By Judge Pamela B. Johnson, Knoxville Recap: In my last blog post discussing the Statistical Data Form, I focused on the importance of the form and explained that the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation uses the data collected to complete its Annual Report to the Legislature. The data is also supplied to national organizations that measure the … Continue reading More on the SD-2
Tag: Settlements
Summer’s here!
There will be no settlement approvals statewide on the following dates: June 12-14: The Bureau's Educational Conference; July 4: Independence Day; July 18-19: Judicial Meeting; and, September 2: Labor Day. The Nashville office only will conduct settlement approvals on June 12. Be safe, and enjoy the warm weather.
Jackson Approvals Update
By Judge Amber Luttrell, Jackson Exciting news! We’re shaking it up (somewhat) in Jackson to better serve you. After informal polling of attorneys who routinely appear for settlement approvals in Jackson, we’ve decided to switch our Tuesday approval day to Mondays. Friday approvals will continue as usual. We realized that Tuesdays are very busy days … Continue reading Jackson Approvals Update
Settlement approvals to be held in Morristown
By Judge Brian Addington, Gray We’ve finally settled into the new office in Gray. It’s been a pleasure to work in a new space for mediations, approvals and hearings for our Northeast Tennessee counties. As part of our long history of service to the public, we formerly offered settlement approvals in various cities throughout Northeast … Continue reading Settlement approvals to be held in Morristown
Submitted for your Approval
By Judge Dale Tipps, Murfreesboro During the sixties (that’s the 1960s--yes, I was alive then), Rod Serling hosted the T.V show “The Twlight Zone.” The show revolved around strange plots with an ironic twist and a life-lesson conclusion. After telling us at the beginning that the main character had just entered the Twilight Zone, Rod … Continue reading Submitted for your Approval
Thinking about the Fourth Factor
By Judge Robert Durham, Cookeville When conducting settlements, we’re sometimes called upon to consider the four factors that might impact the disability benefits employees may receive if they’re not back to a pre-injury wage. To be honest, it is a cut-and-dried affair in most cases. The biggest question is usually whether or not employees lost … Continue reading Thinking about the Fourth Factor
Precious Memories and a Bright Future
By Judge Brian Addington, Gray (formerly of Kingsport) It was a new experience when I walked in the door at 1908 Bowater Drive in Kingsport, Tennessee in late 2004 for the first time. What used to be a Greyhound bus station, unemployment office, car parts store and church now served as the Bureau’s Northeast Tennessee … Continue reading Precious Memories and a Bright Future
The Next Maury County Day is…
The next day for settlement approvals in Maury County is March 28. If you have a claimant from the southern counties who prefers going to Columbia rather than the Murfreesboro office, contact Patsy Bumbalough or call 615-848-6743.
The Next Maury County Day is…
The next day for settlement approvals in Maury County is February 20. If you have a claimant from the southern counties who prefers going to Columbia rather than the Murfreesboro office, contact Patsy Bumbalough or call 615-848-6743.
No settlement approvals on January 5, 2018
Happy New Year! All of the judges and staff attorneys are meeting on January 5, and therefore none of the offices statewide will host settlement approvals on that date.
The next Maury County Day is…
The next day for settlement approvals in Maury County is January 30. If you have a claimant from the southern counties who prefers going to Columbia rather than the Murfreesboro office, contact Patsy Bumbalough or call 615-848-6743.
Maury County Day Becomes a Regular Occurrence
By Judge Dale Tipps, Murfreesboro It’s a long way from Iron City to Murfreesboro. While I was a music major, that's not a country and western song. It's simply an accurate observation about travel within the large geographic region where I sit as a workers' compensation judge. We wanted to give claimants an opportunity to … Continue reading Maury County Day Becomes a Regular Occurrence
Trial Settlement Day Set in Maury County
The Court of Workers' Compensation Claims is continually looking for ways to better serve our clientele. To that end, parties and counsel in the mid-state may seek approval of their settlements in the Maury County Courthouse, rather than the Murfreesboro office, on Wednesday, November 29, starting at 9:00 a.m. If you wish to do so, … Continue reading Trial Settlement Day Set in Maury County
But I’m Entitled to One Phone Call, Right?
By Judge Robert Durham, Cookeville Cell phones. The term is so inadequate, it’s almost quaint. To call the portable computer in your purse or attached to your hip a phone is like calling an automobile a portable radio. Today, they are ubiquitous, and frankly it would be foolhardy to practice law without one. However, many … Continue reading But I’m Entitled to One Phone Call, Right?
Of Bears and Men
By Judge Dale Tipps, Murfreesboro Becoming a workers’ compensation judge included a few unexpected benefits. For instance, due to avoidance of ex parte communications, my phone rarely rings while I’m trying to draft that next order. Another pleasant surprise is how much I enjoy meeting folks during their settlement approval hearings. Most people don’t have … Continue reading Of Bears and Men
Settling Cases with Medicare Set-Aside Agreements
By Judges Joshua Davis Baker, Nashville, and Audrey Headrick, Chattanooga The federal government established a means for parties to settle medical benefits in what is termed a Medicare Set-Aside Arrangement or "MSA." These arrangements are submitted to and approved by Medicare (if you have the patience to wait long enough) and cover what is anticipated … Continue reading Settling Cases with Medicare Set-Aside Agreements
What does [secure email] mean?
By Jane Salem, Staff Attorney, Nashville I’ve been asked to write about the fascinating topic of data security. While no one would ever call me “techy,” I’m nonetheless going to give this the old college try. But first, to make this an even more exciting read, I’m going to throw in some legal ethics. Earlier … Continue reading What does [secure email] mean?
School’s out!
As we head into summer, we'd like to offer a few reminders on scheduling: The Bureau will be closed on May 29, July 4 and September 4 for the Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day holidays. There will be no settlement approvals statewide June 12-15 during the Bureau's annual educational conference in Murfreesboro. … Continue reading School’s out!
Lessons Learned from the Listening Tour
By Chief Judge Kenneth M. Switzer We took the show on the road. Beginning in Murfreesboro on November 15 and ending in Knoxville on December 14, Brian Holmes, Director of Mediation and Ombudsmen Services of Tennessee (MOST), and I traveled the state conducting “listening sessions” on the mediation and court system. We visited each of … Continue reading Lessons Learned from the Listening Tour
Best Practices for Closing Future Medicals
By Judges Pamela B. Johnson, Lisa Lowe Knott and Dale Tipps Attorneys love certainty. They like to tell their clients what will happen, rather than what they think will happen or what should happen. Ambiguity drives them crazy. This perhaps explains why closed medical benefit settlements are the source of much weeping and gnashing of … Continue reading Best Practices for Closing Future Medicals
