CompFox AI Summary
Kathy Lynn Whitehead was awarded workers' compensation benefits following the death of her husband, Ronnie Whitehead, in a work-related accident while employed by Jerry Mac Watkins. The core legal question on appeal was whether Jerry Mac Watkins qualified as an employer under Tennessee Workers' Compensation Law, which requires employing five or more persons. The trial court found that Watkins had indeed employed five or more employees prior to the accident, thereby subjecting him to the law. The Supreme Court affirmed the trial court's finding, referencing previous interpretations of the law in Ganus v. Asher and Karstens v. Wheeler Millwork. The Court reiterated that once an employer meets the five-employee threshold, coverage is maintained unless a formal notice of withdrawal is filed, which Watkins failed to do.
Whitehead v. Watkins 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
Kathy Lynn Whitehead was awarded workers' compensation benefits following the death of her husband, Ronnie Whitehead, in a work-related accident while employed by Jerry Mac Watkins. The core legal question on appeal was whether Jerry Mac Watkins qualified as an employer under Tennessee Workers' Compensation Law, which requires employing five or more persons. The trial court found that Watkins had indeed employed five or more employees prior to the accident, thereby subjecting him to the law. The Supreme Court affirmed the trial court's finding, referencing previous interpretations of the law in Ganus v. Asher and Karstens v. Wheeler Millwork. The Court reiterated that once an employer meets the five-employee threshold, coverage is maintained unless a formal notice of withdrawal is filed, which Watkins failed to do.
Read the full decision
Join + legal professionals. Create a free account to access the complete text of this decision and search our entire database.