When an employee is hurt on the job in the Volunteer State, they may be entitled to Tennessee workers’ compensation benefits. But to qualify, medical conditions must typically meet standards outlined by the American Medical Association (AMA).
We say typically because exceptions can be made. Take the case of a Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. employee who was recently awarded Tennessee workers’ compensation benefits due to hearing loss sustained while working for the company.
Employees of Goodyear weren’t offered hearing protection until around 30 years ago. According to Business Insurance, the worker claims his exposure to loud noise while working caused him to lose part of his hearing at frequencies above 3,000 hertz. While the AMA’s Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment only outlined disability standards for lower frequencies, the victim was ruled to have a 30 percent permanent partial disability benefit rating.
Goodyear appealed the decision, arguing the worker shouldn’t be covered since his condition was not covered under AMA guides. The Tennessee Supreme Court disagreed and awarded the worker benefits.
At Ponce Law, we understand that Tennessee workers’ compensation benefits law can be complicated to interpret and we are glad to see a worker getting the benefits they deserve!