The Bureau Bulletin - April 2017
News and updates from the Tennessee Bureau of Workers' Compensation April 2017
Welcome Judge Deana Seymour!
Judge Deana Seymour was sworn in on April 4 as the newest judge in Memphis, Tennessee.
The Tennessee Physicians’ Conference will be held June 10-11, 2017, in Memphis. Attorneys are welcome to attend.
Judge Jim Umsted of Memphis has retired. The BWC wishes him all the best!
Administrator Hudgens Addresses Electrical Workers Union
On Thursday, April 6, Bureau Administrator Abbie Hudgens spoke to a statewide assembly of building tradespeople at the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 429 in Nashville. Administrator Hudgens spoke on the subject of uninsured employers and employers who misclassify employees as independent contractors. She asked for assistance from state building groups in identifying companies who may not be complying with state law regarding workers’ compensation coverage.
Legislative Updates
The Advisory Council on Workers' Compensation has made the following recommendations during 2017 legislative session:
SB 0932 (Ketron)/HB 0580 (Reedy) (firefighter cancer presumption): The Council vote was a 3-3 tie, resulting in no recommendation.
SB 1237 (Norris)/HB 0451 (Eldridge) (subrogation/apportionment): The Council gave a unanimous recommendation for passage of the bill, subject to an amendment.
SB 1214 (Norris)/HB 0325 (Hawk) (Eldridge) (Bureau of WC administration bill): The Council gave a unanimous favorable recommendation.
SB 0297 (Briggs)/HB 0666 (Hill M) (trial lawyers bill): The Council voted unanimously for the legislation, subject to an amendment.
SB 0261 (Johnson)/HB 0939 (Carter) (TN Supreme Court bill): The Council voted 3-2 that the legislation receive a favorable recommendation for passage, subject to an amendment preserving the current appeal by right.
20th Educational Conference
Registration Now Open!
Early bird discounts apply until May 1, 2017.
Are you registered for the 20th Educational Conference June 13-15th? Watch the video for details!
Download our new conference app!
Download GUIDEBOOK from your app store, and then search for TNBWC once you open the app to download our guide. All conference materials will be available on the app for an improved conference experience!
Scan the QR code with your smartphone to visit the app online. Once there, click the download arrow to download the actual app.
NOTICES
New Links!
We've adopted some new, simpler links to make it easier to find us on the web! The new links will take you to all of the old pages, but now they are easier to share and remember.
tn.gov/workerscomp
tn.gov/wcappealsboard
All state offices will be closed Friday, April 14th, 2017, in observance of Good Friday.