By Judge Thomas Wyatt, Chattanooga “To every thing there is a season…” Mine is ending soon, and a new chapter will begin. Many practitioners are aware that I became a workers’ compensation judge on July 1, 2014, with the original group of judges. (See below; we haven't aged a day.) Working with Bureau staff and … Continue reading I’ll be retiring soon
Tag: News
Be careful with Artificial Intelligence
Perhaps you noticed an item in TBA Today on Dec. 16 about the Tennessee Supreme Court disciplining two Alabama attorneys for their use of artificial intelligence. William Jefferson Cranford and Matthew Brett Reeves violated Rules of Professional Conduct 1.3, 3.2 and 8.4 when they filed motions including fabricated citations generated by AI. The Order is … Continue reading Be careful with Artificial Intelligence
The Bureau is closed November 11–Clarksville settlements on November 4
Veterans Day is rapidly approaching. The Bureau of Workers' Compensation will be closed on Tuesday, November 11. This means we've moved up the monthly Clarksville settlement day to November 4, next week. See you there.
Congratulations, Judge Addington
Judge Brian K. Addington was inducted as a Fellow of the College of Workers’ Compensation Lawyers on Saturday, April 5, at the Union League Club in Chicago. The College honors attorneys who possess the highest professional qualifications, ethical standards, character, integrity, professional expertise, and leadership. Chief Judge Kenneth M. Switzer said, “Judge Addington’s induction as … Continue reading Congratulations, Judge Addington
Beauty Among the Destruction
By Kimberly D. Weaver, Paralegal, Knoxville On September 27, 2024, Hurricane Helene hit upper Tennessee and western North Carolina. It was horrifying, and we could not believe what our eyes were seeing. Was this really happening in the mountains of Appalachia? This was biblical in nature. Homes and businesses were washed away. Raging rivers swept … Continue reading Beauty Among the Destruction
Workers’ Compensation Courts Grant Hurricane Helene Relief to Affected Areas
Earlier this month, the Tennessee Supreme Court activated a limited disaster plan for all the trial courts in the First, Second, Third, and Fourth Judicial Districts after severe flooding that occurred September 26 and 27, 2024, in the wake of Hurricane Helene. The Supreme Court is granting a 45-day extension of mandatory deadlines contained in the Tennessee … Continue reading Workers’ Compensation Courts Grant Hurricane Helene Relief to Affected Areas
Registration is Open for Free CLE Series for Attorneys
The Tennessee Bureau of Workers’ Compensation is offering up to four hours of continuing legal education credits this fall. This is in response to the lower than anticipated number of credits awarded for our annual educational conference this year. The judges of the Court of Workers’ Compensation Claims have created and will host four individual, … Continue reading Registration is Open for Free CLE Series for Attorneys
Judge Johnson Receives Honor from NAWCJ
By Jane Salem, staff attorney, Nashville Last month, our very own Judge Pamela B. Johnson was inducted into the National Association of Workers’ Compensation Judiciary 2024 Adjudicators Hall of Fame. Judge Johnson says she was “surprised and very honored” by the NAWCJ recognition, which she received at the group’s annual meeting in Orlando. She remarks, … Continue reading Judge Johnson Receives Honor from NAWCJ
Bureau to Offer Free Continuing Legal Education
Perhaps you attended the Bureau’s annual educational conference and noticed afterward that fewer continuing legal education credits were awarded than in previous years. We certainly noticed, and in an effort to help you meet your licensure/educational requirements, we’re planning a series of free continuing legal education sessions. We’re ironing out the details. But for now, … Continue reading Bureau to Offer Free Continuing Legal Education
CrowdStrike Impacts Bureau Business Today
Among Bureau staff, some of our computers are working just fine; some can't even log in. TNComp might work for you; it might not. Today's a technology wildcard. We hope it will be resolved by next week. If you need assistance today, we'll do our best. We're not closed, but some people might have limited … Continue reading CrowdStrike Impacts Bureau Business Today
Happy “Tinth” Anniversary to Us
By Judge Brian Addington, Gray It’s our traditional “tin or aluminum” anniversary today. July 1 marks the tenth anniversary of the Tennessee Court of Workers’ Compensation Claims. The Court was established on July 1, 2014, with eight judges: Josh Baker, Pamela Johnson, Lisa Lowe, Allen Phillips, Kenneth Switzer, Jim Umsted, Tom Wyatt, and myself. The … Continue reading Happy “Tinth” Anniversary to Us
Yet Another Post about the Weather…
This week’s weather has been challenging in so many ways. Thanks for keeping up with multiple blog posts on the ever-changing situation. For next week, here’s what we anticipate. In Nashville, where we do open settlements, the schedule for January 22-24 is Monday 11 a.m.-3p.m., and Tuesday and Wednesday 8-11 a.m. Central Time. In Memphis, … Continue reading Yet Another Post about the Weather…
State offices will close Friday, January 19 due to winter weather.
This means all offices of the Bureau of Workers' Compensation will be closed tomorrow. However, any previously scheduled telephone or teleconference hearings will proceed. If you had a settlement approval set for tomorrow in Murfreesboro, it will be rescheduled.
Update on Nashville Settlement Dates, Times
The Court will be open on Friday as scheduled for settlements between 8 and 11 a.m. Central Time, depending on any developments in the weather overnight Thursday. Since this past week has been so uncertain and the judges will be in a conference on Thursday and Friday, January 25 and 26, the Nashville court will … Continue reading Update on Nashville Settlement Dates, Times
Murfreesboro settlements aren’t canceled
Yes, you read correctly: The Murfreesboro Court expects to be open for its scheduled Friday settlements. But if parties or counsel are concerned about incoming weather or current travel conditions, they may reset their Friday settlement to Tuesday, January 23. Please email WCCourt.Murfreesboro@tn.gov if you wish to reschedule for Tuesday. Photo by Judge Dale Tipps, … Continue reading Murfreesboro settlements aren’t canceled
State Offices Delayed Opening on January 18
Due to hazardous weather and travel conditions across Tennessee, state offices will open tomorrow at 10 a.m. local time. In Nashville, settlement approvals will be heard starting at 10 a.m. Central Time. Once again, anything scheduled for a telephone or virtual hearing will go forward. Photo by Kim Weaver, Paralegal, Knoxville.
Offices Closed on Wednesday, January 17
Due to winter weather, Governor Bill Lee has closed all State offices on Wednesday, January 17. However, if you have a telephone or teleconference hearing, it will proceed as scheduled. Photo by Judge Brian Addington, Gray.
Offices Closed on Tuesday, January 16
Due to winter weather, Governor Bill Lee has closed all State offices on Tuesday, January 16. However, Bureau employees who are able to work from home will do so. The first day of summer is about six months away.
Happy MLK Day–and Check for Cancelations
The State of Tennessee's offices are closed today in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday. Due to the current inclement weather, things look a little iffy for conducting business in-person tomorrow, depending on where you live in the state. So please check back to this blog early Tuesday morning if you have a … Continue reading Happy MLK Day–and Check for Cancelations
The Bureau will be Closed on Juneteeth
By Judge Audrey Headrick, Chattanooga Perhaps you were recently contacted by Bureau staff regarding resetting a hearing or mediation scheduled for June 19. That is because on May 5, 2023, Governor Bill Lee signed a bipartisan bill making Juneteenth an official state holiday. So all state offices will be closed. Juneteenth, also known as Freedom … Continue reading The Bureau will be Closed on Juneteeth
From the Bench 