Court Opinion

ID: 4560614
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2020-08-26 21:02:24.187451+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T11:19:18.443140
License: Public Domain

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

AT NASHVILLE

Charles Gentry, ) Docket No. 2019-06-2140
Employee, )

V. )

Arapazuma, Inc., ) State File No. 196998-2019
Employer, )

And )

Continental Nat’] Ins. Co., ) Judge Kenneth M. Switzer
Carrier. )

 

EXPEDITED HEARING ORDER GRANTING
TEMPORARY DISABILITY BENEFITS

 

This case came before the Court on July 8, 2020. The sole issue is Charles Gentry’s
request for temporary disability benefits from September 13 to November 15, 2019.
Arapazuma did not pay these benefits because Mr. Gentry did not attend an employer’s
examination. The Court finds that although he did not attend this examination, he did not
refuse to undergo it and holds that Mr. Gentry is entitled to benefits for that time.

History of Claim

In this accepted claim, Mr. Gentry injured his shoulder at work for Arapazuma,
which paid temporary disability benefits while he treated.

In early August 2019, a claims adjuster for the third-party administrator, Abbey
Fuerstenau, requested that Mr. Gentry see Dr. Damon Petty for an independent medical
examination. Before the appointment, Mr. Gentry called the adjuster to request a different
physician.! According to his petition for benefit determination, this was because Mr.

 

| Arapazuma objected to Mr. Gentry’s testimony about Ms. Fuerstenau’s statements as hearsay. Ms.
Fuerstenau was employed by the carrier’s contractual third-party administrator. The Court overruled the
objection as an admission by a party opponent made in a representative capacity under Rule 803(1.2)(A)
(2019) of the Tennessee Rules of Evidence.
Gentry had previously “reported [Dr. Petty] to the board of accountability.”? Mr. Gentry
testified that about two years ago, he went to Dr. Petty’s office and waited for several hours
but never saw the doctor. Mr. Gentry said he told Dr. Petty at that time that he was going
to report him. However, he called the Board and received a complaint form, but he never
submitted it. According to Mr. Gentry, Ms. Fuerstenau told him she would look for a
different physician to perform the evaluation. Mr. Gentry did not attend the August 20
appointment.

Ms. Fuerstenau called him about two weeks after the missed appointment. Mr.
Gentry reminded her that he did not want to see Dr. Petty and that she previously agreed
to provide another physician. He testified, “I told her I would go to a doctor, but she never
found me somebody else to go to.” Ms. Fuerstenau followed up with a September 4 letter
reading, “I previously notified you that we had scheduled an appointment for you to see
Dr. Petty on August 20, 2019. You informed me that you would not be attending the
appointment.” The letter did not give a reason for Mr. Gentry’s nonattendance. It advised
that the carrier would be suspending his compensation “in light of [his] refusal to comply
with [its] request for examination by the physician.” The letter did not state the steps he
could take to resume benefits. Mr. Gentry received a check for the week of September 6-
12, but then the payments stopped.

Afterward, a different adjuster, “Matt,” contacted Mr. Gentry to inform him that he
was now handling his case. Per Mr. Gentry, Matt suggested a lump-sum settlement so he
could treat on his own. According to his affidavit, Matt “told [him] to call around and get
cash estimates for the surgery cost and call him back.” Over the next few weeks, they
discussed the prospect “about four or five times,” but ultimately the parties did not settle.

Mr. Gentry filed a petition for benefit determination in early November. He
explained in his petition that he previously reported Dr. Petty, but he also wrote:

I feel the third physician referral was probably an attempt to manipulate [the]
outcome in their favor as a THIRD opinion is not the normal practice of most
insurance companies. If] had been given another option, other than Dr. Petty
for a third opinion, I would have picked from the options and gone to yet
another doctor.

(Emphasis in original.) The parties later agreed that Mr. Gentry could see Dr. Blake
Garside, Dr. Petty’s practice partner, for the employer’s examination, which occurred.
Arapazuma reinstated benefits on November 16. Surgery has been authorized but not
scheduled.

Arapazuma did not introduce any live witness testimony at the hearing but instead

 

? The correct name is the Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners.

2
relied on the affidavit of Daniel Killefer, a claims adjuster for the third-party administrator.
The affidavit referenced the initial conversation between Mr. Gentry and Ms. Fuerstenau
as follows: “Mr. Gentry refused to attend an independent medical examination with Dr.
Petty. He notified [the third-party administrator] of his refusal to undergo an independent
medical examination with Dr. Petty via telephone.” The affidavit does not mention
whether Mr. Gentry gave a reason he did not want to see Dr. Petty, nor does it state if Ms.
Fuerstenau offered to find another physician. The affidavit further states that it suspended
benefits “during the period in which he continued to refuse to attend an independent
medical examination.”

Mr. Gentry testified that he never spoke with and did not know Mr. Killefer.
Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law

Mr. Gentry must show that he is likely to prevail at a hearing on the merits. See
Tenn. Code Ann. § 50-6-239(d)(1) (2019); McCord v. Advantage Human Resourcing, 2015
TN Wrk. Comp. App. Bd. LEXIS 6, at *7-8, 9 (Mar. 27, 2015).

Tennessee Code Annotated section 50-6-204(d)(1) (2019) provides that an injured
employee “must submit to examination by the employer’s physician at all reasonable times
if requested to do so by the employer[.]” In addition, subdivision (8) reads, “If the injured
employee refuses to comply with any reasonable request for examination . . ., the injured
employee’s right to compensation shall be suspended and no compensation shall be due
and payable while the injured employee continues to refuse.”

Here, Arapazuma requested that Mr. Gentry undergo an examination with Dr. Petty,
and he did not attend the appointment. Arapazuma argued that the statute contains
mandatory language that an employee “must” submit to an employer’s physician’s
examination, and if he refuses, compensation “shall” be suspended. Arapazuma correctly
referenced the statutory language. However, under the circumstances, the Court is not
persuaded that it applies here.

Mr. Gentry credibly testified that, in response to the request that he see Dr. Petty,
he contacted Ms. Fuerstenau and explained that he previously told Dr. Petty he would
report him to the Board. In turn, Ms. Fuerstenau agreed to find another doctor to perform
the examination. The Court finds that Mr. Gentry acted reasonably by not attending the
appointment, relying on their agreement to find another physician. Further, Mr. Gentry
credibly testified that in their second telephone conversation, “I told her I would go to a
doctor, but she never found me somebody else to go to.” This statement contains an
expression of willingness to undergo the examination rather than a refusal.

Arapazuma offered no substantive evidence to contradict Mr. Gentry’s version of
the conversation with Ms. Fuerstenau. Mr. Killefer’s affidavit mentioned that the early

3
August conversation occurred, but he gave no specifics regarding what he characterized as
a “refusal.” Importantly, Mr. Gentry testified that he never spoke with Mr. Killefer and
did not know him. Mr. Killefer was not on the call and gave no suggestion as to how he
knows what was said—including Mr. Gentry’s reason for requesting another physician and
Ms. Fuerstenau’s response to his request.

Ms. Fuerstenau’s September letter documented that Mr. Gentry previously
“informed [her] that [he] would not be attending the appointment,” but it gave no reason
for his nonattendance. The letter then cautioned that the carrier would suspend his benefits.
However, the letter did not inform Mr. Gentry how he could prevent that from occurring.

Mr. Gentry then spoke with Matt, who proposed a settlement and tasked him with
getting estimates on the cost of his treatment. Mr. Gentry communicated with him several
times over the next few weeks, apparently following his instruction, until the two reached
an impasse. The Court finds Mr. Gentry attempted to rectify the problem and cooperate
with the adjuster and did not refuse the request for an employer’s examination, which
request remained on hold while they explored settlement.

In sum, the Court finds that Mr. Gentry did not refuse to undergo the examination,
but he simply did not attend in reliance on a promise to provide another doctor for the
examination. In fact, when Arapazuma offered another physician, Dr. Garside, Mr. Gentry
accepted, even though Dr. Garside practices with Dr. Petty. Thus, Arapazuma improperly
suspended his benefits. The Court holds Mr. Gentry is likely to prevail at a hearing on the
merits regarding the requested relief.

IT IS, THEREFORE, ORDERED AS FOLLOWS:

1. Arapazuma shall immediately pay Mr. Gentry a lump-sum of $4,541.67 as
temporary disability benefits from September 13 to November 15, 2019.

2. This case is set for a status hearing on September 8, 2020, at 9:30 a.m. Central
Time. You must call 615-532-9552 or toll-free at 866-943-0025 to participate.
Failure to call might result in a determination of the issues without your
participation.

 

° The dispute certification notice states that the parties contest the compensation rate. Mr. Gentry said he
has been receiving “507 and some change.” Neither party filed a wage statement, but Arapazuma’s attorney
said the document lists a compensation rate of $504.62, although the carrier has been paying him at the rate
he stated. The Court requested that counsel file the wage statement after the hearing. The Court also
informed the parties that if Mr. Gentry is owed benefits, they will be calculated using counsel’s rate, but
the parties may revisit the amount at the compensation hearing if they still dispute the rate. The Court
calculated the amount owed by multiplying Mr. Gentry’s daily compensation rate of $72.09 times sixty-
three days, totaling $4,541.67.
3. Unless interlocutory appeal of the Expedited Hearing 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 the
seventh business day 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.

ENTERED July 13, 2020.

JUDGE KENNETH M. SV&YTZER
Court of Workers’ Compensation Claims

 

APPENDIX

Exhibits:
1. Affidavit of Charles Gentry
2. Affidavit of Daniel Killefer

Technical record:

SNAYNE WN ES

9

Petition for Benefit Determination

Dispute Certification Notice and additional issues
Show Cause Order

Order on Show-Cause Hearing, March 31

Order on Show-Cause Hearing, May 5

Request for Expedited Hearing

Status Hearing Order, May 27

Status Hearing Order, June 22

Employer’s Brief

10. Employer’s Witness List
11. Employer’s Exhibit List
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

I certify that a copy of this Expedited Hearing Order was sent as indicated on July

 

 

 

13, 2020.
Name Regular Via Via | Service sent to:
Mail Fax Email
Charles Gentry, self- x 3981A Vesta Rd.
represented employee Lebanon TN 37090
Chancey Miller, x cmiller@carrallison.com

 

Employer’s attorney

 

 

 

 

 

 

f } )
Linney F WA
i : |

 

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

 
 

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/

we,courtclerk@tn.gov | 1-800-332-2667
Docket No.:
State File No.:

Date of Injury:

 

Employee

 

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):

D Expedited Hearing Order filed on O Motion Order filed on

O Compensation Order filed on O 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): [lEmployer!” 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 lof 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 | 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