Court Opinion

ID: 4559075
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2020-08-26 20:59:51.57633+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T11:18:02.383153
License: Public Domain

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                       COURT OF WORKERS' COMPENSATION CLAIMS
                         DIVISION OF WORKERS' COMPENSATION

EMPLOYEE: JEFFREY SCARBROUGH                         DOCKET#: 2014-03-0006
                                                     STATE FILE#: 69072-2014
EMPLOYER: RIGHT WAY RECYCLING, LLC                   DATE OF INJURY: JULY 23,2014

INSURANCE CARRIER: N/AJNO COVERAGE

                                  EXPEDITED HEARING ORDER

       THIS CAUSE came before the undersigned Workers' Compensation Judge upon the Request for
Expedited Hearing filed by Jeffrey Scarbrough (Employee). Considering the positions of the parties, the
applicable law, and all of the evidence submitted, the Court hereby finds as follows:

       On January 21, 2015, Jeffrey Scarbrough, through counsel, filed a Request for Expedited Hearing
with the Tennessee Court of Workers' Compensation Claims, Division of Workers' Compensation,
pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated section 50-6-239 to determine if the provision of temporary disability
and/or medical benefits is appropriate.

                                               ANALYSIS

                                                  Issues

           •   Whether Mr. Scarbrough sustained an injury that arose primarily out of and in the course and
               scope of employment with Right Way Recycling;
           •   Whether Right Way Recycling must provide a panel of physicians to Mr. Scarbrough;
           •   Whether Right Way Recycling must pay for past medical and/or mileage expenses;
           •   Whether Right Way Recycling must provide Mr. Scarbrough additional medical care as
               recommended by a physician;
           •   Whether Right Way Recycling must pay Mr. Scarbrough any past or future temporary total
               disability benefits and if so, in what amount;
           •   Whether Right Way Recycling has adequate grounds to deny Mr. Scarbrough's claim based
               on the affirmative defenses of willful misconduct.

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                                            Evidence Submitted

        The following witnesses testified in person at the hearing:

    o   Jeffrey Scarbrough
    o   Kumar Roopchan
    o   Francisco Sebastian
    o   Johnny Munsey

        The parties introduced the following exhibits into evidence:

            •   Exhibit 1: Affidavit of Jeffrey Scarbrough
            •   Exhibit 2: Deposition transcript of Johnny Munsey
            •   Exhibit 3: Deposition transcript of Francisco Sebastian
            •   Exhibit 4: Deposition transcript of Kumar Roopchan
            •   Exhibit 5: Wage Statement with stipulated rate of$360.00
            •   Exhibit 6: Medical Records and Expenses of:
                   o University of Tennessee Medical Center
                   o Neurosurgical Associates
            •   Exhibit 7: Deposition transcript of Jeffrey Scarbrough
            •   Exhibit 8: Time Cards
            •   Exhibit 9: Jeffrey Scarbrough's employment application

        The Court designated the following as the technical record:

            o Petition for Benefit Determination filed September 4, 2014
            o Dispute Certification Notice filed November 21, 2014
            o Request for Expedited Hearing filed January 21, 2015

        The Court did not consider documents attached to the above-designated filings unless admitted into
evidence during the Expedited Hearing. The Court considered factual statements in the above filings as
allegations unless established by the evidence.

                                              History of Claim

          Mr. Scarbrough worked as a laborer for Right Way Recycling (Right Way) pulling parts off cars and
striping wires (Exhibit 7, p. 26). Right Way employees usually arrived at 8:00a.m. In order to open the
business each morning, someone had to move the trackhoe/crane (trackhoe), bobcat, and forklift. Francisco
Sebastian regularly operated the trackhoe (Exhibit 3, p. 16). On July 23, 2014, Mr. Sebastian did not arrive at
opening time (Ex. 3, p. 7). On that date, Mr. Scarbrough attempted to move the trackhoe but could not to
start it (Ex. 7, p. 26). Mr. Scarbrough fell while climbing down from.the trackhoe, injuring his head/neck
(Ex. 7, p. 38). He received treatment from: UT Medical Center; Dr. Michael Walsh, and Dr. Brian Powell.

       The Court convened an Expedited Hearing on February 3, 2015. Attorney Chris Beavers represented
Mr. Scarbrough and attorney Joshua Wolfe represented Right Way. The following witnesses provided live

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testimony at the hearing: Jeffrey Scarbrough; Kumar Roopchan; Francisco Sebastian; and Johnny Munsey.

                                       Mr. Scarbrough's Contentions

         Attorney Beavers argued that the Right Way employees were required to move the heavy equipment
in order to open the business. Mr. Sebastian usually moved the trackhoe but he was not at work on July 23,
2014. Mr. Scarbrough stated that Mr. Roopchan yelled at everyone to "Get the damn place open so they
started moving equipment, cars, and trucks (Ex. 7, p. 33). He testified that Right Way never told him he
could not operate the heavy equipment (Ex. 7, p.36). Mr. Scarbrough tried to start the trackhoe, but it failed
to start and he fell while climbing down. He testified that he told Mr. Roopchan that he fell and Mr.
Roopchan said, "It's just a scrape. Go back to work" (Ex.7, p. 41). Mr. Scarbrough testified thatthe medical
providers took him off work from July 24 until September 24, 2014.

        Mr. Beavers averred Right Way did not have an official policy or safety rule prohibiting Mr.
Scarbrough from operating the trackhoe. Further, there was nothing inherently dangerous about moving the
trackhoe since Mr. Scarbrough had previously operated heavy equipment. Mr. Scarbrough did not have
actual knowledge that Right Way prohibited him from operating the trackhoe. Mr. Beavers further averred
that Right Way did not enforce the alleged policy and Mr. Roopchan did not discipline Mr. Scarbrough when
he allegedly violated it. Mr. Beavers stated Mr. Scarbrough did not benefit from his attempt to move the
trackhoe but, if successful, his actions would have benefited Right Way. Finally, Mr. Beavers noted that Mr.
Scarbrough committed an error in judgment but did not willfully or intentionally fail to follow a safety
policy. Right Way, therefore, failed to establish that Mr. Scarbrough engaged in willful misconduct.
Accordinlgy, Right Way must pay Mr. Scarbrough's medical expenses and also pay him temporary total
disability benefits from July 24 through September 24, 2014.

                                         Right Way's Contentions

         Mr. Wolfe stated that the employees knew that only Mr. Sebastian and Mr. Roopchan had
authorization to move the trackhoe. Right Way told Mr. Scarbrough not to operate the trackhoe but he
willfully and intentionally ignored the standing order. Mr. Roopchan, Mr. Sebastian, and Mr. Munsey
testified that the Right Way employees were told that no one other than Mr. Roopchan and Mr. Sebastian
were allowed to operate the trackhoe (Ex. 4, p.22.; Ex. 3, pp. 11, 12; Ex. 2, pp. 15, 16). They also testified
that when Mr. Scarbrough came to pick up his final check, he acknowledged that he should not have been on
the trackhoe (Ex. 4, pp. 2, 27; Ex. 3, pp. 25, 26; Ex. 3, pp. 18, 19). Mr. Roopchan also stated that they never
need to enforce the policy because no employee had ever broken it (Ex. 4, p. 39). Mr. Wolfe averred that Mr.
Scarbrough engaged in willful misconduct and, as a result, his claim is not compensable. Further, Mr. Wolfe
argued that the definition of injury has changed and, because moving the trackhoe was not part of Mr.
Scarbrough's job duties, the injury did not arise primarily in the course and scope of his employment.

                                Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law

                                              Standard Applied

         When determining whether to award benefits, the Judge must decide whether the moving party is
likely to succeed on the merits at trial given the information available. See generally, McCall v. Nat 'l Health

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Care Corp., 100 S.W. 3d 209,214 (Tenn. 2003). In a workers' compensation action pursuant to Tennessee
Code Annotated section 50-6-239(c)(6), the employee shall bear the burden of proving each and every
element of the claim by a preponderance of the evidence. Employee must show the injury arose primarily out
of and in the course and scope of employment. Tenn. Code Ann.§ 50-6-102(13).

                                               Factual Findings

       Upon consideration of the testimony in open court, the exhibits introduced as evidence, the
arguments of the parties, and the entire record in this claim, the Court finds:

            •   Mr. Scarbrough knew that Mr. Sebastian and Mr. Roopchan always moved the trackhoe.
            •   On the date of injury, Mr. Sebastian was not at work to move the trackhoe.
            •   Mr. Scarbrough had prior experience as a heavy equipment operator.
            •   On the date of injury, Mr. Scarbrough tried to move the trackhoe so Right Way could
                open to its customers.
            •   While Mr. Scarbrough's attempt to move the trackhoe may have been negligent since he
                had not operated heavy equipment in the past ten (1 0) years, his actions did not rise to the
                level of willful misconduct.
            •   Mr. Scarbrough acted in the course and scope of his employment when he attempted to
                move the trackhoe because his actions furthered the business interests of Right Way.
            •   Mr. Roopchan and Mr. Sebation told Mr. Scarbrough not to operate the trackhoe/crane
                but their actions did not establish a specific safety rule in place that was enforced.
            •   Mr. Scarbrough's injury prevented him working from July 24, through September 24,
                2014.

                                         Application of Law to Facts

         The controlling case outlining the willful misconduct affirmative defense is Mitchell v. Fayetteville
Public Utilities, 368 S.W.3d 442 (Tenn. 2012). The previous statutory preference for an equitable
construction and a remedial application played no role in that case's outcome. Therefore, this Court is
bound by its principles. See Goodman v. HBD Indus., 208 S.W.3d 373 (Tenn. 2006). In order to
successfully defend a workers' compensation claim on the basis of willful misconduct, willful disobedience
of safety rules, or willful failure to use a safety device under Tennessee Code Annotated section 50-6-11 O(a),
the Mitchell Court adopted a four-step test: (1) the employee's actual, as opposed to constructive, notice of the
rule; (2) the employee's understanding of the danger involved in violating the rule; (3) the employer's bona fide
enforcement of the rule; and, (4) the employee's lack of a valid excuse for violating the rule. Mitchell, 368 S.W.
at453.

        Tennessee Code Annotated section 50-6-204(a)( 1)(A) (20 14) provides that employers must provide
to injured employees such medical care and treatment "made reasonably necessary by accident as defined in
this chapter." The statute further requires the employee to accept medical benefits furnished by the
employer, provided, that:

                [I] 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

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                reputable physicians, surgeons, chiropractors or specialty practice groups if
                available in that community ... from which the injured employee shall select
                one ( 1) to be the treating physician.

Tenn. Code Ann. § 5 0-6-204(3 )(A) (20 14). The Tennessee Supreme Court has held that where the employer
fails to give the employee the opportunity to choose the ultimate treating physician from a panel of at least
three physicians, he runs the risk of having to pay the reasonable cost for treatment of the employee's injuries
by a physician of the employee's choice. United States Fidelity & Guaranty Co. v. Morgan, 795 S.W.2d 653,
655 (Tenn. 1990). The decision turns on the issue of whether, under the circumstances, the employee was
justified in obtaining further medical services, without first consulting the employer or its insurer. Id, citing
Burlington Industries, Inc. v. Clark, 571 S. W .2d 816 ( 1978).

        Temporary total disability benefits, authorized by Tennessee Code Annotated section 50-6-207(1 ),
ensure that employees receive compensation during the time they are totally prevented from working while
recuperating as far as the nature of their injury permits. Gluck Bros., Inc. v. Coffey, 431 S.W.2d 756, 759
(Tenn. 1968). In other words, "the temporary total disability period is the healing period during which the
employee is totally prevented from working." Id In order to establish a prima facie case for temporary total
disability benefits, the worker must show that (1) he or she was totally disabled and unable to work due to a
compensable injury, (2) the work injury and inability to work are causally connected, and (3) the duration of
the disability. Gray v. Cullom Machine, Tool & Die, Inc., 152 S.W.3d 439, 443 (Tenn. 2004).

       In this case, Right Way alleged that Mr. Roopchan and Mr. Sebastian told Mr. Scarbrough on one or
 two occasions not to operate the trackhoe. Mr. Roopchan testified that there were no safety rules posted on
 the premises or on the trackhoe. Further, he testified that he did not have any documentation that
 established the rule or proved that Mr. Scarbrough knew about the rule. This Court finds telling an
 employee not to do something on one or two occasions does not rise to the level of having a safety rule or
 policy in place. Furthermore, the Court finds that even if Right Way established a policy prohibiting
 operating Mr. Scarbrough from operating the trackhoe, Mr. Scarbrough did not violate the policy because
 he never operated the trackhoe. It is undisputed that Mr. Scarbrough did not start the trackhoe but fell
 while exiting it. Accordingly, the alleged violation of the safety rule from operating the trackhoe did not
 cause Mr. Scarbrough's injury.

       Mr. Scarbrough testified that he had operated heavy equipment in the past. Accordingly, this Court
 finds that Mr. Scarbrough could not have appreciated the danger involved in moving the trackhoe because
 no danger existed.

       This Court finds that even ifthere was an applicable safety rule in place, Right Way did not establish
 that it exercised bona fide enforcement of the rule because Mr. Roopchan did not discipline Mr.
 Scarbrough when he attempted to move the trackhoe.

      Mr. Scarbrough testified that he only attempted to move the trackhoe because Mr. Sebastian was not
 present and they had to move the equipment in order for the business to open. This Court finds Mr.
 Scarbrough's on this issue established a valid reason/excuse for attempting to move the trackhoe.

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      Finally, although moving the trackhoe was not one of Mr. Scarbrough's assigned work duties, his
attempt to move it on the date of injury furthered Right Way's business interests. Therefore, this Court
finds that Mr. Scarbrough' s injury arose primarily out of and in the course and scope of his employment.
Right Way did not provide Mr. Scarbrough with a panel of physicians. Therefore, it was reasonable for
him to obtain medical services. Mr. Scarbrough established that he was disabled from working for the
time period of July 24 through September 24, 2014. Therefore, he is entitled to temporary total disability
benefits for that time period.

IT IS, THEREFORE, ORDERED as follows:

  1. Medical care for Mr. Scarbrough's injuries shall be paid and Right Way Recycling, LLC shall
     provide Mr. Scarbrough with medical treatment for these injuries as required by Tennessee Code
     Annotated section 50-6-204, to be initiated by Right Way Recycling, LLC providing Employee with
     a panel of physicians as required by that statute for any future care that is reasonable, necessary, and
     related to this July 23, 2014, injury. Further, Right Way Recycling, LLC is responsible for
     reimbursement/payment of past medical expenses that were reasonable, necessary, and related to his
     July 23, 2014, injury. Medical bills shall be furnished to Right Way Recycling, LLC by Mr.
     Scarbrough, Mr. Beavers, or the medical providers.

 2. The amount of temporary disability benefit is $360.00 per week based on the stipulation of the
    parties.

 3. Payment of past due benefits in the amount of$3,240.00 shall be made for the period from July 24,
    2014 to September 24, 2014.

 4. This matter is set for Initial Hearing on March 31, 2015 at 9:30a.m. EST.

 5. Unless interlocutory appeal of the Expedited Hearing Order is filed, compliance with this
    Order must occur no later than seven (7) 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 Division by email to
    WCCompliance.Program@tn.gov no later than the seventh (7th) 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.

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

     ENTERED this the 3rd day of March 2015.

                                     Hon. Lisa A. Knott
                                     Workers' Compensation Judge

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Initial Hearing:

        Your conference has been set with Judge Lisa A. Knott, Court of Workers' Compensation Claims on
March 31, 2015, at 9:30 a.m. EST. You must call 865-594-0109 on that date and time in order to
participate in your scheduled conference.

Please Note: Failure to appear may result in a determination of the issues without your further participation.

Right to Appeal:

    Tennessee Law allows any party who disagrees with this Expedited Hearing Order to appeal the decision
to the Workers' Compensation Appeals Board. To file a Notice of Appeal, you must:

   1. Complete the enclosed form entitled: "Expedited Hearing Notice of Appeal".

   2. File the completed form with the Court Clerk within seven (7) business days of the date the
      Expedited Hearing Order was entered by the Workers' Compensation Judge.

   3. Serve a copy of the Request for Appeal upon the opposing party.

   4. The parties, having the responsibility of ensuring a complete record on appeal, may request from the
      Court Clerk the audio recording of the hearing for the purpose of having a transcript prepared by a
      licensed court reporter and filing it with the Court Clerk within ten ( 10) calendar days ofthe filing of
      the Expedited Hearing Notice of Appeal. Alternatively, the parties may file a statement of the
      evidence within ten (1 0) calendar days of the filing of the Expedited Hearing Notice of Appeal. The
      statement of the evidence must be approved by the Judge before the record is submitted to the Clerk
      of the Appeals Board.

   5. If the appellant elects to file a position statement in support of the interlocutory appeal, the appealing
      party shall file such position statement with the Court Clerk within three (3) business days of the
      filing of the Expedited Hearing Notice of Appeal, specifying the issues presented for review and
      including any argument in support thereof. If the appellee elects to file a response in opposition to
      the interlocutory appeal, appellee shall do so within three (3) business days of the filing of the
      appellant's position statement.

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                                        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 3rd day of March, 2015.

Name                    Certified   First    Via    Fax        Via     Email Address
                        Mail        Class    Fax    Number     Email
                                    Mail
 Chris Beavers. Esq .                                                  chriswbeavers@vahoo.com
Joshua A. Wolfe,                                                       Josh. wolfe@leitnerfirm.com
Esq.

                                               ~ ..~:--
                                               Tenne ·ee Court of Workers' Compensation Claims

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