CompFox AI Summary
In this workers' compensation action, the employee, Lee R. Wilkes, suffered a severe facial laceration due to a work-related accident, resulting in a permanent scar on his chin. This disfigurement caused significant self-consciousness and impacted his interaction at work. Wilkes sought compensation for permanent partial disability, medical expenses for reconstructive surgery, and temporary total disability during recovery. The trial court initially granted these benefits, but the Special Workers’ Compensation Appeals Panel reversed. Upon full court review, the judgment of the trial court was affirmed. The court found the reconstructive surgery reasonably necessary under Tennessee Code Annotated Section 50-6-204(b) and that the scar materially affected the employee’s employability under Tennessee Code Annotated Section 50-6-207(3)(E). The court also determined that attorney's fees could be awarded against the contested medical expenses.
Wilkes v. Resource Authority of Sumner County 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
In this workers' compensation action, the employee, Lee R. Wilkes, suffered a severe facial laceration due to a work-related accident, resulting in a permanent scar on his chin. This disfigurement caused significant self-consciousness and impacted his interaction at work. Wilkes sought compensation for permanent partial disability, medical expenses for reconstructive surgery, and temporary total disability during recovery. The trial court initially granted these benefits, but the Special Workers’ Compensation Appeals Panel reversed. Upon full court review, the judgment of the trial court was affirmed. The court found the reconstructive surgery "reasonably necessary" under Tennessee Code Annotated Section 50-6-204(b) and that the scar "materially affected" the employee’s employability under Tennessee Code Annotated Section 50-6-207(3)(E). The court also determined that attorney's fees could be awarded against the contested medical expenses.
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