Opinion ID: 1762633
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Calculating benefits under section 50-6-102(3)(B)

Text: In the alternative, Goodman argues that his benefits should be calculated using the provisions of Tennessee Code Annotated section 50-6-102(3)(B) because his period of employment with HBD was less than fifty-two weeks due to the strike. Tennessee Code Annotated section 50-6-102(3)(B) provides: Where the employment prior to the injury extended over a period of less than fifty-two (52) weeks, the method of dividing the earnings during that period by the number of weeks and parts thereof during which the employee earned wages shall be followed; provided, that results just and fair to both parties will thereby be obtained. . . . By its very terms, this section only applies when an employee's employment prior to the injury extends over a period of less than fifty-two . . . weeks. Id. Essentially, Goodman argues that the twenty-eight weeks he spent on strike severed his prior employment relationship with HBD, and the time after the strike was a new period of employment. However, Goodman had been employed by HBD for many years prior to the strike, and he maintained a continuous employment relationship with HBD notwithstanding the strike. He then returned to work for HBD following the strike, evidencing an ongoing employment relationship despite the period of inactivity. Therefore, section 50-6-102(3)(B) does not apply. The Workers' Compensation laws do not permit an employee to choose the average weekly wage calculation that yields the highest result. The employee must follow the sequence outlined in Tennessee Code Annotated section 50-6-102(3). If the employee is employed for fifty-two weeks prior to the injury, the employee must use subsection (A). If the employee was employed for less than fifty-two weeks prior to the injury, the employee must use subsection (B). Here, Goodman was employed by HBD for the full fifty-two weeks prior to his injury. Therefore, subsection (A) applies, and his income earned during those fifty-two weeks is divided by fifty-two to arrive at his average weekly wage.