Jones, Tauris v. Greenheck Fan Corp.

FILED
Jan 16, 2019
11:46 AM(CT)
TENNESSEE COURT OF
WORKERS' COMPENSATION
CLAIMS
TENNESSEE BUREAU OF WORKERS’ COMPENSATION
IN THE COURT OF WORKERS’ COMPENSATION CLAIMS
AT MEMPHIS
TAURIS JONES, ) Docket No. 2017-08-1357
Employee, )
v. )
GREENHECK FAN CORP., ) State File No. 36481-2016
Employer, )
And )
SENTRY CASUALTY CO., ) Judge Deana Seymour
Carrier. )
)
EXPEDITED HEARING ORDER DENYING REQUESTED MEDICAL
BENEFITS
Tauris Jones requested additional medical benefits for a back injury that
Greenheck Fan Corporation (Greenheck) denied upon investigation. 1 The Court
considered this claim at an Expedited Hearing on December 19, 2018, and holds Mr.
Jones did not present sufficient evidence that he would likely prevail at a hearing on the
merits. Thus, the Court denies his request for medical benefits.
History of Claim
Mr. Jones worked as a test tank operator for Greenheck. He claimed that he
injured his low back while moving a coil on April 27, 2016. No one witnessed the
incident, and Mr. Jones completed his shift without reporting an injury.
The next morning, Mr. Jones experienced tightness in his low back with pain into
his left leg. However, he worked his full shift. The following day, he went to the
emergency room with worsening left leg pain but reported no specific injury. Mr. Jones
returned to the emergency room the next three days with continuing complaints. He later
underwent an MRI that revealed a herniated disk.
1
The dispute certification notice listed temporary disability benefits (TTD) as an issue. However, Mr.
Jones withdrew his TTD claim.
1
After his diagnosis, Mr. Jones notified Greenheck’s human resource generalist,
Renee Sisk, of his work injury. She provided a panel from which Mr. Jones selected Dr.
Clarey Dowling for authorized treatment. Dr. Dowling confirmed the disk herniation and
referred him for a surgical evaluation.
Mr. Jones selected Dr. Sam Schroerlucke from an orthopedic panel. Dr.
Schroerlucke diagnosed a herniated disk and recommended surgical repair. At that point,
Greenheck denied additional treatment, stating that recently-discovered evidence did not
support a work-related accident.
Mr. Jones filed a Petition for Benefit Determination and requested this Expedited
Hearing. He relied on Dr. Schroerlucke’s deposition testimony to support his claim.
Dr. Schroerlucke saw Mr. Jones once, reviewed his diagnostic studies, and
recommended surgery. He testified that Mr. Jones’s work injury caused his herniated
disk. Dr. Schroerlucke stated that Mr. Jones denied back pain before his work injury but
experienced severe pain down his left leg immediately after the injury. He explained that
the accuracy of his causation opinion depends on the truthfulness of the history provided
by Mr. Jones.
At his deposition, Dr. Schroerlucke reviewed Mr. Jones’s medical records for the
first time and identified several inconsistencies. For instance, one provider noted that Mr.
Jones reported a sudden onset of symptoms lasting one day, while another provider noted
a gradual onset of pain with a two-month duration. Dr. Schroerlucke also stated that the
other providers did not mention that Mr. Jones reported shooting pain down his left leg
related to a specific incident. Dr. Schroerlucke agreed that his causation opinion “lives
and dies” on the accuracy of the information Mr. Jones provided.
Greenheck retained Dr. Samuel Murrell to perform an independent medical
evaluation. After taking a medical history, reviewing medical records, and performing a
physical examination, Dr. Murrell concluded that Mr. Jones had a herniated lumbar disk.
Initially, Dr. Murrell believed a work injury caused the disk herniation because Mr. Jones
said he was moving a coil when he felt a sharp pain in his back and pull in his left leg.
However, his review of the medical records revealed the same inconsistencies noted by
Dr. Schroerlucke, plus others.
Mr. Jones denied that these medical records accurately reflected the onset of his
symptoms when Dr. Murrell presented the inconsistencies to him. Dr. Murrell reported
that, “[w]hile I would like to accept this as the case, to do so would essentially require me
to believe that every provider either misrepresented the history or misunderstood Mr.
Jones’s complaints.” Dr. Murrell refused to accept that all the medical providers
incorrectly failed to associate Mr. Jones’s symptoms to a work injury, and thus he could
2
not conclude, to a reasonable degree of medical certainty, that a work incident caused Mr.
Jones’s herniated disk.
Greenheck challenged Mr. Jones’s credibility. It submitted a 2010 medical record
revealing that he received treatment for back pain radiating into his left leg. Mr. Jones
testified that his medical providers incorrectly reported the medical history.
Greenheck also challenged his account of the circumstances surrounding his report
of injury. Ms. Sisk testified that she handled his claim for Greenheck. She testified that he
worked his regular shift on April 27 and April 28. Mr. Jones was not scheduled to return
to work until May 2. On that date, he told Ms. Sisk he hurt his back and would not be in.
He did not work May 3, but on May 4 he presented a work note from the emergency
room permitting him to return to light-duty work. 2 Ms. Sisk told him that he could not
return to work until he produced a full medical release since he did not claim a work
injury. Mr. Jones returned on May 5 with a full medical release and worked his scheduled
shift without difficulty. On his next-scheduled workday, Mr. Jones contacted Ms. Sisk
and told her he injured his back at work on April 27. She had him complete workers’
compensation documents and provided a panel.
Ms. Sisk further testified that she reviewed video of Mr. Jones performing his job
on April 27 and April 28. She stated that the video showed him performing his regular
duties without a work incident or visible injury. His supervisor reported that Mr. Jones
worked full duty on May 5 without difficulty. Afterward, Ms. Sisk turned the
investigation over to Greenheck’s carrier.
Jena Burlison testified that she worked as a family nurse practitioner at the clinic
that allegedly provided the May 5 full work release. She denied providing Mr. Jones
medical services. After reviewing the work note submitted by Mr. Jones, she testified that
she did not issue or sign the note.
Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law
At an Expedited Hearing, Mr. Jones must provide sufficient evidence from which
the Court can determine he is likely to prevail at a hearing on the merits. McCord v.
Advantage Human Resourcing, 2015 TN Wrk. Comp. App. Bd. LEXIS 6, at *7-8, 9
(Mar. 27, 2015). Specifically, resolution of the present issue turns on whether Mr. Jones
suffered a work-related injury.
An injury “arises primarily out of and in the course and scope of employment”
only if it has been shown by a preponderance of the evidence that the employment
2
Mr. Jones agreed that on May 4, 2016, he told emergency room personnel that his pain was so severe
that he crawled on the floor because he could not walk.
3
contributed more than fifty percent (50%) in causing the injury, considering all causes.”
Tenn. Code Ann. § 50-6-102(13)(B) (2018). Medical evidence is generally required in
order to establish a causal relationship, “[e]xcept in the most obvious, simple and routine
cases.” Willis v. All Staff, No. M2016-01143-SC-R3-WC, 2017 Tenn. LEXIS 455, at *13
(Tenn. Workers’ Comp. Panel Aug. 3, 2017). The opinion of the treating physician,
selected by the employee from the employer’s designated panel of physicians pursuant to
§ 50-6-204(a)(3), shall be presumed correct on the issue of causation, but this
presumption shall be rebuttable by a preponderance of the evidence. Tenn. Code Ann.
§50-6-102(14)(E). Also, “a trial judge has the discretion to determine which testimony to
accept when presented with conflicting expert opinions.” Bass v. The Home Depot
U.S.A., Inc., 2017 TN Wrk. Comp. App. Bd. LEXIS 36, at *9-10 (May 26, 2017)
(internal citations omitted).
Here, the Court need not choose between the medical opinions because there is no
conflict. Each physician diagnosed a herniated disk and reviewed the medical history
presented to determine the cause. Dr. Schroerlucke based his causation opinion on the
history Mr. Jones reported. After reviewing prior medical records for the first time during
his deposition, Dr. Schroerlucke concluded that a causation opinion based on an
incomplete and faulty history was speculative. Dr. Murrell agreed.
Significantly, Tennessee law has long held that medical proof is not to be “read
and evaluated in a vacuum” but instead must be considered in conjunction with the lay
testimony of the employee as to how the injury occurred and the employee’s subsequent
condition.” Thomas v. Aetna Life and Cas. Co., 812 S.W.2d 278, 283 (Tenn. 1991). In
matters such as this, witness credibility plays a critical role. Indicia of witness credibility
that trial courts consider include whether a witness is “calm or agitated, at ease or
nervous, self-assured or hesitant, steady or stammering, confident or defensive,
forthcoming or deceitful, reasonable or argumentative, honest or biased.” Kelly v. Kelly,
445 S.W.3d 685, 694-95 (Tenn. 2014).
The Court observed Mr. Jones’s hesitancy as he attempted to explain the
inconsistencies in his medical history. He appeared ill at ease when confronted with his
conflicting deposition testimony. Mr. Jones defensively cast blame on his medical
providers for recording incorrect medical histories and on someone he claimed took his
money in exchange for a false work release.
In contrast, the Court finds Ms. Burlison and Ms. Sisk provided believable
testimony that Mr. Jones did not rebut. Ms. Burlison confidently and calmly denied she
completed a work release for Mr. Jones, and Ms. Sisk appeared self-assured as she
described her dealings with Mr. Jones.
Based on the foregoing, and absent any persuasive proof to reconcile the
inconsistencies in this case, the Court holds Mr. Jones did not come forward with
4
sufficient evidence to likely prevail at a hearing on the merits. Thus, the Court denies his
request for benefits.
IT IS, THEREFORE, ORDERED as follows:
1. Mr. Jones’s request for medical benefits is denied.
2. This matter is set for a telephonic Status Hearing on March 11, 2019, at
11:30 a.m. Central Time. You must call toll-free at 866-943-0014 to participate in the
hearing.
ENTERED January 16, 2019.
____________________________________
Deana C. Seymour, Judge
Court of Workers’ Compensation Claims
5
APPENDIX
Technical record:
TR1. Petition for Benefit Determination
TR2. Dispute Certification Notice
TR3. Request for Scheduling Hearing
TR4. May 8, 2018 Scheduling Hearing Order
TR5. May 22, 2018 Scheduling Hearing Order
TR6. July 5, 2018 Scheduling Hearing Order
TR7. September 10, 2018 Scheduling Hearing Order
TR8. Request for Expedited Hearing
TR9. Status Hearing Order
TR10. Affidavit of Tauris Jones
TR11. Employer’s Motion to Extend Date for Submission of Proof or in the Alternative
Motion to Continue
TR12. Employee’s Response to Employer’s Motion to Extend Date for Submission of
Proof or in the Alternative Motion to Continue, with attachments
TR13. Employer’s Statement Pursuant to 0800-02-21-.14(1)(b), with attachments
TR14. Employer’s Witness and Exhibit List
TR15. Employee’s Witness List, Exhibit List and Medical Record Submission for
Expedited Hearing, with attachments
TR16. Order on Motion to Extend Date for Submission of Proof or in the Alternative
Motion to Continue
TR17. Employee’s Motion to Accept Late Filing of Pre-Hearing Brief
TR18. Notice of Filing Independent Medical Evaluation Report of Dr. Sam Murrell for
Injury Date April 27, 2016, with attachment
TR19. Order on Employee’s Motion
TR20. Employee’s Pre-Hearing Statement, with attachments
Exhibits:
1. Notice of Controversy
2. Form C-41 Wage Statement
3. Agreement Between Employer/Employee Choice of Physicians selecting Dr.
Clarey Dowling
4. Agreement Between Employer/Employee Choice of Physicians selecting Dr. Sam
Schroerlucke
5. Dr. Sam Schroerlucke’s Deposition Transcript, with exhibits
6. Medical Records submitted by Employer, excluding the 5/5/16 Armour Family
Medicine work status note at page 54
7. Notice of Filing Independent Medical Evaluation Report of Dr. Sam Murrell, with
attachment
6
8. Written statement of Tauris Jones
9. Work status report from Armour Family Medicine
10. Obituary of Albert Fayne (For identification only)
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I hereby certify that a true and correct copy of this Order was sent to the following
recipients by the following methods of service on January 16, 2019.
Name Certified Via Via Service sent to:
Mail Fax Email
Emily Bragg, X ebragg@forthepeople.com
Employee’s Attorney
Catheryne L. Grant, X catherynelgrant@feeneymurray.com
Employer’s Attorney
_____________________________________
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: “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.
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.
.
ll .I
Tennessee Bureau of Workers' Compensation
220 French Landing Drive, 1-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, I 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. I am 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. I 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 Camp.$ per month beginning
Other $ per month beginning
LB-1108 (REV 11/15) RDA 11082
9. My expenses are: ' ; !•
'
Rent/House Payment $ per month 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 $ _ _ _ __
(FMV) - - -- - - -- - -
)
Other $ _ _ _ __ Describe:_ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ __
11. My debts are:
Amount Owed To Whom
I 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
_ _ _ dayof _____________ ,20____
NOTARY PUBLIC
My Commission Expires:_ _ _ _ _ __ _
LB-1108 (REV 11/15) RDA 11082