Court Opinion

ID: 4560044
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2020-08-26 21:01:35.997389+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:27:39.934746
License: Public Domain

FILED

April 2, 7018

 

TENNESSEE BUREAU OF WORKERS’ COMPENSATION a oecene.
IN THE COURT OF WORKERS’ COMPENSATION CLAIMS = coypensation

AT MEMPHIS CLAIMS
LAWANDA HALEY, ) Docket No. 2017-08-0676 eee AME
Employee, )
v. )
FEDEX EXPRESS, ) State File No. 98075-2016
Employer, )
And )
SEDGWICK CMS, ) Judge Amber E. Luttrell
Carrier. )

 

EXPEDITED HEARING ORDER FOR MEDICAL AND TEMPORARY
DISABILITY BENEFITS

 

This matter came before the Court on March 8, 2018, on Ms. Haley’s request for
medical and temporary disability benefits. The legal issue is whether Ms. Haley is likely
to prevail at a hearing on the merits in establishing entitlement to these benefits. For the
reasons set forth below, the Court holds she is entitled to some, but not all, of the
requested benefits.

History of Claim

Ms. Haley worked for FedEx Express as a handler in Memphis.' On November 10,
2016, she injured her left eye when boxes fell, hitting her face. Ms. Haley experienced
immediate pain and irritation in her left eye but finished her shift. She returned home and
went to bed. When she awoke, she could not see out of her left eye, and her face was red
and swollen. She called her team leader, reported the injury, and advised her that she was
seeking medical treatment.

FedEx did not initially provide a panel or authorize medical care. Thus, Ms. Haley
sought initial treatment from Dr. John Sharpe at the Eye Center at Southern College of
Optometry and Dr. Andrew Crothers, an ophthalmologist at VRF Eye Specialty Group.
When FedEx eventually accepted her claim in 2017, it authorized treatment with Dr.

 

' Ms. Haley testified she currently works for FedEx in Oklahoma City as a customer service agent.

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Crothers.’ It also authorized visits for Ms. Haley with Dr. Kenneth Weinberg, whom she
selected from a panel, and Dr. James Freeman. The parties took the deposition of Dr.
Crothers and introduced it and the following medical proof.

Medical Treatment

Ms. Haley saw Dr. Sharpe on two occasions. He diagnosed “traumatic uveitis with
apparent hyper-acute conjunctivitis” and possible corneal graft ulceration. He referred her
to Eye Specialty Group for immediate evaluation.

Ms. Haley next saw Dr. Crothers. She gave a consistent history of her work injury
and her pre-existing corneal transplants in 2013 and 2014. Dr. Crothers diagnosed a
central corneal ulcer in the left eye and prescribed various eye drops. At follow-up visits,
he diagnosed an epithelial defect and prescribed antibiotic eye drops.’ * Ms. Haley
testified she personally paid $442.30 for the eye drops between November 14 and
December 27. As of December 28, 2016, Dr. Crothers believed Ms. Haley’s epithelial
defect was healed, and he advised her that she would eventually require a new corneal
transplant in her left eye.

Dr. Crothers treated Ms. Haley through March 15, 2017, when he declined to
continue seeing her due a dispute regarding a work-status letter discussed below.

Shortly before Dr. Crothers’ final visit with Ms. Haley, FedEx provided her a
panel of physicians.” It said it offered the panel because Dr. Crothers declined to provide
a causation opinion. Ms. Haley selected Dr. Weinberg from the panel and saw him on
February 27, 2017. Dr. Weinberg concluded Ms. Haley required a corneal transplant and
referred her back to Dr. Crothers. Ms. Haley introduced an email from Sedgwick
mentioning Dr. Weinberg released her to light-duty status; however, Dr. Weinberg’s
record did not mention work status, and the parties did not introduce a work-status note
from Dr. Weinberg.°

 

* The record is unclear as to the date that FedEx accepted Ms. Haley’s claim; however, the parties agreed
that FedEx has now paid Ms. Haley’s medical bills.

* During his treatment from November through December 28, 2016, Dr. Crothers either took Ms. Haley
off work or provided light-duty restrictions. The parties agreed that eventually, upon accepting
compensability of the claim in spring 2017, FedEx paid Ms. Haley temporary disability benefits through
December 29, 2016.

* Dr. Crothers testified an epithelial defect is a type of infection in the eye.

> Ms. Haley testified Sedgwick first provided her a panel over the telephone in late November 2016, and
she selected OccuMed. However, she stated the OccuMed physician “could not handle” her condition and
referred her back to Dr. Crothers. The parties did not introduce any records into evidence concerning this
initial panel or the OccuMed visit.

° Sedgwick also sought a medical opinion regarding causation from Dr. Daniel Fuller, Ms. Haley’s
optometrist. Dr. Fuller unequivocally gave causation. He saw her three days before her injury and stated
her corneal grafts were “healthy.” He noted, “The grafts were healthy until the work-related injury to the

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Because Dr. Crothers declined to continue treating Ms. Haley after March 15,
FedEx authorized treatment with Dr. James Freeman, with whom it scheduled an
appointment for June 2, 2017. When Ms. Haley asked by email on May 22, 2017, about
returning to work, Sedgwick responded that FedEx requested she wait until they learned
of her work status from her June 2 visit.

On June 2, Dr. Freeman scheduled a left corneal transplant surgery for June 19. In
a work-status letter dated June 12, Dr. Freeman stated,

Until [her surgery], her vision in the left eye is limited which will affect her
depth perception, but she has no physical restrictions. She is not restricted
from lifting, bending, or otherwise exerting herself . . . She has no
restrictions with respect to lifting boxes, operating a computer, or other
clerical activities.

Ms. Haley emailed a manager, John Trouy, on June 12 requesting FedEx return her to
work until her surgery date. On June 15, Mr. Trouy instructed Ms. Haley via email to stay
off work until after her surgery.

Ms. Haley underwent surgery on June 19. The parties agreed FedEx paid her
temporary total disability benefits from June 19 to August 15, 2017. Ms. Haley testified
Dr. Freeman released her with restrictions on August 15; however, the parties did not
introduce Dr. Freeman’s office notes into evidence. She returned to work on August 25.

Ms. Haley testified Dr. Freeman recommended another surgery for her left eye,
but she requires a new treating physician in Oklahoma City. FedEx asserted it is working
on her request.

Work status dispute between December 30, 2016, and June 18, 2017

The contested issue is whether Ms. Haley is entitled to temporary disability
benefits from December 30, 2016, to June 18, 2017.

Dr. Crothers’ records contained two conflicting documents regarding his work-
status instructions on December 28. His office note stated, “Patient has permission to go
back to work.” (Ex. 2 at 110.) An undated work-status note was consistent with his note
and indicated, “Per Dr. Crothers, Lawanda Haley was taken off all work restrictions as of
12/28/16 and was able to return to work.” (Ex. 5.)

However, a work-status letter electronically signed by Dr. Crothers and dated
December 28 indicated Dr. Crothers would return Ms. Haley to work on December 30

 

left eye.” (Ex. 2 at 33.)
with the following restrictions:

No driving, depth perception is limited, does not need to be around areas
where there is a lot of floating debris, no vision out of the left eye, and
trouble reading fine print. Ms. Haley must use 4 different eye drops 4 times
a day, one of which is just as needed throughout the day. Please allow her
to store 2 of the 4 drops in the refrigerator due to the drops requiring a cool
place for storage when not being used.

(Ex.4.)
a. Ms. Haley’s position

Ms. Haley testified that, after each visit with Dr. Crothers, she returned to the
receptionist’s desk to obtain a work-status note. On cross-examination, Ms. Haley
testified that on December 28, she told the receptionist she needed a note regarding her
restrictions and informed the receptionist her understanding of Dr. Crothers’ restrictions.
She stated the receptionist “looked at the computer and typed stuff up,” and gave her a
note containing restrictions. Ms. Haley relied on this note, effective as of December 30,
and provided it to FedEx. Ms. Haley testified she returned to work on December 30 and
met with her manager, who told her Fed Ex could not accommodate her restrictions.

Ms. Haley denied ever receiving the work-status note from Dr. Crothers’ office
stating she was able to return to work without restrictions. She further testified she “did
not recall” seeing or providing FedEx with work-status notes from Dr. Crothers’ office on
February 1, February 15, and March 15, all stating she could return to work without
restrictions. Ms. Haley admitted that, had FedEx known she was at full-duty work on
those dates, it would have returned her to work.

b. FedEx’s position

FedEx relied on Dr. Crothers’ testimony. Namely, he testified that, leading up to
the December 28 visit, he took Ms. Haley off work because of her epithelial defect in her
eye and his concern about her exposure to dust and fumes in that eye. On December 28,
Ms. Haley’s eye pain and vision improved, and the infection was healed. He stated, “We
also had a discussion about returning to work, which I told her I was fine with her doing
at this point, as the epithelial defect had resolved.” Dr. Crothers further testified,

I discussed with her the same depth perception limitations that she had. But
other than that, and that’s not necessarily a restriction, it was more of a
warning that, you know, you have to be aware that you aren’t going to see
as well in that eye as you... did before this happened. But there is no real
restriction. That was just more of a be careful.
He further noted that she could return to work.

Dr. Crothers acknowledged the discrepancy between the work-status note stating
she had no restrictions, and the restrictions provided in the work-status letter effective
December 30 given to Ms. Haley. However, he denied giving Ms. Haley the work-status
letter. Contrary to the work-status letter introduced by Ms. Haley, Dr. Crothers denied he
would ever say that she had no vision out of her left eye. He further denied having any
reason to state that she had trouble reading fine print. Based on his investigation, Dr.
Crothers testified,

What I was told is that after I had spoken with Ms. Haley in the room and
informed her that I felt she was fine to return to work, that she was then
given a note by one of my employees who did not ask me my permission to
give her a work excuse note.

After Dr. Crothers learned of this issue, he declined to continue treating Ms. Haley
after her March 15 visit. Dr. Crothers’s records and testimony confirmed that he and
other physicians in his office continued to release her to full-duty work on February 1,
February 16, and March 15.

Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law

Ms. Haley need not prove every element of her claim by a preponderance of the
evidence in order to obtain relief at this Expedited Hearing. Instead, she must present
sufficient evidence that she is likely to prevail at a hearing on the merits. See Tenn. Code
Ann. § 50-6-239(d)(1) (2017).

An injured worker is eligible for temporary disability benefits if (1) the worker
became disabled due to a compensable injury, (2) there is a causal connection between
the injury and the inability to work, and (3) the worker established the duration of the
period of disability. James v. Landair Transp., Inc., 2015 TN Wrk. Comp. App. Bd.
LEXIS 28, at *16 (Aug. 26, 2015). Temporary partial disability benefits may be awarded
when the temporary disability resulting from a work-related injury is not total, and such
entitlement exists for the “time, if any, during which the injured employee is able to
resume some gainful employment but has not reached maximum recovery.” Williams v.
Saturn Corp., No. M2004-01215-WC-R3-CV, 2005 Tenn. LEXIS 1032, at *6 (Tenn.
Workers’ Comp. Panel Nov. 15, 2005).

The issue is whether Ms. Haley is entitled to temporary partial disability benefits
from December 30, 2016, to June 18, 2017, and August 21 to August 24, 2017. The Court
will address the latter period first.
Ms. Haley testified Dr. Freeman released her with restrictions on August 15, 2017.
She emailed FedEx on August 21 regarding returning to work, and Mr. Trouy instructed
her to return on August 25. She stated she followed his instructions and returned to work
on that date. Ms. Haley introduced no medical proof concerning the period of August 21
through August 24 to support her claim for temporary benefits. Further, the factual proof
is unclear regarding whether FedEx had a position available for Ms. Haley during this
four-day period. The Court holds Ms. Haley did not present sufficient proof to show she
is likely to succeed at trial regarding temporary disability benefits between August 21 and
August 24, 2017; thus her request is denied at this time.

The issue regarding the former period of December 30, 2016, to June 18, 2017, is
less straightforward. To analyze the issue, the Court carefully considered the testimony of
Ms. Haley and Dr. Crothers and the extensive documentary evidence. The Court
recognizes Ms. Haley’s testimony that she understood Dr. Crothers on December 28 to
say she needed restrictions beginning December 30. However, the Court finds the proof
presented at this stage does not support Ms. Haley’s testimony.

Dr. Crothers testified he told Ms. Haley she was cleared to return to work because
her infection healed. He testified his only concern with her working before December 28
was her potential work exposure to dust and fumes while her eye remained infected.
Significantly, his office note from December 28 states that she had permission to return
to work and makes no mention of restrictions. The Court finds this office note consistent
with his testimony. Dr. Crothers further testified he would not have said she had no
vision in her left eye and that he had no reason to say she could not read fine print. In
fact, his office note indicated Ms. Haley’s left eye vision was improving. The Court finds
Dr. Crothers’ testimony persuasive.

The Court further notes Ms. Haley’s testimony on cross-examination where she
indicated that she asked for a restriction note and she told the receptionist her
“understanding of Dr. Crothers’ restrictions.” Notably, Ms. Haley also testified she “did
not recall” Dr. Crothers’ office providing her work-status notes indicating no restrictions
on February 1, February 16, and March 15, 2017. Further, she did not inform FedEx she
had no restrictions placed at those visits and stated FedEx would have returned her to
work, had they known she had no restrictions.

Ms. Haley testified repeatedly that she needed to work during this timeframe;
therefore, the Court finds it inconsistent that she alleges she was unclear of her work
status at the February and March 2017 visits, yet failed to check with Dr. Crothers for
clarification on her ability to work. Based on the foregoing, the Court finds FedEx was
unaware Ms. Haley had no restrictions beginning on December 30 from Dr. Crothers and
would have provided her a job, had they known. The proof indicates they had no
knowledge of her full-duty status because Ms. Haley misinformed them, intentionally or
not, on December 30 when she provided a list of restrictions she requested from Dr.

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Crothers’ staff. Thus, the Court finds Ms. Haley did not provide sufficient evidence to
show she is likely to prevail at trial regarding entitlement to temporary disability benefits
from December 30, 2016, through May 21, 2017.

However, the proof indicates Ms. Haley, through counsel, contacted FedEx on
May 22, 2017, requesting to return to work. (Ex. 11.) The email exchange indicated
FedEx knew Ms. Haley was at a full-duty work status. Despite her full-duty status, Mr.
Trouy instructed Ms. Haley not return to work until she could be seen by Dr. Freeman on
June 2 and her work status could be addressed. The proof further indicated that after Dr.
Freeman provided his work note indicating no physical restrictions, Ms. Haley contacted
FedEx again about returning to work. Mr. Trouy responded that, “we have decided not to
bring you back to work until we get an updated work status post-surgery.” Ms. Haley’s
surgery date was June 19. The Court finds FedEx regarded Ms. Haley as disabled
between May 22 and June 18. Thus, Ms. Haley is likely to prevail at a hearing on the
merits in establishing entitlement to temporary disability benefits for that period, May 22
to June 18, 2017.

Medical Expenses

Ms. Haley requested reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses for the eye drops
Dr. Crothers prescribed between November 14 and December 27, 2016, for $442.30. Dr.
Crothers, an authorized provider, testified regarding the eye drops he prescribed to treat
her left-eye injury. The Court holds Ms. Haley is likely to prevail in establishing her
entitlement to reimbursement of her prescription expenses and orders FedEx to reimburse
her.

Ms. Haley also requested reimbursement of $600 for new contact lenses. The
Court notes Dr. Fuller’s record indicated he saw Ms. Haley on November 7, 2016, three
days before her work injury, for an exam for new contact lenses. Thus, it appears Ms.
Haley needed new contact lenses before this injury. The record is unclear if Ms. Haley
received her new contacts before the November 10 injury. The Court further notes the
medical records in evidence did not indicate a treating physician ordered new contacts as
a result of her work injury. Consequently, Ms. Haley did not come forward with
sufficient evidence to demonstrate she is likely to prevail at trial in her request for this
medical expense at this time.

IT IS, THEREFORE, ORDERED as follows:

1. FedEx shall pay Ms. Haley temporary partial disability from May 22 to June 18,
2017, a period of four weeks at the stipulated rate of $237.42, or $949.68.

2. FedEx shall reimburse Ms. Haley her out-of-pocket medical expenses of $442.30.
3. The Court denies all remaining requests for medical or temporary disability

benefits at this time.

This matter is set for a Status Hearing on May 7, 2018, at 10:30 a.m. Central
Time. The parties must call 855-543-5039 to participate in the hearing.

. 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 m a penalty
assessment for non-compliance. For questions regarding compliance, please
contact the Workers’ Compensation Compliance Unit via email
WCCompliance.Program@tn.gov

 

 

ENTERED this the 2nd day of April , 2018.

Boke Zool _

Judge Amber E. Luttrell
Court of Workers’ Compensation Claims

APPENDIX

Following the Expedited Hearing, the parties stipulated the applicable
compensation rate is $237.42.

Exhibits:

I.

CON AARWN

Dr. Crothers’ deposition

Medical Records (collective exhibit)

Eye Specialty Group Work Status Notes (collective)
December 28 work-status letter

December 28 work-status note

Medical release

Emails between Ms. Haley and FedEx

Emails between Ms. Haley and FedEx

Reasonable Accommodation request

10. Emails between Ms. Haley and FedEx
11.Emails between Ms. Haley and FedEx

8
 

12. Emails between Ms. Haley and FedEx
13. Emails between Ms. Haley and FedEx
14. Medical bills

15.Emails between Ms. Haley and FedEx
16. Eye Specialty Group work-status notes

Technical record:

Petition for Benefit Determination
Dispute Certification Notice
Request for Expedited Hearing
Employee’s Brief

Employer’s position statement
Prehearing Order

ie ee

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

I hereby certify that a true and correct copy of this Expedited Hearing Order was
sent to the following recipients by the following methods of service on this the 2nd day of

April, 2018.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name Via Email Service sent to:
Steve Wilson, Esq., Xx steve@stevewilsonfirm.com
Attorney for Employee
Steve Vescovo, Esq., x svescovo@lewisthomason.com
Attorney for Employer

 

/) Pi /
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Lonury sua
Penny Shrum, Clerk of Court
Court of Workers’ Compensation Claims