By Chief Judge Kenneth M. Switzer, Nashville We’re working remotely but still doing our best to provide top-notch customer service in line with the mission statement of the Court of Workers’ Compensation Claims. Just yesterday, Governor Lee announced that state employees who are currently working from home should continue doing so through April 24. So … Continue reading Staying the Course
Author: tncourtofwcclaims
Objectively considering injuries
By Judge Brian Addington, Gray When I was little, I was often told I was a “tough kid.” This usually occurred after a fall, a hard game of pick-up football, or a fight. I noticed early on that my buddies appreciated someone who could get up, dust himself off, and get back at it. I … Continue reading Objectively considering injuries
Calling for your settlement approval or other hearing
As we prepare for the beginning of telephonic settlement approval hearings next week, we’d like to remind you of the telephone numbers our judges and staff use for conference calls, listed below. Location JUDGES Toll-Free Local CHATTANOOGA Audrey Headrick 855-383-0001 423-634-0164 CHATTANOOGA Thomas Wyatt 855-747-1721 615-741-3061 MEMPHIS Rhoberta Orsland 855-543-5045 901-543-2669 MEMPHIS Deana Seymour 866-943-0014 … Continue reading Calling for your settlement approval or other hearing
In-person oral arguments cancelled
The Tennessee Workers' Compensation Appeals Board issued an order on Friday cancelling the in-person aspect of the next docket of oral arguments. The arguments will now be held telephonically. Thank you.
The Court of Workers’ Compensation Claims and COVID-19: A Measured Response
By Chief Judge Kenneth M. Switzer, Nashville “No man is an island entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent.” John Donne, Devotions Upon Emergent Occasions, 1624 Indeed, this past week we have … Continue reading The Court of Workers’ Compensation Claims and COVID-19: A Measured Response
Cookeville is back
Phone and internet service has been restored to the Cookeville office of the Bureau of Workers' Compensation. Please call 931-520-4290 for scheduling. Again, thank you.
Weathering the storm
By Chief Judge Kenneth M. Switzer, Nashville As you all know, we recently experienced business interruption at the Nashville office due to the tornado. Comparatively speaking, this was just a minor inconvenience. Many people lost everything, and 25 persons lost their lives. When we look at things in those terms, we realize that missing a … Continue reading Weathering the storm
Appeals Board schedules next oral arguments in Knoxville
The Tennessee Workers' Compensation Appeals Board will hold its next set of oral arguments on March 24, 2020, at the Supreme Court Building in Knoxville. On the (very full) docket are: Johnston v. Sisken Steel & Supply Co.: The Employer is challenging medical causation and an award of permanent total disability benefits in an occupational … Continue reading Appeals Board schedules next oral arguments in Knoxville
Update on Cookeville
The Cookeville office is open, but they have no Internet or phone service. All previously-scheduled settlement approvals and telephone hearings will proceed. For scheduling this week during the service outage, contact Patsy Bumbalough in the Murfreesboro office. She can be reached at (615) 848-6743 or patsy.bumbalough@tn.gov. We'll let you know when service is restored. Thanks.
We’re back
We are pleased to let you know that the Nashville office is open and operating at full capacity. To make up for those lost settlement approvals, and as promised, for THIS WEEK ONLY, we will do settlement approvals from 8-11 and 1–3:30 every day. No need to call or schedule. Just show up, and we … Continue reading We’re back
Nashville office closed on March 6
All other offices are open. We're sorry for the inconvenience and hope that power is back by Monday.
Nashville office remains closed on March 5; Cookeville is open
The power is still out in Nashville. But don't forget, the other Bureau offices are open for business. Also, some Nashville employees have the capability to work from home and are doing so, to minimize any inconvenience. They are available by email and some by phone as well. Also, documents may still be filed on … Continue reading Nashville office remains closed on March 5; Cookeville is open
Settlement approvals on pause in Nashville
By Chief Judge Kenneth M. Switzer We realize many of you are anxious to get your settlements approved. Unfortunately, we cannot predict when power will be restored to our building. So, here is my suggestion: cancel your plans to seek approvals (in Davidson County only) for the rest of this week. That way you will … Continue reading Settlement approvals on pause in Nashville
Nashville and Cookeville offices closed today
The Nashville office of the Bureau of Workers' Compensation is closed today because the building has no power and is deemed uninhabitable. The Cookeville office is also closed today. All other offices are open. We'll post updates. Thank you for your patience.
Learning the rules of ‘ritualized battle,’ part two
By Jane Salem, staff attorney, Nashville Welcome back to my two-part series on civil procedure in the Tennessee Court of Workers’ Compensation Claims. You did re-read the cases I mentioned in the last blog post in their entirety and you drew your own conclusions, right? Thanks. I ended the last post with a recap of … Continue reading Learning the rules of ‘ritualized battle,’ part two
Learning the rules of ‘ritualized battle’
By Jane Salem, staff attorney, Nashville When I used to teach civil procedure as a law professor, I would begin the year by telling my students that “civil procedure is the etiquette of ritualized battle.” The phrase, which did not originate with me, captured the point that peaceful, developed societies resolve disputes by law rather … Continue reading Learning the rules of ‘ritualized battle’
Leap day can be dangerous
By Judge Brian Addington, Gray One of Tennessee’s most talented actresses was Dinah Shore. Born in Winchester, Tennessee, in 1916 and a Vanderbilt graduate, she went on to fame as a singer and radio, TV and film actress. She was also a huge supporter of the LPGA and was named an honorary member of the … Continue reading Leap day can be dangerous
Mark your calendars: Free Legal Clinic in Knoxville
On March 14, volunteer attorneys and law students will be available to meet with injured workers to answer their questions about workers' compensation. The clinic will take place at the Duncan School of Law, Lincoln Memorial University in Knoxville. For more information, click here.
Bureau Seeks Nominations for Sue Ann Head Award for Excellence in Workers’ Compensation
The Tennessee Bureau of Workers’ Compensation is accepting nominations for the Second Annual Sue Ann Head Award for Excellence in Workers’ Compensation. Nominees must have been involved in the Tennessee workers’ compensation system for a minimum of five years in one of the following categories: employer or employer’s representative, employee representative, service provider, claims professional, medical … Continue reading Bureau Seeks Nominations for Sue Ann Head Award for Excellence in Workers’ Compensation
Learning from Lincoln: The Ethics of Attorney’s Fees
By Judge Allen Phillips, Jackson Before becoming our 16th President, Abraham Lincoln was a midwestern prairie lawyer. Handling a variety of cases, it is said his fees were generally in the $5 to $20 range, though he once charged a railroad $5,000 (a fee equal to over $169,000 in today’s dollars) to handle a particularly … Continue reading Learning from Lincoln: The Ethics of Attorney’s Fees
From the Bench 