By Judge Kenneth M. Switzer Welcome back to our discussion regarding the emerging themes from our recent listening sessions. As a reminder, Brian Holmes, Director of Mediation and Ombudsmen Services of Tennessee (MOST), and I visited each Bureau office in November and December to meet with practitioners and hear how the post-July 1, 2014 system … Continue reading Lessons Learned, Part Two
Category: Hon. Kenneth M. Switzer
Lessons Learned from the Listening Tour
By Chief Judge Kenneth M. Switzer We took the show on the road. Beginning in Murfreesboro on November 15 and ending in Knoxville on December 14, Brian Holmes, Director of Mediation and Ombudsmen Services of Tennessee (MOST), and I traveled the state conducting “listening sessions” on the mediation and court system. We visited each of … Continue reading Lessons Learned from the Listening Tour
Motion Practice On the Rise
As time has passed, we have noted an increase in the number of motions being filed. Although this was not completely unexpected, we are surprised at the current volume of motions. This purpose of this post is to summarize the process by which the Court of Workers’ Compensation Claims operates when it comes to motions. … Continue reading Motion Practice On the Rise
Rule Changes in the Works
By Chief Judge Kenneth M. Switzer You spoke; we listened. The Tennessee Court of Workers' Compensation Claims has operated under a set of administrative rules that were drafted before we opened our doors. Now, with almost two years' experience under our belts, parties, practitioners and we on the Court have come to see what worked well, … Continue reading Rule Changes in the Works
Wanted: Your Feedback
By Chief Judge Kenneth M. SwitzerOn Monday, May the 2nd, the Clerk forwarded an electronic survey to all attorneys on our list who have participated in some manner with the Court of Workers’ Compensation Claims since July 1, 2014. This survey consists of nine areas of performance for each of the judges. It may be … Continue reading Wanted: Your Feedback
How are We Doing? And Rules, Forms Changes in the Works
By Chief Judge Kenneth M. SwitzerIf you are like me, you receive a few calls at home at night asking to take “just five minutes” of your time to respond to a survey. (Usually when they discover that I am 64, the survey ends abruptly. Seems my demographic no longer has value. This is likely … Continue reading How are We Doing? And Rules, Forms Changes in the Works
Evening Things Out
By Chief Judge Kenneth M. SwitzerFrom time to time, it's important to take a look at where persons in Tennessee are becoming injured on the job, and reassess whether they truly have efficient and convenient access to the Court of Workers' Compensation Claims. Stated another way, it becomes apparent that some judges' dockets are trending too … Continue reading Evening Things Out
New Faces on the Tennessee Workers’ Comp Bench
By Chief Judge Kenneth M. SwitzerI’m happy to announce the newest jurists on the Court of Workers’ Compensation Claims. They are: Robert Durham, Cookeville; Audrey Headrick, Chattanooga; Amber Luttrell, Jackson; and Dale Tipps, Murfreesboro/Nashville.The Administrator of the Division of Workers’ Compensation, Abbie Hudgens, selected the appointees from recommendations of this year’s Workers’ Compensation Interview Committee, … Continue reading New Faces on the Tennessee Workers’ Comp Bench
Welcome to Our Blog!
"If everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself." - Henry Ford In 2013, the Tennessee Legislature passed comprehensive Workers’ Compensation reform legislation. The reform created a new, administrative Court of Workers’ Compensation Claims within the Workers’ Compensation Division. Our Court officially opened its doors on July 1, 2014, when the new law … Continue reading Welcome to Our Blog!
From the Bench 