Court Affirms Award Arising from Chair Collapse Injuries

The Special Workers' Compensation Appeals Panel of the Tennessee Supreme Court at Jackson affirmed an award to a penitentiary counselor injured when the chair she was sitting in collapsed. In the lawsuit (Woods v. State, No. W2005-02119-SC-WCM-CV (Tn.Work.Comp 10/30/2006)), Brenda Woods argued the trial court erred in awarding permanent partial disability benefits at a rate of 20% and contended the evidence "preponderates in favor of a much higher award of benefit." The court reported Woods injured her left wrist, back and neck in the accident. The court's opinion noted Woods is "left-hand ...