Torrance Taylor v. Board of Administration, City of Memphis Retirement System (Line-of-Duty Disability Pension Rights)

Style: Torrance Taylor v. Board of Administration, City of Memphis Retirement System

TSC Docket Number: W2022-00896-SC-R11-CV

Court of Appeals Opinion: https://tncourts.gov/sites/default/files/OpinionsPDFVersion/TaylorTorranceOPN.pdf

Summary by the Court of Appeals:

This appeal concerns a Memphis police officer’s application for a line-of-duty disability pension. Torrance Taylor (“Taylor”) filed a petition in the Chancery Court for Shelby County (“the Trial Court”) seeking judicial review of a decision by the Administrative Law Judge (“the ALJ”) for the Board of Administration of the City of Memphis Retirement System denying his application for a line-of-duty disability pension. In 2016, Taylor injured his left knee in the course of his duty while detaining a suspect. Afterwards, Taylor retired from the police force and was recommended for ordinary disability benefits. The ALJ ruled that, based on the opinions of physicians, Taylor’s disability stemmed from a chronic condition in his left knee and not from his employment. Thus, the ALJ denied Taylor’s application for a line-of-duty disability pension. The Trial Court upheld the ALJ’s decision. Taylor appeals to this Court. He argues among other things that, but for his 2016 injury in the line of duty, he would not be disabled. The evidence reflects that Taylor worked without restriction before the injury in 2016, which ended his police career. We find that the ALJ’s decision was unsupported by substantial and material evidence. We further find that the ALJ’s decision was arbitrary and capricious. Taylor is entitled to a line-of-duty disability pension. We reverse the judgment of the Trial Court.

Permission to Appeal Granted: December 8, 2023

Appellants’ Briefs Filed: 

Appellees’ Briefs Filed: 

Appellants’ Reply Brief Filed:

Appellees’ Reply Brief Filed:

Amicus Briefs Permitted:  

Oral Argument Date: 

Link to Oral Argument Video:  

Date of TSC Opinion:  

Opinion of the TSC: 

TSC Summary of the Opinion: