By Chief Judge Kenneth M. Switzer, Nashville Chief Judge Switzer Beginning March 25, 2024, all mediations in cases pending before the Court of Workers’ Compensation Claims will conclude with the issuance of a dispute certification notice. To explain the reason for the change, it all has to do with TNComp, the Court of Workers’ Compensation … Continue reading Important Change Coming Soon
Author: tncourtofwcclaims
Time-Saving Tips (Inspired by a Jazz Icon)
By Jane Salem, staff attorney, Nashville “Time isn’t the main thing, it’s the only thing.” – Miles Davis I wonder what caused Miles Dewey Davis, III to utter those wise words. After all, he was a trumpeter, composer, and bandleader, not a lawyer who bills for his time. You’d think a creative type like him … Continue reading Time-Saving Tips (Inspired by a Jazz Icon)
A Primer on Enforcing/Defending Against Open Medicals
By Judge Shaterra R. Marion, Memphis The Court of Workers’ Compensation Claims will celebrate ten years this July. This isn’t an original thought, but time really does fly. When the Court was first created, we weren’t thinking much about post-judgment matters, for obvious reasons—we hadn’t adjudicated that many cases and were just getting started approving … Continue reading A Primer on Enforcing/Defending Against Open Medicals
Top Ten Appellate Opinions, 2023, part 2
By Jane Salem, staff attorney, Nashville Welcome back! In the last blog post, I took a look back at five opinions from 2023 about jurisdiction, extraordinary relief, mental injuries, medical expenses, and everyone’s favorite subject: attorneys’ fees. Up next is brief mention of five more essential cases from last year, including opinions about aggravations of … Continue reading Top Ten Appellate Opinions, 2023, part 2
Top Ten Appellate Opinions from 2023
By Jane Salem, staff attorney, Nashville Usually I begin a new year with a recap of every workers’ compensation appellate opinion (except the memoranda) from the past year from the Tennessee Supreme Court’s Special Workers’ Compensation Appeals Panel and the Appeals Board. This year, I’m shaking it up. Instead I’ll recap ten key opinions from … Continue reading Top Ten Appellate Opinions from 2023
Yet Another Post about the Weather…
This week’s weather has been challenging in so many ways. Thanks for keeping up with multiple blog posts on the ever-changing situation. For next week, here’s what we anticipate. In Nashville, where we do open settlements, the schedule for January 22-24 is Monday 11 a.m.-3p.m., and Tuesday and Wednesday 8-11 a.m. Central Time. In Memphis, … Continue reading Yet Another Post about the Weather…
State offices will close Friday, January 19 due to winter weather.
This means all offices of the Bureau of Workers' Compensation will be closed tomorrow. However, any previously scheduled telephone or teleconference hearings will proceed. If you had a settlement approval set for tomorrow in Murfreesboro, it will be rescheduled.
Update on Nashville Settlement Dates, Times
The Court will be open on Friday as scheduled for settlements between 8 and 11 a.m. Central Time, depending on any developments in the weather overnight Thursday. Since this past week has been so uncertain and the judges will be in a conference on Thursday and Friday, January 25 and 26, the Nashville court will … Continue reading Update on Nashville Settlement Dates, Times
Murfreesboro settlements aren’t canceled
Yes, you read correctly: The Murfreesboro Court expects to be open for its scheduled Friday settlements. But if parties or counsel are concerned about incoming weather or current travel conditions, they may reset their Friday settlement to Tuesday, January 23. Please email WCCourt.Murfreesboro@tn.gov if you wish to reschedule for Tuesday. Photo by Judge Dale Tipps, … Continue reading Murfreesboro settlements aren’t canceled
Revised Memphis Settlement Schedule
Today, January 18, they will take place between 10 and 11:30 a.m. Central Time. On Tuesday, January 23, they will occur between 9 and 11:30, And remember, no settlements will be heard on January 24 and 25 due to the Judicial Conference. Judge Brian Addington's morning walk near Gray, Tennessee.
State Offices Delayed Opening on January 18
Due to hazardous weather and travel conditions across Tennessee, state offices will open tomorrow at 10 a.m. local time. In Nashville, settlement approvals will be heard starting at 10 a.m. Central Time. Once again, anything scheduled for a telephone or virtual hearing will go forward. Photo by Kim Weaver, Paralegal, Knoxville.
Reschedule Chattanooga Settlements
In-person settlements at the Chattanooga office on Thursday, January 18, 2024 are canceled due to winter weather. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and are happy to help you reschedule your hearing.
Offices Closed on Wednesday, January 17
Due to winter weather, Governor Bill Lee has closed all State offices on Wednesday, January 17. However, if you have a telephone or teleconference hearing, it will proceed as scheduled. Photo by Judge Brian Addington, Gray.
Offices Closed on Tuesday, January 16
Due to winter weather, Governor Bill Lee has closed all State offices on Tuesday, January 16. However, Bureau employees who are able to work from home will do so. The first day of summer is about six months away.
Happy MLK Day–and Check for Cancelations
The State of Tennessee's offices are closed today in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday. Due to the current inclement weather, things look a little iffy for conducting business in-person tomorrow, depending on where you live in the state. So please check back to this blog early Tuesday morning if you have a … Continue reading Happy MLK Day–and Check for Cancelations
Gray v. Tyson Foods to be argued online
The Appeals Board previously ordered that the upcoming oral arguments in Gray v. Tyson Foods be heard in-person. However, the Board has now decided to conduct the arguments by videoconference in the case. A revised docket is here if you wish to observe the proceedings.
A Brief Word for Attorneys
By Judge Dale Tipps, Murfreesboro I often assure attorneys at the outset of a hearing that I’ve read their briefs and prehearing statements. What I don’t say is how much I appreciate the fact that they filed them. But I do appreciate it, and I feel the lack when a party doesn’t file one. A … Continue reading A Brief Word for Attorneys
New Year; Use TNComp
By Penny Shrum, Clerk of Court, Nashville As the new year begins, so do the resolutions – be healthier, spend more time with family, use TNComp… Make a resolution to upload filings directly to TNComp. When you upload a document in TNComp, you may immediately download a stamped-filed copy. Court staff and the judge assigned … Continue reading New Year; Use TNComp
Court may Order Benefits Even When a Declaratory Action is Pending
By Jane Salem, staff attorney, Nashville Parties to a workers’ compensation lawsuit don’t have to wait for a judgment from a collateral court before the workers’ compensation judge can order a party to furnish benefits. This ruling came from the Appeals Board earlier this month, and it was the latest in a series of decisions … Continue reading Court may Order Benefits Even When a Declaratory Action is Pending
Hug Your Friends this Holiday Season
By Judge Thomas Wyatt, Chattanooga We blinked our eyes, and Christmas came and went. Soon we will ring in 2024. My mind, however, is cast upon thoughts apart from the hustle and bustle of the season. Of course, the true reason for the season is the greatest gift of all. Second only to that is … Continue reading Hug Your Friends this Holiday Season
From the Bench 