By Judge Dale Tipps, Murfreesboro Today is the summer solstice. What are the popular "beach reads" this year? While I'm always interested in what's new and trending on the bookstore shelves, several years back, I made a habit of reading “Dandelion Wine” by Ray Bradbury at the beginning of every summer. Bradbury somehow managed to … Continue reading Enjoy your summer books and shoes
Author: tncourtofwcclaims
Happy Juneteenth!
Tomorrow is a holiday, and state offices are closed. This of course means no settlement approvals will take place.
Let Grandma Be Your Guide
By Traci Haynes, staff attorney, Gray It’s hard to believe Memorial Day, the unofficial start of summer, is well behind us now. Growing up, I loved spending time with my grandmother, Millie. She had opinions. She would always frown on saying “Happy Memorial Day,” as it was a day of mourning. Another tradition she instilled … Continue reading Let Grandma Be Your Guide
July virtual oral arguments announced
Pop the corn, get a beverage, and log in on July 14 to watch the Tennessee Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board hear oral arguments in two cases. In Hands v. Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc., the employee contends that the trial court erred by ordering the employer to pay unauthorized medical bills under the fee schedule … Continue reading July virtual oral arguments announced
Tennessee Supreme Court lets ruling stand in heart attack death case
By Alyssa Williams, Court Intern, Nashville/Murfreesboro Last summer’s intern for the Court of Workers’ Compensation Claims recapped an important opinion from the Tennessee Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board, Taylor v. Dale’s Recycling. She passed the baton to me, a 2L at the University of Tennessee Winston College of Law. With a journalism degree in my back … Continue reading Tennessee Supreme Court lets ruling stand in heart attack death case
Plan to attend the Bureau’s Education Conference
The annual education conference starts a week from today. This is a short reminder for the attorney track. We have more breakout sessions than usual this year, and you don’t want to miss any of them. Below is a recap of the attorney track and the continuing legal education pre-approved hours that go with them. … Continue reading Plan to attend the Bureau’s Education Conference
Attorney Fees in Litigation: A Few Reminders
By Jane Salem, staff attorney, Nashville So, you want to get paid? And your case went to trial? Last week, the Chief Judge offered pointers for attorney fee awards when cases settle. This week, I’m taking a look at fees in litigated cases, with ideas for both plaintiff and defense lawyers. BUT FIRST. Yes, you … Continue reading Attorney Fees in Litigation: A Few Reminders
Attorney Fees in Settlements: A Few Reminders
By Chief Judge Kenneth M. Switzer, Nashville Chancellor Ellen Lyle, who swore in the original eight workers’ compensation judges in Tennessee, told us that our job would be easy if we would simply “follow the law.” That advice has guided us for almost 12 years now. This article is about lawyers—both plaintiff and defense—and judges … Continue reading Attorney Fees in Settlements: A Few Reminders
Credits Pre-Approved for the Upcoming Education Conference
A continuing legal education-rich conference from June 10-12 awaits your attendance. This year, we’ve received confirmation of 11.75 pre-approved CLE hours, which include 2.15 ethics hours. Below is the list of approved offerings, and here’s the agenda. So, a trip to Murfreesboro results in almost a whole year’s worth of credits in just two and … Continue reading Credits Pre-Approved for the Upcoming Education Conference
Big News: Lawmakers Amend Attorney Fee Statute
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
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!
From the Bench 