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Plaintiff Leonard Thompson, a bus driver for Defendant Leon Russell Enterprises, was injured in a bus accident on August 25, 1986, sustaining injuries to his back, hip, and legs, with persistent knee pain. After initial conservative treatment by Dr. Boylin, he underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee by Dr. Eyring on October 10, 1990. Dr. Eyring assessed a 20% permanent impairment to the left leg, while Defendant's physician, Dr. Bishop, assessed 10%. The trial court awarded 60% permanent partial disability to the body as a whole and 25 weeks of temporary total disability benefits. On appeal, the higher court affirmed the temporary total disability award but modified the permanent partial disability award to 80% to the left leg, reasoning that a body as a whole award requires expert testimony establishing permanent injury to an unscheduled body part, which was not sufficiently proven for the hip or back injuries.
Thompson v. Leon Russell Enterprises is a workers' compensation case decided in Tennessee Supreme Court. This case addresses legal issues related to compensation claims, benefits, and court rulings.
It is commonly referenced in legal research involving workers' compensation laws in Tennessee Supreme Court.
Full Decision Text1 Pages
Plaintiff Leonard Thompson, a bus driver for Defendant Leon Russell Enterprises, was injured in a bus accident on August 25, 1986, sustaining injuries to his back, hip, and legs, with persistent knee pain. After initial conservative treatment by Dr. Boylin, he underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee by Dr. Eyring on October 10, 1990. Dr. Eyring assessed a 20% permanent impairment to the left leg, while Defendant's physician, Dr. Bishop, assessed 10%. The trial court awarded 60% permanent partial disability to the body as a whole and 25 weeks of temporary total disability benefits. On appeal, the higher court affirmed the temporary total disability award but modified the permanent partial disability award to 80% to the left leg, reasoning that a body as a whole award requires expert testimony establishing permanent injury to an unscheduled body part, which was not sufficiently proven for the hip or back injuries.
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