       yolandac1925@gmail.com
Self-represented
employee

Ricardo Allen,                 X                   X     3315 Buck Road
Employer                                                 Clarksville, TN 37043
                                                         ricardoallen@ymail.com
UEF                                                X     Lashawn.pender@tn.gov
                                                         Amanda.terry@tn.gov

                                   ____________________________________________
                                   Penny Shrum, Court Clerk
                                   Court of Workers’ Compensation Claims
                                   Wc.courtclerk@tn.gov

                                           7
                           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