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
Category: Blog Administrator
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!
Appeals Board Sets Knoxville Oral Arguments, Revises Rules
The Tennessee Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board recently set four cases for oral argument in Knoxville on April 26. Starting at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time, the Board will take up Yeaman v. Kindred Health Care, where the Court denied a motion to dismiss for failure to prosecute. Afterward, counsel will argue whether the Court properly held … Continue reading Appeals Board Sets Knoxville Oral Arguments, Revises Rules
TNComp Goes Live!
The Tennessee Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) now uses an innovative new system that allows attorneys and self-represented litigants to file documents without printing copies or traveling to BWC offices across the state. The new TNComp electronic filing system allows all parties to file contested case pleadings in a more efficient and cost-effective manner. Since BWC … Continue reading TNComp Goes Live!
The Next Maury County Day is…
The next day for settlement approvals in Maury County is March 28. If you have a claimant from the southern counties who prefers going to Columbia rather than the Murfreesboro office, contact Patsy Bumbalough or call 615-848-6743.
Nobody’s Perfect
In case you've been too busy to keep up with the Appeals Board's decisions of late, we thought this practice tip might be helpful. Several recent appellate opinions have contained a version of the following language: Section 50-6-217(a)(3) authorized us to reverse or modify a trial court’s decision if the rights of a party were … Continue reading Nobody’s Perfect
The Next Maury County Day is…
The next day for settlement approvals in Maury County is February 20. If you have a claimant from the southern counties who prefers going to Columbia rather than the Murfreesboro office, contact Patsy Bumbalough or call 615-848-6743.
No settlement approvals on January 5, 2018
Happy New Year! All of the judges and staff attorneys are meeting on January 5, and therefore none of the offices statewide will host settlement approvals on that date.
The next Maury County Day is…
The next day for settlement approvals in Maury County is January 30. If you have a claimant from the southern counties who prefers going to Columbia rather than the Murfreesboro office, contact Patsy Bumbalough or call 615-848-6743.
Trial Settlement Day Set in Maury County
The Court of Workers' Compensation Claims is continually looking for ways to better serve our clientele. To that end, parties and counsel in the mid-state may seek approval of their settlements in the Maury County Courthouse, rather than the Murfreesboro office, on Wednesday, November 29, starting at 9:00 a.m. If you wish to do so, … Continue reading Trial Settlement Day Set in Maury County
Help Wanted
The Appeals Board is looking for a staff attorney who excels in research and writing, among other strengths. Read more about the position here (scroll to "staff attorney").
Tennessee Comp Reforms Receive High Marks
We're proud that people are noticing the Bureau's hard work generally and the Court's in particular. We promise to continue to provide a fair, efficient and professional court system to employees and employers that will promote economic prosperity for all Tennesseans.
Bureau Redoubles Compliance Efforts, Names New Director
Tennessee employers, you’re warned: Comply with the Workers’ Compensation Law, or be prepared to face serious consequences. The Tennessee Bureau of Workers’ Compensation is making changes to its Compliance Program. The Bureau’s efforts include appointing new leadership, pursuing new initiatives and hiring additional staff to achieve its goals. As of Oct. 1, Amanda Terry now … Continue reading Bureau Redoubles Compliance Efforts, Names New Director
Appeals Board Schedules More Arguments
The Tennessee Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board plans to hit the road again soon for more oral arguments. On Wednesday, Aug. 30, the three-judge Board will travel to Memphis for the first time. First up there is Butler v. AAA Cooper Transportation, where the Board will take another look at idiopathic injuries and the willful misconduct … Continue reading Appeals Board Schedules More Arguments
Bureau Announces New Resource for Self-Represented Litigants
Merriam Webster online defines an attorney as one whose profession is “to advise as to legal rights and obligations,” while an ombudsman is one who “investigates, reports on, and helps settle complaints.” Combine the two, and you’ve got the Bureau’s new Ombudsman Attorney Program, a resource separate from the Court of Workers' Compensation Claims for … Continue reading Bureau Announces New Resource for Self-Represented Litigants
Presiding Judge Davidson Pens Law Review Article
The Journal of Appellate Practice and Process, a publication of the William H. Bowen School of Law in Little Rock, Ark., recently published Appeals Board Presiding Judge Marshall Davidson's scholarly article entitled Attracting Undue Scrutiny on Appeal: An Appellate Judge's Perspective. The article offers suggestions for trial judges on ways to avoid drawing attention to areas within … Continue reading Presiding Judge Davidson Pens Law Review Article
Trial Court Update is Re-scheduled
The Tennessee Workers' Compensation Educational Conference kicks off next Tuesday at the Embassy Suites in Murfreesboro. Attention all Tennessee workers' compensation practitioners: the "Trial Court Update" breakout session scheduled for Wednesday, June 14, has changed timeslots. It will now commence at 3:30 p.m. rather than 1:30. The most recent schedule of all programming is available here. The … Continue reading Trial Court Update is Re-scheduled
Oral Argument now available for Expedited Appeals
Gov. Bill Haslam signed into law last month a bill revising the Workers' Compensation Law. Click here to navigate to the full-text of Public Chapter No. 344, Senate Bill No. 325. In addition, a summary of the changes is available at the Bureau's website. Among its changes, of particular interest to workers' compensation practitioners, is … Continue reading Oral Argument now available for Expedited Appeals
School’s out!
As we head into summer, we'd like to offer a few reminders on scheduling: The Bureau will be closed on May 29, July 4 and September 4 for the Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day holidays. There will be no settlement approvals statewide June 12-15 during the Bureau's annual educational conference in Murfreesboro. … Continue reading School’s out!
From the Bench 