By Jane Salem, staff attorney, Nashville It just had to feel “right.” So says Judge Deana Seymour about her process when finalizing an order after an evidentiary hearing. After applying the facts to the law and before signing it, she always did a gut check. That doesn’t mean she always got it right; but often, … Continue reading We’ll Miss You, Judge Seymour
Author: tncourtofwcclaims
Abbie Hudgens Inducted into NAWCJ Hall of Fame
By Judge Audrey Headrick, Chattanooga In 2011, Governor Bill Haslam appointed Abbie Hudgens as Administrator of the Division, now Bureau, of Workers’ Compensation. Among her many accomplishments, Abbie led the Bureau through the 2013 Workers’ Compensation Reform Act. The Reform Act created the Court of Workers’ Compensation Claims. Abbie ultimately appointed twelve workers’ compensation judges. … Continue reading Abbie Hudgens Inducted into NAWCJ Hall of Fame
No settlements statewide next Monday through Wednesday
The Judges will be attending the Bureau's Educational Conference in Murfreesboro. Hope to see you there. As a reminder, please check the hours and procedures for settlements before scheduling them. Thanks. West Tennessee crepe myrtle fares well in the summer heat. Photo by Judge Deana Seymour, Memphis.
Board Sets Oral Arguments in Two Cases
On August 10, the Tennessee Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board will hold oral argument in a pair of cases regarding an employee’s entitlement to medical benefits while treating for their work injuries. In both cases, the trial courts had to weigh conflicting expert opinions over medical causation and ultimately found in favor of the injured worker. … Continue reading Board Sets Oral Arguments in Two Cases
Former U.S. Attorney General to Speak at Annual Conference
Attorneys, the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation is offering three presentations to satisfy your annual continuing education requirements on legal ethics at the Annual Educational Conference. This year, the conference will take place Monday, August 15, through Wednesday, August 17, at the Embassy Suites Conference Center in Murfreesboro. We’re offering a one-hour ethics presentation on each … Continue reading Former U.S. Attorney General to Speak at Annual Conference
No Settlement Approvals Statewide July 20-22
The judges will be at a judicial conference. Thanks. Shelby Park, Nashville.
Judge Seymour to Retire; Applicants Sought for Memphis Judgeship
Judge Deana Seymour Memphis Judge Deana Seymour has announced her retirement. She will step down on Sept. 1. Look for another article about her career accomplishments and contributions to the Court in the very near future. In the meantime, the State of Tennessee and Bureau of Workers’ Compensation are requesting interested and qualified attorneys to … Continue reading Judge Seymour to Retire; Applicants Sought for Memphis Judgeship
Board Affirms Open Medicals Ruling
By Jane Salem, staff attorney, Nashville Last week, the Appeals Board released an opinion affirming a trial court’s decision to order an employer to authorize a visit to the designated doctor under an open medical benefits provision of a compensation order. The self-represented employee prevailed—but the opinion offers valuable guidance for what an employer can … Continue reading Board Affirms Open Medicals Ruling
Gov. Lee Announces Key Tennessee Bureau of Workers’ Compensation Appointments
Abbie Hudgens stepping down; Troy Haley will lead Friday, July 01, 2022 | 04:33pm NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Today, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced he will appoint Troy Haley to serve as Administrator of the Tennessee Bureau of Workers’ Compensation within the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development, effective September 1. Lee also named key appointments to the Workers’ … Continue reading Gov. Lee Announces Key Tennessee Bureau of Workers’ Compensation Appointments
We All Have Our Limits
By Judge Robert Durham, Cookeville Not Judge Durham. Nope. Like everyone else, I have my limits. There are some things I just can’t do, even if I want to. For example, I can’t dunk a basketball, and it doesn’t matter how much I practice, I will never be able to go in for that monster … Continue reading We All Have Our Limits
Self-Represented Litigants: A Look at the Rules
By Judge Allen Phillips, Jackson The right to self-representation has been part of American jurisprudence since the beginnings of our nation. Indeed, the Judiciary Act of 1789 provided that “in all the courts of the United States, the parties may plead and manage their own causes personally or by the assistance of counsel.” A few … Continue reading Self-Represented Litigants: A Look at the Rules
Knoxville Attorney Appointed Workers’ Compensation Judge
Governor Bill Lee has appointed Meredith B. Weaver as a judge on the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board for the Tennessee Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC). Weaver has practiced law for 18 years, primarily in the areas of workers’ compensation and employment law. She is an attorney with the firm Peterson White in Knoxville. Weaver was voted … Continue reading Knoxville Attorney Appointed Workers’ Compensation Judge
Court Creates New Settlement Templates for Death Benefits
By Judge Pamela Johnson, Knoxville “Excellence is the gradual result of always striving to do better.” – Pat Riley “On occasion we need to make a second effort – and a third effort, and a fourth effort, and as many degrees of effort as may be required to accomplish what we strive to achieve.” – … Continue reading Court Creates New Settlement Templates for Death Benefits
Appeals Board Stresses Panel Requirement
By Jane Salem, staff attorney, Nashville Employers/carriers: as a general rule, when an employee reports a work injury, you must offer a panel of three physicians within three business days. This requirement isn’t new; yet it still isn’t followed universally. An Appeals Board opinion released last week shows that when a panel isn’t given, the … Continue reading Appeals Board Stresses Panel Requirement
MOST Announces Three Procedural Changes
By Jeannie Henderson, Martha-Lynn Lee, Kourtney Sanders, and Jay Hicks As REO Speedwagon sang back in the late 1970s, sometimes you’ve got to roll with the changes. We within Mediation and Ombudsman Services of Tennessee think those are wise words. You might have already noticed changes with the Dispute Resolution Statements that have been issued … Continue reading MOST Announces Three Procedural Changes
Memphis Settlements: The Sequel
By Chief Judge Kenneth M. Switzer, Nashville As Top Gun: Maverick has shown, sometimes a sequel can be a huge hit and even more successful than the original. We’re hoping for the same with this article. After publishing yesterday’s blog about an adjustment in the Memphis settlement process, we learned that some misunderstanding occurred in … Continue reading Memphis Settlements: The Sequel
Memphis Settlements: New Process and a Satellite Location
By Chief Judge Kenneth M. Switzer, Nashville Memphis, Nashville, and Murfreesboro conduct the most settlement approvals in Tennessee. Memphis has presented difficulties for some time now with providing enough settlement times to accommodate the large volume. The location and accessibility of the Memphis office unfortunately complicate the matter. We’ve long heard stories of difficulty finding … Continue reading Memphis Settlements: New Process and a Satellite Location
Musings on Mentoring
By Jane Salem, staff attorney, Nashville It's May. I get sentimental this time of year at graduations. Some people cry at weddings, but I prefer graduations. I'm just very inspired by young people walking across a stage and celebrating hard work and success. Especially now, when schooling became a whole lot more complicated by a … Continue reading Musings on Mentoring
Judge Baker is Reappointed
Abbie Hudgens, Administrator of the Tennessee Bureau of Workers’ Compensation, has announced that she recently reappointed Judge Joshua Davis Baker to the Court of Workers’ Compensation Claims. Judge Baker sits in Nashville. This will be his second full term. “Judge Baker has played a pivotal role in the Court of Workers’ Compensation Claims since his … Continue reading Judge Baker is Reappointed
Board Determines the Court’s Discretion with Requests for Admissions
By Janaye Godfrey, Court Intern, Nashville Belmont University College of Law ‘24 The Appeals Board released an opinion last week determining the scope of a trial court’s discretion when applying Rule 36 of the Tennessee Rules of Civil Procedure, which governs requests for admissions. In Holt v. Quality Floor Coverings, LLC, the employee alleged an … Continue reading Board Determines the Court’s Discretion with Requests for Admissions
From the Bench 