By Jane Salem, staff attorney, Nashville IMPORTANT. Governor Bill Lee recently signed a bill into law revising the standards by which a workers’ compensation judge may/must award attorney’s fees and costs. The new law will certainly be one to watch for both employee and employer attorneys in Tennessee. PLEASE READ IT. These changes apply to … Continue reading Big News: Lawmakers Amend Attorney Fee Statute
Author: tncourtofwcclaims
FAQs: Enforcing Open Medical Benefits Provisions
By Judge Shaterra R. Marion, Memphis Back in February 2024, I wrote a blog post entitled “Primer on Enforcing/Defending Against Open Medicals.” I explained how we saw more and more post-judgment disputes and briefly reviewed the standards of proof and other concerns regarding those cases. I’m back again to answer all your questions! I’ll try, … Continue reading FAQs: Enforcing Open Medical Benefits Provisions
CWCL Honors Judges Conner and Johnson at Recent Gala
The College of Workers’ Compensation Lawyers has inducted Presiding Judge Timothy Conner of the Tennessee Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board and Judge Pamela B. Johnson of the Tennessee Court of Workers’ Compensation Claims as fellows. Their induction took place on April 18 in Tucson, AZ. Election as a fellow, according the to College, “is the highest … Continue reading CWCL Honors Judges Conner and Johnson at Recent Gala
June Oral Arguments Announced
The Tennessee Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board will hear oral arguments in three cases in Nashville on June 9. Up first is Howell v. 501K Recycling, where the trial court ordered an employer to furnish additional treatment to an employee who alleged a work-related aggravation of the preexisting arthritis in his back. The trial court weighed … Continue reading June Oral Arguments Announced
Frech Named Workers’ Compensation Judge
Tennessee Bureau of Workers’ Compensation Administrator Troy Haley has named Peter Frech of Nashville as the newest judge on the Court of Workers’ Compensation Claims. Frech will replace Judge Thomas Wyatt, Chattanooga, who retires at the end of June. Frech concentrates his practice exclusively in workers’ compensation and has experience as both a plaintiff and … Continue reading Frech Named Workers’ Compensation Judge
Reminder From the Court Clerk
As of April 1, 2026, the clerk’s office will begin returning documents that should be filed in TNComp by attorneys. Please see the Court’s Rules updated March, 2026 at https://publications.tnsosfiles.com/rules/0800/0800-02/0800-02-21.20260302.pdf In cases where a Dispute Certification Notice has been submitted to the Court, attorneys MUST file documents via TNComp, the Court’s electronic filing system. A document is … Continue reading Reminder From the Court Clerk
Let’s get together
By Judge Dale Tipps, Murfreesboro When you saw the title of this blog, did you immediately sing to yourself, “yeah, yeah, yeah?” If so, you are probably old enough to remember Hayley Mills singing it in the original1961 version of The Parent Trap. More about that later, but first let’s consider a different kind of … Continue reading Let’s get together
A Cautionary Tale
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
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.
From the Bench 