Shaterra Reed Marion was appointed as a judge on the Court of Workers’ Compensation Claims in Memphis, by new Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) Administrator Troy Haley the state Department of Labor & Workforce (TDLW) announced Wednesday.
“Shaterra Reed Marion will be a welcome addition to the Court of Workers’ Compensation Claims in Memphis. She has the heart of a public servant and, as a judge, I know she will be fair to all parties and reflect the values for which the Court of Workers’ Compensation Claims is known,” Haley said.
The move comes as Judge Deana Seymour left the bench after a six-year tenure who served on the court since 2016. Judge Seymour recently retired, stepping down from the department on September 1 to focus more on traveling with her family.
“Judges play a critical role in ensuring our system works justice for our citizens,” Marion said in a statement announcing her appointment; adding, “In service to this great community, I eagerly look forward to applying the workers’ compensation statutes in a fair and compassionate way to further justice.”
Marion has practiced law in Tennessee for a decade, primarily focusing on workers’ compensation and insurance defense. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida before attending Howard University School of Law in Washington, D.C., where she was a member of the trial advocacy moot court team and a Merit Scholar, the TDLW statement noted.
Administrator Troy Haley was appointed as Bureau administrator by Governor Bill Lee in July, beginning his duties on September 1, after previous administrator Abbie Hudgens retired from the position.
“I would like to expand the UEF benefit program to include a death benefit, permanent disability benefit, and raise statutory limits. Currently, the only benefits available to injured workers – whose employer cheated and broke the law by not having workers’ comp coverage – are temporary disability benefits and medical benefits, both of which are capped at $20,000. Also, I would like to expand our ombudsman attorney for our vocational recovery [Next Step] program. It’s a good opportunity for injured workers to get money for college,” Haley said.
The Court of Workers’ Compensation Claims judges adjudicate disputed claims, assisting both employees and employers in minimizing the impact of work-related injuries. There are twelve judges appointed by the administrator of the Bureau. These judges conduct evidentiary and settlement approval hearings.
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Kaitlyn Osteen is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Send Kaitlyn tips at [email protected].
Photo “Shaterra Marion” by Shaterra Marion.
