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
Tag: News
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
In-person oral arguments cancelled
The Tennessee Workers' Compensation Appeals Board issued an order on Friday cancelling the in-person aspect of the next docket of oral arguments. The arguments will now be held telephonically. Thank you.
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
Cookeville is back
Phone and internet service has been restored to the Cookeville office of the Bureau of Workers' Compensation. Please call 931-520-4290 for scheduling. Again, thank you.
Weathering the storm
By Chief Judge Kenneth M. Switzer, Nashville As you all know, we recently experienced business interruption at the Nashville office due to the tornado. Comparatively speaking, this was just a minor inconvenience. Many people lost everything, and 25 persons lost their lives. When we look at things in those terms, we realize that missing a … Continue reading Weathering the storm
Update on Cookeville
The Cookeville office is open, but they have no Internet or phone service. All previously-scheduled settlement approvals and telephone hearings will proceed. For scheduling this week during the service outage, contact Patsy Bumbalough in the Murfreesboro office. She can be reached at (615) 848-6743 or patsy.bumbalough@tn.gov. We'll let you know when service is restored. Thanks.
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 office closed on March 6
All other offices are open. We're sorry for the inconvenience and hope that power is back by Monday.
Nashville office remains closed on March 5; Cookeville is open
The power is still out in Nashville. But don't forget, the other Bureau offices are open for business. Also, some Nashville employees have the capability to work from home and are doing so, to minimize any inconvenience. They are available by email and some by phone as well. Also, documents may still be filed on … Continue reading Nashville office remains closed on March 5; Cookeville is open
Settlement approvals on pause in Nashville
By Chief Judge Kenneth M. Switzer We realize many of you are anxious to get your settlements approved. Unfortunately, we cannot predict when power will be restored to our building. So, here is my suggestion: cancel your plans to seek approvals (in Davidson County only) for the rest of this week. That way you will … Continue reading Settlement approvals on pause in Nashville
Mark your calendars: Free Legal Clinic in Knoxville
On March 14, volunteer attorneys and law students will be available to meet with injured workers to answer their questions about workers' compensation. The clinic will take place at the Duncan School of Law, Lincoln Memorial University in Knoxville. For more information, click here.
Bureau Seeks Nominations for Sue Ann Head Award for Excellence in Workers’ Compensation
The Tennessee Bureau of Workers’ Compensation is accepting nominations for the Second 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, medical … Continue reading Bureau Seeks Nominations for Sue Ann Head Award for Excellence in Workers’ Compensation
It’s official! Welcome, Judge Godkin
The Tennessee Bureau of Workers' Compensation welcomed its newest jurist on Friday, January 17. Pele I. Godkin is now a judge on the Workers' Compensation Appeals Board, sitting in Nashville. Davidson County Chancellor Ellen Hobbs Lyle administered the oath at the Old Supreme Court Chamber in the Tennessee State Capitol. Photos by Kyle Jones, Bureau … Continue reading It’s official! Welcome, Judge Godkin
Governor Lee Appoints new Appeals Board Judge
Abbie Hudgens, administrator of the Tennessee Bureau of Workers' Compensation, announced today that Gov. Bill Lee has appointed a new Workers' Compensation Appeals Board Judge, Pele Godkin. Ms. Godkin is a former workers’ compensation specialist in what was then called the Division of Workers’ Compensation in both the Nashville and Murfreesboro offices. In 2008 she … Continue reading Governor Lee Appoints new Appeals Board Judge
Good Bye and Good Luck, Judge Davidson
By Jane Salem, staff attorney, Court of Workers' Compensation Claims, Nashville When Judge Marshall L. Davidson, III, reported for his first day as presiding judge of the Tennessee Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board, he entered the building and asked the guards how to find the appellate court clerk’s office. They looked puzzled and told him there … Continue reading Good Bye and Good Luck, Judge Davidson
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 faces at the Appeals Board
The Tennessee Workers' Compensation Appeals Board is pleased to announce the hiring of two new staff members. Olivia Yearwood will be the Board’s new clerk of court. Yearwood previously worked in the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation as a Compliance Specialist, and before that she was a Special Agent for the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission. Yearwood … Continue reading New faces at the Appeals Board
From the Bench 