CompFox AI Summary
The Tennessee Supreme Court reviewed a workers' compensation case to determine if a lump sum award, granted under Tenn.Code Ann. § 50-6-231, could be reconsidered and increased under Tenn. Code Ann. § 50-6-241(a)(2) after an employee's loss of employment. Employee Christopher Niziol suffered a back injury while working for Lockheed Martin Energy Systems, Inc., receiving a $35,000 lump sum settlement based on 27.99% permanent partial disability. After Niziol's termination, he sought to increase his award, which the trial court granted, raising it to 50% permanent partial disability. The Special Workers’ Compensation Appeals Panel reversed, citing the finality of lump sum awards. Relying on the precedent set in Brewer v. Lincoln Brass Works, Inc., the Supreme Court reversed the Panel's decision, reinstating the trial court's judgment, affirming that lump sum awards can be reconsidered and enlarged under § 241(a)(2) regardless of the reason for job loss.
Niziol v. Lockheed Martin Energy Systems, Inc. is a workers' compensation case decided in Tennessee Supreme Court. This case addresses legal issues related to compensation claims, benefits, and court rulings.
It is commonly referenced in legal research involving workers' compensation laws in Tennessee Supreme Court.
Full Decision Text1 Pages
The Tennessee Supreme Court reviewed a workers' compensation case to determine if a lump sum award, granted under Tenn.Code Ann. § 50-6-231, could be reconsidered and increased under Tenn. Code Ann. § 50-6-241(a)(2) after an employee's loss of employment. Employee Christopher Niziol suffered a back injury while working for Lockheed Martin Energy Systems, Inc., receiving a $35,000 lump sum settlement based on 27.99% permanent partial disability. After Niziol's termination, he sought to increase his award, which the trial court granted, raising it to 50% permanent partial disability. The Special Workers’ Compensation Appeals Panel reversed, citing the finality of lump sum awards. Relying on the precedent set in Brewer v. Lincoln Brass Works, Inc., the Supreme Court reversed the Panel's decision, reinstating the trial court's judgment, affirming that lump sum awards can be reconsidered and enlarged under § 241(a)(2) regardless of the reason for job loss.
Read the full decision
Join + legal professionals. Create a free account to access the complete text of this decision and search our entire database.