Court Opinion

ID: 7827895
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-09-07 20:01:55.362684+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T16:30:55.289291
License: Public Domain

FILED
                                                                                           Sep 07, 2022
                                                                                          12:52 PM(CT)
                                                                                        TENNESSEE COURT OF
                                                                                       WORKERS' COMPENSATION
                                                                                              CLAIMS

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

    JEFFERY EMERSON,                                  )   Docket No.: 2021-04-0282
              Employee,                               )
    v.                                                )   State File No.: 12856-2021
    CITY OF COOKEVILLE,                               )
              Employer.                               )   Judge Brian K. Addington

                                 EXPEDITED HEARING ORDER

       At a hearing on August 23, 2022, Mr. Emerson requested benefits for his colorectal
cancer. The City of Cookeville denied them, claiming Mr. Emerson’s colorectal cancer was
not primarily caused by his employment. For the reasons below, the Court denies Mr.
Emerson’s request and holds that he is not likely to prevail at a hearing on the merits in
proving his cancer is work-related.

                                            History of Claim

       Mr. Emerson worked twenty-four years as a firefighter and fire engineer for
Cookeville. He underwent yearly physicals by Dr. Toney Hudson through Cookeville’s
voluntary program. In November 2021, a colon cancer screen as part of his physical
detected cancerous cells. Mr. Emerson notified Cookeville of the positive screen.

      Dr. Hudson referred Mr. Emerson to a gastroenterologist for a colonoscopy, which
found cancer. The gastroenterologist referred Mr. Emerson to oncologist Dr. Algis Sidrys,
who ordered chemotherapy and radiation treatments.1

       After his notification of a work injury, Cookeville offered Mr. Emerson a physician
panel, from which he chose Dr. Hudson. Cookeville asked Dr. Hudson for a causation
opinion on Mr. Emerson’s cancer. Dr. Hudson responded that another oncologist, Dr.
Venumada Kotla, would be better suited to give an opinion.

1
    Mr. Emerson received this care through his personal health insurance.

                                                      1
        At Cookeville’s request, Dr. Kotla saw Mr. Emerson, who gave his causation
opinion. Dr. Kotla wrote: “In my best clinical judgment, it would not be possible to assign
a numerical risk of causation of 50% or more given the limitations of available
epidemiologic data.” He assigned the causative effect of Mr. Emerson’s work on his cancer
at thirty percent. Cookeville denied Mr. Emerson’s claim based on the assessment.

       In response to the denial, Mr. Emerson asked Dr. Sidrys to address causation. Dr.
Sidrys noted:

       Given the lack of other risk factors for Mr. Emerson and given the clear proof
       that firefighters are at an increased risk of GI cancers, specifically rectal
       cancers, I do believe that Mr. Emerson’s employment as a fireman has a
       significant (greater than 51%) chance of having been a causative agent in his
       malignancy.

(Emphasis added).

       Mr. Emerson testified that he was exposed to toxins from structure, vehicle, and
brush fires. He gave approximate monthly numbers for each type of incident he worked.
He asserted that he ate grilled red meat in moderation and drank from twelve to twenty
beers a week. He quit smoking fourteen years ago but was a pack-and-a-half daily smoker
before that. He testified that he often got soot on his work uniform, was exposed to diesel
exhaust fumes in the garage at work, and inhaled smoke from fires during his employment.
He asserted that he exercised frequently to stay in shape for his job. He is currently cancer-
free but requested medical benefits for his injury.

       Cookeville, through the affidavit of its human resource director, asserted that Dr.
Kotla was Mr. Emerson’s authorized treating physician, and that it had properly denied his
claim after Dr. Kotla gave his opinion.

        Both doctors testified by deposition, and both read and considered the NIOSH and
Lemaster studies about firefighters and cancer. NIOSH centered on firefighters in large
cities, while the Lemaster article was broader.

        Dr. Kotla said that he was not the treating physician but was asked to give a
causation statement. He, too, had never treated a firefighter for colorectal cancer. He
testified that Mr. Emerson ate red meat in moderation, had quit smoking for fourteen years,
drank alcohol weekly, and was overweight.

       Dr. Kotla had also read the NIOSH and Lemaster studies and acknowledged that
they showed firefighters had increased occurrences of colorectal cancer. He found that it
was not possible to determine the percentage of the cause of Mr. Emerson’s cancer but the

                                              2
relative risk for firefighters was thirty percent. He stated that the highest risk for Mr.
Emerson’s cancer was his alcohol intake.

        Dr. Sidrys testified he had treated firefighters for cancer, but Mr. Emerson was the
only firefighter he had treated for colorectal cancer. He acknowledged that some degree of
speculation is necessary in determining the cause of Mr. Emerson’s cancer. However,
looking at his risks of age, smoking, being slightly overweight, diet, and occupation, his
occupation had the higher risk and was a main risk in causing his cancer. Nevertheless, he
stated that Mr. Emerson’s diet was also a main risk factor.

       Dr. Sidrys stated that he knew Mr. Emerson was a firefighter for twenty years or so,
and that he had quit smoking for over ten years. He stated he had read several studies about
the link between firefighters and colorectal cancer, including the NIOSH and Lemaster
studies. He did not state how they related to Mr. Emerson’s case directly, other than
providing statistics concerning firefighting and cancers. He concluded, “I do believe he
probably got the disease because of his occupation, yes.” (Emphasis added).

                          Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law

       Mr. Emerson must show that he would likely prevail at a hearing on the merits that
his cancer and need for treatment arose primarily out of and in the course and scope of his
employment. Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 50-6-239(d)(1), 50-6-102(14) (2021).

       For his part, Mr. Emerson testified about his employment and exposure to various
toxins in the smoke from fires, soot that collected on his gear, and diesel exhaust fumes
from the firetruck engines in the firehouse garage. He testified about the approximate times
he fought structure fires, vehicle fires, and vegetation fires. However, he did not supply
any exact information of this nature for the experts to consider. He also testified about his
diet, weight, smoking, and alcohol intake. However, the experts appeared to have different
understandings of when Mr. Emerson quit smoking, how long he was a firefighter, his
alcohol intake, and his diet.

      Concerning medical causation, both parties relied on experts to support their
contentions. Both experts were competent to testify about Mr. Emerson’s condition.2
However, neither fully explained how they reached their conclusions, based on the
information they received from Mr. Emerson and from medical studies.
       The experts relied heavily on the NIOSH and Lemaster studies. The NIOSH study
centered on fire departments in large cities, but neither expert explained how this study
related to Mr. Emerson’s job with the relatively small town of Cookeville. The Lemaster

2
 Cookeville moved to exclude Dr. Sydris’s expert testimony due to speculation. The Court overrules the
motion, as Dr. Sydris explained that he did not just speculate but evaluated the risk factors for Mr.
Emerson’s condition.

                                                  3
article was broader, but neither expert explained how it directly related to Mr. Emerson’s
history of fighting fires.
        Both experts candidly acknowledged that they do not know what caused Mr.
Emerson’s cancer. Rather, they reviewed the risk factors and made their respective
decisions. In closely reading Dr. Sydris’s letter, he stated that Mr. Emerson’s job had a
significant chance of being a causative agent of his cancer. However, he did not say that
his job primarily caused his cancer, only that it was a main risk.
       In consideration of the above factors, neither expert’s testimony assisted the Court
in resolving the causation issue. The experts failed to explain how the studies they relied
on related directly to Mr. Emerson’s case, and they did not state that his work was the
primary cause of his colorectal cancer. Also, they did not seem to fully grasp Mr.
Emerson’s personal and work history.
       Under these circumstances, the Court cannot hold Mr. Emerson is likely to prevail
at a hearing on the merits in proving that his cancer and the need for treatment arose
primarily out of and in the course and scope of his employment.
        IT IS THEREFORE, ORDERED as follows:
        1. Mr. Emerson’s claim against the City of Cookeville for the requested benefits is
        denied at this time.

        2. The Court sets a Status Hearing on November 16, at 10:00 a.m. Central. The
        parties must call 855-543-5044 to participate in the hearing.

        ENTERED September 7, 2022.

                                             /s/ Brian K. Addington
                                          ______________________________________
                                          JUDGE BRIAN K. ADDINGTON
                                          Court of Workers’ Compensation Claims

                                       APPENDIX

Technical Record
   1.   Petition for Benefit Determination
   2.   Dispute Certification Notice
   3.   Transfer Order
   4.   Hearing Request
   5.   Motion for Scheduling Order Prior to Expedited Hearing
   6.   Order Setting Expedited Hearing

                                             4
   7. Employer’s Plain Concise Statement Why Relief Requested Should Not be
       Granted
   8. Employer’s Witness and Exhibit List
   9. Employee’s Notice of Filing Exhibit/Witness List
   10. Employee’s Response to Employer’s Plain and Concise Statement
   11. Order Granting Extension of Deadline
   12. Motion to Exclude Testimony on the issue of Medical Causation by Dr. Sidrys
   13. Order Continuing Expedited Hearing
   14. Employee’s Response to Employer’s Motion to Exclude Testimony of Dr. Sidrys
       with Respect to his Causation Opinion

Exhibits
   1. Affidavit and Supplemental Affidavit
   2. Wage Statement
   3. Physician Panel Selecting Dr. Toney Hudson
   4. Notice of Denial
   5. Transcribed Statement of Mr. Emerson
   6. Job Description
   7. Carl Sells’s affidavit
   8. Stipulated Medical Records
   9. Dr. Venumadhav Kotla’s deposition
   10. Dr. Sydris’s deposition

                           CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

      I certify that a correct copy of this Order was sent on September 7, 2022.

           Name            Certified Fax        Email           Service sent to:
                            Mail
 Stephan Karr,                                   X      steve@flexerlaw.com
 Employee’s Attorney                                    cindy@flexerlaw.com
 Richard Lane Moore,                             X      lane@moorerader.com
 Employer’s Attorney                                    jenna@moorerader.com

                                         ______________________________________
                                         PENNY SHRUM, COURT CLERK
                                         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