CompFox AI Summary
Donnie Burress, a deputy sheriff for Shelby County, sought employment benefits for heart disease, alleging it was incurred in the line of duty under Tennessee Code section 7-51-201(a)(1). This statute presumes heart conditions for law enforcement officers are work-related if they meet certain conditions, including passing a pre-employment physical without revealing the condition. The trial court dismissed his complaint, finding he did not meet the conditions for the presumption and that any presumption was overcome by medical evidence. The appellate court affirmed, noting Burress admitted to having hypertension at the time of hiring, thus failing to meet a key statutory requirement. Furthermore, medical testimony from Dr. Gary Murray indicated that Burress's heart disease was attributable to personal risk factors like smoking, high cholesterol, and diabetes, rather than his employment, supporting the trial court's decision.
Burress v. Shelby County is a workers' compensation case decided in Court of Appeals of Tennessee. 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 Court of Appeals of Tennessee.
Full Decision Text1 Pages
Donnie Burress, a deputy sheriff for Shelby County, sought employment benefits for heart disease, alleging it was incurred in the line of duty under Tennessee Code section 7-51-201(a)(1). This statute presumes heart conditions for law enforcement officers are work-related if they meet certain conditions, including passing a pre-employment physical without revealing the condition. The trial court dismissed his complaint, finding he did not meet the conditions for the presumption and that any presumption was overcome by medical evidence. The appellate court affirmed, noting Burress admitted to having hypertension at the time of hiring, thus failing to meet a key statutory requirement. Furthermore, medical testimony from Dr. Gary Murray indicated that Burress's heart disease was attributable to personal risk factors like smoking, high cholesterol, and diabetes, rather than his employment, supporting the trial court's decision.
Read the full decision
Join + legal professionals. Create a free account to access the complete text of this decision and search our entire database.