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| Dept. of Children's Services vs. Dorothy Hopson
E2000-01606-COA-R3-CV
Dorothy Hopson appeals a determination that her parental rights should be terminated as to her two daughters upon the grounds that the Trial Court was in error in allowing into evidence statements made by the children to third parties; in finding that the evidence was clear and convincing that she had committed child abuse as to her children; and in finding that termination of her parental rights was in the best interest of the children. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge Houston M. Goddard
Originating Judge:Richard R. Vance |
Grainger County | Court of Appeals | 02/14/01 | |
| Linda Asher vs. Eugene Asher
E2000-00821-COA-R3-CV
In this appeal from the Claiborne County Chancery Court the Appellant, Linda Ward Asher, questions whether the Chancery Court erred in granting her an absolute divorce, in failing to award her alimony in futuro, and in failing to require that the Appellee, Eugene Asher, be required to maintain health insurance coverage on her behalf. Mr. Asher questions whether the Chancery Court erred in finding that funds withdrawn by him from a Putnam Investment savings account should be counted against his equitable share of the marital property and in finding that Ms. Asher should be awarded alimony. We affirm the judgment of the Chancery Court as modified and remand for further proceedings, if any, consistent with this opinion. We adjudge costs of this appeal against the Ashers equally.
Authoring Judge: Judge Houston M. Goddard
Originating Judge:John D. Mcafee |
Claiborne County | Court of Appeals | 02/14/01 | |
| In Re: JJC
E2000-01223-COA-R3-CV
The Trial Court terminated the father's parental rights. Father argued below and on appeal, that the part of the UCCJA which gave the court jurisdiction of the matter is unconstitutional. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Herschel P. Franks
Originating Judge:Daryl R. Fansler |
Knox County | Court of Appeals | 02/14/01 | |
| In re: SJLL
E2000-02461-COA-R3-CV
In paternity action, defendant appeals the Trial Judge's refusal to grant T.R.C.P. Rule 60 relief on the grounds that plaintiff's non-suit was improper, and as a result defendant was denied his right to a jury trial. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Herschel P. Franks
Originating Judge:Joseph M. Ayers |
Campbell County | Court of Appeals | 02/14/01 | |
| Mason Manor Apartments v. Tawana Anthony
W2002-01769-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge W. Frank Crawford
Originating Judge:Joseph H. Walker, III |
Tipton County | Court of Appeals | 02/14/01 | |
| State of Tennessee v. Corrie Johnson
W2000-01216-CCA-R3-CD
The defendant was convicted by a Hardin County jury of driving under the influence (DUI), possession of marijuana, and possession with the intent to sell or deliver 0.5 grams or more of cocaine. The trial court sentenced the defendant to two 11 month and 29 day sentences for the DUI and possession of marijuana convictions, suspended after serving 30 days in jail. The trial court sentenced the defendant to 9 years incarceration, as a Range I standard offender, for possession with intent to sell or deliver 0.5 grams or more of cocaine. All sentences were to be served concurrently. In this appeal as a matter of right, the defendant alleges the trial court erred by denying (1) his motion to suppress evidence discovered as a result of the vehicle stop and (2) his request for alternative sentencing. After a thorough review of the record, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Joe G. Riley
Originating Judge:Judge C. Creed McGinley |
Hardin County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 02/13/01 | |
| State of Tennessee v. James McArthur
W2000-00396-CCA-R3-CD
Defendant, James McArthur, appeals his two jury convictions for aggravated robbery for which he received concurrent eight-year sentences. He contends on appeal that the evidence was insufficient to support the verdicts, and he was deprived of a fair and impartial jury. We affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Joe G. Riley
Originating Judge:Judge W. Otis Higgs, Jr. |
Shelby County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 02/13/01 | |
| Morristown Firefighters Assoc. vs. City of Morristown, et al
E2000-01942-COA-R3-CV
In July 1999, two vacancies arose within the City of Morristown's fire department ("Fire Department") due to the retirement of a battalion chief and a lieutenant. The Civil Service Act provides the procedure for filling vacancies in Morristown's fire department and requires the City to fill vacancies from a Roster prepared by the Civil Service Board ("Board"). When the two vacancies occurred, the Roster in place had been certified in August 1998, and updated by the Board in November 1998 ("1998 Roster"). The City, however, wanted the Board to prepare a new Roster. The Board did not create a new Roster until September 1999 ("1999 Roster"), and in the meantime, the two positions remained unfilled. The City filled the vacancies from the 1999 Roster. The Morristown Firefighters Association ("Plaintiff") brought suit against the City of Morristown, its mayor and City Council members ("Defendants"), alleging violations of the Civil Service Act for Defendants' failure to fill the vacancies from the 1998 Roster. The Trial Court held in favor of Plaintiff and ordered Defendants to fill the two vacancies from the 1998 Roster. Defendants appeal. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge David Michael Swiney
Originating Judge:Kindall T. Lawson |
Hamblen County | Court of Appeals | 02/13/01 | |
| Package Express Center, Inc. vs. Doug Maund & Emm-Dee Drug Co.
E2000-02059-COA-R3-CV
Package Express Center, Inc. vs. Doug Maund & Emm-Dee Drug Co. ( Concur/Dissent) View
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Herschel P. Franks
Originating Judge:Thomas R. Frierson, II |
Greene County | Court of Appeals | 02/13/01 | |
| Larry Wakefield vs. Kimberly Longmire
E2000-01450-COA-R3-CV
This litigation arose out of an accident involving a vehicle owned by Anderson County and being driven at the time of the accident by an employee of the County. The employee sued the driver of the other vehicle involved in the accident. Incident to his original filing, the employee secured service of process on the County's liability insurance carrier, for the purpose of invoking the uninsured motorist coverage of the County's policy. The defendant, Kimberly D. Longmire, filed an answer. She did not seek to impose liability on the employee or the County. Following a jury verdict for the employee in the amount of $641,000, the trial court ruled that the employee's recovery against the uninsured motorist carrier was not capped at $130,000, the limit of the County's liability for an individual claim under the Governmental Tort Liability Act. The carrier, whose policy provided for $1,000,000 of uninsured motorist coverage, appeals, claiming that its obligation under the policy, despite the higher contract limit, is capped at $130,000. The plaintiff contends that the carrier did not appeal from a final order and that its appeal is frivolous. We affirm but do not find the carrier's appeal to be frivolous.
Authoring Judge: Judge Charles D. Susano, Jr.
Originating Judge:James B. Scott, Jr. |
Anderson County | Court of Appeals | 02/13/01 | |
| Package Express Center, Inc. vs. Doug Maund & Emm-Dee Drug Co.
E2000-02059-COA-R3-CV
Package Express Center, Inc. vs. Doug Maund & Emm-Dee Drug Co. ( Concur/Dissent) View
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Herschel P. Franks
Originating Judge:Thomas R. Frierson, II |
Greene County | Court of Appeals | 02/13/01 | |
| Olympia Child Development Center, Inc. et al vs. City of Maryville
E2000-02124-COA-R3-CV
The suit filed in this tort action originally sought a judgment against the defendant, City of Maryville ("the City"), for damages allegedly sustained by four plaintiffs when a van owned by the plaintiff Olympia Child Development Center, Inc. ("Olympia"), and driven by the plaintiff Lisa K. Murphy was struck by a vehicle driven by Rodney Parton, an off-duty police officer employed by the City. The trial court granted the City summary judgment as to the claims of the remaining plaintiffs, Olympia and Murphy, finding that their claims are barred by the doctrines of collateral estoppel and modified comparative fault. Only Olympia appeals. We affirm the grant of summary judgment, but base our affirmance on a ground other than the one utilized by the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Charles D. Susano, Jr.
Originating Judge:W. Dale Young |
Blount County | Court of Appeals | 02/13/01 | |
| Deborah Harris vs. Howell Dalton & Medical Associates
E2000-02115-COA-R3-CV
In this action for sexual harassment, the jury returned verdicts for plaintiff. Responding to a motion J.N.O.V., the Trial Judge entered judgment for defendants. Plaintiff appealed. We reverse and remand for a new trial.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Herschel P. Franks
Originating Judge:W. Frank Brown, III |
Hamilton County | Court of Appeals | 02/13/01 | |
| Arlon Way vs. Jim Hall & The Cumberland County Bd. of Ed.
E2000-01458-COA-R3-CV
Plaintiff was discharged as a teacher for unprofessional conduct, and on appeal to the Trial Court he was reinstated. The Trial Court found the school Board had acted arbitrarily and there was no material evidence to sustain the charge of unprofessional conduct. We reverse and reinstate the Board's decision.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Herschel P. Franks
Originating Judge:Vernon Neal |
Cumberland County | Court of Appeals | 02/13/01 | |
| Roy Malone vs. Harleysville Mutual In. Co.
E2000-01308-COA-R3-CV
This matter involves a dispute concerning a fire and casualty insurance policy ("Policy") which covered an apartment complex, Star Chase Apartments. Harleysville Mutual Insurance Company ("Defendant") was the insurance carrier, and the named insured was John L. Oliver, LLC ("Oliver"). A fire in one of the apartment buildings caused substantial damage. Approximately six months later, Oliver sold Star Chase to Roy M. Malone, Sr. ("Plaintiff"), prior to starting any repairs to the burned building. Oliver also assigned to Plaintiff his right to the proceeds under the Policy, and Defendant acknowledged this assignment. The Trial Court found that Plaintiff, as Oliver's assignee, was entitled to recover the replacement cost of the burned building, plus prejudgment interest. The Trial Court denied Plaintiff recovery for business loss. Plaintiff appeals the amount awarded to him as the replacement cost and the Trial Court's denial of any additional recovery for business loss. Defendant argues that the assignment of the "proceeds" to Plaintiff did not entitle Plaintiff to recover any amount as replacement cost for repairs done after the assignment. Defendant also objects to the amount of the replacement cost found by the Trial Court and to the awarding of prejudgment interest. We reverse the Trial Court's award of prejudgment interest and affirm all other aspects of the judgment.
Authoring Judge: Judge David Michael Swiney
Originating Judge:Howell N. Peoples |
Hamilton County | Court of Appeals | 02/12/01 | |
| FTA Enterprises, Inc. vs. Pomeroy Computer Resources, Inc. & Daniel Cole
E2000-01246-COA-R3-CV
In this action for interference with business relations, interference with contract, breach of fiduciary duty, et., a jury awarded both compensatory and punitive damages in differing amounts against the defendants. The Trial Judge approved the jury verdicts and defendants have appealed. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Herschel P. Franks
Originating Judge:John S. Mclellan, III |
Sullivan County | Court of Appeals | 02/12/01 | |
| Judy (Kendrick) Shoemake vs. Timothy Lee Kendrick
E2000-01318-COA-R3-CV
In this appeal from the Chancery Court for Hamilton County the Appellant, Judy (Kendrick) Shoemake questions whether the Trial Court erred in granting a petition to modify custody filed by the Appellee, Timothy Lee Kendrick, and whether the Trial Court erred in its determination of the amount due her for child support arrearage and unreimbursed medical expenses paid by her on behalf of the parties' minor children. We reverse in part, modify in part and remand for further proceedings, if any, consistent with this opinion. We adjudge costs of the appeal against Judy (Kendrick) Shoemake and Timothy Lee Kendrick equally.
Authoring Judge: Judge Houston M. Goddard
Originating Judge:William M. Dender |
Hamilton County | Court of Appeals | 02/12/01 | |
| In Re: Sierra Cheyenne Satterwhite
E2000-02107-COA-R3-CV
The Maternal Grandparents of the Minor Child filed a petition to terminate the biological father's and Mother's parental rights to Minor Child and to adopt her. The Minor Child, who was born out of wedlock, had lived with her Maternal Grandparents all of her life. She viewed her grandparents as her parents. Default judgment was granted against Mother. Father never supported the child and had limited visitation with her. The Trial Court terminated both the biological Father's and Mother's parental right's. Father appealed. We affirm the decision of the Trial Court.
Authoring Judge: Judge Houston M. Goddard
Originating Judge:W. Frank Brown, III |
Hamilton County | Court of Appeals | 02/12/01 | |
| Vesta Mosley vs. Tennessee Water Service & Sales
E2000-01713-COA-R3-CV
In this appeal from the Circuit Court of Anderson County the Defendant/Appellant, Tennessee Water Service and Sales, Inc., appeals the Circuit Court's order which denied Tennessee Water's motion for a new trial and overruled its objection to entry of a final judgment in favor of Plaintiff/ Appellee, Vesta G. Mosley. It is our finding that Tennessee Water did not receive notice of the hearing which resulted in the final judgment against it and, therefore, we vacate such judgment and reverse the Circuit Court's order overruling Tennessee Water's objection to entry of the judgment and its motion for a new trial. We remand this cause for further proceedings consistent with this opinion.
Authoring Judge: Judge Houston M. Goddard
Originating Judge:James B. Scott, Jr. |
Anderson County | Court of Appeals | 02/12/01 | |
| Harold Lovelace, D/B/A The Last Chance Club, et al vs. City of Knoxville
E2000-01609-COA-R3-CV
In this Declaratory Judgment action the Trial Court held portions of a City Ordinance unconstitutional relative to notice provisions, the term "open for business" and "open display". We affirm in part, reverse in part and remand.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Herschel P. Franks
Originating Judge:Sharon J. Bell |
Knox County | Court of Appeals | 02/12/01 | |
| State of Tennessee v. Stacey Philander Baldon
W2000-00524-CCA-R3-CD
Defendant was convicted by a Lauderdale County jury of possession of 0.5 grams or more of cocaine with intent to deliver, a Class B felony, and possession of drug paraphernalia, a Class A misdemeanor. In addition, defendant entered a guilty plea to felony possession of a firearm, a Class E felony. He was sentenced as a Range II, multiple offender, and received concurrent sentences of twelve years, eleven months and twenty-nine days, and two years respectively. Defendant raises the following issues for our review: (1) whether the trial court erred by denying his motion to suppress evidence seized pursuant to the search warrant; (2) whether the trial court erred by denying his request for a severance of defendants; (3) whether the trial court erred in excluding the prior recorded testimony of his co-defendant; (4) whether the trial court improperly allowed the arresting officer to testify as to his opinion regarding the veracity of co-defendant's admission; (5) whether the jury pool was tainted by statements of a potential juror; and (6) whether the state improperly exercised its peremptory challenges. Upon our review of the record, we find defendant's allegations to be without merit; thus, the judgment of the trial court is affirmed.
Authoring Judge: Judge Joe G. Riley
Originating Judge:Judge Joseph H. Walker, III |
Lauderdale County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 02/12/01 | |
| Vernon West v. State of Tennessee
W1999-01604-CCA-R3-PC
Vernon West appeals the Shelby County Criminal Court's dismissal of his petition for post-conviction relief. West collaterally attacks his conviction for second degree murder upon the grounds of ineffective assistance of counsel. Specifically, he contends that trial counsel was ineffective for failing to file a motion to sever, for failing to investigate the case and for failing to call two witnesses to testify at trial. After review of the record, we affirm the trial court's denial of post-conviction relief.
Authoring Judge: Judge David G. Hayes
Originating Judge:Judge W. Fred Axley |
Shelby County | Court of Criminal Appeals | 02/12/01 | |
| Nikki F. Nelson v. Magnetic Separation Systems, Inc., and
M1999-02009-WC-R3-CV
This workers' compensation appeal has been referred to the Special Workers' Compensation Appeals Panel in accordance with the Tenn. Code Ann. _ 5-6-225(e)(3) for hearing and reporting findings of fact and conclusions of law. The employee contends the Chancellor erroneously: [1] considered as substantive evidence the medical report of Dr. Miller; [2] failed to find her elbow, shoulder, neck and spine disabilities were caused by her work, and therefore [3] rendered an inadequate award. As discussed below, the panel concludes that the parties offered voluminous medical records, including those of Dr. Miller, which were, without objection or limitation, treated by the parties throughout the trial as substantive evidence. The chancellor properly treated those reports as substantive evidence. The panel further concludes the chancellor's decision limiting the award to work-related disability to the hands and wrists is supported by a preponderance of the evidence, and that the award of 2 percent disability to both arms should be affirmed in all respects. Tenn. Code Ann. _ 5-6-225(e)(3) Appeal as of Right; Judgment of the Chancery Court Affirmed. JOHN A. TURNBULL, Sp. J., in which FRANK F. DROWOTA , III, and FRANK G. CLEMENT, JR.,, Sp.J., joined. Peter D. Heil and Michael A. Friedland, Alan Wise, Stillman, Karr, & Wise, Nashville, TN, for the appellant, Nikki F. Nelson Sean Antone Hunt, Spicer, Flynn & Rudstrom, PLLC, Nashville, TN, for the appellees, Magnetic Separation Systems, Inc. and Travelers Insurance Co. MEMORANDUM OPINION Nikki Nelson worked for Magnetic Separation Systems as an electronics technician, a job which included assembling electronic devices. Her job included some highly repetitive work with screwdrivers and other hand tools. There is a significant dispute in the testimony and other evidence as to whether the tasks required hand and wrist activity which were both forceful and repetitive. Live demonstrations of the tasks required and a video tape of the assembly work were a part of the evidence at trial. Ms. Nelson was not a happy employee. Her 18 month tenure with her employer was marked with numerous inter-office memos demonstrating a deteriorating relationship with her supervisors, and dissatisfaction by the employer with the quantity and quality of Ms. Nelson's work. During her last months of work for MMS, Ms. Nelson began having hand and wrist problemsand reported: "My hands and wrists were hurting from doing coil bobbins all day. Normally I would work until my hands fell off, but being put on 3 days probation and all, my husband told me to go to the doctor." The first among many doctors who treated Ms. Nelson was Dr. David McCoy, her family doctor, who first saw her on February 5, 1995. Clinical testing and the history related by Ms. Nelson caused Dr. McCoy to form the opinion that she had work-related carpal tunnel syndrome. Ms. Nelson then selected Dr. Jack Miller, an orthopaedic surgeon, from a list of doctors furnished by MMS. Dr. Miller treated her from February 14, 1995 until September, 1996. On his initial examination, Dr. Miller, based on Ms. Nelson's complaints of rather severe pain in both wrists together with positive Phalen sign and Tinel sign, diagnosed carpel tunnel syndrome and referred her to a neurologist for EMG testing. Dr. Miller was "shocked" that Ms. Nelson's initial EMG was normal and elected not to perform carpel tunnel release surgery at that time, but instead, Dr. Miller treated Ms. Nelson conservatively with physical therapy and cortisone injections. Dr. Miller directed that she not work. When Ms. Nelson's symptoms did not improve, Dr. Miller, in March, 1995, thought "carpel tunnel release is going to be justified, being recommended even though EMG's are normal." The employer then referred Ms. Nelson to Dr. Stephen Pratt for a second opinion. Dr. Pratt was "most certain that it is not carpel tunnel syndrome" and did not recommend carpel tunnel release surgery. Upon receiving Dr. Pratt's report, Dr. Miller elected not to proceed with surgery at that time. Dr. David Gaw did an independent medical exam in October, 1995, and agreed with Dr. Miller that Ms. Nelson had carpal tunnel syndrome, and recommended that she have surgery, even without a positive EMG. Dr. Miller again examined Ms. Nelson in October of 1995, and "strongly recommended carpal tunnel release" because of her persistent, long-standing complaints and clinical symptoms. Not satisfied to authorize surgery, the worker's compensation insurer, Travelers, sought a fourth opinion from Dr. Michael Milek who examined Ms. Nelson in January, 1996. Dr. Milek found "classic" carpel tunnel compression phenomena" and opined that "in all likelihood, she does have bilateral carpel tunnel compression." He recommended a repeat electrical study, and if "the electrical study is abnormal, then I would recommend carpel tunnel release." Finally, in May, 1995, surgery was authorized by Travelers, and bilateral carpel tunnel release surgery was performed on May 8, 1996, by the company doctor, Dr. Jack Miller, who noted during surgery that "the median nerve did not appear to be significantly altered." In subsequent visits in May, June, July, September of 1996, Ms. Nelson reported serially to Dr. Miller "her pain is 95 -2-
Authoring Judge: John A. Turnbull, Sp. J.
Originating Judge:Hon. Irvin Kilcrease, Jr., Judge |
Davidson County | Workers Compensation Panel | 02/12/01 | |
| Ralph Dean Pierce, Jr., et al v. Cincinnati Casualty Insurance Company, et al
M2000-00273-WC-R3-CV
In this case, the employer, appellant, contends that (1) the trial court erred in awarding permanent disability benefits for the right arm, and (2) the trial court's award of 62% permanent partial disability for employee's left arm was excessive. The employee contends that the award to the right arm was insufficient. For reasons stated below, the trial court is affirmed.
Authoring Judge: Tom E. Gray, Sp.J.
Originating Judge:Larry G. Ross, Judge |
Warren County | Workers Compensation Panel | 02/12/01 | |
| Mary Martin v. Catholic Mutual Group
M2000-00228-WC-R3-CV
The trial court awarded to the employee a forty (4%) percent vocational disability to each arm for the work related injury of bilateral carpel tunnel syndrome. No award of vocational disability was made to the claimant for bilateral epicondylitis and the trial court found evidence was insufficient to award future medical for epicondylitis. We affirm the findings of the trial court.
Authoring Judge: Tom E. Gray, Sp. J.
Originating Judge:James Weatherford, SR. J. by designation |
Montgomery County | Workers Compensation Panel | 02/12/01 |