Court Opinion

ID: 6333027
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-04-19 20:12:37.399458+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:23:24.934256
License: Public Domain

FILED
                                                                                               Apr 19, 2022
                                                                                               02:34 PM(CT)
                                                                                            TENNESSEE COURT OF
                                                                                           WORKERS' COMPENSATION
                                                                                                  CLAIMS

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

    PATRICIA TURNER,                                  )            Docket No. 2020-05-0909
              Employee,                               )
    v.                                                )
                                                      )
    CHANNEL CONTROL                                   )              State File Nos. 41223-2020 &
    MERCHANTS LLC,                                    )                              42277-2020
            Employer,                                 )
                                                      )
    and                                               )
                                                      )
    AMERICAN ZURICH INS. CO.,                         )              Judge Dale Tipps
              Carrier,                                )
                                                      )
    and                                               )
                                                      )
    ABIGAIL HUDGENS,                                  )
    Administrator of the Bureau of                    )
    Workers’ Compensation Subsequent                  )
    Injury Fund.                                      )

                               EXPEDITED HEARING ORDER
                                  GRANTING BENEFITS

       The Court held an Expedited Hearing on March 31, 2022, to determine whether Ms.
Turner is entitled to temporary disability benefits and additional medical treatment.1
Although the parties focused primarily on the reasons for Ms. Turner’s termination, the
Court finds that issue irrelevant under the evidence presented. As a result, the Court holds
that she is likely to prevail at a hearing on the merits.

1
 The parties announced at the hearing that Channel Control had agreed to provide the neuropsychological
evaluation and cervical MRI previously recommended by the authorized treating physicians. However,
because of the extended delay in authorizing these benefits, Ms. Turner asked the Court to impose a deadline
for Channel Control to do so.
                                         History of Claim

        The parties agreed that Ms. Turner suffered compensable injuries from a workplace
fall on June 29, 2020. Channel Control provided medical benefits, including neurological
treatment with Dr. Nicole Bonsavage for her head injury.

        In September, Dr. Bonsavage restricted Ms. Turner from performing duties that
required higher cognitive functions. Ms. Turner returned to work, but Channel Control did
not accommodate her restrictions, and she had to perform the same tasks that she did before
the accident. In November, Ms. Turner again presented the restrictions to her manager,
Cindy Reyes,who ignored them and required her to continue performing her original job
duties.

       Ms. Reyes placed Ms. Turner on either administrative or medical leave on January
9, 2021.2 Ms. Turner was then fired for unprofessional conduct on January 13, although
she denied being told why (using profanity in front of a customer) until she filed this claim.

        If history is a set of facts agreed upon, the testimony in this case cannot be said to
constitute a history. The Court has rarely faced so many witnesses who agreed upon so
little. Ms. Turner denied using profanity in front of the customer, although some witnesses
wrote statements or testified that she did. Other witnesses say that she did not. One witness
wrote a statement and then later executed an affidavit saying that she lied in her first
statement. The only thing everyone agreed upon was that cursing by employees, including
Ms. Reyes, was common.3

       To clarify her medical work status, Ms. Turner sent a questionnaire letter to Dr.
Bonsavage. The doctor responded that Ms. Turner was totally off work due to her medical
condition from January 8 through October 20, 2021, and she remained on light duty from
October 21 through February 1, 2022. Channel Control stipulated that Ms. Turner has not
reached maximum medical improvement, and the light-duty restrictions are still in effect.

       Ms. Turner requested payment of temporary disability benefits beginning on
January 9, 2021. She contended that her termination for cause was unwarranted and merely
a pretext for denying her temporary disability benefits. She also asked for an order
compelling Channel Control to promptly provide the recommended neuropsychological
evaluation and cervical MRI. Finally, Ms. Turner requested that Channel Control be
penalized for the delay in providing medical treatment and temporary disability benefits.

2
 In the recording of the meeting, Ms. Reyes variously referred to the leave as both administrative and
medical.
3
  As will be seen, it is unnecessary for the Court to resolve these discrepancies to decide the issue of
temporary disability benefits.
       Channel Control contended that Ms. Turner is not entitled to temporary disability
benefits because “but for her termination, [she] would still be working light duty.” Channel
Control argued that her termination for cause extinguished her right to temporary disability
benefits.

                             Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law

       For the Court to grant Ms. Turner’s requests, she must prove she is likely to prevail
at a hearing on the merits. See Tenn. Code Ann. § 50-6-239(d)(1) (2021); McCord v.
Advantage Human Resourcing, 2015 TN Wrk. Comp. App. Bd. LEXIS 6, at *7-8, 9 (Mar.
27, 2015). Channel Control did not contest the compensability of the injury. Therefore,
the question is whether she is likely to show she is entitled to the additional requested
benefits.

                                 Temporary Disability Benefits

      Throughout the hearing, the parties framed their requests and arguments solely in
terms of temporary total disability benefits. However, there is more than one type of
temporary disability benefit, and the difference between them is material to the facts of this
case.

        To receive temporary total disability benefits, Ms. Turner must prove (1) she
became disabled from working due to a compensable injury; (2) a causal connection
between her injury and her inability to work; and (3) her period of disability. For temporary
partial disability benefits, she must show that her treating physician returned her to work
with restrictions that Channel Control either could not or would not accommodate. See
Jones v. Crencor Leasing and Sales, 2015 TN Wrk. Comp. App. Bd. LEXIS 48, at *7, 8
(Dec. 11, 2015). The only medical proof of disability or restrictions comes from Dr.
Bonsavage.

        Beginning with the first category of benefits, Dr. Bonsavage concluded that Ms.
Turner was completely unable to work from January 8 through October 20, 2021, because
of her ongoing neurological problems. Based on this unrefuted evidence, Ms. Turner has
satisfied the three requirements in Jones. Whether she was terminated for cause is only
relevant to a claim for temporary partial disability benefits. See Woodard v. Freeman
Expositions, LLC, 2021 TN Wrk. Comp. App. Bd. LEXIS 21, at *6 (July 16, 2021).
Therefore, the Court finds she is likely to prove entitlement to temporary total disability
benefits for this period. At the agreed compensation rate of $314.77, these benefits total
$12,860.60.4
4
 The parties did not agree on a compensation rate or present any evidence as to Ms. Turner’s average
weekly wage. To avoid a bifurcated hearing, the Court offered the parties the option of submitting an
agreed-upon rate or reconvening to hear proof on this issue. The parties advised the Court of their
agreement on a compensation rate on April 19.
        As to temporary partial disability, Dr. Bonsavage assigned restrictions to Ms.
Turner. Under Jones, the question then becomes whether her employer would or could
accommodate those restrictions. Channel Control presented no evidence that, had Ms.
Turner not been fired, it would have been able to return her to work duties within her
medical limitations. Although Joel McCord, a vice president of the company, testified that
it “typically” accommodated restrictions, he did not say that Channel Control could do so
in this case. In fact, he was unaware of Ms. Turner’s specific restrictions. The absence of
proof on this issue suggests that Ms. Turner is likely to prove entitlement to ongoing
temporary disability benefits beginning on October 21, 2021, a conclusion supported by
her undisputed testimony that her managers flatly refused to accommodate her restrictions
when she first returned to work.

                                    Medical Benefits

       As noted above, Channel Control agreed at the hearing to provide the
neuropsychological evaluation ordered by Dr. Bonsavage in January 2021 and the cervical
MRI recommended by Dr. Cason Shirley in October 2021. Because of the significant delay
in providing this treatment, the Court agrees that a deadline is appropriate and orders
Channel Control to schedule the evaluation and procedure within ten business days of the
entry of this order.

                                        Penalties

       Tennessee’s workers’ compensation statute authorizes a twenty-five percent penalty
when an employer “fails to pay, or untimely pays, temporary disability benefits within
twenty (20) days after the employer has knowledge of any disability that would qualify for
benefits under this chapter.” Tenn. Code Ann. § 50-6-205(b)(3)(A). This penalty provision
only applies to temporary total disability benefits. Lowder v. XPO Logistics Freight, 2019
TN Wrk. Comp. App. Bd. LEXIS 50, at *4-7 (Sept. 4, 2019). Because there is no record
of Dr. Bonsavage assigning total work restrictions until her letter of March 9, 2022, it is
unclear when Channel Control became aware of the disability. The Court therefore
declines to order the twenty-five percent penalty.

        Other penalties, however, may be appropriate. Channel Control failed to provide a
recommended medical evaluation ordered by Dr. Bonsavage for over a year, and Dr.
Shirley’s MRI order has been pending for at least five months. This egregious failure to
provide medical benefits constitutes an improper denial of treatment. Further, Channel
Control failed to provide a wage statement once the Dispute Certification Notice was
issued. See Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0800-02-21-.10(2)(6). For these reasons, the Court
refers this case to the Compliance Program for investigation and potential assessment of a
civil penalty. Upon its issuance, a copy of this Order will be sent to the Compliance
Program. See Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0800-02-24-.03.
IT IS, THEREFORE, ORDERED as follows:

  1. Channel Control shall continue to provide medical benefits and must schedule the
     recommended neuropsychological evaluation and cervical MRI within ten business
     days of the entry of this order.

  2. Channel Control shall pay Ms. Turner temporary total disability benefits totaling
     $12,860.60.

  3. Channel Control shall pay Ms. Turner temporary partial disability benefits totaling
     $9,128.33 for the period of October 21, 2021, to April 21, 2022, and continuing as
     long as her temporary disability exists.

  4. This case is referred to the Compliance Program for consideration of the imposition
     of a penalty regarding Channel Control’s failure to provide authorized medical
     treatment and file a wage statement.

  5. A status hearing will take place on June 22, 2022, at 9:30 a.m. Central Time. The
     parties must call 615-532-9552 or toll-free at 866-943-0025 to participate. Failure
     to call might result in a determination of issues without your participation.

  6. Unless an 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
     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 confirmation within seven business days
     may result in a penalty assessment for non-compliance. For questions regarding
     compliance, contact the Workers’ Compensation Compliance Unit via email at
     WCCompliance.Program@tn.gov.

     ENTERED April 19, 2022.

                                 _____________________________________
                                 Judge Dale Tipps
                                 Court of Workers’ Compensation Claims
                                         APPENDIX

Exhibits:
   1. Ms. Turner’s affidavit
   2. Affidavit of LeeAnn Williams
   3. Affidavit of Maggie Baker
   4. Declaration of Becky Guthrie
   5. Off Work Notes dated June 25 and November 11, 2021
   6. Dr. Bonsavage’s March 9, 2022 response to questionnaire
   7. Neuropsychological consultation and MRI referrals
   8. Audio recording

Technical record:
   1. Petition for Benefit Determination
   2. Dispute Certification Notice
   3. Request for Expedited Hearing
   4. Employee’s Pre-Hearing Brief
   5. Employer/Carrier’s Compensation [sic] Hearing Brief
   6. Employee’s Witness and Exhibit Lists
   7. Employer’s Witness list
   8. Employer’s List of Proposed Exhibits

                            CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

       I certify that a copy of the Expedited Hearing Order was sent as indicated on April,
19, 2022.

  Name                       Certified    Via     Service Sent To
                             Mail         Email
  Jill T. Draughon, Esq.                    X     jdraughon@hughesandcoleman.com
  Employee’s Attorney
  Rosalia Fiorello, Esq.                    X     rfiorello@wimberlylawson.com
  Employer’s Attorney
  Patrick Ruth, Esq.                        X     Patrick.ruth@tn.gov
  SIF Attorney
  Compliance Program                        X     WCCompliance.Program@tn.gov
______________________________________
PENNY SHRUM, COURT CLERK
wc.courtclerk@tn.gov
                           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