Troy Mitchell v. Fayetteville Public Utilities

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF TENNESSEE AT NASHVILLE February 15, 2012 Session TROY MITCHELL v. FAYETTEVILLE PUBLIC UTILITIES Direct Appeal from the Circuit Court for Lincoln County No. C1000141 Franklin L. Russell, Judge No. M2011-00410-SC-R3-WC - Filed May 8, 2012 The trial court awarded workers’ compensation benefits to an injured lineman who had violated a rule requiring the use of protective gloves while in a bucket lift. The employer appealed, contending that the statutory defenses of willful misconduct and, more particularly, the willful failure or refusal to use a safety appliance or device…