Court Opinion

ID: 4559947
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2020-08-26 21:01:17.849677+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T11:13:47.587798
License: Public Domain

FILED
                                                                         October 3 1, 2017

                                                                            TN 811 S.W.2d 516 (Tenn. 1991). In Jones, the employee served as a union
chairperson. If she engaged in union business, her employer required her to clock out of
"company time" and clock back in on "union time." On the day of her injury, the
employee engaged in intense management/labor discussions while on "union time." At
one point, the company owner berated her fiercely, causing her to pass out and
subsequently suffer severe psychological issues. The employer argued that since the
employee was acting solely in the "course of her liaison duties as union chairperson," her
injury could not have occurred in the course of her employment with employer. !d. at
518.

       The Supreme Court disagreed and found the employee's condition compensable.
The Court adopted the "mutual benefit" test when determining if an employee injured
while engaged in union activity is entitled to workers' compensation benefits from the
employer. While acknowledging that it does not apply to all union activities, the Court
generally held that an employee injured while engaged in the duties of a union official is
also injured in the course of employment with his employer, in that the activity was of
"mutual benefit" to the employer. !d. at 520.

      Thus, using these principles, if Mr. Jacobs' injury occurred while he was in the
course of his duties as a TSR for Union 1055L, Bridgestone would remain liable for
workers' compensation benefits.

       After reviewing the evidence, the Court finds Mr. Jacobs was in the course of his
duties at the time of his injury. Mr. Jacobs suffered his injury while on a smoke break.
With regard to whether these types of injuries occur in the course of employment, the
Supreme Court ascribes to the "personal-comfort" doctrine:

      [E]mployees who, within the time and space limits of their employment,
      engage in acts which minister to personal comfort do not thereby leave the
      course of employment, unless the extent of the departure is so great that an
      intent to abandon the job temporarily may be inferred or unless the method
      chosen is so unusual and unreasonable that the conduct cannot be
      considered an incident of the employment.

Carter v. Volunteer Apparel, Inc., 833 S.W.2d 492, 495 (Tenn. 1992).

       Here, several of the union officers regularly engaged in smoke breaks throughout
the day. While the union prohibited smoking in the hall, it did not do so outside. The
union hall provided an area that appeared designed to allow members to gather while
smoking. Further, Bridgestone designated a smoking area at its plant and allowed its
employees to take smoke breaks there.

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       Admittedly, Bridgestone did not have barrels with fires in them at its on-site
smoking area. However, Bridgestone cited no evidence prohibiting their use to keep
employees warm while smoking. Bridgestone questioned the union officers about a "hot
work" policy. However, Bridgestone did not provide any evidence that such a policy
existed or that it communicated it to employees. Under the circumstances, the Court
finds the personal-comfort doctrine applicable and the smoke break did not make the
injury outside the course of his employment.

       As to the use of gasoline to maintain the fire in the barrel, while it may have been
reckless and even foolhardy, Bridgestone cited no evidence of a policy or instruction
prohibiting this conduct. Further, while the Court finds it difficult to believe that Mr.
Jacobs was not at least aware that Mr. Phillips was adding gas to the fire, the fact remains
that he was not the one who actually did it. Without these elements, Bridgestone cannot
prove willful misconduct as a defense. See Johnson v. Wal-Mart Assocs., Inc., 2015 TN
Wrk. Comp. App. Bd. LEXIS 18, at *15 (July 2, 2015).

       Bridgestone also pointed to evidence indicating Mr. Jacobs may have actually
concluded his work-day before the explosion occurred, which could arguably make the
injury non-compensable. However, all of the parties testified that while the time cards
may state a work-shift of six to two, the actual time worked by each officer varied from
day to day depending upon his schedule. Mr. Jacobs testified that on January 5 he came
in to work around 6:30 to 6:45 and, after returning from lunch, he checked to see if he
received an expected e-mail. When he saw he had not, he went outside to smoke while
waiting for the e-mail. Mr. Phillips testified he thought Mr. Jacobs came in to work
around 5:45 and that Mr. Jacobs had finished his shift when he came out to smoke that
afternoon. But he admitted that he could not say for sure when Mr. Jacobs arrived, nor
could he definitely testify that Mr. Jacobs had finished his work for the day. Given the
evidence at this time, the Court finds Mr. Jacobs is likely to prove he was still working at
the time the explosion occurred.

       Based on these findings, the Court holds Bridgestone is obligated to pay workers'
compensation benefits to Mr. Jacobs for the injuries he incurred on January 5, 2017. The
Court further holds that that United Steelworkers Local 1055L is not liable for workers'
compensation benefits in this matter.

       Finally, Mr. Jacobs requested a 25% penalty for unpaid temporary disability
benefits under Tennessee Code Annotated section 50-6-118 as well as attorneys' fees in
accordance with Tennessee Code Annotated section 50-6-226( d)(l )(B). With regard to
the first request, the Court refers this matter to the Bureau's Compliance unit for
determination of any penalties it may deem appropriate. As to the second request, the
Workers' Compensation Appeals Board encouraged consideration of attorneys' fees at
the end of the claim, and the Court will heed the Appeals Board's advice at this time.
Andrews v. Yates Servs., Inc., 2017 TN Wrk. Comp. App. Bd. LEXIS 35, at *7-8 (May

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23, 2017).

      IT IS, THEREFORE, ORDERED that:

   1. Bridgestone shall pay Mr. Jacobs temporary disability benefits at the
      compensation rate of $691.96 from January 6, 2017, to present in the amount of
      $28,726.22, less any offset Bridgestone may be entitled due to payment of wages
      or short-term disability benefits. Bridgestone shall continue to pay temporary
      disability benefits until Mr. Jacobs reaches maximum medical improvement or is
      able to return to his employment.

   2. Bridgestone shall pay all reasonable and necessary medical expenses Mr. Jacobs
      incurred as a result of his work-related injury, including psychological counseling
      and out-of-pocket prescription expenses. The physicians currently providing
      treatment to Mr. Jacobs shall remain his authorized physicians for any continuing
      care he may require. Bridgestone shall also pay all applicable mileage expenses to
      Mr. Jacobs.

   3. United Steelworkers Local 1055L is not liable for workers' compensation benefits
      in this matter.

   4. The Court refers this matter the Bureau's Compliance unit for a determination
      regarding penalties. The issue of Mr. Jacobs' attorneys' fees is deferred at this
      time.

   5. This matter is set for a Scheduling Hearing on December 11, 2017, at 1:30 p.m.
      C.S.T. The parties or their counsel must call 615-253-0010 or toll-free at 855-
      689-9049 to participate in the hearing. Failure to call may result in a
      determination of the issues without your participation.

  6. Unless 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 may result in a penalty assessment
     for non-compliance. For questions regarding compliance, please contact the
     Workers'      Compensation       Compliance        Unit     vta     email      at
     WCCompliance.Program@tn.gov.

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ENTERED THIS THE3 l DAY OF OCTOBER, 2017 .

                                              .. u~.....-,:-. udge
                                  Court of Workers' Compensation Claims

                                  APPENDIX

Technical Record

   1.   Amended Petition for Benefit Determination
   2.   Dispute Certification Notice
   3.   Expedited Hearing Brief of Petitioner
   4.   Brief of United Steelworkers
   5.   Bridgestone Response to REH
   6.   Bridgestone Witness and Exhibit List
   7.   Petitioner's Exhibit List
   8.   Request for Expedited Hearing
   9.   United Steelworkers' Objections to DCN and Supplemental Issues

Exhibits

   1.   First Report of Injury
   2.   Wage Statement
   3.   Affidavit ofMr. Jacobs
   4.   Rutherford County EMS records
   5.   Vanderbilt medical records
   6.   Medical expense summary
   7.   Bridgestone's response to Requests for Admissions
   8.   Mr. Jacobs' response to Requests for Admissions

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   9. Photographs of accident scene
   10.Photographs ofMr. Jacobs
   11. Denial letter from Sedgwick
   12. Out-of-pocket prescription expenses
   13. Mileage summary
   14. Updated medical expense summary
   15. Bridgestone payment/detail log
   16. TOSHA Order ofDismissal
   17. Collective Bargaining Agreement
   18. TOSHA Investigation witness report

                            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 31st
                                                                                 _ day of
October, 2017.

Name                      Certified    Via        Via    Service sent to:
                           Mail        Fax       Email
Jim Higgins                                       X      JSH@Higgensfirm.com
Nick Akins                                        X      nakins@morganakinscom
Terry Fann                                        X      tfann@bellsouth.net
Compliance Unit                                   X      WCCompliance.Program@tn.gov

                                                urn, Clerk of Court
                                        Court o  orkers' Compensation Claims
                                        WC.CourtClerk@tn.gov

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