Court Opinion

ID: 4560240
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2020-08-26 21:01:55.38181+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T11:15:17.355613
License: Public Domain

FILED
                                                                              Jan 25, 2019
                                                                             07:15 AM(CT)
                                                                           TENNESSEE COURT OF
                                                                          WORKERS' COMPENSATION
                                                                                 CLAIMS

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

BRIAN BECK,                                ) Docket Number: 2018-02-0470
         Employee,                         )
v.                                         )
RICKIE NEAL, d/b/a NEAL'S                  )   State File Number: 64580-2018
REMODELING,                                )
         Employer.                         )
                                           ) Judge Brian K. Addington

                          EXPEDITED HEARING ORDER

       This case came before the Court on January 22, 2019, on Mr. Beck's request for
medical and temporary total disability benefits for an injury he sustained due to a fall
from a ladder. Mr. Neal countered that Mr. Beck was not an employee and did not fall
but jumped to the ground. For the reasons below, the Court holds Mr. Beck is likely to
succeed at a hearing on the merits in proving he was an employee and that he fell from
the ladder, and he is entitled to medical and temporary disability benefits.

                                   History of Claim

      Mr. Beck worked one month for Mr. Neal, an uninsured employer, remodeling
homes. Mr. Neal intended to hire Mr. Beck as an independent contractor but paid him
twelve dollars per hour, controlled the conduct and time of Mr. Beck's work, and
provided tools for the job. Mr. Beck testified he worked forty hours per week.

       While working on a remodeling job on August 14,2018, in Gray, Tennessee, Mr.
Beck disturbed a wasp nest and fell twelve feet from a ladder to the ground. Mr. Neal
admitted he did not see Mr. Beck fall and assumed he jumped from the ladder. EMS
transported Mr. Beck to the emergency room where Dr. Michael Sutherland diagnosed a
broken heel and discharged him with a walking boot and medication, and referred him to
Appalachian Orthopedics.

       The next day Mr. Beck saw Dr. Reagan Parr's physician assistant, who confirmed
the broken heel and found significant swelling. He noted that Mr. Beck should observe

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strict non-weight bearing and return to Dr. Parr. During a follow-up examination, Dr.
Parr indicated the fracture did not need surgical repair and continued Mr. Beck's non-
weight bearing restrictions. On October 5, Dr. Parr modified the restrictions to no
climbing, no standing over ten minutes per hour, limited walking and working restricted
to level ground. Dr. Parr set a return appointment, but the parties did not provide medical
records beyond the October 5 appointment.

       Mr. Beck did not return to work for Mr. Neal. He obtained a job in early January
20 19 earning nine dollars per hour and working thirty hours per week.

       Mr. Beck argued he was entitled to payment of past and ongoing medical
treatment with the emergency providers and Dr. Parr. He requested temporary disability
benefits from the date of the injury until January 2019 when he returned to work. Mr.
Neal argued that Mr. Beck was not entitled to the requested benefits because he was not
an employee and he jumped from the ladder.

                       Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law

       Mr. Beck must present sufficient evidence that he is likely to prevail at a hearing
on the merits. Tenn. Code Ann.§ 50-6-239(d)(l) (2018).

       First, regarding whether Mr. Beck was an employee or independent contractor, the
evidence supports Mr. Beck's position that he was an employee. The factors a court must
consider in determining whether a person is an employee or independent contractor are in
Tennessee Code Annotated section 50-6-1 02( 12)(D)(i). The applicable statutory factors
are that Mr. Neal directed the method of payment, controlled the schedule and the work,
and provided the tools. The Court holds that Mr. Beck is likely to succeed in a hearing
on the merits in proving he was Mr. Neal's employee.

       Second, Mr. Beck provided sufficient evidence to show his injury occurred in the
course and scope of his work. The fact he fell and injured his heel at work was obvious
and confirmed by the medical records. Mr. Neal did not see the incident but asserted that
Mr. Beck jumped from the ladder. The Court finds Mr. Beck provided sufficient
evidence that he fell attempting to avoid wasps.

       Third, because Mr. Neal did not provide medical benefits, Mr. Beck sought
treatment at the emergency room and with Dr. Parr. Because of Mr. Neal's failure to
provide medical benefits, Mr. Beck was reasonable in seeking his own treatment. See
Hackney v. Integrity Staffing Solutions, 2016 TN Wrk. Comp. App. Bd. LEXIS 29, at *8-
9 (July 22, 2016). Because Dr. Parr has already provided substantial care to Mr. Beck,
the Court designates him the authorized physician and orders Mr. Neal to pay for any
reasonable and necessary medical expenses incurred due to the injury.

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       Finally, Mr. Beck requested temporary disability benefits for his lost time. The
Court finds he credibly testified that he earned twelve dollars per hour working forty
hours per week for Mr. Neal. Thus, he established an average weekly wage of $480
yielding a compensation rate of $320.

       For temporary total disability benefits, Mr. Beck must show he is likely to prove:
(1) a disability from working as the result of a compensable injury; (2) a causal
connection between the injury and the inability to work; and (3) the duration of the period
of disability. Shepherd v. Haren Const. Co., Inc., 2016 TN Wrk. Comp. App. Bd. LEXIS
15, at *13 (Mar. 30, 2016). The medical records indicate Mr. Beck could not work from
the injury date until October 5, or seven weeks and three days. At the weekly
compensation rate of $320.00, Mr. Beck is entitled to temporary total disability benefits
of$2,377.13. The Court holds Mr. Beck is to likely prove entitlement to those benefits at
trial.

       However, concerning temporary partial disability benefits, Mr. Beck did not
produce evidence of an inability to work beyond October 5 or specific dates of his return
to work. He might be entitled to further temporary benefits on a showing that he was
unable to work, or earn the same wage, until a physician places him at maximum medical
improvement.

IT IS, THEREFORE, ORDERED as follows:
   1. The Court designates Dr. Parr as Mr. Beck's authorized physician. Mr. Neal shall
      pay all reasonable and necessary medical treatment provided or recommended by
      Dr. Parr.

   2. Mr. Neal shall pay temporary total disability benefits totaling $2,377.13. Mr.
      Beck's request for temporary partial disability benefits is denied at this time.

   3. This matter is set for a Scheduling Hearing on March 26, 2019, at 2:00 p.m.
      (EDT). You must call toll-free at 855-543-5044 to participate in the Hearing.
      Failure to call in may result in a determination of the issues without your
      further participation.

   4. 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 W ompliance.Pro12.ram@tn.go no
      later than the seventh 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. For questions regarding compliance, please

                                            3
      contact the Workers' Compensation            Compliance   Unit   v1a   email   at
      W ' rnpliauce.Program@tn.go

   ENTERED this the 25th day of January, 2019.

                                       IS/ Bt·ian K. Addington
                                      BRIAN K. ADDINGTON, JUDGE
                                      Court of Workers' Compensation Claims

                                     APPENDIX
Exhibits:
   1. Mr. Beck's Affidavit
   2. Medical Records
   3. Expedited Request for Investigation Report

Technical Record:
   1. PBD
   2. Dispute Certification Notice
   3. Request for Expedited Hearing
   4. Continuance Motion
   5. Mr. Beck's Position Statement
   6. Mr. Beck's Exhibit List
   7. Mr. Beck's Witness List

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                          CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

       I certify that a true and correct copy of the Order was sent to the following
recipients by the following methods of service on January 24,2014.

Name                      Certified Fax       Email    Service sent to:
                          Mail
Daniel Bieger,                                X        dan@biegerlaw .com
Employee's Attorney
Rickie Neal,                X                 X        rick2420 I @).outl ook. com
Employer                                               1608 Kentucky Avenue
                                                       Bristol, TN 37620

                                          ~ JJv~ -
                                      PEN~UM,COURTCLERK
                                      wc.courtcie rk(ci)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: “Expedited Hearing 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.
 .
ll                                                                                                                 .I

                                    Tennessee Bureau of Workers' Compensation
                                           220 French Landing Drive, 1-B
                                             Nashville, TN 37243-1002
                                                   800-332-2667

                                               AFFIDAVIT OF INDIGENCY

     I,                                                , having been duly sworn according to law, make oath that
     because of my poverty, I am unable to bear the costs of this appeal and request that the filing fee to appeal be
     waived. The following facts support my poverty.

     1. Full Name:_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __                      2. Address: - - - - - - - - - - - - -

     3. Telephone Number: - - - - - - - - -                   4. Date of Birth: - - - - - - - - - - -

     5. Names and Ages of All Dependents:

             - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Relationship: - - - - - - - - - - - - -

             - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Relationship: - - - - - - - - - - - - -

             - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -                 Relationship: - - - - - - - - - - - --

             - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Relationship: - - - - - - - - - - - - -

     6. I am employed by: - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - , -

             My employer's address is: - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

             My employer's phone number is: - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

     7. My present monthly household income, after federal income and social security taxes are deducted, is:

     $ _ _ _ _ _ _ ___

     8. I receive or expect to receive money from the following sources:

             AFDC            $            per month           beginning
             SSI             $            per month           beginning
             Retirement      $            per month           beginning
             Disability      $            per month           beginning
             Unemployment $               per month           beginning
             Worker's Camp.$              per month           beginning
             Other           $            per month           beginning

     LB-1108 (REV 11/15)                                                                               RDA 11082
9. My expenses are: ' ;                                                     !•
                                                                             '

        Rent/House Payment $              per month     Medical/Dental $            per month

        Groceries         $         per month           Telephone       $           per month
        Electricity       $         per month           School Supplies $           per month
        Water             $         per month           Clothing        $           per month
        Gas               $         per month           Child Care      $           per month
        Transportation $            per month           Child Support   $           per month
        Car               $          per month
        Other             $         per month (describe:

10. Assets:

        Automobile              $ _ _ __ _
                                                        (FMV) -    - - - - -- - - -
        Checking/Savings Acct. $ _ _ _ __
        House                   $ _ _ _ __
                                                        (FMV) - - -- - - -- - -
              )
        Other                   $ _ _ _ __              Describe:_ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ __

11. My debts are:

        Amount Owed                     To Whom

I hereby declare under the penalty of perjury that the foregoing answers are true, correct, and complete
and that I am financially unable to pay the costs of this appeal.

APPELLANT

Sworn and subscribed before me, a notary public, this

_ _ _ dayof _____________ ,20____

NOTARY PUBLIC

My Commission Expires:_ _ _ _ _ __ _

LB-1108 (REV 11/15)                                                                         RDA 11082