Court Opinion

ID: 4560017
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2020-08-26 21:01:33.089584+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T11:14:12.520827
License: Public Domain

FILED

                                                                                            TNCOURTOF
                                                                                     1\ ORKI.RS' COllPE.NSATION
                                                                                              803 S.W.2d 672, 677 (Tenn. 1991). In contrast,
neither Dr. Alexander nor Dr. Walker examined Mr. McDonough or communicated with
his treating physician or family. Instead, each only performed a records review. Notably,
Dr. Alexander did not review several records he allegedly relied upon in his report. He
testified that he used Dr. Walker's report to summarize some of those records. Thus, the
information available to the doctors and the importance of that information by other
experts weigh in favor of Dr. Pang.

       Tennessee Code Annotated section 50-6-204(a)(l)(A) (2017) states, "the employer
or the employer's agent shall furnish, free of charge to the employee, such medical and
surgical treatment ... made reasonably necessary by accident as defined in this chapter."
PGM initially approved treatment with Dr. Pang, who referred Mr. McDonough to a
psychologist for testing and therapy and to a neurologist or "head concussion specialist"
for further treatment. The records-review reports of Dr. Walker and Dr. Alexander and
surveillance video of Mr. McDonough fail to rebut Dr. Pang's causation opinion, which
is presumed correct.

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       Thus, Mr. McDonough has come forward with sufficient evidence from which this
Court concludes he is likely to prevail regarding his need for the treatment recommended
by Dr. Pang. Therefore, the Court grants his request for this treatment.

.IT IS, THEREFORE, ORDERED as follows:

      1. PGM shall approve Dr. Pang's referral for psychological therapy and pay for
         evaluation and/or treatment with Dr. Connie Paul as a result of the January 8,
         2015 injury. PGM shall also approve Dr. Pang's referral for a neurological
         evaluation and/or treatment with Dr. Feiyu Chen as a result of the January 8,
         2015 injury. Mr. McDonough or the providers shall submit their billing to PGM
         for payment under the applicable fee schedule.

     2. This matter is set for a Scheduling Hearing on April 9, 2018, at 9:00 a.m.
        Central Time. The parties must call (615)532-9550 or toll-free (866)943-0014
        to participate in the Scheduling Hearing. Failure to appear by telephone may
        result in a determination of issues without your participation.

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

     ENTERED this     the\~day of February, 2018.

                             ~ c.-
                                 DEA A     SEYMOUR, JUDGE
                                 Court of Workers' Compensation Claims

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                                     APPENDIX

Exhibits:
       1) Medical records and reports with Table of Contents (Collective)
       2) Medical Record of Edward Pratt, M.D., dated October 14, 2011
       3) Medical Records of Conrad Pearson Clinic, dated April27, 2012
       4) Recorded Statement of James McDonough
       5) Transcript of James McDonough's deposition
       6) Transcript of James Alexander, M.D.'s deposition
       7) Transcript of James Walker, Ph.D.'s deposition
       8) Declaration of Phil Shulte with report and surveillance video
      9) Declaration of Sherry Turner with report and surveillance video
       10) Witness Statement of Timothy Meeks
       11)Witness Statement of Brent Needham
       12)Form C-20 Employer's First Report of Work Injury or Illness
       13)Form C-41 Wage Statement

Technical Record:
       1) Petition for Benefit Determination
       2) Dispute Certification Notice, with attached list of Additional Issues
       3) Show Cause Order
       4) Request for Expedited Hearing, with Mr. McDonough's affidavit
       5) Notice of Filing
       6) Order of Dismissal Without Prejudice, issued March 2, 2017
       7) Motion to Set Aside Order of Dismissal Without Prejudice
       8) Order Setting Aside Order of Dismissal, issued March 16, 2017
       9) Notice of Filing Wage Statement, with attachment
       10)PGM's Position Statement for Expedited Hearing
       11)0rder of Continuance, issued April21, 2017
       12)Transfer Order, issued April24, 2017
       13)Status Hearing Order, issued May 23, 2017
       14)Status Hearing Order, issued June 7, 2017
       15)Notice of Filing Opinion Letter of Jim Pang, M.D., with attachments
       16)Joint Motion to Extend Deadline for Pre-Hearing Submissions
       17)0rder on Joint Motion to Extend Deadline for Pre-Hearing Submissions,
          issued January 10, 2018
       18)Position Statement of Mr. McDonough for Expedited Hearing
       19)Mr. McDonough's Exhibit List
       20)Mr. McDonough's Witness List
       21)PGM's Supplemental Expedited Hearing Statement
       22)PGM's Witness and Exhibit List

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       23)Mr.l\1cDonough's Amended Exhibit List
       24)Notice of Filing Medical Record of Edward Pratt, M.D., with attachments
       25)Notice ofFiling Medical Records of Conrad Pearson Clinic, with attachments
       26)Notice of Filing Deposition Transcripts of James Walker, Ph.D. and James
          Alexander, M.D., with attachments
       27) PGM's Motion to Deem Admitted
       28)Mr. McDonough's Response to PGM's Request for Admissions

                           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 _ _ day
                                                                                 16th
ofFebruary, 2018.

Name                       Certified Via       Via      Service sent to:
                           Mail      Fax       Email
Stephen Libby,                                   X     steve@lnlawmemQhis.com
Employee's Attorney                                    cc: cecile@lnlawmemphis.com
Cate Dugan,                                      X     cate@2eterson white. com
Employer's Attorney                                    cc: rvan@petersonwhite.com

                                        Pe~,E:~
                                        Court of  rkers' Compensation Claims
                                        WC.CourtClerk@tn.gov

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