Court analyses merits of blank claim

NIELSEN BAINBRIDGE, LLC v. THOMAS SHINN (Tenn. Work Comp. App. January 15, 2010).

This workers' compensation appeal has been referred to the Special Workers' Compensation Appeals Panel of the Supreme Court in accordance with Tenn. Code Ann. section 50-6-225(e)(3) (2008) for a hearing and a report of findings of fact and conclusions of law. Employee suffered a hernia as a result of his work. The trial court awarded 28.5% permanent partial disability to the body as a whole. On appeal, Employer contends that the trial court erred in basing its award upon the testimony of Employee's evaluating physician. We agree, and consequently modify the judgment to 4.5% permanent partial disability to the body as a whole.

Opinion may be found at: 
http://www.tba2.org/tba_files/TSC_WCP/2010/shinnt_011510.pdf