Opinion ID: 1060336
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: The Necessity of a Full Evidentiary Hearing Prior to the Initiation of Temporary Workers' Compensation Benefits

Text: Because we have determined that the trial court has the authority to initiate temporary benefits pre-trial, we now address whether a full evidentiary hearing [4] is necessary prior to such initiation. We will not dictate to a trial court the measure of evidence necessary to determine whether to initiate temporary benefits. Similarly, we will not mandate how that evidence must be adduced. Indeed, in some cases a full evidentiary hearing may be necessary for the trial judge to make this determination. In others, the trial court may find sufficient evidence in the record upon which to base its determination, thereby making a hearing unnecessary. When deciding to initiate temporary benefits, the trial court must consider whether, from the record before it, the employee seeking benefits is likely to succeed on the merits of the claim. This standard is similar to those applied by the trial court when making other temporary judgments. S. Cent. Tenn. R.R. Auth. v. Harakas, 44 S.W.3d 912, 919 n. 6 (Tenn.Ct.App.2000) (discussing Tenn. R. Civ. P. 65); see Elliott v. Univ. of Tenn., 766 F.2d 982, 986 (6th Cir.1985); Workman v. Sundquist, 135 F.Supp.2d 871, 872 (M.D.Tenn. 2001). We think that the decision regarding evidentiary requirements is better left to the trial court. Therefore, if the trial court can determine whether benefits should be initiated based upon the record before it, no further inquiry is necessary. This holding does not prejudice either party, in that the trial court may reconsider its decision at the time of trial and the trial court's judgment is reviewable on appeal.