TWCA reviews whether an employee's injury occurred during the course of his employment

ROBERT BRIGHT v. SHOUN TRUCKING COMPANY, INC. (TWCA December 7, 2011)

Pursuant to Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 51, this workers' compensation appeal has been referred to the Special Workers' Compensation Appeals Panel for a hearing and a report of findings of fact and conclusions of law.

The employee, a truck driver, filed suit for benefits, alleging that he developed bilateral rotator cuff tears and carpal tunnel syndrome as a result of his job responsibilities. His employer contended that his injuries were not related to his employment. At the conclusion of the evidence, the trial court found in favor of the employee and awarded 50% permanent partial disability to the body as a whole.

The employer has appealed, contending that the evidence preponderates against the trial court's findings (1) that the injuries arose out of and in the course of employment, and (2) that five times the medical impairment was appropriate under the circumstances. Because the evidence does not preponderate against the findings of the trial judge, the judgment is affirmed.

Opinion available at:
http://www.tba2.org/tba_files/TSC_WCP/2011/brightr_120711.pdf