Perez, Oscar v. J&J Tovar Construction, LLC
The employee, Oscar L. Romero Perez, suffered significant injuries while working for J&J Tovar Construction, LLC, which was uninsured for workers' compensation. Homestead Construction, Inc., a statutory employer, had a policy with Northstone Insurance Company, but Northstone filed a declaratory judgment action challenging its contract's validity. The trial court ordered J&J Tovar and/or Homestead to provide ongoing medical benefits. J&J Tovar appealed, arguing Northstone should be specifically ordered to pay. The Appeals Board affirmed the trial court's order, ruling that Northstone remains liable for benefits under Tennessee's Workers' Compensation Law unless and until a court of competent jurisdiction voids the insurance contract, and remanded the case for further proceedings.