By Kimberly D. Weaver, paralegal, Knoxville I’m a lover of fun, strange, and weird facts. And when it relates to history, even better. I’m kind of like postman Cliff Clavin from Cheers. Remember as he would saunter up to the bar, order his drink, and out would come a strange fact from the depths of … Continue reading Did you know…?
Author: tncourtofwcclaims
Third case added to February Oral Arguments
The Appeals Board will also hear arguments in Cook v. Newton Nissan of Gallatin on February 22. After an expedited hearing, the trial court ordered the employer to offer a panel of pain management specialists, which panel must exclude a physician who had already seen the employee. The employer appealed. Arguments will start at 9:00 … Continue reading Third case added to February Oral Arguments
Memphis settlements canceled today
However, next week approvals will take place from 9-11 a.m. on Tuesday. On Wednesday and Thursday, the approval hours will be extended. They are available from 9 a.m. to noon. Thanks for your flexibility.
Oral Arguments Set for Late February
On February 22, the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board will hold oral arguments in two cases. First, in Nelson v. QVS, the employee alleged an injury while working for the corporation he owns, and which employs him. The business’s carrier has denied the claim. The employee filed a motion that the carrier provide separate counsel to … Continue reading Oral Arguments Set for Late February
Memphis settlements canceled; expanded hours in Nashville
Chief Judge Switzer will be available for approvals from 8 a.m until 2 p.m. Central Time, today only.
In Re: Residents of Montgomery, Stewart, and Houston Counties
By Chief Judge Kenneth M. Switzer, Nashville There’s no place like home. Some people have to travel far from home for a settlement approval. Over the years, the Court of Workers’ Compensation Claims has secured remote locations to hold settlement approval hearings. We’ve done this because our judges are located in eight cities across the … Continue reading In Re: Residents of Montgomery, Stewart, and Houston Counties
Memphis Settlements Canceled Today
Memphis settlements are canceled today due to inclement weather. Be careful on the roads if you must go out.
Appeals Board, 2022: Part Two
By Jane Salem, staff attorney, Nashville Welcome back to our final installment in the three-part series on last year’s workers’ compensation appellate opinions. Notice I noticed this was an issue in a handful of opinions (See what I did there? I know; my comic genius is being wasted as a staff attorney. But it's hard … Continue reading Appeals Board, 2022: Part Two
Appeals Board Opinions, 2022: Part One
By Jane Salem, staff attorney, Nashville The Tennessee Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board had another busy year in 2022. This article will recap cases (which you really need to read!) on all things medical: causation, reasonably necessary treatment, noncompliance, etc. We’ll also look at a couple cases about other categories of benefits. Medical causation As practitioners … Continue reading Appeals Board Opinions, 2022: Part One
Looking Back at 2022: Supreme Court Panel Opinions
By Jane Salem, staff attorney, Nashville Happy New Year! Every January, we post a series of articles summarizing the appellate opinions from the previous year. This year is no exception. Here’s the roadmap for this article. We’ll start with a few words about the year generally, followed by the “rule” for these articles. Then we’ll … Continue reading Looking Back at 2022: Supreme Court Panel Opinions
Reminders
The Bureau will be closed on Monday in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. (Although TNComp is available 24/7/365.) Also, settlement approvals will proceed in Nashville on January 25, but nowhere else statewide. And no settlement approvals will take place on January 26 or 27 statewide due to a judicial conference. "Hate cannot drive … Continue reading Reminders
A Primer on Affidavit Approvals in Nashville
By Sarah McMahan, Administrative Assistant, Nashville On March 10, 1876, Alexander Graham Bell made the first successful telephone transmission of clear speech, famously saying, “Mr. Watson, come here, I want to see you.” Bell probably never imagined how his invention would evolve over the years, or that for most of us, it would become almost … Continue reading A Primer on Affidavit Approvals in Nashville
Basic Settlement Rules, SD-2s, and Other Animals
By Judge Dale Tipps, Murfreesboro Some good news for the new year – this isn’t a post about CMS or MSA approvals! Instead, let’s talk about other aspects of settlement procedures. As you know all too well, the process varies from office to office. This is due to differences in staffing and facilities, the traditional … Continue reading Basic Settlement Rules, SD-2s, and Other Animals
How Things Have Changed
By Judge Brian Addington, Gray I came to work for the Workers’ Compensation Division is Kingsport in 2008. I was hired as a workers’ compensation specialist 4, mediating cases before they could go to court. As time passed, the workers’ compensation specialist 4 job expanded from handling my own cases and mediations, to signing off … Continue reading How Things Have Changed
Resolve to Visit Clarksville for an Approval
By Penny Shrum, Court Clerk, Nashville Do you set the same resolution every year? I haven’t chosen one in a few years. While looking for ideas, I came across one that said “go somewhere you’ve never been.” Have you been to Clarksville for a settlement? This is the year to commit to going. It’s the … Continue reading Resolve to Visit Clarksville for an Approval
ALERT: WATER MAIN BREAK CAUSES MEMPHIS OFFICE CLOSURE
Settlement approvals will be held by phone this week only. Due to inclement weather, the City of Memphis has experienced several water main breaks. The breaks have left the Memphis office of the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation uninhabitable until the low water pressure can be fixed. Staff will be working remotely. Therefore, for this week … Continue reading ALERT: WATER MAIN BREAK CAUSES MEMPHIS OFFICE CLOSURE
Oral Arguments Returning to Belmont Law
The very first arguments for the Tennessee Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board took place at Belmont University College of Law in Nashville in 2016. The Board will return there on January 27, 2023, for another set of arguments. First up will be Acevedo v. Crown Paving. Surviving dependents filed a claim after the worker incurred over … Continue reading Oral Arguments Returning to Belmont Law
Communication: Have We Gone Back in Time?
By Kim Weaver, Paralegal, Knoxville I love to imagine what life was like in the 1800s. I imagine if you lived on the east coast, it was so much simpler to communicate with your family or neighbor. But what if you moved to the old west? It was so remote and rural, that your neighbors, … Continue reading Communication: Have We Gone Back in Time?
Changes Afoot for Memphis Settlements
By Judge Shaterra Marion, Memphis It’s hard to believe I’ve been on the bench for over a month already. I’ve already done about 150 settlement approvals using our current process, but things are a-changing. Specifically, the Memphis Court settlement approval process is changing, effective January 3, 2023. Settlement approvals will take place on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, … Continue reading Changes Afoot for Memphis Settlements
In-Person Oral Arguments Return
Later this week, the Appeals Board will return to in-person oral arguments after a two-year hiatus. During the pandemic, the Board used teleconferencing for arguments. The upcoming arguments will take place on Friday, December 2, at the Supreme Court Building in Nashville. First up will be a pair of cases presenting similar issues, Arlene Ernstes … Continue reading In-Person Oral Arguments Return
From the Bench 