Court Opinion

ID: 4559699
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2020-08-26 21:01:00.352403+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:46:07.282204
License: Public Domain

FILED
                                                                                   January 26, 2017

                                                                                      TN COURTOf
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                                                                                       Time·1::21 PM

            TENNESSEE BUREAU OF WORKERS' COMPENSATION
           IN THE COURT OF WORKERS' COMPENSATION CLAIMS
                            AT MEMPHIS

KINE GUEYE,                                   )   Docket No.: 2016-08-0701
         Employee,                           )
v.                                            )   State File No.: 29588-2015
                                             )
FEDERAL EXPRESS CORP.,                        )   Judge Robert Durham
         Employer,                           )

              EXPEDITED HEARING ORDER DENYING BENEFITS

       This cause came before the undersigned Workers' Compensation Judge on
January 11, 2017, upon the Request for Expedited Hearing (REH) filed by, Kine Gueye.
Given that Federal Express stipulated Ms. Gueye sustained a compensable low back
injury on April 9, 2015, for which she is entitled to reasonable medical treatment, the
dispositive issue is whether Ms. Gueye's complaints of muscle weakness, paresthesia,
dizziness, ataxia, and "brain compression" causally relate to this work injury. The Court
holds Ms. Gueye did not provide sufficient evidence to establish she is likely to prevail at
a hearing on the merits that these complaints arose primarily out of and in the course of
her employment.

                                    History of Claim

       Ms. Gueye, a thirty-seven-old native of Senegal, began working for Federal
Express on March 27, 2015. On April 9, 2015, Ms. Gueye was unloading boxes from a
conveyor belt when a number of boxes coming down the belt forced her backwards,
causing her to fall onto a box and injure her low back. Ms. Gueye reported the incident,
and Federal Express provided a panel from which she chose Dr. Jeffrey Lowery. (Ex. 6
;Ex. 3 at 23.) Dr. Lowery diagnosed Ms. Gueye with a lumbar strain with numbness,
placed her on restricted duty, and recommended she see an orthopedist. (Ex. 3 at 24.)

     Federal Express provided a panel of orthopedists, and Ms. Gueye chose Dr. Arsen
Manugian. (Ex. 7.) Dr. Manugian noted Ms. Gueye complained of low back pain
without radiation. He also noted she had a history of Bell's Palsy and complaints of a
headache as well as numbness or tingling and weakness in her arms and/or legs. Ms.
Gueye testified that she informed Dr. Manugian she also suffered from neck pain,
although the record does not note it. Dr. Manugian diagnosed her with a lumbar sprain,
ordered physical therapy, and placed her under several work restrictions. (Ex. 3 at 26-27.)

       On May 1, the physical therapist noted Ms. Gueye's "back and neck pain actually
feel much better," and Ms. Gueye stated she was ready to return to work. (Ex. 3 at 43.)
Dr. Manugian released Ms. Gueye to return to regular duty on May 4. She returned a
week later complaining of increased low back pain with radiation into her right buttock
and thigh. Ms. Gueye stated, as she also testified at the hearing, that she suffered
increased pain following a heavier workload upon her return to regular duty. Dr.
Manugian placed her back under work restrictions and ordered a lumbar MRI. (Ex. 3 at
48.) The MRI revealed unilateral L5 spondylosis without spondylolisthesis or foramina}
stenosis, a mild disc bulge at L4-5, and a small lesion on the right iliac bone adjacent to
the Sl joint that suggested a benign cyst. (Ex. 3 at 52.)

       Dr. Manugian noted he attempted to explain to Ms. Gueye that the spondylolysis
pre-existed her work injury. He recommended a bone scan of the lumbar spine to
determine if there was any "obvious activity" that revealed an acute injury. (Ex. 3 at 53.)
The bone scan showed normal uptake and no focal lesions in the lumbar spine, pelvis, or
sacroiliac joints. (Ex. 3 at 50.)

        Ms. Gueye returned to work. She testified that on June 10, a loud noise startled her
and she thought something was going to fall on top of her. She ran away and
immediately began suffering from severe neck and back pain. She notified her
supervisor, who arranged for her to be taken to the emergency room, where she was
treated for back and leg pain. (Ex. 3 at 54.) The following day, Ms. Gueye returned to
Dr. Manugian, where she explained that, after running, she experienced "shivering" in
both legs, but by the time she actually saw a physician at the emergency room, the
spasms had resolved. However, she was still experiencing low back pain, and she
reiterated she did not have any problems prior to her work injury. (Ex. 3 at 59.)

       Dr. Manugian noted he had "great difficulty" persuading Ms. Gueye that, while
she suffered a resolving back strain on April 9, the spondylosis pre-existed her injury and
was not active. He further stated the leg symptoms that precipitated her emergency room
visit were not directly related to her back injury, and Ms. Gueye had a hard time
accepting this as well. (Ex. 3 at 60.) Dr. Manugian saw her again on June 25. Ms.
Gueye complained of pain in her low back that extended into her mid-back and cervical
area. Dr. Manugian noted no radicular signs and stated she had no impairment and could
return to work at regular duty. He further stated he did not need to see her again on a
regular basis. (Ex. 3 at 61.)

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       On July 17, without authorization from Federal Express, Ms. Gueye saw her
primary care physician, Dr. Jewel Harris, who wrote a note stating that Ms. Gueye
suffered from pain and weakness in her thighs that was "likely related to recent back
injury." Dr. Harris took Ms. Gueye off work from July 17 through July 30 and continued
physical therapy. (Ex. 6 at 73-74.) Federal Express authorized Ms. Gueye to return to
Dr. Manugian. He again noted no objective abnormalities regarding her low back, and he
recommended she return to regular duty, but if she could not do that, to find less
strenuous work. He repeated he did not need to see her on a regular basis. (Ex. 6 at 78.)

       Ms. Gueye then returned to Dr. Harris on her own, who kept her off work and
referred her to Manuel Carro, a neurologist. (Ex. 6 at 80.) At his evaluation, Dr. Carro
noted Ms. Gueye complained of a history of migraines, low back pain and "burning
dysesthesias" in her feet, as well as numbness in her extremities. Dr. Carro ordered x-
rays and a nerve conduction study of her lower extremities. (Ex. 6 at 81-83.)
Afterwards, Dr. Carro noted the nerve conduction studies were normal and the lumbar x-
rays did not reveal any instability. He recommended medication and additional physical
therapy for chronic back pain. (Ex. 6 at 85-86.)

      On October 28, Ms. Gueye underwent a brain CT scan following an unauthorized
ER visit due to complaints of severe headaches and right-sided neck pain. The CT scan
showed no acute findings and no changes were noted when compared to one taken in
March 2015.      However, a cervical spine CT scan did reflect a possible Chiari I
malformation in the cerebellum. (Ex. 6 at 91-93.)

       Ms. Gueye was then referred to Dr. Jason Weaver, a neurosurgeon, to evaluate the
possible Chiari I malformation. Dr. Weaver noted Ms. Gueye complained of suboccipital
headaches and occasional numbness and tingling in her arms, as well as low back pain
and a host of other physical complaints. Dr. Weaver found no abnormalities on exam and
ruled out a Chiari malformation but stated that her cerebellar tonsils accounted for the
perceived abnormality. He found no reason for surgery but referred her to another
neurologist, Dr. Lihong Shen. (Ex. 6 at 96-97.)

       Dr. Shen noted Ms. Gueye claimed to have a long history of "mild headaches" but
developed "severe headaches" a few months earlier. She also complained of continued
low back pain that radiated to her thighs and caused weakness and tremors, as well as
numbness from her mid-calves to her feet. Dr. Shen felt her headaches were consistent
with a Chiari malformation and noted she could suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome, but
could not explain Ms. Gueye's weakness complaints. (Ex. 6 at 101.) She ordered an
NCS, which was positive for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome but showed no signs of
radiculopathy or myopathy. Ms. Gueye's blood work was normal.

       Dr. Shen also reviewed Ms. Gueye's history and noted neurological complaints
since 2008. According to a record from Dr. Michael Deshazo dated May 29, 2008, Ms.

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Gueye complained of recurrent episodes where she felt like she could not move or talk
for up to two hours. Dr. Deshazo noted she had a previous history of Bell's Palsy and
observed some of her symptoms were "very unusual." (Ex. 6 at 113.) He ordered an MRI
that revealed no significant abnormalities. (Ex. 6 at 118.) In 2012, Ms. Gueye treated
with Dr. Yaohui Chai for intermittent right facial twitch, headaches and neck pain. Upon
review, Dr. Shen noted Ms. Gueye's 2012 MRI showed Chiari features similar to the
ones in the 2015 MRI. Ms. Gueye told her she did not have any muscle weakness in
20 12, but it started in her legs after her fall in April 2015 and spread to her arms a few
weeks later. Dr. Shen ordered additional tests, which were negative. (Ex. 6 at 121.)

       Ms. Gueye was referred to another unauthorized neurologist, Dr. Tulio Bertorini,
on March 11, 2016. After an exam and file review, he felt her symptoms might be non-
organic in nature, and found her neurologic exam to be unremarkable. (Ex. 6 at 145.)
Ms. Gueye returned to Dr. Shen and stated her headaches were much better, but her limb
weakness remained the same. Dr. Shen stated Ms. Gueye's Chiari formation was
"definitely contributing" to her headaches. (Ex. 6 at 167.) On September 1, 2016, Dr.
Bertorini wrote a letter stating he evaluated Ms. Gueye following her fall at work with
"boxes falling on her," and she had several complaints, but there was "no clear
anatomical cause for this." He stated these symptoms began with the work accident. Ex.
6 at 170.

       Ms. Gueye testified she now suffers from symptoms involving headaches, back
and neck pain, and generalized weakness and numbness that she did not have prior to her
work injury. these conditions keep her from being physically active and create difficulty
concentrating. She testified she complained of neck and back pain from the outset. She
also had headaches, which could be attributable to the accident. Federal Express
introduced an MRI taken on March 8, 2015, two weeks before Ms. Gueye began working
for Federal Express, because of complaints of headaches, right-sided facial droop and
slurred speech. (Ex. 3 at 22.) Despite this record, as well as the records from 2008 and
2012, Ms. Gueye denied she had any neurologic problems, other than Bell's Palsy prior
to her work-related injury.

                       Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law

      Ms. Gueye has the burden of proof on all essential elements of her workers'
compensation claim. Scott v. Integrity Staffing Solutions, 2015 TN Wrk. Comp. App.
Bd. LEXIS 24, at *6 (Aug. 18, 2015).

      Ms. Gueye need not prove every element of her claim by a preponderance of the
evidence in order to obtain relief at an expedited hearing. McCord v. Advantage Human
Resourcing, 2015 TN Wrk. Comp. App. Bd. LEXIS 6, at *7-8, 9 (Mar. 27, 2015). At an
expedited hearing, she has the burden to come forward with sufficient evidence from
which the trial court can determine she is likely to prevail at a hearing on the merits. !d.

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       Applying these standards,Federal Express does not dispute Ms. Gueye's
contention that she suffered an injury to her low back on April 9, 2015, and it agrees to
provide future medical care for that injury as ordered by Dr. Manugian. However, Dr.
Manugian has released Ms. Gueye to return to work with no restrictions or impairment,
opining that she has fully recovered from the low back strain causally related to her work
injury. Thus, the question is whether Ms. Gueye has established she is likely to prevail in
proving her other complaintscausally relate to her work injury, thus entitling her to
workers' compensation benefits for those conditions. McCord at 7-8, 9. Upon review of
the record, the Court holds the evidence presented by Ms. Gueye is insufficient to do so.

       In order to establish causation, an employee 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) (2016). 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)
(2016). Thus, causation must be established by expert medical testimony, and it must be
more than "speculation or possibility" on the part of the doctor. ld.

        Ms. Gueye does not dispute that Dr. Manugian is an authorized doctor, and thus
his opinion on causation is entitled to a presumption of correctness that can only be
rebutted by a preponderance ofthe evidence. Tenn. Code Ann.§ 50-6-102(14)(E) (2016).
His opinions only reference Ms. Gueye's low back and leg complaints. With regard to
these conditions, he concluded that her underlying spondylolysis pre-existed her work
injury and there was no evidence of an acute injury to her lumbar spine. He also
concluded her current complaints of leg weakness do not directly relate to the work
InJUry.

        Regarding Ms. Gueye's numerous other complaints, Dr. Manugian's records do
not specifically address them. However, she testified she told him about suffering from
these conditions. Her testimony is somewhat corroborated by Dr. Manugian's records, as
well as those from physical therapy, which make oblique references to headaches,
numbness and neck pain. This evidence tends to bolster Ms. Gueye's argument that she
is at least entitled to receive a panel of physicians for diagnosis and possible treatment of
these conditions. See, Tenn. Code Ann. § 50-6-204 (2016).

        However, the Court finds this evidence alone is insufficient to establish Ms. Gueye
is likely to prevail at trial even with regard to the provision of a panel of physicians.
Medical evidence is generally required in order to establish a causal relationship,
"[e]xcept in the most obvious, simple and routine cases." Cloyd v. Hartco Flooring Co.,
274 S.W.3d 638,643 (Tenn. 2008). In Ms. Gueye's case, a number of physicians treated
her, including three neurologists and a neurosurgeon, subsequent to her release by Dr.
Manugian, and subjected her to a multitude of tests and evaluations. The only physician

                                             5
to address a causal connection between her condition and her work injury is Dr. Bertorini.
He stated she had several complaints but there was "no clear anatomical cause for this."
He further stated these symptoms began with the work accident; however, even if true,
this is far from proving Ms. Gueye is likely to prevail at trial in proving these complaints
primarily arose out of and in the course and scope of her work-related accident.

       Moreover, Federal Express introduced evidence that casts doubt upon her
assertion that her symptoms only began after April 9, 2015. Although Ms. Gueye
adamantly denied any neurologic symptoms other than Bell's Palsy prior to her work
injury, she complained of temporary paralysis and other "unusual complaints" in 2008.
In 2012, she complained of "intermittent facial twitching, headaches and neck pain," for
which she underwent a brain MRI. Finally, only a few weeks before she began working
for Federal Express, Ms. Gueye visited the ER complaining of facial drooping,
headaches, and slurred speech. While Ms. Gueye maintains these symptoms were due to
Bell's Palsy, there is no medical evidence to confirm her assertions, or indeed establishes
she even suffers from Bell's Palsy.

       Finally, Ms. Gueye emphasized during her argument that her post-injury brain
MRI reveals "brain compression" 1 that was not in the 2012 MRI and that Dr. Shen
definitely attributed her headaches to the Chiari 1 malformation. However, Dr. Shen
stated she noted the same "Chiari features" when reviewing the 2012 MRI film.
Furthermore, Dr. Weaver, a neurosurgeon, opined she did not suffer from a Chiari I
malformation. However, even if she does, no physician has opined that the "brain
compression" resulted from her work injury.

       At this point, Ms. Gueye has only offered speculation and conjecture as to the
cause of her numerous symptoms, which cannot serve as justification for the provision of
benefits. See Shelton v. Torrington Co., No. 01501-9704-CV-00092, 1998 Tenn. LEXIS
107995, at *10 (Tenn. Workers' Comp. Panel Mar. 13, 1998) (citing Reeser v. Yellow
Freight, 938 S.W.2d 690, 692 (Tenn. 1997)).

      Therefore, Ms. Gueye may seek further treatment from Dr. Manugian for her
work-related low back strain incurred on April 9, 2015 if she and Dr. Manugian feel it is
reasonable and necessary that she do so. However, the Court holds at this time that Ms.
Gueye is unlikely to prevail at a hearing on the merits in proving that her other current
complaints arose primarily out of and in the course and scope of her employment with
Federal Express.

     IT IS, THEREFORE, ORDERED as follows:

     1.    With the exception of any reasonable and necessary medical treatment Ms. Gueye

1
    The Court assumes this refers to the "Chiari 1 malformation" noted in the 2015 MRI.

                                                           6
  may require from Dr. Manugian for her work-related low back strain incurred on April
  9, 2014, Ms. Gueye's request for workers' compensation benefits is denied at this time.

  2.   This matter is set for a Scheduling Hearing/Status Conference on March 8, 2017,
       at 2:00p.m. C.T.

ENTERED THIS THE        2Jl" DAY OF JANUARY, 2017.

                            ~:t:J-Robert V. Durham, Judge
                                  Court of Workers' Compensation Claims

Scheduling Hearing/Status Conference:

        A Scheduling Hearing/Status Conference has been set with Judge Robert
Durham, Court of Workers' Compensation Claims. You must call 615-253-0010 or
toll-free at 866-689-9049 to participate in the Hearing.

       Please Note: You must call in on the scheduled date/time to participate.
Failure to call in may result in a determination of the issues without your further
participation. All conferences are set using Central Time (CT).

                                      APPENDIX
Exhibits:

1.     Letter from Bertorini
2.     Ms. Gueye's affidavit
3.     Medical records submitted by Federal Express
4.     New Hire Orientation Class Form
5.     Denial Letter from Sedgwick James
6.     Medical records submitted by Ms. Gueye
7.     Initial C-42 form
8.     Second C-42 form
9.     Return to work form provided by PCS
10.    Accident Report
11.    Wage Statement
12.    Mileage Statement
13.    First Report of Injury

Technical Record:

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1.     Petition for Benefit Determination
2.     Dispute Certification Notice
3.     Request for Expedited Hearing
4.     Federal Express' Position Statement

                           CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

       I hereby certify that a true and correct copy of the Expedited Hearing Order
Denying Benefits was sent to the following recipients by the following methods of
service on this the 26
                    _th day of January 20 17.

Name                    Certified     Via         Via    Service sent to:
                         Mail         Fax        Email
 Kine Gueye                X                       X     10407 Redmond Drive
                                                         Cordova, TN 3 8016
                                                         Kinegueve7 @gmail.com
Jonathan May                                      X      gtaylor(tl3lewisthomason.com

                                                rum, Clerk of Court
                                        Court o Workers' Compensation Claims
                                        WC.CourtCierk@tn.gov

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