Hambrick, Stephanie v. United Parcel Service, Inc. , 2018 TN WC 73 ( 2018 )

FILED
May 24, 2018
TN COURT OF
WORKERS’ COMPENSATION
CLAIMS
Time 10:28 AM
TENNESSEE BUREAU OF WORKERS’ COMPENSATION
IN THE COURT OF WORKERS’ COMPENSATION CLAIMS
AT NASHVILLE
Stephanie Hambrick, ) Docket No. 2017-06-1119
Employee, )
Vv. )
United Parcel Service, Inc., ) State File No. 44616-2017
Employer, )
And )
Liberty Mutual Ins. Co., ) Judge Kenneth M. Switzer
Carrier. )
EXPEDITED HEARING ORDER
Stephanie Hambrick filed a Request for Expedited Hearing seeking medical and
temporary disability benefits. This Court held a hearing on May 22, 2018. The central
focus of this case is whether Ms. Hambrick suffered an injury arising primarily out of and
in the course and scope of her employment at United Parcel Service. A secondary
consideration is whether UPS should pay Ms. Hambrick’s medical bills and whether she
missed work due to the injury, entitling her to temporary disability benefits. The Court
holds her injury arose primarily out of and in the course and scope of her employment
and she is entitled to medical benefits. However, on the present record, the Court is
unable to order payment of medical bills or to award temporary disability benefits.
History of Claim
Ms. Hambrick works as a sorter for UPS. She testified that on May 9, 2017, a
coworker/“bagger” pushed a package out of a bin that hit her above her right eye. Ms.
Hambrick stated that the package weighed five pounds. She testified that she “hollered”
and told part-time supervisor Brooke Maness that she had “just been hit in the face with a
box.” She overheard Ms. Maness radio the full-time supervisor, Deana Storey, about the
incident.
' Despite the involvement of Ms. Storey in the majority of the conversations alluded to throughout the
hearing, UPS failed to call Ms. Storey as a witness, even though her name appeared on the witness list,
and it offered no reason for her absence. Thus, Ms. Hambrick’s entire testimony about her interaction
l
According to Ms. Hambrick, she felt pain, dizziness, and nausea after the package
struck her. On Ms. Maness’ suggestion, Ms. Hambrick went to the restroom to wash her
face, where she suddenly began vomiting. While still in the restroom, she texted Ms.
Storey to tell her what happened and request help, but no one came to her assistance.
Afterward, Ms. Hambrick reported the injury directly to Ms. Storey three times, but Ms.
Storey failed to prepare a First Report of Injury or offer medical treatment.
UPS did not contest that a package struck Ms. Hambrick in the head, but it
contended the incident did not result in the need for treatment. Ms. Maness testified that
she saw a package fall to the floor, and that she picked it up with her thumb and index
finger. According to Ms. Maness, it weighed less than a cell phone, although she did not
know the exact weight. She stated that Ms. Hambrick said she was okay after the box hit
her; Ms. Hambrick denied this. Ms. Maness could not recall whether Ms. Hambrick was
crying after the incident. According to Ms. Maness, Ms. Hambrick was not in any
apparent distress to cause Ms. Maness to believe she was injured. Ms. Maness said that
after May 12, Ms. Hambrick told her she had greater light sensitivity, more headaches,
and dizziness. Ms. Maness could not recall whether Ms. Hambrick said she threw up but
acknowledged that later in the day on May 9, Ms. Hambrick said her head hurt.
After her shift ended, Ms. Hambrick sought treatment at NorthCrest Medical
Center. Notes from the visit state, “Head injury May 1, CT scan neg. Today was [h]it in
head with packedge [sic]. [Nlausea and vomiting and dizzyness [sic].”” Providers
diagnosed a closed-head injury with concussion and advised her to see her primary care
physician in two or three days. Ms. Hambrick did not introduce medical records from
any follow-up visits.
Ms. Hambrick did not report to work the following day but returned on May 11.
She again told Ms. Storey that a box hit her on her forehead and that she needed
treatment, but Ms. Storey did nothing in response. Later in the day, Ms. Hambrick spoke
with the business manager, Tyrone Foxworth, to explain her absence the previous day.
She told him a package hit her on her forehead and she went to the emergency room after
her shift. She also gave him paperwork from the May 9 treatment.
In response to his questions, Ms. Hambrick confirmed to Mr. Foxworth that an
assault occurred on May | after which she received treatment. He asked her to bring him
the records from the May | treatment, which she did the following day. Those records
revealed that Ms. Hambrick suffered a corneal abrasion, skin irritation and hematoma of
her frontal scalp from that assault but not a concussion. Mr. Foxworth stated that he read
the May | records.
with Ms. Storey was uncontradicted.
Ms. Hambrick visited the same emergency room on May | after an altercation. Records from the visit
are contained within Exhibit 2.
Mr. Foxworth testified that on May 11, Ms. Hambrick told him about the May 9
injury and that she reported it to Ms. Storey. After their discussion, he spoke with Ms.
Storey to investigate. He testified that Ms. Storey told him about the May | assault and
the May 9 work incident, but Ms. Storey said the injury related to the assault. Mr.
Foxworth said Ms. Hambrick denied that she needed medical attention during their May
11 conversation. On May 12, he completed a First Report of Injury. Mr. Foxworth said
she “alleged” she needed medical treatment in mid-June. UPS did not offer treatment
until June 15; she selected Concentra from a panel. Ms. Hambrick testified that she went
to Concentra that same day, but she introduced no records from the visit.
Ms. Hambrick stated that her insurance paid for some of the bills from her
treatment. She asked the Court to order UPS to pay her outstanding medical bills, but she
did not introduce any bills into evidence. She said she missed multiple days of work but
provided no proof of the number of days missed or that those missed days resulted from
this injury. Ms. Hambrick further stated that she still suffers from occasional headaches
and blurred vision, but she no longer seeks additional medical treatment.
Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law
Ms. Hambrick need not prove every element of her claim by a preponderance of
the evidence to obtain relief at an 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); McCord v. Advantage Human Resourcing, 2015 TN Wrk. Comp.
App. Bd. LEXIS 6, at *7-8, 9 (Mar. 27, 2015).
Here, UPS acknowledged during testimony that it did not dispute that a package
struck Ms. Hambrick in the head. So, the Court finds that Ms. Hambrick suffered an
injury when a package hit her on the forehead while working at UPS on May 9, 2017.
Ms. Hambrick testified without contradiction that, on the date of injury, she told
Ms. Storey about the incident at least three times. Mr. Foxworth acknowledged that Ms.
Hambrick told him she reported the injury to Ms. Storey. UPS argued that the injury did
not cause a need for medical treatment, apparently relying on Ms. Maness’ testimony that
the package weighed less than a cell phone and Ms. Hambrick’s statement that she was
okay after the box hit her.
The Court finds Ms. Hambrick to be a better historian than Ms. Maness. Ms.
Hambrick remembered and conveyed the events of May 9 and the following days in
detail, while Ms. Maness was unable to recall whether Ms. Hambrick was crying after the
incident or whether she said she vomited. In observing the witnesses and evaluating their
testimony, the Court gives greater weight to Ms. Hambrick’s testimony that the package
weighed five pounds and that she needed and requested medical treatment on the same
3
day.
While the Court heard extensive testimony regarding Ms. Hambrick’s May |
assault, the medical records from her treatment following the assault do not state that she
suffered a concussion; rather, she suffered a concussion after the May 9 incident.
Further, Mr. Foxworth acknowledged he read the May 1 medical records. Regardless, he
apparently relied on Ms. Storey’s characterization that the injury related to the assault
rather than the work incident. As laypersons, Ms. Storey and Mr. Foxworth are not
qualified to give an opinion on medical causation. See Lurz v. Int’l Paper Co., 2018 TN
Wrk. Comp. App. Bd. LEXIS 8, at *16-18 (Feb. 14, 2018) (“[P]arties and their lawyers
cannot rely solely on their own medical interpretations of the evidence to successfully
support their arguments.”) Therefore, on the present record, the Court holds Ms.
Hambrick suffered an injury arising primarily out of and in the course and scope of her
employment at UPS on May 9.
The Court now turns to Ms. Hambrick’s requested relief. Tennessee Code
Annotated section 50-6-204(a)(1)(A) provides that employers must provide medical and
surgical treatment made reasonably necessary by a workplace accident free of charge to
the injured employee. The proof is undisputed that UPS provided no medical care on the
day of the injury. In fact, UPS first provided a panel on June 15, more than a month after
the injury. Ms. Hambrick sought emergency medical treatment on her own on May 9.
The medical records clearly described the work injury. Her only request of UPS was to
“do the right thing: pay the medical bills.” However, Ms. Hambrick did not introduce the
bills into evidence, and because of this lack of proof, the Court cannot order payment.
See Osborne v. Beacon Transp., LLC, 2016 TN Wrk. Comp. App. Bd. LEXIS 49, at *9-
10 (Sept. 27, 2016). This holding does not prevent her from presenting additional
evidence on this issue at a later hearing. In addition, Ms. Hambrick offered no proof
regarding missed work and its relationship to this injury, and the Court likewise cannot
award temporary disability benefits at this time.
In conclusion, as a matter of law, Ms. Hambrick came forward with sufficient
evidence from which this Court concludes that she is likely to prevail at a hearing on the
merits that her injury arose primarily out of and in the course and scope of her
employment. She is entitled to the medical benefits under Tennessee Code Annotated
section 50-6-204(a)(1)(A). However, her requests for payment of medical bills and
temporary disability benefits are denied at this time.
IT ISSO ORDERED.
This case is set for a Scheduling Hearing on July 31, 2018, at 8:30 a.m. Central.
You must call 615-532-9552 or toll-free at 866-943-0025 to participate in the Hearing.
Failure to call may result in a determination of the issues without your participation.
ENTERED May 24, 2018.
Court of Workers’ Compensation Claims
APPENDIX
Exhibits:
es
2. Medical Records
3. First Report of Injury
4. Choice of Physician form
5. Wage statement
6.
7
8
9.
1
Affidavit of Stephanie Hambrick
Springfield Police Department Incident Report (Identification Only)
. Concentra records (Identification only)
. Off-work slip, NorthCrest Internal Medicine, June 1, 2017 (Identification only)
Off-work slip, NorthCrest Internal Medicine, June 6, 2017 (Identification only)
0. Short-Term Disability Claim (Identification only)
Technical Record:
ee Se
Petition for Benefit Determination
Dispute Certification Notice/Employer’s Additional Issues
Request for Expedited Hearing
Employer’s Witness List
Employer’s Exhibit List
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I certify that a copy of the Expedited Hearing Order was sent to these recipients by
the following methods of service on May 24, 2018.
Regular
Name Certified Email | Sent to
Mail mail
Stephanie Xx x shambrick8 15@gmail.com; 305
Hambrick, self- N. Ivy Ct., Springfield, TN
represented 37172-3465
Employee
David Hooper, x dhooper@hooperzinn.com;
Employer’s rlangin@hooperzinn.com
attorney
Joan Mum
Penny Shyum, Clerk of Court
Court of Workers’ Compensation Claims
W
C.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:
l.
Complete the enclosed form entitled: “Expedited Hearing 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.
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.
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. Ifa 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.
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.
Filed Date Stamp Here EXPEDITED HEARING NOTICE OF APPEAL Docket #:
Tennessee Division of Workers’ Compensation
www.tn.gov/labor-wfd/wecomp.shtml State File #/YR:
wc.courtclerk@tn.gov
1-800-332-2667 RFA #:
Date of Injury:
SSN:
Employee
Employer and Carrier
Notice
Notice is given that
[List name(s) of all appealing party(ies) on separate sheet if necessary]
appeals the order(s) of the Court of Workers’ Compensation Claims at
to the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board.
{List the date(s) the order(s) was filed in the court clerk’s office]
Judge
Statement of the Issues
Provide a short and plain statement of the issues on appeal or basis for relief on appeal:
Additional Information
Type of Case [Check the most appropriate item]
(] Temporary disability benefits
(J Medical benefits for current injury
(] Medical benefits under prior order issued by the Court
List of Parties
Appellant (Requesting Party): At Hearing: Employer (JEmployee
Address:
Party’s Phone: Email:
Attorney’s Name: BPR#:
Attorney’s Address: Phone:
Attorney’s City, State & Zip code:
Attorney’s Email:
* Attach an additional sheet for each additional Appellant *
LB-1099_ rev.4/15 Page 1 of 2 RDA 11082
Employee Name: SF#: DOI:
Appellee(s)
Appellee (Opposing Party): At Hearing: DEmployer (Employee
Appellee’s Address:
Appellee’s Phone: Email:
Attorney’s Name: BPR#:
Attorney’s Address: Phone:
Attorney's City, State & Zip code:
Attorney’s Email:
* Attach an additional sheet for each additional Appellee *
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I, , certify that | have forwarded a true and exact copy of this
Expedited Hearing Notice of Appeal by First Class, United States Mail, postage prepaid, to all parties
and/or their attorneys in this case in accordance with Rule 0800-02-22.01(2) of the Tennessee Rules of
Board of Workers’ Compensation Appeals on this the day of ,20_.
[Signature of appellant or attorney for appellant]
LB-1099 rev.4/15 Page 2 of 2 RDA 11082
Tennessee Bureau of Worke rs’ Compensation
220 French Landing Drive, I-B
Nashville, TN 37243-1002
800-332-2667
AFFIDAVIT OF INDIGENCY
I, , having been duly sworn according to law, make oath that
because of my poverty, | am unable to bear the costs of this appeal and request that the filing fee to appeal be
waived. The following facts support my poverty.
1. Full Name: 2. Address:
3. Telephone Number: 4. Date of Birth:
5. Names and Ages of All Dependents:
Relationship:
Relationship:
Relationship:
Relationship:
6. lam employed by:
My employer's address is:
My employer's phone number is:
7. My present monthly household income, after federal income and social security taxes are deducted, is:
$
8. | receive or expect to receive money from the following sources:
AFDC $ per month beginning
SSI $ per month beginning
Retirement $ per month beginning
Disability $ per month beginning
Unemployment $ per month beginning
Worker's Comp.$ per month beginning
Other $ per month beginning
LB-1108 (REV 11/15) RDA 11082
9. My expenses are: |:
Rent/House Payment $ permonth Medical/Dental $ per month
Groceries $ per month Telephone $ per month
Electricity $ per month School Supplies $ per month
Water $ per month Clothing $ per month
Gas $ per month Child Care $ per month
Transportation $ per month Child Support $ per month
Car $ per month
Other $ per month (describe: )
10. Assets:
Automobile $ (FMV)
Checking/Savings Acct. $
House $ ae (FMV)
Other $ Describe:
11. My debts are:
Amount Owed To Whom
| hereby declare under the penalty of perjury that the foregoing answers are true, correct, and complete
and that I am financially unable to pay the costs of this appeal.
APPELLANT
Sworn and subscribed before me, a notary public, this
day of , 20
NOTARY PUBLIC
My Commission Expires:
LB-1108 (REV 11/15) RDA 11082