Court Opinion

ID: 5127458
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2021-11-19 15:04:51.442132+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:23:00.138821
License: Public Domain

FILED
                                                                                     Nov 16, 2021
                                                                                     09:32 AM(CT)
                                                                                 TENNESSEE COURT OF
                                                                                WORKERS' COMPENSATION
                                                                                       CLAIMS

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

    KAREN LABOYTEAUX,                              )   Docket Number: 2021-02-0275
             Employee,                             )
    v.                                             )
    BENJAMIN BEGLEY AND                            )
    TIFFANY BEGLEY d/b/a                           )   State File No.: 800281-2021
    HOMESTEAD FAMILY TABLE                         )
    AND MONSTERMASH CONCEPTS,                      )
    LLC,                                           )
             Employer.                             )   Judge Brian K. Addington

                               EXPEDITED HEARING ORDER

       The Court held an expedited hearing on November 8, 2021, on Karen Laboyteaux’s
request to determine her eligibility for payment of past medical bills, future medical
treatment, and temporary partial disability benefits. For the reasons below, the Court finds
Ms. Laboyteaux is likely to prevail at a hearing on the merits that she is entitled to the
requested benefits.

                                          Claim History

       Ms. Laboyteaux earned $9.00 per hour working as a cook for Homestead Family
Table. She tripped over a box strap at work on March 28, 2021, and injured her arm and
hand. Before the end of her shift, her manager asked her to wash dishes, but Ms.
Laboyteaux responded that she could not do so with one hand. The manager instructed her
to go to the emergency room.

        After an examination and x-rays at the emergency room, providers told Ms.
Laboyteaux to follow up with orthopedist Dr. Timothy Jenkins. When she asked
Homestead to pay for a visit with Dr. Jenkins, Bill Begley, the owner, told her to send the
bills to him because Homestead did not have workers’ compensation insurance.1

1
    Homestead employed more than five employees.
       Ms. Laboyteaux eventually saw Dr. Jenkins, who diagnosed an elbow ligament
sprain and placed her on light-duty lifting restrictions. Homestead did not pay for the
treatment, and she only saw Dr. Jenkins twice. At the last visit, he recommended physical
therapy, which she could not afford.

        Because Homestead did not pay for her treatment, the providers billed Ms.
Laboyteaux.2 Despite her pain, she sought work but was unable to find a job within her
restrictions until June 13.

       Ms. Laboyteaux testified that she only worked for Homestead for three weeks before
it permanently closed. She earned $619.94 for that three-week period, or $206.65 per
week.

       Ms. Laboyteaux filed a Petition for Benefit Determination on May 26, 2021, within
sixty days of her injury. She requested payment for past and future medical benefits, as
well as temporary partial disability benefits for the period she was unable to find work
within her restrictions.

       Homestead did not appear for the hearing, file any pleadings, or submit evidence.

                         Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law

       To grant Ms. Laboyteaux’s request, she must prove she is likely to prevail at a
hearing on the merits. See Tenn. Code Ann. § 50-6-239(d)(1) (2021); McCord v.
Advantage Human Resourcing, 2015 TN Wrk. Comp. App. Bd. LEXIS 6, at *7-8 (Mar.
27, 2015). She requested payment of past and ongoing medical benefits and past temporary
disability benefits.

       Ms. Laboyteaux’s uncontroverted testimony and medical records show she suffered
an injury that arose primarily out of and in the course and scope of her employment.
Therefore, the Court holds she is likely to succeed at a hearing on the merits in proving she
suffered a work injury, which would entitle her to medical benefits.

       Instead of providing a panel of physicians for Ms. Laboyteaux’s injury, her manager
sent her to the emergency room, and Homestead failed to pay for her treatment there or
with Dr. Jenkins. An employer is required to provide medical benefits and a physician
panel under Tennessee Code Annotated section 50-6-204. Homestead did neither. Since
Homestead sent her to the emergency room and failed to provide a panel of physicians, it
shall pay for her treatment with the emergency room and with Dr. Jenkins, who shall be

2
 Ms. Laboyteaux incurred medical bills in the amount of $3,084.00 at the emergency room, $400 with
Watauga Orthopedics, and $45.40 at Walgreens for medications.
                                                2
considered the authorized treating physician for future treatment. See McCord, at *13.

       Ms. Laboyteaux is entitled to temporary partial disability benefits if she was unable
to earn her average weekly wage while on work-related restrictions. Tenn. Code Ann. §
50-6-207(2)(A). Here, she testified she was unable to find work or earn wages within Dr.
Jenkins’s restrictions from the date after her injury until June 13, or eleven weeks. The
Court holds she is likely to succeed at a hearing on the merits in proving entitlement to
temporary partial disability benefits in the amount of $1,640.10, which represents eleven
weeks of benefits at the minimum compensation rate of $149.10.3

       Finally, because Homestead was uninsured, the Court considers whether Ms.
Laboyteaux 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. Laboyteaux if she proves the following:

       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 on the date she was injured;
       4) She provided notice to the Bureau of the injury and of the failure of the employer
          to secure payment of compensation within sixty days after the date of her injury.

       The Court finds that Ms. Laboyteaux worked for an uninsured employer,
Homestead, and that she is likely to prevail at a hearing on the merits that she suffered an
injury arising primarily from employment on March 28, 2021. She was a Tennessee
resident on that date and provided notice to the Bureau of her injury and Homestead’s lack
of insurance within sixty days of the injury. Therefore, Ms. Laboyteaux satisfied all the
requirements of section 50-6-802(e)(1). She may complete the enclosed form for
consideration of a discretionary payment through the Uninsured Employers Fund.

       Also, the Court refers this case to the Compliance Program for assessment of a
penalty for Homestead’s failure to provide medical treatment under Tennessee
Compilation Rules and Regulations 0800-02-24-.03.

3
 Ms. Laboyteaux is due the minimum weekly benefit because her earnings fell below the amount that the
Workers’ Compensation Law determines as the minimum rate all employers must pay for missed work.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 50-6-102(18).
                                                 3
IT IS, THEREFORE, ORDERED as follows:

  1.    Homestead shall pay for Ms. Laboyteaux’s past medical costs in the amount of
        $3,529.40 and future medical treatment with Dr. Jenkins under Tennessee Code
        Annotated section 50-6-204.

  2.    Homestead shall pay Ms. Laboyteaux’s past temporary partial disability benefits
        in the amount of $1,640.10.

  3.    Ms. Laboyteaux satisfied the requirements of Tennessee Code Annotated section
        50-6-801(d) and is eligible to request benefits from the Uninsured Employers
        Fund, paid at the Administrator’s discretion. To do so, she must file the attached
        form and may contact an Ombudsman at 1-800-332-2667 for assistance.

  4.    This case is scheduled for a status hearing on January 10, 2022, at 10:00 a.m.
        Eastern. The parties must dial 855-543-5044 to participate. Failure to call might
        result in a determination of the issues without your participation.

  5.    The Court refers this case to the Compliance Program for assessment of a penalty
        for Homestead’s failure to provide medical treatment.

  6.    Unless interlocutory appeal of the Expedited 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). The
        insurer or self-insured employer must submit confirmation of compliance with
        this Order to the Bureau by email to WCCompliance.Program@tn.gov no later
        than seven business days after entry of this Order. Failure to submit the
        necessary confirmation within the period of compliance might result in a penalty
        assessment for non-compliance. For questions regarding compliance, please
        contact the Workers’ Compensation Compliance Unit via email at
        WCCompliance.Program@tn.gov.

IT IS ORDERED.

ENTERED NOVEMBER 16, 2021.

                                        _____________________________
                                        BRIAN K. ADDINGTON, Judge
                                        Court of Workers’ Compensation Claims

                                           4
                                         APPENDIX

Exhibits:
      1.    Karen Laboyteaux’s Affidavit
      2.    Ballad Health Medical Records
      3.    Watauga Orthopaedics Medical Records
      4.    Medical Bills
      5.    Checks
      6.    Medical Bill and Pay Stub

Technical Record:
      1. Petition for Benefit Determination
      2. Dispute Certification Notice
      3. Hearing Request
      4. Order Denying Request for Decision on the Record and Setting an In-Person
          Evidentiary Hearing

                            CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

I certify that a copy of this order was sent as indicated on November 16, 2021.

            Name            Certified     Fax     Email                 Address
                             Mail
Karen Laboyteaux,              X                    X      P.O. Box 82
Employee                                                   Church Hill, TN 37642
                                                           kbass0267@gmail.com
Homestead Family Table          X                   X      611 Parkway
MonsterMash Concepts,                                      Sevierville, TN 37862
LLC,                                                       monstermashburgers@gmail.com
Employer
LaShawn Pender                                      X      lashawn.pender@tn.gov
Amanda Terry                                        X      amanda.terry@tn.gov
Compliance                                          X      WCCompliance.Program@tn.gov

                                         _____________________________________
                                         Penny Shrum, Clerk of Court
                                         Court of Workers’ Compensation Claims
                                         WC.CourtClerk@tn.gov

                                            5
                           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