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Cutler-Hammer v. Crabtree9/7/2001
whose true origins lie outside the workplace. Cf. Jose v. Equifax, 556 S.W.2d 82, 84 (Tenn. 1977) (stating that the Tennessee Workers' Compensation Act "does not embrace every stress or strain of daily living or every undesirable experience encountered in carrying out the duties of a contract of employment" and noting that "[workers'] compensation coverage is not as broad as general, comprehensive health and accident insurance"); Lawrence Joseph, The Causation Issue in Workers' Compensation Mental Disability Cases, 36 Vand. L. Rev. 263, 291 n.113 (1983) (discussing the use of a "discernible objective event" as a "badge of reliability" which may be used to objectively determine the causal connection between employment and a mental injury). In crafting this balance, Tennessee courts have resolved that mental injuries should be compensable when shown to be work-related, but, under the statutory "injury by accident" requirement, there must be a specific incident that triggers the injury. See 26 Tenn. Jur. Workers' Compensation ยง 24 (1999). Thus, Tennessee has allowed compensation for a mental injury when that injury has been caused by either (1) a compensable physical injury, or (2) a sudden or unusual mental stimulus, such as a fright, shock, or even excessive, unexpected anxiety. See Jose, 556 S.W.2d at 84; but see Allied Chem. Corp. v. Wells, 578 S.W.2d 369, 373 (Tenn. 1979) (holding that worry, anxiety, and stress "within the bounds of the ups and downs of emotional normal human experience" are insufficient to support an award).
In this case, the only medical proof offered concerning the origins of Crabtree's mental injury was Ball's deposition testimony. Ball conceded that Crabtree's worries over his financial ability to support his family and his perceived mistreatment at work contributed to his depression, but he testified repeatedly and unequivocally that those worries resulted from Crabtree's physical injury and that he would not have developed the depression he suffered had he not been injured at work. None of the evidence offered by Cutler-Hammer controverts Ball's testimony. Moreover, Crabtree, whose testimony the trial court found persuasive, attributed his depression to his physical injury, as did his wife. Based on this testimony, we conclude that the preponderance of the evidence supports the trial court's conclusion that Crabtree's mental injury had its origin in the work-related back injury he suffered on February 28, 1995. Therefore, we affirm the trial court's conclusion that Crabtree's mental injury is compensable. Given Crabtree's age, work history, education, and limited job opportunities, we conclude that the evidence does not preponderate against the trial court's determination that Crabtree has been rendered permanently and totally disabled by the combined effects of his physical and mental injuries.
IV. Conclusion
For the foregoing reasons, we hold that Crabtree's mental injury was caused by a physical injury arising out of and in the course of his employment, and therefore we find the mental injury to be compensable. Accordingly, we reject the findings of fact and conclusions of law of the Special Workers' Compensation Appeals Panel regarding Crabtree's mental injury, and we affirm the decision of the trial court. Costs on this appeal will be taxed to Cutler-Hammer, for which execution may issue if necessary.
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