TNSIA News

The Tennessee Self-Insurers’ Association has prepared several bills for introduction in the Legislature on issues of importance to stakeholders of our organization. We are working with the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce & Industry to try and get these bills passed.
Please note House Bill 2129, sponsored by Rep. Fitzhugh, which is also Senate Bill 1797, [...]

Commissioner Leslie A. Newman was appointed by Governor Phil Bredesen to lead the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance, which performs a variety of regulatory functions and also houses the state fire marshal’s office and consumer affairs.
A native of Dallas, Texas, Commissioner Newman has more than 20 years of experience in both public and private [...]

A local trial court has set aside a settlement that was effectuated at a Benefit Review Conference and signed by a specialist at the Department of Labor. The settlement was reached following a mediation. The parties entered into and executed a Settlement Agreement which, under the Workers’ Compensation Act, has the same authority as a [...]

In Pirtle v. Humboldt Utilities, No. W2005-02075-SC-WCM-CV (Tenn. Workers’ Comp. Panel Aug. 21, 2006), the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Panel reversed a judgment of the trial court which erroneously combined awards for an employee’s hand and back injuries. The Panel affirmed the trial court finding that both injuries were compensable.
In Pirtle, the Gibson County Chancery Court [...]

The Tennessee Commissioner of Commerce and Insurance, Paula Flowers, has indicated to Governor Bredesen that she plans to step down in January, 2007.  She has listed financial considerations as her reason for leaving at that time.  No replacement has been named as yet.

On June 12, 2006, pursuant to the Rules of the Medical Impairment Rating Registry program, Dr. Walter Wheelhouse was notified that his privilege to serve on the MIR Registry was being suspended pending an investigation into his application for appointment to the Medical Impairment Rating Registry. 
Subsequent to that date, the Commissioner has concluded his investigation [...]

In a ruling that provides a stamp of validity to the 2004 Workers’ Compensation Reform Act, the Tennessee Supreme Court has held the Act to be fully constitutional.  The Court’s rulings in JerryWayne Lynch v. City of Jellico, No. E2006-00208-SCR3-CV (Tenn. Aug. 30, 2006) and David A. Lozano v. Lincoln Memorial University, No. E2-6-00207-SC-R3-CV (Tenn. [...]