Swartsell, Timothy v. Nashville Tempered Glass Corp. , 2021 TN WC 263 ( 2021 )

FILED
Dec 22, 2021
02:01 PM(CT)
TENNESSEE COURT OF
WORKERS' COMPENSATION
CLAIMS
TENNESSEE BUREAU OF WORKERS’ COMPENSATION
IN THE COURT OF WORKERS’ COMPENSATION CLAIMS
AT NASHVILLE
Timothy Swartsell, ) Docket No. 2021-06-1129
Employee, )
v. )
Nashville Tempered Glass Corp., ) State File No. 48962-2021
Employer, )
And )
Bridgefield Cas. Ins. Co., ) Judge Kenneth M. Switzer
Carrier. )
EXPEDITED HEARING ORDER DENYING REQUESTED RELIEF
Mr. Swartsell filed a request for expedited hearing seeking additional medical
benefits for his shoulder with Dr. Jaron Sullivan. Nashville Tempered Glass contests the
compensability of his claim and the designation of Dr. Sullivan as the authorized treating
physician. After a December 16, 2021 hearing, the Court rejects Nashville Tempered
Glass’s compensability defense but agrees that Mr. Swartsell is not entitled to additional
medical benefits with Dr. Sullivan.
Claim History
Mr. Swartsell testified that, in late May 2021, he felt pain in his left shoulder while
lifting a propane tank at work. Thinking the injury would heal on its own, he did not report
it. A few days later, he attempted to lift a heavy piece of glass and felt immediate pain in
the same shoulder on June 2, 2021.1
Mr. Swartsell reported the injury, and Nashville Tempered Glass offered a panel.
He chose an occupational medicine clinic. Mr. Swartsell first saw a doctor at the clinic on
June 21, who diagnosed a shoulder strain, placed restrictions, and referred him to physical
therapy. On cross-examination, Mr. Swartsell agreed that he understood that his chosen
physician was the exclusive provider responsible for treating his shoulder, and he conceded
1
The petition for benefit determination lists an injury date of June 11, 2021.
1
that he disagreed with the initial diagnosis but demurred to the doctor’s expertise.
Mr. Swartsell had physical therapy and returned to the clinic approximately weekly.
He conceded on cross-examination that he did not believe that physical therapy was helping
the shoulder. He further agreed that, after the therapy ended, he felt pain that he attributed
to physical therapy, which furthered his belief that the treatment was incorrect.
His last visit at the occupational clinic was on July 9. The doctor ordered x-rays,
recommended physical therapy exercises at home, and offered a cortisone shot, which Mr.
Swartsell was unable to accept. The records state that the physician released Mr. Swartsell
to full duty, “even though he still has some pain.” The doctor wrote, “He says he may
come back in the future if this pain persists.” The notes state he was “Released from Care,”
but they are silent on whether Mr. Swartsell was at maximum medical improvement.
Encouraged by his release, on July 17, Mr. Swartsell attempted to resume a longtime
hobby, golf. He testified that on the first hole and after the first swing, his pain returned.
He stopped immediately.
Mr. Swartsell did not return to the authorized doctor, however, but went to his
primary care physician on July 21. He explained on cross-examination that he understood
that he was “on my own” once he got a full release and frankly conceded he was dissatisfied
with how workers’ compensation had treated his injury. He further agreed that he did not
contact anyone affiliated with workers’ compensation about his plan to see his primary
care doctor.
At the visit, Mr. Swartsell told his doctor about lifting the propane tank and glass at
work, and his past treatment. In addition, the notes say, “His symptoms returned with more
shoulder use. He tried to play golf and noted severe pain when trying to follow through
with his swing.” The doctor ordered x-rays and an MRI, and he later referred him to
orthopedist Dr. Jaron Sullivan.
Mr. Swartsell saw Dr. Sullivan in early August and gave a history of both lifting
incidents at work and pain from an attempt to play golf. Dr. Sullivan reviewed the imaging
and confirmed a rotator cuff tear and biceps tendinopathy. He recommended surgery,
which was scheduled for August 13.
On redirect, Mr. Swartsell testified that before he underwent surgery, he had
“several discussions” about his shoulder with Keiaonna Phillips, the human resources
director. He said she, as well as the chief operating officer and director of operations, were
aware that he planned to have surgery. Mr. Swartsell said he returned to the authorized
clinic after discussing his condition with them but offered no documentary proof that he
discussed his intention to continue with the unauthorized care or the proposed surgery.
2
Mr. Swartsell returned to the authorized doctor on August 11. He reported that he
had seen his primary care doctor, who ordered an MRI, and provided a copy of the results.
The authorized doctor diagnosed a left rotator cuff tear and referred him to an orthopedic
specialist. Notes from this visit do not mention that surgery had been recommended or was
already scheduled. Mr. Swartsell acknowledged that missing information but said, “I did
share that with the doctor.”
On August 17, Mr. Swartsell chose Dr. Paul Grutter from a panel offered as a result
of the referral . He saw him once in late August. As history, Mr. Swartsell again described
the work incidents and that he felt pain in the shoulder while playing golf. He explained
that he saw his primary physician and was referred to Dr. Sullivan, who operated on his
shoulder. Dr. Grutter concluded that the surgery was “appropriate,” and, “At this point, he
will best be served by following up with his surgeon, Dr. Sullivan for post operative care[.]”
Neither Dr. Sullivan nor Dr. Grutter gave the opinion that the surgery was causally
related to golf. Rather, Dr. Sullivan responded to a causation letter from Mr. Swartsell’s
attorney where he checked “yes” to a question about whether the injury was “caused by his
work by greater than fifty percent considering all causes.” He also wrote “yes” in response
to whether the surgery was reasonable and necessary, and whether it was appropriate to
perform the surgery when he did.
Mr. Swartsell seeks an order that Nashville Tempered Glass provide additional
medical benefits with Dr. Sullivan as his authorized treating physician on referral from Dr.
Grutter.2 Nashville Tempered Glass counters that the injury is no longer work-related due
to an intervening cause, Mr. Swartsell’s decision to golf. It also argues that it is not
responsible for additional treatment with Dr. Sullivan because Mr. Swartsell did not inform
it of his decision to treat outside of workers’ compensation.
Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law
At an expedited hearing, Mr. Swartsell must provide sufficient evidence to show he
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).
To prove entitlement to additional treatment, Mr. Swartsell must show that his
shoulder condition is an injury “arising primarily out of and in the course and scope of
2
Per his brief, Mr. Swartsell also seeks an order that Nashville Tempered Glass pay for surgery and past
treatment with Dr. Sullivan. However, he submitted no medical bills or other proof regarding these
expenses. A trial court cannot order this type of payment without the requisite proof “that the medical
expenses . . . were incurred as a result of [a] compensable work injury or that the expenses were reasonable
and necessary.” Mollica v. EHHI Holdings, Inc., 2020 TN Wrk. Comp. App. Bd. LEXIS 22, at *7 (Apr.
21, 2020).
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employment” that causes the need for medical treatment. It must be shown to a reasonable
degree of medical certainty that the employment contributed more than fifty percent in
causing the injury, considering all causes. See Tenn. Code Ann. § 50-6-102(14)(A)-(C).
In addition, “[A] subsequent injury, whether in the form of an aggravation of the
original injury or a new and distinct injury, is compensable if it is the ‘direct and natural
result’ of a compensable injury.” UPS v. Brown, No. M2014-01332-SC-R3-WC, 2015
Tenn. LEXIS 628, at *7 (Tenn. Workers’ Comp. Panel Aug. 11, 2015). However, “an
employee’s intervening conduct can break the chain of causation necessary to impose
liability for a subsequent injury based on the direct and natural consequences concept.” Id.
at *10.
Nashville Tempered Glass argued that Mr. Swartsell’s intervening conduct, golfing,
broke the chain of causation. However, it offered no medical opinion supporting that
contention. It correctly observed that case law offers examples where courts have applied
this principle without reliance on medical proof. See, e.g., Jones v. Huey, 210 Tenn. 162,
169, 357 S.W.2d 47, 49-50 (Tenn. 1962) (negligent operation of a tractor after a work-
related back injury was not compensable).
Mr. Swartsell countered that he candidly told his primary care physician, the
authorized doctor, and Dr. Sullivan about the lifting incidents as well as his one-time
attempt at a golf swing. Yet, none of their notes stated that golf broke the chain of
causation. In fact, Dr. Sullivan gave the opinion that his shoulder condition was “caused
by his work by greater than fifty percent considering all causes.”
Medical evidence is generally required to prove a causal relationship, “[e]xcept in
the most obvious, simple and routine cases.” Berdnik v. Fairfield Glade Com’ty Club,
2017 TN Wrk. Comp. App. Bd. LEXIS 32, at *11 (May 18, 2017). The Court finds Mr.
Swartsell’s shoulder injury is not routine, and medical evidence is required to show the
causal relationship. Moreover, as in Berdnik, the Court is presented with one causation
opinion, which it cannot ignore. Id. at *10. Therefore, the Court holds Mr. Swartsell has
shown he is likely to prevail at a hearing on the merits that his current shoulder condition
is primarily related to work.
However, that conclusion does not necessarily mean that Nashville Tempered Glass
must provide the requested medical benefits.
As a starting point, an employer is obligated to provide medical treatment free of
charge made reasonably necessary by a work accident. Tenn. Code Ann. § 50-6-
204(a)(1)(A). An employee “shall accept the medical benefits,” provided that the employer
has provided a group of three physicians from which the injured employee shall select one
as the treating physician.
4
An employee may be liable, however, for medical expenses incurred without
consulting the employer. Buchanan v. Mission Ins. Co., 713 S.W.2d 654, 658 (Tenn.
1986). If, as in this case, the employee is dissatisfied with the services of a physician
provided by the employer, he generally has three options: (1) move the court to appoint a
neutral physician; (2) consult with his employer and make other arrangements; or (3) go to
a physician of his own choice, without consulting with his employer, and thus be liable for
these services. Bain v. UTI Integrated Logistics LLC, No. W2018-00840-SC-WCM-WC,
2019 Tenn. LEXIS 493, at *18 (Tenn. Workers’ Comp. Panel Oct. 16, 2019). Further, an
employee must “consult his employer before incurring the expenses called for by that
statute if the employee expects the employer to pay for it.” Id. at *19.
Here, the proof showed that on July 9, the authorized physician suggested an
injection and additional imaging. Regardless, the physician released him from treatment.
Fewer than two weeks later, Mr. Swartsell saw his primary care doctor for shoulder
pain and mentioned the work and golf incidents. He admitted he was dissatisfied with his
authorized treatment and thought that once he was released, he was free to see whomever
he wanted for his shoulder.
He was ̶ but that does not mean that Nashville Tempered Glass is responsible for
treatment by the physician he chose. Mr. Swartsell did not move the Court for a neutral
physician or consult with Nashville Tempered Glass to make other arrangements.
The record instead shows he chose his own doctor without consulting Nashville
Tempered Glass. The authorized doctor’s notes on August 11 are curiously silent about
the fact that Mr. Swartsell was scheduled for surgery just two days later. The only proof
that he told Nashville Tempered Glass about his intention to have surgery is his somewhat
vague testimony, on re-direct, that he told Ms. Phillips and two others about it. However,
he gave no detail about those discussions, nor did he offer affidavits or other documentary
proof that he conveyed this information. Mr. Swartsell bears the burden of proof. Given
his admitted dissatisfaction with the authorized treatment, and minimal proof that he told
his employer about his intentions to have surgery before he had it, much less give Nashville
Tempered Glass an opportunity to make other arrangements, the Court is unable to find
that he satisfied his burden on this particular point.
As for Mr. Swartsell’s later choice of Dr. Grutter and his referral back to Dr.
Sullivan, the Court sees that as a mere end run ̶ and an unsuccessful one at that ̶ around his
obligation to consult his employer before electing to treat with Dr. Sullivan and to undergo
surgery.
In sum, Mr. Swartsell has not satisfied his burden to show he is likely to succeed at
a hearing on the merits regarding his requested relief. His requests that the Court order
Nashville Tempered Glass to pay for past unauthorized medical treatment with Dr.
5
Sullivan, or to order additional medical benefits with him designated as the authorized
treating physician, are denied at this time.
Finally, this case is set for a scheduling hearing on February 14, 2022, at 10:00
a.m. Central Time. Please call (615) 532-9552 or (866) 943-0025.
IT IS ORDERED.
ENTERED December 22, 2021.
_____________________________________
JUDGE KENNETH M. SWITZER
Court of Workers’ Compensation Claims
Appendix
Evidence:
1. Mr. Swartsell’s Affidavit
2. Employee’s Exhibits
3. Employer’s Exhibits
4. Records, Dr. Trenner
Technical record:
1. Petition for Benefit Determination
2. Dispute Certification Notice
3. Request for Expedited Hearing
4. Employer’s Pre-Hearing Brief (Attachments are marked as Exhibit 3)
5. Employee’s Brief
6. Employee’s Supplemental Brief
6
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I certify that a copy of this Order was sent on December 22, 2021.
Name Certified Via Via Service sent to:
Mail Fax Email
Stephan Karr, x steve@flexerlaw.com
employee’s attorney cindy@flexerlaw.com
Greg Fuller, Adam x ghfuller@mijs.com
Brock-Dagnan, acbrock-dagan@mijs.com
employer’s attorneys
_____________________________________
Penny Shrum, Clerk of Court
Court of Workers’ Compensation Claims
WC.CourtClerk@tn.gov
7
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