Thomas, Kenneth v. Thompson Industrial Services

FILED
May 26, 2020
CLAIMS
TENNESSEE BUREAU OF WORKERS’ COMPENSATION
COURT OF WORKERS’ COMPENSATION CLAIMS
AT MEMPHIS
KENNETH THOMAS, ) Docket No.: 2017-08-1057
Employee, )
V. )
THOMPSON INDUSTRIAL SERVS., ) State File No.: 15343-2017
Employer, )
And )
ZURICH AMERICAL INS. CO., ) Judge: Deana Seymour
Carrier. )
EXPEDITED HEARING ORDER
Kenneth Thomas sustained a compensable left-shoulder injury and underwent
surgery. His authorized treating physician recommended additional surgery, but
Thompson Industrial Services refused to authorize it, arguing the need for the second
surgery was not related to the initial work injury. The Court held an Expedited Hearing
on May 6, 2020, to determine whether Mr. Thomas is likely to prove at trial that
Thompson must authorize the surgery and pay ongoing temporary disability benefits. The
Court concludes that Thompson must authorize a portion of the surgery but does not have
to pay ongoing temporary disability benefits.
History of Claim
Mr. Thomas works for Thompson as a machine operator. On February 28, 2017,
he injured his left shoulder at work when a heavy hose fell on him.
Mr. Thomas received authorized treatment from Dr. Jay Saenz, who diagnosed a
rotator cuff tear and performed surgery in June 2017. Dr. Saenz placed Mr. Thomas at
maximum medical improvement on January 23, 2018.
Mr. Thomas returned to Dr. Saenz on February 6, 2019, with continued left-
shoulder pain. Dr. Saenz ordered an MRI, which showed tendinosis in the biceps tendon
10:33 AM(CT)
TENNESSEE COURT OF
WORKERS' COMPENSATION
and AC joint arthritis. He recommended another surgery and took Mr. Thomas off work
for an undetermined period before returning him to light duty.’
In light of Dr. Saenz recommendations, Thompson sent him a letter asking if Mr.
Thomas’s employment contributed more than fifty percent to his need for the second
surgery. In response, Dr. Saenz referred to his deposition testimony, in which he
recommended surgery to address Mr. Thomas’s degenerative biceps tendon and that his
rotator cuff needed no further treatment. Based on this statement, Thompson refused to
authorize surgery because the degenerative changes did not flow from the original injury.
In response to the refusal, Mr. Thomas sent Dr. Saenz a letter asking him to
elaborate on his causation opinion. Dr. Saenz responded, “I believe that it is more likely
than not, considering all causes, that while the acromioclavicular joint arthritis and biceps
tendon pathology were a pre-existing condition, they were objectively worsened and
aggravated by the injury he sustained at work.” The parties then decided to depose Dr.
Saenz a second time.
During his second deposition, Dr. Saenz testified that the tendinosis in Mr.
Thomas’s biceps tendon did not flow from his original injury. He based his opinion on
his observations during the June 2017 surgery.” According to Dr. Saenz, the biceps
tendon appeared normal at that time. He also noted that tendinosis was usually caused by
age-related degenerative changes.
Regarding Mr. Thomas’s AC joint arthritis, Dr. Saenz initially testified that the
recommended revision surgery did not flow from the original injury because the distal
clavicle excision performed in 2017 was incidental to the rotator cuff repair. However, on
cross examination, he testified that the work injury more likely than not exacerbated the
AC joint arthritis and that workers’ compensation should pay for the revision.
He went on to state that he did not consider either the tendinosis procedure or the
revision procedure to be greater than the other in creating the need for surgery. Instead,
he testified that the two procedures were “equal” in necessitating surgery and stated, “in
the absence of — there are two issues and in the absence of either one I would still — if his
biceps tendon was normal, I would still think about going in and looking at his AC joint
and vice versa.”
Dr. Saenz acknowledged taking Mr. Thomas off work on February 6, 2019, but he
testified that there was no way to know if Mr. Thomas’s MMI date would change with
* In his August 13, 2019 note, Dr. Saenz stated, “[Mr. Thomas] will remain on light duty work. I
recommend no commercial driving and a 10-pound lifting restriction with no above the shoulder work.”
The record does not contain evidence as to when he first returned Mr. Thomas to light duty work.
* Notably, Dr. Saenz mentioned an April 2017 MRI that showed biceps tendinosis.
2
surgery. On cross, however, he confirmed that his October 16, 2019 office note
mentioned that Mr. Thomas was not at MMI because he needed additional surgery.
Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law
At an Expedited Hearing, Mr. Thomas 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).
To prevail on his request for medical treatment, Mr. Thomas must prove that his
condition “arose primarily out of and in the course and scope of employment.” Tenn.
Code Ann. § 50-6-102(14)(A) (2019). An injury “arises primarily out of and in the course
and scope of employment” only if it has been shown that “the employment contributed
more than fifty percent (50%) in causing the injury, considering all causes.” Tenn. Code
Ann. § 50-6-102(14)(B). Further, an aggravation of a pre-existing condition shall not be
considered an injury unless “it can be shown to a reasonable degree of medical certainty
that the aggravation arose primarily out of and in the course and scope of employment.”
Tenn. Code Ann. § 50-6-102(14)(A). Medical evidence is generally required to establish
a causal relationship. Berdnik v. Fairfield Glade Cmty. Club, 2017 TN Wrk. Comp. App.
Bd. LEXIS 32, at *10-12 (May 18, 2017).
Dr. Saenz provided the only medical testimony. During his deposition, Dr. Saenz
concluded Mr. Thomas’s biceps tendinosis did not flow from his original injury,
considering the tendon’s normal appearance at the time of his June 2017 surgery.
Therefore, Thompson is not required to authorize the biceps tendon surgery.
Rather, Dr. Saenz testified that Mr. Thomas’s work injury more likely than not
exacerbated the AC joint arthritis. He further testified that the revision was “equal” to the
biceps tendon procedure in necessitating the second surgery. Based on Dr. Saenz’s
testimony, the Court holds that Mr. Thomas would likely prevail at a hearing on the
merits regarding entitlement to the distal clavicle revision.
Turning to Mr. Thomas’s request for temporary disability benefits, he must show
(1) he became disabled from working due to a compensable injury; (2) there is a causal
connection between the injury and the inability to work; and (3) the duration of the period
of disability. Jones v. Crencor Leasing and Sales, 2015 TN Wrk. Comp. App. Bd. LEXIS
48, at *7 (Dec. 11, 2015).
Temporary total disability benefits are owed until the employee returns to work at
regular duty or attains maximum recovery. /d. While Mr. Thomas proved that Dr. Saenz
took him off work on February 6, 2019, the medical records suggest Dr. Saenz returned
him to light-duty work at some point before his August 13, 2019 visit. Without
documentation showing when the change in work status occurred, the Court cannot
determine the duration of his period of total disability.
3
Temporary partial disability benefits are due when the treating physician has
released the injured worker to return to work with restrictions before maximum medical
improvement, and the employer either (1) cannot return the employee to work within the
restrictions or (2) cannot provide restricted work for a sufficient number of hours and/or
at a rate of pay equal to or greater than the employee’s average weekly wage on the date
of injury. /d. at *7-8. Mr. Thomas presented no proof regarding these elements of
temporary partial disability benefits.
Accordingly, the Court holds that Mr. Thomas would not likely prevail at a
hearing on the merits regarding entitlement to either type of temporary disability benefits
at this time.
IT IS, THEREFORE, ORDERED as follows:
1. Thompson shall authorize the distal clavicle revision surgery recommended
by Dr. Saenz.
2. Mr. Thomas’s request for past and future temporary disability benefits is
denied at this time.
3. This case is set for a telephonic Status Hearing on July 6, 2020, at 9:30
a.m. Central Time. You must call toll-free at 866-943-0014 to participate in the hearing.
ENTERED May 26, 2020.
Judge Deana C. Seymour
Court of Workers’ Compensation Claims
APPENDIX
Technical record:
TRI. Petition for Benefit Determination
TR2. Dispute Certification Notice, along with Employer’s additional disputed issues
TR3. Request for Initial Hearing
TR4. Scheduling Hearing Order
TRS. Employee’s Motion for Continuance
TR6. Order on Motion for Continuance
TR7. Employee’s Motion and Supporting Memorandum to Compel Surgery Ordered by
Authorized Treating Physician and Payment of Outstanding TTD Benefits Which are
Due and Owing and for Oral Arguments in Court on Said Motion
4
TR8.
TRY.
Notice of Filing Deposition of Dr. Jay Saenz
Employer’s Response to Employee’s Motion to Compel Surgery Ordered by
Authorized Treating Physician and Payment of Outstanding TTD Benefits
TR1O.
TR11.
TR12.
TR13.
TR14.
TR15.
TR16.
TR17.
Notice of Filing the July 25, 2019 Deposition of Dr. Jay Saenz
Request for Expedited Hearing
Affidavit of Employee — Kenneth Thomas
Employer’s Response to Employee’s Request for Expedited Hearing
Employer’s Motion to Continue
Order on Motion to Continue
Order Resetting Expedited Hearing
Amended Order Resetting Expedited Hearing
Exhibits:
1.
3.
Dr. Saenz’s July 25, 2019 deposition
Dr. Saenz’s January 23, 2020 deposition
Mr. Thomas’s affidavit
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I certify that a copy of this Order was sent as indicated on May 26, 2020.
Name Certified | U.S. | Email | Service sent to:
Mail Mail
Steve Taylor, xX staylor@tcmfirm.com
Employee’s Attorney
Marianna Jablonski, xX mjablonski@ wimberlylawson.com
Employer’s Attorney
|
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Penny Shrum, Court Clerk
Court of Workers’ Compensation Claims
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
conceming 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/
wce.courtclerk@tn.gov | 1-800-332-2667
Docket No.:
State File No.:
Date of injury:
Employee
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):
0 Expedited Hearing Order filed on O Motion Order filed on
0 Compensation Order filed on C1 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): fo 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 lof 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 | 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