By Jane Salem, staff attorney, Nashville Workers’ compensation and tort law are two very different “animals,” so to speak. A recent opinion involving serious injuries to a maintenance worker on a farm, released by the Court of Appeals in January, illustrates that point. The case also demonstrates the perils to employers of letting a workers’ … Continue reading A Cautionary Tale
Author: tncourtofwcclaims
Board Finds Appeal Frivolous, Awards Fees
By Jane Salem, staff attorney, Nashville Decades ago, President Ronald Reagan famously said, “trust but verify.” That saying embodies the employee’s position in Martin v. Kirby Building Systems, LLC. Martin suffered no permanent impairment after a work injury but wanted an order to “verify” his right to lifetime medical treatment. Kirby Building Systems essentially said “trust” … Continue reading Board Finds Appeal Frivolous, Awards Fees
TNComp: Springing into Action
By Penny Shrum, Clerk of Court, Nashville Spring is a season of new beginnings. Please grow with us and use TNComp! The new rules are in effect. They are posted on the Court's webpage and the Tennessee Secretary of State website. On April 1, 2026, the clerk’s office will begin returning documents that should be … Continue reading TNComp: Springing into Action
Beware: Scam Alert!
By Judge Lisa Lowe, Knoxville Unfortunately, we’re surrounded by scams these days. Some of the top scams are: AI-powered deepfake voice scams, where scammers use AI to clone loved one’s voices or authority figures, creating urgent, high-pressure fake scenarios. E-Z pass/toll text phishing, where text messages claim unpaid tolls, directing users to fake sites to … Continue reading Beware: Scam Alert!
New Rules Take Effect Soon
By Judge Allen Phillips, Jackson Judge Allen Phillips I admit that I’m a creature of habit, which by definition means a person who follows an unvarying routine and doesn't function well without it. But change is inevitable, so it’s best to simply embrace it. Our weather has changed a lot in the past month, for … Continue reading New Rules Take Effect Soon
Is That Your Signature?
By Chief Judge Kenneth M. Switzer, Nashville Fifty-six men signed the Declaration of Independence. Benjamin Franklin was the oldest at age 70 – younger than I. One 23-year-old signed as well, Edward Rutledge. If you look at a copy of the actual document, each signature is legible. Some are quite fancy. And John Hancock famously … Continue reading Is That Your Signature?
Have a Heart?
By Judge Josh Baker, Nashville Ahh, Valentine’s Day! A day to honor the ones we cherish and shower them with gifts and affection. Maybe breakfast in bed, flowers sent to the office to make their office mates jealous (really no other reason to send them there), a romantic dinner, or just extra time celebrating love … Continue reading Have a Heart?
Job Opening for Nashville/Murfreesboro Judge
The Tennessee Bureau of Workers’ Compensation is requesting interested and qualified attorneys to apply for the position of Workers’ Compensation Judge in Nashville/Murfreesboro, Tennessee. The successful candidate will be appointed by the Bureau administrator for a term starting July 1, 2026, and will be eligible to be appointed for three additional full terms. Tenn. Code Ann. … Continue reading Job Opening for Nashville/Murfreesboro Judge
State Offices in Select Counties are Closed on Friday, January 30
State offices in the counties listed below will close on Friday, January 30, due to winter weather. Employees who have the ability to work remotely will do so. Please check over the weekend to see any updates for next week. Be safe. Affected Counties: Bedford Benton Carroll Cheatham Chester Crockett Davidson Decatur Dickson Dyer Fayette Gibson Giles Hardeman Hardin Haywood … Continue reading State Offices in Select Counties are Closed on Friday, January 30
State Offices are Closed in These Counties
State offices in the counties listed below will close on Wednesday, January 28 and Thursday, January 29 due to winter weather. State employees with the ability to work remotely will do so. Affected Counties: Bedford Benton Carroll Cheatham Chester Clay Crockett Davidson Decatur Dickson Dyer Fayette … Continue reading State Offices are Closed in These Counties
No Settlement Approvals This Week
The weather and a judicial meeting prevent this. No need to hazard those icy streets. We don't know yet if state offices are open tomorrow, January 28. Those who have power are working from home. Check back for updates.
Please Check Back!
This blog has proven invaluable in situations like we're currently experiencing, to keep everyone updated on weather-related closures. Right now, we don't know if the Nashville office will be open on Wednesday, January 28, if you are considering seeking a settlement approval on that date. We'll let you know ASAP. In the meantime, remember that … Continue reading Please Check Back!
State Offices are Closed Monday, January 26 and Tuesday, January 27
The winter weather compels us to close. However, many Bureau employees have the capability to work from home and will do so. The only problem for some is power outages. Be safe, everyone.
Board Announces Oral Arguments Next Month
The Tennessee Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board will hear in-person oral arguments in four cases on Thursday, February 12, in Knoxville at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time. First, Gandy v. Marten Transport, Ltd. presents causation/medical causation issues of an employee’s “scratch” that rapidly escalated into a serious infection requiring an arm amputation and multiple surgeries. Marten Transport … Continue reading Board Announces Oral Arguments Next Month
Take Note Please!
The judges will be having their annual meeting next week, Wednesday-Friday, January 28-30. The only location holding settlement approvals will be Nashville on Wednesday January 28, from 8–10 a.m. Central Time. Also, it's winter. Remember that this blog is the best place to check regarding any potential office closures due to inclement weather. Thanks. Stay warm … Continue reading Take Note Please!
I’ll be retiring soon
By Judge Thomas Wyatt, Chattanooga “To every thing there is a season…” Mine is ending soon, and a new chapter will begin. Many practitioners are aware that I became a workers’ compensation judge on July 1, 2014, with the original group of judges. (See below; we haven't aged a day.) Working with Bureau staff and … Continue reading I’ll be retiring soon
2026 Clarksville Dates-A Reminder
Happy New Year! Our 2026 Clarksville hearing dates are below: Tuesday, January 13th Tuesday, February 10th Tuesday, March 10th Tuesday, April 14th Tuesday, May 12th Tuesday, June 9th Tuesday, July 14th Tuesday, August 11th Tuesday, September 8th (courtroom 303) Tuesday, October 13th Tuesday, November 10th (courtroom 403) Tuesday, December 8th. All approvals are held in … Continue reading 2026 Clarksville Dates-A Reminder
Twelve “Must-Read” Appeals Board Opinions from 2025
By Jane Salem, staff attorney Happy New Year! Once again, I’m starting it out with a look back at last year’s most compelling appellate workers’ compensation opinions, month by month. Some months yielded more than one really juicy opinion. It was hard to decide which one to highlight. These are “must-reads,” as the title tells … Continue reading Twelve “Must-Read” Appeals Board Opinions from 2025
Edwards v. Peoplease: Did an Aggravation Cause the Need for Surgery?
By Taylor Skees, staff attorney, Memphis After a protracted, multi-appeal journey, the Supreme Court of Tennessee last week delivered the final word on Edwards v. Peoplease and gave critical guidance on appellate standards of review and the analysis of aggravation injuries. The opinion is a must-read for any workers’ compensation practitioner and judge. Facts and … Continue reading Edwards v. Peoplease: Did an Aggravation Cause the Need for Surgery?
Listen to your Heart
By Judge Brian Addington, Gray No, not the song. But literally, listen to your heart. I’d been listening to mine for weeks starting in middle November and knew something wasn't quite right. I first noticed it the week of November 10th. Every time that I went up and down the steps in my home, I … Continue reading Listen to your Heart
From the Bench 