Workers Compensation Benefits Denied Due to Lack of Timely Notice

The Supreme Court of Tennessee affirmed the decision of Tennessee Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board in denying an employee being awarded workers compensation due to failure  to give timely notice and for failing to prove her employer had prior knowledge of the injury. The case is Ernstes v. Printpack, Inc., 2024 Tenn. LEXIS 1 (Tenn. 2024). 

Arlene Ernstes worked for Printpack, Inc. for 33 years. She worked many positions during her employment, but spent a majority of her time on the plant floor where she worked amongst loud machinery. Printpack required employees to wear hearing protection gear and would provide hearing screenings annually.