Court Opinion

ID: 4699857
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2021-06-30 15:01:11.475426+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:06:06.201091
License: Public Domain

FILED
                                                                                      Jun 30, 2021
                                                                                     07:47 AM(CT)
                                                                                  TENNESSEE COURT OF
                                                                                 WORKERS' COMPENSATION
                                                                                        CLAIMS

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

 DIANNE MOORE,                                           )    Docket No. 2018-06-1503
          Employee,                                      )
 v.                                                      )
 BEACON TRANSPORT, LLC,                                  )    State File No. 18493-2018
          Employer,                                      )
 And                                                     )
 ACCIDENT FUND INS. CO.,                                 )    Judge Joshua Davis Baker
          Carrier.                                       )

                                  COMPENSATION ORDER

        The Court held a compensation hearing on June 16, 2021, on Ms. Moore’s claim for
workers’ compensation benefits. Beacon denied it owes any benefits, as her injury did not
result from work. For the reasons below, the Court denies Ms. Moore’s claim.

                                        Claim History

        Ms. Moore worked for Beacon as a truck driver. On March 11, 2018, she arrived
in Ardmore, Oklahoma to retrieve a loaded trailer. She felt “a twinge of pain” in her right
knee when getting out of her seat and then experienced some numbness and tingling as she
tried to walk it off. She thought it “could have been a couple things,” including “all the
walking . . . the day before,” driving without cruise control because of heavy wind, or as
she testified at the hearing, “It could have just been getting up out of the seat; I don’t know.”

        After getting paperwork, she attempted to connect the loaded trailer to her truck.
But the adjacent trailer was parked too close for her to crank the handle normally. Instead,
she climbed underneath the nearby trailer to reach the handle, and while squatting in an
unnatural position, she yanked sharply at least twice with the full force of her body. With
the last tug, she felt immediate pain in her back followed by numbness that gradually spread
from her chest down to both legs.
       Suddenly numb from the chest down, Ms. Moore looked for help but saw no one.
Because she left her phone in the truck cab, she dragged herself to her cab, where she
reported the accident to Beacon and called 9-1-1. An ambulance transported her to the
hospital, where a doctor diagnosed bilateral sciatica.

        A couple of days later, Ms. Moore saw Dr. Joseph Cox, a neurosurgeon in Oklahoma
City who specializes in “complex spine” treatment. Dr. Cox ordered MRIs of her cervical,
thoracic, and lumbar spine. Upon reviewing the results, he determined she suffered from
degenerative conditions at multiple levels of her spine but found no acute disc herniation
or fractures to explain her sudden onset of symptoms. He also found no significant stenosis
or compression. The thoracic MRI report, however, mentioned “non-specific” “signal
intensity” of “uncertain etiology” that could indicate “demyelinating disease.” Dr. Cox
released Ms. Moore to return to Tennessee but suggested she “follow-up with her primary
care physician and potentially a neurologist” once she returned.

        After returning to Tennessee in late March, Ms. Moore continued experiencing
bilateral numbness, as well as bladder incontinence and constipation. Beacon offered a
panel of physicians, and she chose Dr. Garrison Strickland because he could provide
treatment the soonest.

       Dr. Strickland reviewed Ms. Moore’s MRI films and determined her condition was
unrelated to work. Instead, he said her symptoms likely resulted from transverse myelitis,
and he suggested follow up with her primary care physician.

       After her visit with Dr. Strickland, Beacon paid for Ms. Moore to see Dr. Darian
Reddick for an examination. Dr. Reddick ordered another MRI, which results revealed
“clear evidence of idiopathic transverse myelitis.” Beacon denied her claim.1

        In addition to these three doctors, Ms. Moore also saw Dr. James Anderson. Dr.
Anderson completed a C-32 form where he related Ms. Moore’s injury to her work
accident, stating that the action of turning the crank handle resulted in “traumatizing” her
spinal cord. He assigned Ms. Moore a two-percent impairment rating and permanent work
restrictions. Beacon did not depose Dr. Anderson.

1
  Since Dr. Strickland’s negative causation opinion resulted in the denial, Ms. Moore questioned his
connections to the nurse case manager, Bronwen Whisenhunt, who arranged the appointment, and to the
adjuster, Greg Hurd, who authorized it. Ms. Moore also questioned whether the insurance company had
Dr. Strickland “on retainer.” However, both Ms. Whisenhunt and Mr. Hurd credibly testified that the
relationship with Dr. Strickland formed from simple necessity and efficient economy: Dr. Strickland could
see her first, and Ms. Moore’s condition needed immediate treatment. Ms. Moore conceded that Dr.
Strickland was her last choice but the first available. Mr. Hurd denied retaining Dr. Strickland or any
doctor. The Court finds no impropriety and rejects this argument.

                                                   2
     The other doctors testified by deposition. Drs. Strickland and Reddick determined
Ms. Moore’s condition was unrelated to work, but Dr. Cox believed a relationship existed.

       Dr. Strickland said Ms. Moore’s condition likely occurred from transverse myelitis
or some other “unknown” origin, including a spinal cord lesion. He found her condition
unrelated to work. While he admitted she experienced some severe symptoms, he
characterized the onset of symptoms while turning the crank under the truck as
“incidental.”

       Dr. Reddick agreed with Dr. Strickland that Ms. Moore’s condition was not work-
related. He said that even if the handle were very heavy or had a lot of resistance, “there’s
no great way that this type of spinal cord injury that I could see would be related to any
type of work-related incidence, although it did seem rather coincidental that it occurred
while she was performing a work-related task.”

        In his deposition, Dr. Cox, who treated Ms. Moore immediately after the incident,
felt Ms. Moore suffered a “spinal cord contusion” without continuing stenosis or
compression on the spinal cord. He based this opinion on the sudden symptom onset and
the rarity of transverse myelitis as a condition in general. Dr. Cox said transverse myelitis
is typically “kind of a spontaneous thing that slowly gets worse” and deemed the diagnosis
inapplicable to Ms. Moore.

       Although Dr. Cox disagreed with Drs. Strickland and Reddick, he also said that their
diagnosis was not “unreasonable.” He felt, however, that the over two-month passage of
time before examining Ms. Moore deprived them of having “the same appreciation for the
sudden onset of symptoms.” He further said Ms. Moore’s spinal cord contusion did not
require surgery, and he expected her symptoms to resolve over time, maybe in one or two
years.

       Dr. Cox also disagreed with Dr. Anderson’s causation opinion. In the deposition,
the parties discussed a diagnosis from Dr. Anderson of “thoracic HMP with edema,” which
suggested a herniated disc. Dr. Cox said he read about the disc bulges in the MRI reports
but found no herniations that would cause Ms. Moore’s symptoms.

                       Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law

       Ms. Moore bears the burden of proving entitlement to workers’ compensation
benefits by a preponderance of the evidence. Tenn. Code Ann. § 50-6-239(c)(6) (2020);
Panzarella v. Amazon.com, Inc., No. E2017-01135-SC-R3-WC, 2018 Tenn. LEXIS 244,
at *8 (Tenn. Workers’ Comp. Panel May 16, 2018).

      The viability of Ms. Moore’s claim rests upon the expert medical testimony
concerning causation. Proving medical causation requires an expert’s “reasonable degree

                                             3
of medical certainty that the employment contributed more than fifty percent” as to the
cause of an injury. A reasonable degree of medical certainty means that in the medical
expert’s opinion it is more likely than not that the work caused the injury “considering all
causes, as opposed to speculation or possibility.” See Tenn. Code Ann. § 50-6-102(14)(B)-
(D).

        Here, three doctors gave depositions and one gave an opinion via form C-32. When
a court receives competing testimony from physicians, it must determine which testimony
to accept based on a variety of factors, including the qualifications of the physicians, the
circumstances of their examination, the information available to each physician, and the
importance of that information in the view of other experts. Orman v. Williams Sonoma,
Inc., 803 S.W.2d 672, 676 (Tenn. 1991). The evidence shows all four doctors have similar
expertise and experience, and they reviewed basically the same records when forming
opinions. Further, it appears all the doctors saw Ms. Moore only once. Therefore, the
doctors stand on the same footing from the outset.

       The law does, however, provide a rebuttable presumption of correctness to the
causation opinion given by the physician chosen from the panel—in this case, Dr.
Strickland. See Tenn. Code Ann. § 50-6-102(14)(E). Dr. Strickland said Ms. Moore’s
condition likely occurred from transverse myelitis or some other “unknown” origin
including a spinal cord lesion. He found her condition unrelated to her work. This opinion
is presumed correct.

       Dr. Reddick agreed with Dr. Strickland’s diagnosis; Dr. Anderson and Dr. Cox
disagreed. In reviewing their opinions, the Court finds nothing that would overcome the
presumption of correctness attributed to Dr. Strickland’s opinion. Dr. Anderson gave his
opinion via form C-32. Unfortunately, in a case with so many experts testifying, his
opinion is not helpful because it lacks context. Regarding Dr. Cox, while he disagreed
with Dr. Strickland’s diagnosis, he admitted that diagnosis was not unreasonable. Thus,
the doctors’ differing opinions are simply that: differences of opinion.

       Because the law requires the Court to presume Dr. Strickland’s opinion correct, and
the Court finds the countervailing opinions insufficient to overcome that presumption, the
Court adopts Dr. Strickland’s causation opinion. Dr. Strickland determined Ms. Moore’s
condition was unrelated to work, so the Court holds Ms. Moore failed to carry her burden
of proof.

                                             4
  It is ORDERED as follows:

  1. Ms. Moore’s claim for benefits is denied and dismissed with prejudice.

  2. Costs of $150.00 are assessed against Beacon under Tennessee Compilation Rules
     and Regulations 0800-02-21-.07, for which execution might issue as necessary.

  3. Beacon shall file a completed Form SD-2 within five days after this order becomes
     final.

  4. Unless appealed, the order shall become final thirty days after issuance.

ENTERED June 30, 2021.

                                        _____________________________________
                                        Joshua Davis Baker, Judge
                                        Court of Workers’ Compensation Claims

                                           5
                                   APPENDIX

Exhibits:

   1. Deposition of Dr. Cox
   2. Medical Exam and “TTD form” from Dr. Cox
   3. Mercy Hospital “TTD letter”
   4. Form C-32 from Dr. James P. Anderson
   5. Form C-30A Dr. James P. Anderson
   6. Curriculum Vitae from Dr. James P. Anderson
   7. Physician Certification Form from Dr. James P. Anderson
   8. Medical exam notes of Dr. James P. Anderson
   9. Deposition of Dr. Strickland
   10. Medical Records from Dr. Strickland
   11. Mercy Hospital lab results
   12. MRI reports
   13. Genex Reports, 3 reports (collective exhibit)
   14. Genex form c-33 case management notification
   15. Genex Form c-34 case management closure form
   16. Genex causation letter to Dr. Strickland
   17. Genex Physician case closure letter
   18. Employee’s choice of physician forms (collective exhibit)
   19. OSHA Forms 300 and 301 (collective exhibit)
   20. First Report of Injury, EDI copy
   21. Notice of Controversy
   22. Notice of Denial
   23. First Report of Payment
   24. Final Report of Payment
   25. Claims payment reports (collective)
   26. Emails, signed revised HIPAA release form and Text Messages
   27. Bureau’s form for First Report of Injury
   28. Ms. Moore’s statement – undated
   29. Medical records and nurse case management reports
   30. Recorded statement – audio file
   31. Email from Greg Hurd
   32. Notice of Denial, Form C-23
   33. Termination letter
   34. Dr. Reddick’s deposition transcript
   35. Email to Greg Hurd dated 3/27/2018

                                         6
Technical Record:

   1. Petition for Benefit Determination
   2. Dispute Certification Notice filed January 14, 2019
   3. Dispute Certification Notice filed October 23, 2020
   4. Request for Expedited Hearing
   5. Scheduling Hearing Order entered July 27, 2020
   6. Motion to Compel
   7. Order Granting Motion to Compel
   8. Expedited Hearing Order entered June 27, 2019
   9. Motion for Summary Judgment
   10. Motion for Extension
   11. Order Granting Extension entered August 19, 2019
   12. Motion for Extension
   13. Response to Motion for Extension
   14. Order Granting Motion for Additional Time to Respond to Motion for Summary
       Judgment
   15. Response to Motion for Summary Judgment
   16. Notice of Filing Form C-32
   17. Objection to the Use of Form C-32
   18. Motion to Compel
   19. Order Denying Motion to Amend the Expanse of Time the HIPPA Release Form
       Covers
   20. Motion in Opposition of Deposition Date
   21. Response to Motion for Extension
   22. Employee’s Reply to Employer’s Response to Motion to Delay Deposition and Edit
       History of HIPPA
   23. Employer’s Reply to Employee’s Motion Re HIPPA Release
   24. Order Entered January 27, 2020
   25. Motion for Investigation into Bad Faith by Accident Fund and Genex
   26. Motion for Extension of Time to Respond to Motion for Investigation
   27. Employer’s Objection to Employee’s Requests for Admission
   28. Employee’s Response to Employer’s Objection to Requests for Admission
   29. Order Denying Motion for Investigation and Motion to Deem Admitted
   30. Motion to Compel
   31. Notice of Intent to Use Form C-32 and C-30A
   32. Notice of Filing Wage Statement
   33. Motion for Protective Order
   34. Response to Motion for Protective Order
   35. Order Granting Motion for Protective Order
   36. Order Cancelling Compensation Hearing
   37. Order Setting Compensation Hearing
   38. Motion to Continue

                                         7
 39. Order Granting Motion to Continue
 40. Motion to Compel Testimony
 41. Order Setting Compensation Hearing and Granting Motion to Compel Testimony
 42. Motion to Exclude Employer’s Late-Filed Exhibits

                          CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

    I certify that a copy of this Order was sent as indicated on June 30, 2021.

Name                   Standard     Via       Via     Addresses
                         Mail       Fax       Email
Dianne Moore,                                   X     melow_d2000@yahoo.com
Employee
Cole Stinson,                                   X     cole.stinson@accidentfund.com
Employer’s Attorney

                                _______________________________________
                                Penny Shrum, Court Clerk
                                Wc.courtclerk@tn.gov

                                          8
                                              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