Tennessee § 50-6-116 - Construction of chapter.

§ 50-6-116. Construction of chapter.

For any claim for workers' compensation benefits for an injury, as defined in this chapter, when the date of injury is on or after July 1, 2014, this chapter shall not be remedially or liberally construed but shall be construed fairly, impartially, and in accordance with basic principles of statutory construction and this chapter shall not be construed in a manner favoring either the employee or the employer. Acts 1919, ch. 123, § 47; Shan. Supp., § 3608a197; Code 1932, § 6901; impl. am. Acts 1980, ch. 534, § 1; T.C.A. (orig. ed.) § 50-918; Acts 2013, ch. 289, § 15. Compiler's Notes. Acts 2013, ch. 289, § 103 provided that the act, which amended this section, shall be known and may be cited as the “Workers' Compensation Reform Act of 2013.” Amendments. The 2013 amendment, effective July 1, 2014, rewrote the section which read: “The rule of common law requiring strict construction of statutes in derogation of common law shall not be applicable to this chapter, but this chapter is declared to be a remedial statute, which shall be given an equitable construction by the courts, to the end that the objects and purposes of this chapter may be realized and attained.” Effective Dates. Acts 2013, ch. 289, § 106. July 1, 2014; provided, that, for purposes of promulgating rules and regulations, making appointments and making necessary provisions for the implementation of the act, the act shall take effect April 29, 2013. Workers' Compensation Appeals Board Decisions. The trial court denied an employer's motion for summary judgment, concluding there were genuine issues of material fact concerning whether an employee gave proper notice of his alleged injury. The employer has appealed. The trial court did not err in denying the employer's motion because the employee's testimony regarding his alleged conversation with a supervisor, which the employer had not denied, created a genuine issue of material fact as to whether the employee gave proper notice of a work injury. Jones v. Columbus McKinnon Corp., 2019 TN Wrk Comp App Bd LEXIS 57.