The Tennessee Bureau of Workers’ Compensation has appointed its inaugural position for the new Next Step Program. Marion Southall White was hired as the first Vocational Recovery Specialist for the Next Step Program. Marion comes from a career development background with the Institute for Career Development for the United Steelworkers. She brings years of manufacturing … Continue reading Next Step Program Specialist Announced
Category: Blog Administrator
Appeals Board: No to employee doctor’s videoconference ‘presence’ at an IME
Today the Tennessee Workers' Compensation Appeals Board reversed a trial court order allowing an employee to have his own physician "present" by electronic means at an independent medical examination. Read the opinion here.
Appeals Board sets cases for oral argument
On October 1, the Workers' Compensation Appeals Board will return to the Tennessee Supreme Court in Nashville to hear arguments in the following cases: Tennyson Order Compelling Deposition; Ailshie v. TN Farm Bureau Federation; Clay v. Signature Healthcare; and, Caldwell Order Compelling IME. Arguments begin at 9:00 a.m. Click here for more information.
New faces at the Appeals Board
The Tennessee Workers' Compensation Appeals Board is pleased to announce the hiring of two new staff members. Olivia Yearwood will be the Board’s new clerk of court. Yearwood previously worked in the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation as a Compliance Specialist, and before that she was a Special Agent for the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission. Yearwood … Continue reading New faces at the Appeals Board
Honoring 100 Years of Workers’ Compensation in Tennessee
On June 12, the Tennessee Bureau of Workers' Compensation hosted a formal event to commemorate the law's 100 years and to honor an individual who has had a significant impact on the law. Theresa Montgomery, the chief state photographer in Nashville, captured the highlights below. To see all of her wonderful photos of this event, … Continue reading Honoring 100 Years of Workers’ Compensation in Tennessee
See You In Murfreesboro
Tomorrow kicks off the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation’s 22nd Annual Educational Conference at the Embassy Suites in Murfreesboro. This year’s event will commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Tennessee Workers’ Compensation Law. For our part, the Court of Workers’ Compensation Claims will once again offer two sessions on legal ethics. First, back by popular demand, … Continue reading See You In Murfreesboro
Summer’s here!
There will be no settlement approvals statewide on the following dates: June 12-14: The Bureau's Educational Conference; July 4: Independence Day; July 18-19: Judicial Meeting; and, September 2: Labor Day. The Nashville office only will conduct settlement approvals on June 12. Be safe, and enjoy the warm weather.
Mark your Calendars
As promised, here's an update about commemorations of the centennial of the Workers' Compensation Law. The Knoxville office of the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation is celebrating the 100-year anniversary on April 15 and 18 from 10:00 a.m. through 12:00 p.m. The Cookeville office will celebrate on April 10 from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. The Kingsport/Gray … Continue reading Mark your Calendars
Panel upholds constitutionality of law foreclosing undocumented workers’ eligibility for increased PPD
Tennessee Code Annotated section 50-6-207(3)(F) does not allow additional permanent partial disability benefits to undocumented workers. An injured worker challenged the law in the Court of Workers' Compensation Claims, but the trial court determined it had no authority to determine the facial constitutionality of a statute. Yesterday the Tennessee Supreme Court Special Workers' Compensation Appeals … Continue reading Panel upholds constitutionality of law foreclosing undocumented workers’ eligibility for increased PPD
Supreme Court adopts Appeals Board decision on permanent partial disability benefits
Yesterday, the Tennessee Supreme Court affirmed an award of permanent partial disability benefits in Batey v. Deliver This, Inc. The high court reviewed an opinion from the Tennessee Workers' Compensation Appeals Board holding that the trial court erred when it held that the employee's "pre-injury occupation" on the Physician Certification Form to mean the employee’s … Continue reading Supreme Court adopts Appeals Board decision on permanent partial disability benefits
You’re Invited!
The Clerk of the Tennessee Court of Workers’ Compensation Claims, Penny Shrum, is holding training on TNComp at three locations in December. There may be a surprise guest. The goal is to train lawyers, paralegals and legal assistants on how to upload documents to TNComp. We will also discuss filings with the Court. Please mark … Continue reading You’re Invited!
See you next week
The public hearing on the proposed revisions to the Mediation and Hearing Procedures for the Court of Workers’ Compensation Claims is Tuesday, October 30, at 10:00 a.m. Central Time at the Bureau of Workers' Compensation in the Tennessee Room, 220 French Landing Drive in Nashville. This is your opportunity to voice your opinion. Members of … Continue reading See you next week
New General Rules Take Effect
By Jeff Francis, Assistant Administrator, Nashville The Bureau recently revised its General Rules. The revised rules took effect on May 31 and were designed to make claims handling more efficient and uniform. In summary, the revisions include: Carriers are now required to provide employers a copy of the Notice of Employer Rights and Responsibilities whenever a … Continue reading New General Rules Take Effect
Chattanooga makes the front page
Congratulations to court staff in the Chattanooga office on an excellent article in the Hamilton County Herald.
Changing the Rules
In June 2014, a group of fresh-faced workers’ compensation judges in Tennessee – none of whom had actually heard a case yet – developed a set of rules for the newly minted Court of Workers’ Compensation Claims. They relied on their lengthy collective experience as trial attorneys and specialist 4s to come up with a … Continue reading Changing the Rules
Dude, Let’s Go (Ethics) Bowling
How well do you know the Rules of Professional Conduct? Test your knowledge during the Ethics Bowl breakout session at the upcoming Bureau Educational Conference on Friday, June 8, at 8 a.m. at the Embassy Suites in Murfreesboro. Yes, 8 a.m.! – a great time to sharpen your ethics skills before a relaxing weekend. Bring … Continue reading Dude, Let’s Go (Ethics) Bowling
Are you an Outlaw or an Angel?
Find out at the upcoming Bureau Educational Conference in Murfreesboro. Staff Attorneys Jane Salem, Court of Workers' Compensation Claims, and Elizabeth Vines, Appeals Board -- huge "outlaw country" fans -- will host "Outlaws and Angels: Tips for Success in Your Workers' Compensation Case." They'll offer their views from beside the bench... when the recording is … Continue reading Are you an Outlaw or an Angel?
Please Give us your Feedback
To all self-represented parties/lawyers who have tried a case within the last year: Last week, you should’ve received a survey asking you to provide feedback based on your experience with the Tennessee Court of Workers’ Compensation Claims. If you’ve already completed the survey, thanks for taking the time to provide us with your valuable feedback, … Continue reading Please Give us your Feedback
The Survey Says…
By Chris Acuff, Statistical Research Analyst, Nashville We actually don't know what the survey says -- yet. As part of the Tennessee Court of Workers' Compensation Claims' efforts to continually improve the hearing and settlement process for all parties, the Bureau of Workers' Compensation will be distributing a brief questionnaire to assess customers' experiences with … Continue reading The Survey Says…
You’re invited!
The Tennessee Court of Workers' Compensation Claims is hosting "Coffee with the Court" at three locations in April. Yes, we really will serve coffee! The goal is to answer your questions and to listen to your constructive criticism and suggestions. We hope to listen more than we speak. Please mark your calendars now and plan … Continue reading You’re invited!
From the Bench 