James v. Peeler

This workers' compensation appeal has been referred to the Special Workers' Compensation Appeals Panel of the Supreme Court in accordance with T.C.A. _ 5-6-225(e)(3) for hearing and reporting to the Supreme Court of findings of fact and conclusions of law. The Supreme Court on May 17, 1996 affirmed a judgment for the plaintiff entered on September 22, 1994 whereby he was awarded benefits for (1) the loss of an eye, (2) temporary, total disability, and (3) "all medical expenses." Benefits for the loss of an eye were calculated to be $16,524., which was paid. Benefits for temporary, total disability were $6,616.8, which was paid. Medical treatment was provided by the Veterans' Administration, whose charges, proved at the trial, were $11,438.. On August 1, 1996, the plaintiff filed a petition for the Writ of Mandamus seeking the judicial coercion of the defendant to pay (1) interest on the benefits for permanent, total disability; (2) interest on the temporary, total benefits, and (3) payment of the medical expenses with accrued interest. The defendant filed a "Response to Petition for Writ of Mandamus," alleging that the interest "has now been paid." With respect to the medical expenses, the defendant responded that on December 15, 1993, before the case was tried, it received a letter from the VA enclosing a statement for medical services provided to the plaintiff in the amount of $11,438.. Payment was requested by draft payable to the VA. After the case was concluded, the VA agreed to accept $7,625. in settlement of its claim for medical expenses. The trial court ruled that "the VA had a valid subrogation interest in the amount of $11,438. for medical benefits provided to the plaintiff and that the