Court Opinion

ID: 9947823
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2024-03-05 18:11:25.131599+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:28:36.461913
License: Public Domain

FILED
                                                                                Mar 05, 2024
                                                                                11:55 AM(CT)
                                                                              TENNESSEE COURT OF
                                                                             WORKERS' COMPENSATION
                                                                                    CLAIMS

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

 LORENE WOODS,                               )   Docket No. 2021-08-0966
         Employee,                           )
 v.                                          )
                                             )
 ST. FRANCIS SENIOR                          )   State File No. 43845-2020
 HEALTHCARE CENTER,                          )
            Employer,                        )
 And                                         )   Judge Robert Durham
                                             )
 NEW HAMPSHIRE INS CO.,                      )
          Insurance Carrier.                 )

                COMPENSATION ORDER GRANTING BENEFITS

       The Court held a Compensation Hearing on February 23, 2024, to determine Ms.
Woods’s entitlement to future medical treatment and permanent disability benefits for neck
complaints that allegedly arose out of treatment for her work-related low-back strain.
Although St. Francis agreed that Ms. Woods suffered a compensable low-back strain, it
asserted that her neck complaints were not work-related, and the low-back strain resulted
in 0% impairment.

       The Court holds that Ms. Woods did not prove by expert opinion that her neck
condition arose primarily out of and in the course and scope of her employment. Further,
she did not prove entitlement to permanent partial disability benefits for her low-back
injury. However, St. Francis must pay for reasonable, necessary, and related low-back
medical treatment.

                                    History of Claim

        Ms. Woods hurt her low back on June 27, 2020, while trying to keep a patient from
falling. She received authorized care from Dr. Christopher Pokabla, who diagnosed a low-
back strain. He prescribed steroids and physical therapy and assigned light-duty work

                                            1
restrictions. When Ms. Woods failed to improve, he ordered a lumbar MRI that revealed
only degenerative changes.

       At his deposition, which Ms. Woods did not attend, Dr. Pokabla testified that he
read the MRI findings to Ms. Woods and had explained to her that the degenerative changes
were not work-related. He then ordered “work-conditioning” to try to return her to work.
According to Ms. Woods, when she told Dr. Pokabla that physical therapy caused her blood
pressure to rise to dangerous levels, he dismissively told her that he could not keep her off
work for three months for a back strain.

       Ms. Woods returned a month later. According to Dr. Pokabla, she only completed
about four days of work-conditioning. She continued to complain of low-back pain but
also mentioned for the first time that she had “swelling in multiple body parts.” He testified
that Ms. Woods accused him of not reviewing her MRI, which he thought was “bizarre.”
He noted that he believed she exhibited signs of “secondary gain,” or making complaints
that did not line up with her injury so she could remain off work. He said she was not
honest with him about her condition and was not trying to get better. Despite this belief,
he referred Ms. Woods for a second opinion with neurosurgeon Stephen Waggoner.

       Dr. Waggoner testified in his deposition, which Ms. Woods also did not attend, that
when he saw her, she only complained of low-back pain and some tingling in her legs. He
said she did not complain of neck or upper-extremity pain. Dr. Waggoner reviewed her
back MRI and noted moderate degenerative changes not attributable to an acute injury. He
diagnosed a back strain and underlying arthritis and recommended physical therapy. He
did not assign an impairment or restrictions and said Ms. Woods reached maximum
medical improvement on October 1, 2020.

       Dr. Pokabla testified that after Dr. Waggoner agreed that Ms. Woods did not require
further treatment, his office attempted to schedule a final evaluation, but Ms. Woods
refused to come. He agreed she reached maximum medical improvement on October 1
and assigned a 0% impairment with no restrictions. Finally, he confirmed that she never
told him about any neck complaints.

        Ms. Woods contested Dr. Pokabla’s testimony on several points. She said that he
showed no interest in her blood pressure and sometimes would not come into the exam
room to speak with her. She testified that he left out part of the MRI report when he read
it to her and grew angry when she pointed it out, accusing her of dishonesty and
malingering. She subpoenaed the nurse case manager to corroborate her testimony, but the
case manager said she could not recall events beyond her notes, and they did not contain
this information.

      She further asserted that the work-conditioning program used extensive
weightlifting that someone her age could not safely perform, which led to pain and swelling

                                              2
in both arms and shoulders. She informed Dr. Pokabla, but he took no action.

       Ms. Woods testified that after her visit with Dr. Waggoner, her symptoms worsened.
She believed that neither Drs. Pokabla nor Waggoner would treat her, so she sought
treatment with neurosurgeon Glenn Crosby. Dr. Crosby performed two neck surgeries.

      Dr. Crosby prepared a C-32 medical form causally relating Ms. Woods’s neck
symptoms and treatment to the physical therapy for her back. He also assigned a permanent
impairment rating for her work injuries. St. Francis timely objected to the C-32 and
deposed Dr. Crosby. Ms. Woods did not attend this deposition either.

       Dr. Crosby testified that Ms. Woods came to him in August 2021 complaining of
neck and mid-back pain that she attributed to work-conditioning. A January 2021 neck
MRI showed degenerative changes at C5-6 and a bulging disc at C7 but no evidence of an
acute injury. Dr. Crosby took another MRI in October that showed Ms. Woods’s condition
had progressed to herniations at C5-6 and C7-T1.

       Dr. Crosby agreed that a patient suffering from neck complaints would normally
report those to their treating physician. He further agreed that other than Ms. Woods’s
history, he had no way of knowing when her neck pain began.

       He testified that he believed Ms. Woods’s neck condition progressed after her low-
back injury, but he could not relate it to the work-conditioning program over natural
degenerative changes. He agreed degenerative conditions alone can lead to disc
herniations. He further agreed that, based on the MRIs, her condition progressed from
bulges to herniations in 2021, and he concluded this was likely just a progression of her
underlying degenerative problems.

      As for the low back, Dr. Crosby said that Ms. Woods’s MRIs were essentially
normal. He did not recommend surgery or assign a rating.

      Finally, co-worker Shirley Williams testified for Ms. Woods. She worked with Ms.
Woods for over 30 years. She described her as a “powerhouse” before her injury and a
dependable hard worker who never shirked her duties. She could not recall Ms. Woods
complaining of neck or back pain before her work injury.

                           Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law

       Ms. Woods has the burden of proving the elements of her workers’ compensation
claim by a preponderance of the evidence. Tenn. Code. Ann. 50-6-239(c)(6) (2020). In
this case, the parties agreed that Ms. Woods suffered a work-related low-back injury, but
they disagreed about her neck injury and entitlement to permanent partial disability benefits
and the extent of future medical care.

                                             3
       To prove causation for her neck condition, Ms. Woods must show to a reasonable
degree of medical certainty that it “arose primarily of and in the course and scope of
employment.” Tenn. Code Ann. § 50-6-102(12)(A). She must establish causation through
expert medical opinion. Id. at -102(12)(D).

        In this case, the parties submitted the testimony of three physicians. 1 Drs. Pokabla
and Waggoner both said that Ms. Woods never told them about neck complaints and did
not support her claim that work-conditioning caused her neck condition. Dr. Crosby could
only say that her disc herniations might have been due to work conditioning or to a
degenerative condition, but since it worsened from bulges to herniations after the therapy,
he felt it was likely a progression of her degenerative condition.

       Ms. Woods vigorously disputed Dr. Pokabla’s and Dr. Waggoner’s testimony about
whether she told them of neck complaints, and the Court finds Ms. Woods to be a credible
witness. 2 The Court also credits Ms. Williams’s testimony as to Ms. Woods’s strong work
ethic. However, even if she told the doctors about her neck symptoms, the law requires an
expert opinion establishing causation, and she did not submit it. Thus, the Court denies
her request for benefits for her neck condition.

       As for her low-back injury, the only admissible expert testimony is that Ms. Woods
reached maximum medical improvement on October 1, 2020, and has 0% impairment.
Thus, the law does not entitle Ms. Woods to additional temporary or permanent disability
benefits. However, St. Francis must continue to pay for reasonable and necessary medical
care for her work-related low-back injury.

IT IS, THEREFORE, ORDERED:

    1. The Court denies Ms. Woods’s requests for permanent partial disability benefits and
       future medical treatment for her neck condition.

    2. St. Francis shall pay for reasonable and necessary medical treatment for Ms.
       Woods’s work-related injury of June 27, 2020. If Dr. Pokabla refuses to treat Ms.
       Woods, St. Francis shall give her a panel of physicians from which she may choose
       an authorized doctor.

1
  In addition to the C-32, Ms. Woods attempted to submit another one from Dr. Crosby but did not do so
within the time allowed by statute, and the Court excluded it. Further, Ms. Woods attempted to introduce
medical records but not within the Scheduling Order deadlines, so the Court excluded them. Finally, Ms.
Woods tried to submit medical records she asserted were for impeachment and rebuttal purposes, but she
did not specify how the information rebutted or impeached the evidence already submitted. Thus, the Court
excluded them as well.
2
  After observing Ms. Woods, the Court finds no evidence that “secondary gain” motivated her pursuit for
benefits.
                                                   4
   3. St. Francis shall pay court costs of $150.00 to the Court Clerk within five business
      days of this order becoming final.

   4. St. Francis shall prepare and file with the Court Clerk a Statistical Data Form within
      10 business days of the date this order becomes final.

   5. This Compensation Order is an adjudication on the merits. Unless appealed, this
      order becomes final in 30 days.

      ENTERED March 5 , 2024.

                                   _____________________________________
                                   ROBERT DURHAM, JUDGE
                                   Court of Workers’ Compensation Claims

                                       APPENDIX

Technical Record:
          1. Petition for Benefit Determination
          2. Dispute Certification Notice
          3. Ms. Woods’s Pre-Compensation Hearing Statement
          4. St. Francis’s Pre-Compensation Hearing Statement
          5. St. Francis’s Pre-Trial Brief
          6. Ms. Woods’s Pre-Trial Brief
          7. St. Francis’s July 19, 2023, Objection to Form C-32
          8. St. Francis’s February 14, 2024, Objection to Form C-32
          9. Nurse Cheryl Rodgers’s Motion to Quash Subpoena
          10. Ms. Woods’s Motion to Quash Dr. Pokabla’s testimony
          11. St. Francis’s Response to Motion to Quash
          12. Ms. Woods’s Motion to Compel Ms. Rodgers’s testimony
          13. St. Francis’s Motion in Limine to Exclude Dr. Crosby’s C-32 forms
          14. Subpoenas
          15. St. Francis’s Motion to Exclude Late-Filed C-32 form
          16. Amended Order on Pre-Trial Motions

Exhibits:
            1. Ms. Woods’s submitted medical records (for I.D. only)
            2. Dr. Pokabla’s deposition with attached exhibits

                                             5
       3. Dr. Waggoner’s deposition with attached exhibits
       4. Dr. Crosby’s deposition with attached exhibits

                         CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

    I certify that a copy of the Order was sent as indicated on March 5, 2024.

Name                      Mail     Fax        Email Service sent to:
Lorene Woods,                                  X    Lewoods918@gmail.com
Self-represented
Kyle Cannon,                                    X     kcannon@gwtclaw.com
Employer’s Attorney

                                       _____________________________________
                                       PENNY SHRUM, Court Clerk
                                       WC.CourtClerk@tn.gov

                                         6
                                              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