In Lawson v. Costar Group, Inc. discusses below, the Tennessee Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board reiterated that ordinary job stress, such as fear of losing one’s job, is not a compensable mental injury in Tennessee Workers’ Compensation claims. Julie Lawson, an employee of Costar Group, Inc., filed a workers’ compensation claim after alleging that she…
In LeMaire v. Lowe’s Home Centers, the Tennessee Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board had to address whether a Workers’ Compensation claimant with open future medical rights is entitled to a new Workers’ Compensation physician after the claimant’s own behavior got her discharged by her physician’s office. As discussed below, the Workers’ Compensation Insurance Carrier was…
Every day, hardworking Tennesseans put their lives on the line in high-risk occupations to provide for their families and keep our economy running. From construction workers and farmers to healthcare and warehouse employees, these jobs are essential but come with inherent dangers that can lead to serious injuries or even death. If you or…
If you have been injured on the job in Tennessee, you are likely wondering how you will make ends meet while you recover. Workers’ compensation is designed to provide a financial safety net for people hurt at work, but how much can you expect to receive in benefits? The answer depends on several factors,…
When we think of work-related injuries, we often picture physical harm: broken bones, torn muscles, or head trauma. However, not all injuries are visible to the naked eye. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event on the job, such as a violent…
Part-time jobs are increasingly common, with many Tennesseans working multiple jobs to make ends meet. But what happens if you are injured while working a part-time job? Are you still entitled to workers’ compensation benefits? The short answer is yes, but there are some important considerations to keep in mind. A Knoxville workers’ compensation…
In Delta Everett v. Lifestyle Staffing, The Tennessee Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board finds that trial courts may apply work restrictions retroactively. Link to Appellate Board Decision: https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/workforce/documents/injuries/decisions/Everett_v_Life_Style_Staffing_Appeals_Board_Opinion.pdf Significance of Case: This case shows that an injured worker can collect temporary total disability after getting her doctor to backdate her work restrictions. Temporary total disability…
Tennessee’s Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board in Bibiane Francoeur v. Amerimed Medical Solutions, LLC holds that if an insured worker is restricted from driving, the employer does not have to provide transportation and can deny the worker disability payments if he or she cannot make it to work. In the case of Bibiane Francoeur v….
Why Is Maximum Medical Improvement So Important? After Reaching Maximum Medical Improvement, How Long Will It Take My Case to Settle? Which Workers’ Compensation Doctor Should I Pick? What Should I Do if My Workers’ Comp. Doctor Won’t Make the Referrals That I Need? While on Workers’ Comp. Can I Quit My Job? My…
We wrote recently about the process of filing for Workers’ Compensation benefits. If you haven’t read it yet, you can check it out here. The Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development has detailed instructions on their website to help you through the process. In a perfect world, you would follow the process step…