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
Tag: News
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
Reminders
The Bureau will be closed on Monday in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. (Although TNComp is available 24/7/365.) Also, settlement approvals will proceed in Nashville on January 25, but nowhere else statewide. And no settlement approvals will take place on January 26 or 27 statewide due to a judicial conference. "Hate cannot drive … Continue reading Reminders
ALERT: WATER MAIN BREAK CAUSES MEMPHIS OFFICE CLOSURE
Settlement approvals will be held by phone this week only. Due to inclement weather, the City of Memphis has experienced several water main breaks. The breaks have left the Memphis office of the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation uninhabitable until the low water pressure can be fixed. Staff will be working remotely. Therefore, for this week … Continue reading ALERT: WATER MAIN BREAK CAUSES MEMPHIS OFFICE CLOSURE
State Offices Closed on Friday to Honor Veterans
In addition, here's a list of other upcoming state holidays.
It’s Official! Judge Shaterra Marion is Sworn in
Yesterday afternoon, Chief Judge Kenneth M. Switzer administered the judicial oath to Judge Shaterra Reed Marion, who will sit in the Memphis office of the Tennessee Court of Workers’ Compensation Claims. Her husband, Gerard Marion, held the Bible. Judge Marion’s father, Terrence Reed, helped her don the robe for the very first time. Judge Marion … Continue reading It’s Official! Judge Shaterra Marion is Sworn in
Judge Announced for the Memphis Court of Workers’ Compensation Claims
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
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
From the Bench 