In response to severe weather conditions, including heavy rainfall and flash flooding that began on September 26, 2024, the Governor of Tennessee and the President of the United States declared a major disaster and state of emergency within the state. These declarations affected several judicial districts, specifically the First, Second, Third, and Fourth Districts.
Following these declarations, the Tennessee Supreme Court, utilizing Rule 49, section 2, enacted a limited disaster plan for trial courts in the impacted districts. This plan includes a 45-day extension for mandatory deadlines as outlined in the Tennessee Rules of Civil Procedure and other relevant court rules. The extension applies to documents due for filing in the affected districts from September 26 to November 12, 2024. Additionally, statutes of limitations and statutes of repose expiring during this period are also extended until November 12, 2024, as per Tenn. Code Ann. ยง 28-1-116 (2017).
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The Tennessee Court of Workers’ Compensation Claims and the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board, although not established by the Tennessee Constitution but through legislation, are subject to the oversight of the Tennessee Supreme Court. Consequently, the Presiding Judge of the Appeals Board and the Chief Judge of the Court of Workers’ Compensation Claims have affirmed that the Supreme Court’s order applies to cases under their jurisdiction originating in the affected judicial districts.
This standing order was officially entered on November 7, 2024, effective retroactively from September 26, 2024, by Presiding Judge Timothy Conner of the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board and Chief Judge Kenneth M. Switzer of the Court of Workers’ Compensation Claims. For individuals seeking more information, the standing order is available in PDF format through the Tennessee Bureau of Workers’ Compensation.
Source: Read Original Release