Tenn. High Court Affirms Reduced Benefits for Auto Worker

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Tennessee Supreme Court's Special Workers' Compensation Appeals Panel has affirmed benefits for an autoworker whose asthma was linked to workplace welding fumes and other substances, but reduced the levels of both permanent and temporary benefits. Clifton v. Nissan North America, No. M2008-01640-WC-R3-WC (Tenn. Sup. Ct.).

The high court held on Aug. 18 that while there was sufficient evidence before the lower court to support an award of permanent partial disability benefits, but that incontrovertible evidence supported a finding that temporary total disability award should have ended sooner than allowed by the lower court.

Kevin Clifton began …