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 Bureau Seeks Nominations for Sue Ann Head Award for Excellence in Workers’ Compensation
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Take care of Yourselves and Others
By Judge Joshua Davis Baker, Nashville Today marks an important milestone in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic in the United States, as vaccinations are now available to some. This is encouraging news; yet, we still have a long way to go before the world returns to “normal.” We’re all familiar with the physical health … Continue reading Take care of Yourselves and Others
Telephonic settlement approvals will continue through August
Thanks for your continued flexibility. Click here and here for more information on the process, which we previously conveyed. Be safe, everyone.
Guidance as in-person hearings resume
By Chief Judge Kenneth Switzer, Nashville “When you have exhausted all possibilities, remember this: You haven’t.” --Thomas Edison Right now, we’re all … Continue reading Guidance as in-person hearings resume
Remembering Those Who Died at Work
By Judge Brian Addington, Gray Wow, April 28th came and passed, and nothing really seemed to be going on because of the COVID-19 mess we are in right now. But, did you know that April 28th is actually a day of remembrance? In the United States, it is called Workers’ Memorial Day. In Canada, it’s … Continue reading Remembering Those Who Died at Work
Calling for your settlement approval or other hearing
As we prepare for the beginning of telephonic settlement approval hearings next week, we’d like to remind you of the telephone numbers our judges and staff use for conference calls, listed below. Location JUDGES Toll-Free Local CHATTANOOGA Audrey Headrick 855-383-0001 423-634-0164 CHATTANOOGA Thomas Wyatt 855-747-1721 615-741-3061 MEMPHIS Rhoberta Orsland 855-543-5045 901-543-2669 MEMPHIS Deana Seymour 866-943-0014 … Continue reading Calling for your settlement approval or other hearing
The Court of Workers’ Compensation Claims and COVID-19: A Measured Response
By Chief Judge Kenneth M. Switzer, Nashville “No man is an island entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent.” John Donne, Devotions Upon Emergent Occasions, 1624 Indeed, this past week we have … Continue reading The Court of Workers’ Compensation Claims and COVID-19: A Measured Response
We’re back
We are pleased to let you know that the Nashville office is open and operating at full capacity. To make up for those lost settlement approvals, and as promised, for THIS WEEK ONLY, we will do settlement approvals from 8-11 and 1–3:30 every day. No need to call or schedule. Just show up, and we … Continue reading We’re back
Nashville and Cookeville offices closed today
The Nashville office of the Bureau of Workers' Compensation is closed today because the building has no power and is deemed uninhabitable. The Cookeville office is also closed today. All other offices are open. We'll post updates. Thank you for your patience.
Getting in — and out — of the game
By Judge Deana Seymour, Memphis Have you noticed the recent popularity of escape rooms? You know – those games where a team, confined to a room, studies the clues and tries to escape? If the team follows the clues, the escape occurs without a hitch. But sometimes a missed clue along the way prevents release. … Continue reading Getting in — and out — of the game
Coming soon to a courtroom near you
By Chief Judge Kenneth M. Switzer, Nashville Since the creation of the Court of Workers’ Compensation Claims in 2014, we have held all our settlement approvals and trials in our eight locations around the state. For more information about these locations and their individual procedures, click here. We soon realized that some of these locations are long … Continue reading Coming soon to a courtroom near you
Next Step Program Specialist Announced
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
New and improved rules take effect today
By Judge Pamela B. Johnson, Knoxville For any chance of success, parties to a workers’ compensation claim in Tennessee must familiarize themselves with the statute as well as the many applicable rules and regulations. Some have said the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation and the Court have too many rules. We agreed. So, we worked to … Continue reading New and improved rules take effect today
Revisiting the Appeals Board 2018 Opinions
By Jane Salem, Staff Attorney, Nashville Welcome back to my recap of 2018 Appeals Board cases. In the last post, I highlighted some of the major opinions involving causation. In this edition, I’ll remind of the cases involving medical and disability benefits and defenses. Don’t forget to read the full-text of every case. I’ve given … Continue reading Revisiting the Appeals Board 2018 Opinions
Mediation and Ombudsman Services of Tennessee welcomes new staff
By Brian Holmes, Nashville The Tennessee Bureau of Workers’ Compensation continues our tradition of hiring high-quality talent to the mediation program. We’re pleased to announce that Sam Keen, Derrick Shorter and George Maifair recently joined the Bureau as workers’ compensation mediators. Sam joined the Bureau last month. He previously worked as a staff attorney with … Continue reading Mediation and Ombudsman Services of Tennessee welcomes new staff
Is Anybody There?
By Chief Judge Kenneth Switzer, Nashville In the Broadway play “1776” about the events leading up to the signing of the Declaration of Independence, John Adams and his wife, Abigail, have a repeating dialogue by letter where each describes what's happening in their lives. Abigail needs pins for sewing, and John needs saltpeter for making … Continue reading Is Anybody There?
Looking Back at the 2017 Appeals Board Opinions, Part One
By Jane Salem, Staff Attorney, Nashville I recently promised an article about the Appeals Board’s activities from the second half of 2017. Here it is, in two parts. But first, please read and mentally sign the waiver below. Thanks. Now, before I delve into the cases, 2017 was memorable for the Appeals Board for reasons … Continue reading Looking Back at the 2017 Appeals Board Opinions, Part One
The Bureau is Closed November 10
Thanks for your service to all veterans.
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").
A reminder
There will be no settlement approvals statewide June 12-15.
