Administrator Troy Haley has appointed Shaterra Reed Marion as a judge on the Court of Workers’ Compensation Claims, the adjudicative function within the Tennessee Bureau of Workers’ Compensation. She will be located in the Memphis office. Ms. Marion has practiced law in Tennessee since 2012, primarily in workers’ compensation and insurance defense. She has been Field … Continue reading Judge Announced for the Memphis Court of Workers’ Compensation Claims
Tag: News
We’ll Miss You, Judge Seymour
By Jane Salem, staff attorney, Nashville It just had to feel “right.” So says Judge Deana Seymour about her process when finalizing an order after an evidentiary hearing. After applying the facts to the law and before signing it, she always did a gut check. That doesn’t mean she always got it right; but often, … Continue reading We’ll Miss You, Judge Seymour
Abbie Hudgens Inducted into NAWCJ Hall of Fame
By Judge Audrey Headrick, Chattanooga In 2011, Governor Bill Haslam appointed Abbie Hudgens as Administrator of the Division, now Bureau, of Workers’ Compensation. Among her many accomplishments, Abbie led the Bureau through the 2013 Workers’ Compensation Reform Act. The Reform Act created the Court of Workers’ Compensation Claims. Abbie ultimately appointed twelve workers’ compensation judges. … Continue reading Abbie Hudgens Inducted into NAWCJ Hall of Fame
Judge Seymour to Retire; Applicants Sought for Memphis Judgeship
Judge Deana Seymour Memphis Judge Deana Seymour has announced her retirement. She will step down on Sept. 1. Look for another article about her career accomplishments and contributions to the Court in the very near future. In the meantime, the State of Tennessee and Bureau of Workers’ Compensation are requesting interested and qualified attorneys to … Continue reading Judge Seymour to Retire; Applicants Sought for Memphis Judgeship
Gov. Lee Announces Key Tennessee Bureau of Workers’ Compensation Appointments
Abbie Hudgens stepping down; Troy Haley will lead Friday, July 01, 2022 | 04:33pm NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Today, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced he will appoint Troy Haley to serve as Administrator of the Tennessee Bureau of Workers’ Compensation within the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development, effective September 1. Lee also named key appointments to the Workers’ … Continue reading Gov. Lee Announces Key Tennessee Bureau of Workers’ Compensation Appointments
Knoxville Attorney Appointed Workers’ Compensation Judge
Governor Bill Lee has appointed Meredith B. Weaver as a judge on the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board for the Tennessee Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC). Weaver has practiced law for 18 years, primarily in the areas of workers’ compensation and employment law. She is an attorney with the firm Peterson White in Knoxville. Weaver was voted … Continue reading Knoxville Attorney Appointed Workers’ Compensation Judge
Judge Baker is Reappointed
Abbie Hudgens, Administrator of the Tennessee Bureau of Workers’ Compensation, has announced that she recently reappointed Judge Joshua Davis Baker to the Court of Workers’ Compensation Claims. Judge Baker sits in Nashville. This will be his second full term. “Judge Baker has played a pivotal role in the Court of Workers’ Compensation Claims since his … Continue reading Judge Baker is Reappointed
Judge Hensley Announces Retirement
Judge David F. Hensley has announced his retirement from the Tennessee Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board as of March 31, 2022. After his graduation from the University of Tennessee College of Law in 1979, Judge Hensley began his career in Chattanooga clerking for Judge Herschel P. Franks of the Tennessee Court of Appeals. He then spent … Continue reading Judge Hensley Announces Retirement
Holiday hours
We’ll be closed December 23, 24, 31, 2021, and January 3, 2022. But TNComp never takes a break; you may still file documents at any time. Happy holidays.
MURFREESBORO COURT TEMPORARILY RELOCATES
The Murfreesboro court (and offices) will be closed for renovations beginning in October. We anticipate the process will take about four months. During this time, all in-person hearings in Judge Tipps’ court will take place at the Rutherford County Courthouse, located at 116 West Lytle Street, Murfreesboro. Parties with cases pending will be notified in … Continue reading MURFREESBORO COURT TEMPORARILY RELOCATES
I’m Moving
By Judge Robert Durham, Cookeville I love old courthouses. Especially, old small-town courthouses. Before I began working for the Bureau, I was privileged to practice all over the state, and I always got a thrill walking into one of those grand old buildings. I loved the musty smell of books and files and the hushed, … Continue reading I’m Moving
Judicial Reappointments Announced
Abbie Hudgens, Administrator of the Tennessee Bureau of Workers’ Compensation, announced that she has reappointed four judges to the Court of Workers’ Compensation Claims. They are: Robert Durham, Cookeville; Audrey Headrick, Chattanooga; Amber Luttrell, Jackson; and Dale Tipps, Murfreesboro. “The judges on the Court of Workers’ Compensation play a pivotal role in providing parties with … Continue reading Judicial Reappointments Announced
Bureau Announces Virtual Educational Conference
A while back, we announced with great disappointment that our annual educational conference was canceled. But now we have fantastic news: We've discovered a way to present a great conference without the worries of bringing 600-plus attendees together. We'll be teaming with Select Medical to host a virtual conference. Save the dates--October 24-30--although it’s not … Continue reading Bureau Announces Virtual Educational Conference
Bureau Announces Judge Reappointments
Abbie Hudgens, Administrator of the Tennessee Bureau of Workers’ Compensation, announced today that she has reappointed seven judges to the Court of Workers’ Compensation Claims. They are: Kenneth Switzer, Chief Judge, Nashville Brian Addington, Gray Pamela Johnson, Knoxville Lisa Lowe, Knoxville Thomas Wyatt, Chattanooga Allen Phillips, Jackson Deana Seymour, Memphis. “One of the most significant … Continue reading Bureau Announces Judge Reappointments
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
The Court of Workers’ Compensation Claims and Settlement Approvals–Optimistic but Cautious
By Chief Judge Kenneth M. Switzer, Nashville We are now completing our fifth week of all telephonic settlement approvals. As a previous post stated, the hearings are going very well. The Governor has now relaxed the stay-at-home directive. Attempts are being made to restart businesses and return to “normal” while keeping some common-sense restrictions in … Continue reading The Court of Workers’ Compensation Claims and Settlement Approvals–Optimistic but Cautious
Updates from the Trial Court and Appeals Board
By Chief Judge Kenneth M. Switzer, Nashville “Workers’ compensation is a very important field of the law, if not the most important. It touches more lives than any other field of the law. It involves the payments of huge sums of money. The welfare of human beings, the success of businesses, and the pocketbooks of … Continue reading Updates from the Trial Court and Appeals Board
Deadline extended for nominations for Sue Ann Head Award
The Tennessee Bureau of Workers’ Compensation has extended the deadline for nominations for the Second Annual Sue Ann Head Award for Excellence in Workers’ Compensation. Nominations will now be accepted until Friday, May 29, 2020. To learn more about the award, click here to watch a video about last year's winner. Nomination forms are available here. Questions … Continue reading Deadline extended for nominations for Sue Ann Head Award
Wanted: Your Input
By Abbie Hudgens, Administrator, Bureau of Workers’ Compensation "What is it that makes us trust our judges? Their independence in office and manner of appointment." --John Marshall, fourth Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court Unbelievably, six years have already passed since the Court of Workers’ Compensation Claims opened its doors. The original eight judges … Continue reading Wanted: Your Input
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
From the Bench 