The opinion
FILED
Jun 04, 2026
02:40 PM(ET)
TENNESSEE COURT OF
WORKERS' COMPENSATION
CLAIMS
TENNESSEE BUREAU OF WORKERS' COMPENSATION
IN THE COURT OF WORKERS' COMPENSATION CLAIMS
AT KNOXVILLE
HEATHER RAY, Docket No. 2026-30-1015
Employee,
v. State File No. 20127-2025
CAMPBELL COUNTY
SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT, Judge Lisa A. Lowe
Employer.
EXPEDITED HEARING ORDER DENYING BENEFITS
Decision on the Record
Ms. Ray sustained a right-shoulder injury. Campbell County accepted the
claim and authorized treatment with Dr. Kyle Achors. She now seeks an orthopedic
evaluation for her neck, which Campbell County denied. For the reasons below, the
Court denies Ms. Ray's request.
Claim History
Ms. Ray suffered a shoulder injury in March 2025. She received authorized
treatment with Dr. Achors, who performed surgery. Ms. Ray did not initially report
an injury to her neck, but in January 2026, she relayed an onset of neck pain to Dr.
Achors.
In March, Dr. Achors wrote that he was unsure why Ms. Ray had not
progressed, as her MRI demonstrated an intact rotator cuff repair. He noted sending
her for a functional capacity evaluation and anticipated placing her at maximum
medical improvement at her next appointment.
Then, Ms. Ray sent a letter to Dr. Achors asking him to check "yes" or "no"
to the question, "I would recommend that Ms. Ray be seen by an orthopedic
physician to assess injuries to her neck." Dr. Achors checked "yes."
1
Right to Appeal:
If you disagree with the Court’s Order, you may appeal to the Workers’ Compensation
Appeals Board. To do so, you must:
1. Complete the enclosed form entitled “Notice of Appeal” and file it with the Clerk of the
Court of Workers’ Compensation Claims before the expiration of the deadline.
If the order being appealed is “expedited” (also called “interlocutory”), or if the
order does not dispose of the case in its entirety, the notice of appeal must be filed
within seven (7) business days of the date the order was filed.
If the order being appealed is a “Compensation Order,” or if it resolves all issues
in the case, the notice of appeal must be filed within thirty (30) calendar days of
the date the Compensation Order was filed.
When filing the Notice of Appeal, you must serve a copy on the opposing party (or attorney,
if represented).
2. You must pay, via check, money order, or credit card, a $75.00 filing fee within ten calendar
days after filing the Notice of Appeal. Payments can be made in-person at any Bureau office
or by U.S. mail, hand-delivery, or other delivery service. In the alternative, you may file an
Affidavit of Indigency (form available on the Bureau’s website or any Bureau office)
seeking a waiver of the filing fee. You must file the fully-completed Affidavit of Indigency
within ten calendar days of filing the Notice of Appeal. Failure to timely pay the filing
fee or file the Affidavit of Indigency will result in dismissal of your appeal.
3. You are responsible for ensuring a complete record is presented on appeal. If no court
reporter was present at the hearing, you may request from the Court Clerk the audio
recording of the hearing for a $25.00 fee. If you choose to submit a transcript as part of your
appeal, which the Appeals Board has emphasized is important for a meaningful review of
the case, a licensed court reporter must prepare the transcript, and you must file it with the
Court Clerk. The Court Clerk will prepare the record for submission to the Appeals Board,
and you will receive notice once it has been submitted. For deadlines related to the filing of
transcripts, statements of the evidence, and briefs on appeal, see the applicable rules on the
Bureau’s website at https://www.tn.gov/wcappealsboard. (Click the “Read Rules” button.)
4. After the Workers’ Compensation Judge approves the record and the Court Clerk transmits
it to the Appeals Board, a docketing notice will be sent to the parties.
If neither party timely files an appeal with the Appeals Board, the Court Order
becomes enforceable. See Tenn. Code Ann. § 50-6-239(d)(3) (expedited/interlocutory
orders) and Tenn. Code Ann. § 50-6-239(c)(7) (compensation orders).
For self-represented litigants: Help from an Ombudsman is available at 800-332-2667.