hospitalized for approximately eight weeks following the accident and was only able to return to work after six months of further recuperation.   Appellant's treating physician informed him that his condition was of a degenerative nature and would gradually worsen over time.


3
During most of his adult life, appellant has had numerous jobs as a factory worker and laborer.   He stacked lumber at a sawmill, was a feed mill operator, drove a truck, was a roofer, a crane operator and a maintenance man.   Most recently, appellant was a lawn maintenance supervisor.   He maintains he had to quit his most recent job, as well as others, because of the severe back pain he suffered.


4
According to the medical records, appellant's first visit to aphysician after his accident occurred on October 11, 1989, when he was examined by Dr. David Lee, a neurologist.   Dr. Lee's report concluded that the appellant suffered from post-traumatic lower back and bilateral leg pain, as well as posterior neck pain and occipital headaches, which he suffered as a result of a 1980 car accident.


5
X-rays performed by Dr. Lee on November 7, 1989, revealed, among other things, a significant straightening of the cervical lordosis, mild degenerative changes involving the apophyseal joints of the cervical spine, mild straightening of the lumbar lordosis, mild degenerative changes of the lumbar spine, mild posterior compression deformity of L5, and probable spina bifida occulta involving S1.   As to appellant's functional ability, Dr. Lee concluded the appellant would have trouble