The Tennessee Bureau of Workers’ Compensation is accepting nominations for the Third 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, … Continue reading Please Nominate a Deserving Candidate for Recognition
Category: Blog Administrator
The First Listening Session is TODAY
If you RSVP'd for TODAY's session (not May 14), you should have received your personal invite this morning. If you didn't receive an email from Court Clerk Penny Shrum, or didn't RSVP but would still like to attend, please contact her at Penny.Patterson-Shrum@tn.gov. The discussion starts promptly at 1:00 Central Time this afternoon. Photo by … Continue reading The First Listening Session is TODAY
Telephone Settlement Approvals Extended Through June
We are cautiously optimistic about returning to in-person approvals. But for now we must maintain hearing settlements by phone for obvious reasons. We’ll check back with you sometime after the solstice. Be patient and above all safe, friends. Thanks. Photo by Szabu00f3 Viktor on Pexels.com
Lessons Learned from the Past Year
By the Tennessee Court of Workers' Compensation Claims Who knew we’d be at this for more than a year in March 2020, when we were all sent home? No one. The pandemic has been the most unusual and solemn life event for us all. Now that there’s an end in sight, with many of us … Continue reading Lessons Learned from the Past Year
Telephone Hearings are on for February 16, 2021
The Governor has closed state office buildings in some Tennessee counties on February 16 due to inclement weather. However, if you have a previously scheduled telephone hearing on that day, including a settlement approval, it is still going to proceed. Most Bureau employees are working remotely and will be on the job, including court staff … Continue reading Telephone Hearings are on for February 16, 2021
Appeals Board Announces 2021 Oral Arguments
The Appeals Board will hold oral arguments in four cases on Thursday, Jan. 28 and Feb. 4, 2021, by videoconference. Three cases will be heard on Jan. 28. First, in Tate v. Doney, d/b/a Middle Tennessee Respiratory, after an expedited hearing, the trial court ordered the employer to authorize treatment with a physician of the … Continue reading Appeals Board Announces 2021 Oral Arguments
ALERT!
Due to the Nashville bombing of AT&T technical equipment location, normal telephone service for settlement approvals has been interrupted. PLEASE NOTE THE SETTLEMENT CALL-IN NUMBERS FOR THIS WEEK ONLY FOR THE NASHVILE JUDGES: Judge Josh Baker – 423-634-0163 Chief Judge Kenneth Switzer – 855-543-5041 All attorneys with approvals this week must contact the injured workers … Continue reading ALERT!
Telephone Settlements will Continue Through March 2021
We'll continue the revised procedure for everyone's safety and reevaluate around St. Paddy's Day.
Jackson Office Expands Settlement Approval Days
It's that time again: time for holiday cheer and settling cases before the New Year. To better serve you and your clients during this busy season, Judges Luttrell and Phillips of the Jackson office are expanding their settlement approval hearing days to any weekday in the month of December. To request a December approval hearing, … Continue reading Jackson Office Expands Settlement Approval Days
Telephone Approvals to remain for the rest of the year
It's been over six months now since we've made the change to allow for all settlement approval hearings to occur by phone, for everyone's health and safety. Looking ahead, at least for the next two months, the altered procedure will remain in place. We'll revisit this for 2021 in mid-December. Please be careful. Percy Warner … Continue reading Telephone Approvals to remain for the rest of the year
Take note of Bureau closures
The Bureau will be closed the following dates: Wednesday, November 11; Thursday and Friday, November 26-27; Thursday and Friday, December 24-25; Thursday and Friday, December 31-January 1, 2021; Monday, January 18; and Monday, February 15. Also, no settlement approval hearings will take place on Thursday and Friday, January 28-29, due to a Judicial Conference. Photo … Continue reading Take note of Bureau closures
What’s New at the Appeals Board?
We’re glad you asked! First, on Monday, new rules became effective that govern the appeals process for both interlocutory appeals and compensation order appeals. They are available here. The rules didn't revise any deadlines or make other significant substantive changes, but they now incorporate the Board’s former Practices and Procedures into the administrative rules. Second, … Continue reading What’s New at the Appeals Board?
Bureau announces new resource for pro se litigants
By James Hicks, ombudsman attorney, Nashville Over the past three years (has it really been that long?), I have been honored to serve as an ombudsman attorney for the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation. My days are spent explaining legal concepts and court procedure to self-represented litigants. It is almost always the case that the people … Continue reading Bureau announces new resource for pro se litigants
Phone settlement approvals will continue through October
Thanks for your continuing cooperation with our revised settlement procedures due to the pandemic. Photo by Kim Weaver, Legal Assistant and devoted gardener, Knoxville.
October oral arguments announced
The Tennessee Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board will hold oral arguments in four cases on Oct. 15, by phone or “other remote means” yet to be determined. Click here to see the docket. The arguments kick off at 9:00 a.m. Central Time with a case from west Tennessee, Diamond v. Kroger Co. The case required the … Continue reading October oral arguments announced
Bureau Announces Virtual Educational Conference
A while back, we announced with great disappointment that our annual educational conference was canceled. But now we have fantastic news: We've discovered a way to present a great conference without the worries of bringing 600-plus attendees together. We'll be teaming with Select Medical to host a virtual conference. Save the dates--October 24-30--although it’s not … Continue reading Bureau Announces Virtual Educational Conference
No settlement approvals statewide on July 3, 16 and 17
We'll be closed on Friday for the July Fourth holiday. The Court holds its semi-annual Judicial Meeting on July 16 and 17, and no one will be available to approve settlements. We wish you a safe and happy holiday.
Bureau Announces Judge Reappointments
Abbie Hudgens, Administrator of the Tennessee Bureau of Workers’ Compensation, announced today that she has reappointed seven judges to the Court of Workers’ Compensation Claims. They are: Kenneth Switzer, Chief Judge, Nashville Brian Addington, Gray Pamela Johnson, Knoxville Lisa Lowe, Knoxville Thomas Wyatt, Chattanooga Allen Phillips, Jackson Deana Seymour, Memphis. “One of the most significant … Continue reading Bureau Announces Judge Reappointments
Telephonic settlement approvals to continue through July
While states and cities commence reopening at various paces, we have determined that we will continue conducting settlement approvals by telephone through July. By most accounts, the new, temporary process is working well and keeping everyone safe at the same time. We will reevaluate this decision in the coming weeks and let you know what … Continue reading Telephonic settlement approvals to continue through July
Surveys delayed but on the way
In a previous blog post, we announced that electronic surveys about our judges would be sent to every attorney and self-represented litigant within the past year who tried or settled a case in the Court of Workers’ Compensation Claims where a dispute certification notice issued. We also said to watch your inboxes because they would … Continue reading Surveys delayed but on the way
From the Bench 