The Tennessee Supreme Court on April 24, upheld a trial court decision to award workers’ compensation benefits to a TN nurse who suffered injuries when she fell at the health-care facility where she was working. Despite the fact that the injured nurse’s employer contested the classification of the employee’s fall as a work-related injury, the Supreme Court ultimately decided that her injury occurred in the course of her employment, thereby making her eligible for benefits under TN workers’ compensation laws. If you have been injured on the job in Nashville, or elsewhere in Tennessee, consult our TN workers’ compensation attorneys at Michael D. Ponce & Associates to discuss your legal options. You may be entitled to medical or disability benefits for your injuries, which our lawyers can help you pursue.
In August 2009, Marta Vandall was walking in the hallway at Allenbrooke Nursing & Rehab in Memphis, Tennessee, when she fell and sustained injuries including a fractured right shoulder. Vandall later testified at trial that her foot stuck to the floor as she was walking, causing her to fall and sustain the shoulder injury. Representatives from the health-care facility testified that they inspected the floor where the workplace accident occurred and did not find any substance that would have caused Vandall to fall. During trial however, the court found that Vandall’s shoulder injury occurred due to a condition of her employment, and therefore awarded her workers’ compensation benefits based on 18% permanent partial disability, in addition to temporary disability benefits, past medical bills, future medical bills and other expenses.
Upon appeal of the workers’ compensation case, the TN Supreme Court agreed with the trial court’s decision that Vandall’s fall was caused by some hazard related to the nurse’s employment, ruling that Vandall was therefore entitled to compensation for the resulting injury. If you have suffered a workplace injury in Tennessee and you believe you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits for the resulting medical bills and lost income, contact our knowledgeable lawyers at Michael D. Ponce & Associates for legal help. Our law firm is located in Nashville, and our attorneys have extensive experience helping injured workers throughout Tennessee pursue the compensation they deserve for their on-the-job injuries. With our lawyers on your side, you can pursue the workers’ comp benefits you are entitled to and protect yourself and your family from further harm.
Source: http://www.tncourts.gov/press/2013/04/24/supreme-court-upholds-award-nurse-injuries-sustained-fall-work