By Chief Judge Kenneth M. Switzer, Nashville As we approach the Christmas settlement rush, it’s time to set out the various offices' holiday schedules for settlement approvals. The judges take time off during this time of year, as do most of you. So, here are the dates for settlements during the week before and after … Continue reading Announcing December Settlement Dates
Tag: Settlements
2026 Clarksville Dates Announced (And Important Year-End Reminders)
By Sarah Donley, administrative assistant, Nashville As we wrap up another productive year and head into the holiday season, we’re already looking ahead to 2026. We’re pleased to announce that our 2026 Clarksville hearing dates have been finalized and are below: Tuesday, January 13th Tuesday, February 10th Tuesday, March 10th Tuesday, April 14th Tuesday, May … Continue reading 2026 Clarksville Dates Announced (And Important Year-End Reminders)
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.
Settling Cases with Medicare Set-Aside Agreements
Blog administrator's note: This post was originally published on July 18, 2017. We thought it was worth another go, given the frequent questions from practitioners about the topic. So please, consider refreshing your knowledge. It might just prevent a trip to the courtroom where your settlement is not immediately approved. By Judges Joshua Davis Baker, … Continue reading Settling Cases with Medicare Set-Aside Agreements
Happy Memorial Day. And Don’t Forget…
The State is closed on the following dates: Monday, May 26, for Memorial Day, and Thursday, June 19, for Juneteenth. In addition, there will be no settlements statewide on Wednesday, June 11, through Friday, June 13, due to the Bureau's Educational Conference. See you there instead. Also, settlements in Clarksville will take place as scheduled … Continue reading Happy Memorial Day. And Don’t Forget…
When an agreement isn’t a dispute
By Sarah Byrne, staff attorney, Nashville Recently, in Torres v. Allvan Corp., the Appeals Board affirmed a trial court’s decision not to approve a disputed settlement in an accepted claim, since the parties didn’t present sufficient information to convince the judge of a dispute as to “the amount of compensation due” or that the settlement … Continue reading When an agreement isn’t a dispute
A Primer on Nashville Affidavit Settlement Approvals
By Sarah Donley, administrative assistant, Nashville. In March 1876, the ambitious inventor Alexander Graham Bell achieved a historic milestone by completing the first-ever successful telephone transmission of clear speech. His resounding words, “Mr. Watson, come here. I want to see you,” marked a new chapter in communication technology. Bell could scarcely have fathomed the extraordinary … Continue reading A Primer on Nashville Affidavit Settlement Approvals
Maury County Settlement Dates
In a previous blog post, we said we'd follow up with the 2025 dates. Here they are. Judge Tipps will conduct approvals at the Maury County Judicial Center, 1115 South Main Street in Columbia, on the following dates: February 18, March 18, April 22, May 20, June 17, July 22, August 19, September 16, October … Continue reading Maury County Settlement Dates
Judicial Conference Next Week
This means that no settlements will be heard in any office on January 30 and 31. In Nashville, Chief Judge Switzer will be on the bench at the regular time on January 29. Nashville, however, will be the only office doing approvals on that date. Business as usual on Monday and Tuesday. Thanks for your … Continue reading Judicial Conference Next Week
Mark your Calendars: Remote Settlement Dates Announced
By Sarah Donley, administrative assistant, Nashville Have you started to consider the exciting adventures that the new year might bring? If you haven’t, here’s an idea: kick off your new year by visiting one of our remote locales for a settlement approval in 2025. As a reminder, we schedule all approvals for the remote sites … Continue reading Mark your Calendars: Remote Settlement Dates Announced
How to Close Future Medical Benefits
By Judge Dale Tipps, Murfreesboro [Blog administrator’s note: We published this previously but removed it when we realized the newest templates weren’t posted on the Court’s website. The templates have now been added.] If you can remember all the way back to June, you may recall attending an interesting session titled, “TODAY in Tennessee – … Continue reading How to Close Future Medical Benefits
Nashville settlement hours extended
As the song goes, "It's the most wonderful time of the year." To settle your cases, that is. Open settlement approvals in Nashville on Thursdays will now last until 11:00 a.m. Central time on December 5, 12 and 19.
See you Wednesday!
Settlement approvals can be challenging--especially if you're a new attorney. But even seasoned lawyers sometimes present agreements that aren't approved. So remember to register for this Wednesday's free continuing legal education seminar about settlement approvals. Click here for details and the link to register. October 30, When It's Time to Settle, starts promptly at 11:30 … Continue reading See you Wednesday!
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
Confessions of a Probate Non-Expert
By Judge Dale Tipps, Murfreesboro One of the things I enjoyed about workers’ compensation when I was in private practice was that it was always familiar. True, there were often unique facts or novel legal issues, but they were safely ensconced in a knowable statutory framework. I usually enjoyed other areas of practice, too. You … Continue reading Confessions of a Probate Non-Expert
No Settlement Approvals
No settlement approvals will take place next week during the Bureau's Educational Conference. Those dates are Wednesday through Friday, June 12-14. Then there are the upcoming holidays. Don't forget that all Bureau offices are closed on Wednesday, June 19, to celebrate Juneteenth, and well as Thursday, July 4, for Independence Day. (And remember that in … Continue reading No Settlement Approvals
It’s All Settled
By Judge Allen Phillips, Jackson Judge Allen Phillips One of the goals of the 2013 Reform Act was an efficient and timely system for resolution of claims. Settlement by agreement furthers that goal by getting employees their benefits quicker and by allowing employers to avoid undue litigation expenses. And the number of settled claims is … Continue reading It’s All Settled
No Doubt; You Must Have a Dispute
By Judge Dale Tipps, Murfreesboro Disputed settlements are permitted under section 50-6-240(e), which allows parties to settle a claim without regard to whether the employee is receiving substantially the benefits to which they are entitled. Below, I’ll point out a few potholes along the road to approval of these types of agreements (it’s spring, and … Continue reading No Doubt; You Must Have a Dispute
Mark Your Calendars: 2024 Approval Dates in Clarksville and Columbia
By Sarah McMahan, administrative assistant, Nashville Have you thought about the new adventures that await you in the upcoming new year? If not, I have a delightful suggestion. Begin your new year on an audacious note by heading to Clarksville and Columbia for your settlement approvals in 2024. Clarksville and Columbia are the correct locations … Continue reading Mark Your Calendars: 2024 Approval Dates in Clarksville and Columbia
Talking to Strangers
By Judge Dale Tipps, Murfreesboro I read a couple of news articles recently about something called “relational diversity.” Researchers have noticed a correlation between the number of social interactions with strangers and levels of satisfaction, happiness, and well-being. They found that, in addition to our regular contact with friends, family, and colleagues, conversations with strangers … Continue reading Talking to Strangers
From the Bench 