FILED May 13, 2026 03:09 PM(CT) TENNESSEE COURT OF WORKERS' COMPENSATION CLAIMS
TENNESSEE BUREAU OF WORKERS’ COMPENSATION IN THE COURT OF WORKERS’ COMPENSATION CLAIMS AT MEMPHIS
COLEY DAVIS, Docket No. 2024-80-6757 Employee, v. CENTRAL TRANSPORT, LLC, State File No. 860389-2024 Employer, and CHEROKEE INS. CO., Judge Allen Phillips Carrier.
COMPENSATION ORDER GRANTING SUMMARY JUDGMENT
Central moved for summary judgment, contending that no genuine issues of material fact exist regarding Mr. Davis’s entitlement to benefits. After a May 11, 2026 hearing, the Court grants the motion.
Claim History
Mr. Davis suffered an injury at work on May 25, 2024, in a forklift accident, and Central accepted the claim.
Mr. Davis later made a choice from a panel of clinics that Central offered and saw Dr. John Goodfred in October 2025. After evaluating him, Dr. Goodfred completed a Standard Form Medical Report for Industrial Injuries (C-32).
On January 12, the Court entered a scheduling order including a motion deadline of April 10 and set a compensation hearing for May 19. Central filed this motion on April 10. and provided Mr. Davis with proper notice of both the hearing and of its intention to rely upon Dr. Goodfred’s C-32 form.
In compliance with Tennessee Rules of Civil Procedure 56.03, Central relied on these undisputed facts based on the C-32:
1 • Mr. Davis was released to return to work on May 25, 2024. • Mr. Davis was at maximum medical improvement on October 6, 2025. • Mr. Davis’s injury was not primarily related to his employment. • Mr. Davis has no permanent impairment. • Mr. Davis needs no further medical treatment.
Mr. Davis did not respond to the motion or appear for the hearing.
Law and Analysis
Summary judgment is appropriate “if the pleadings, depositions, answers to interrogatories, and admissions on file, together with the affidavits, if any, show that there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and that the moving party is entitled to a judgment as a matter of law.” Tenn. R. Civ. P. 56.04 (2025).
As the moving party, Central must do one of two things to prevail on its motion: (1) submit affirmative evidence that negates an essential element of Mr. Davis’s claim, or (2) demonstrate that the evidence is insufficient to establish an essential element of his claim. Tenn. Code Ann. § 20-16-101 (2025); see also Rye v. Women’s Care Ctr. of Memphis, MPLLC, 488 S.W.3d 235, 264 (Tenn. 2015). If Central does either or both, Mr. Davis must respond by producing specific facts showing a genuine issue for trial. Tenn. R. Civ. P. 56.06.
Because Mr. Davis did not respond, the Court must determine if summary judgment is appropriate based on Central’s statement of undisputed facts.
Dr. Goodfred’s C-32 form is admissible at the summary judgment stage if it complies with certain statutory requirements. Sadeekah v. Abdelazeez, 2021 TN Wrk. Comp. App. Bd. LEXIS 19, at *15, n.6 (June 22, 2021). Central complied with those requirements because: it notified Mr. Davis of its intended use of the form within 20 days of the hearing; the form included Dr. Goodfred’s qualifications; and no question was raised as to the authenticity of the signed copy of the form. Tenn. Code Ann. § 235(c)(1) and (2) (2025).
Considering the C-32, Central showed there is no genuine issue of material fact regarding Mr. Davis’s entitlement to benefits. An injury is compensable only if it is shown to have arisen primarily out of employment, which means the injury was more than 50% related to the employment. Id. § 50-6-102(12)(A)-(B). Likewise, an employee is entitled to medical treatment only if the injury is more than 50% related
2 to the employment. Id. § 50-6-102(C).
Dr. Goodfred said Mr. Davis’s employment was not the primary cause of his injury or need for medical treatment. Without a contrary opinion, there is no genuine issue of material fact, and Central is entitled to summary judgment as a matter of law.
Because of the dismissal, the May 19, 2026 compensation hearing is canceled.
IT IS, THEREFORE, ORDERED as follows:
1. The claim is dismissed with prejudice.
2. The Court taxes the $150 filing fee to Central, to be paid to the Court Clerk under Tennessee Compilation Rules and Regulations 0800-02-21-06 (2026) within five business days of this order becoming final.
3. Central shall file Form SD-2 with the clerk within ten business days after this order becomes final.
4. Unless appealed, this Order shall become final 30 days after entry.
ENTERED May 13, 2026.
____________________________________ JUDGE ALLEN PHILLIPS Court of Workers’ Compensation Claims
3 CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I certify that a copy of this order was sent as indicated on May 13, 2026.
Name Email Service sent to: Coley Davis, Employee X Richard Clark and Karli Sarratt, X rclark@eraclides.com Employer’s Attorneys ksarratt@eraclides.com
____________________________________ PENNY SHRUM, COURT CLERK wc.courtclerk@tn.gov
4 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.
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FILED May 13, 2026 03:09 PM(CT) TENNESSEE COURT OF WORKERS' COMPENSATION CLAIMS
TENNESSEE BUREAU OF WORKERS’ COMPENSATION IN THE COURT OF WORKERS’ COMPENSATION CLAIMS AT MEMPHIS
COLEY DAVIS, Docket No. 2024-80-6757 Employee, v. CENTRAL TRANSPORT, LLC, State File No. 860389-2024 Employer, and CHEROKEE INS. CO., Judge Allen Phillips Carrier.
COMPENSATION ORDER GRANTING SUMMARY JUDGMENT
Central moved for summary judgment, contending that no genuine issues of material fact exist regarding Mr. Davis’s entitlement to benefits. After a May 11, 2026 hearing, the Court grants the motion.
Claim History
Mr. Davis suffered an injury at work on May 25, 2024, in a forklift accident, and Central accepted the claim.
Mr. Davis later made a choice from a panel of clinics that Central offered and saw Dr. John Goodfred in October 2025. After evaluating him, Dr. Goodfred completed a Standard Form Medical Report for Industrial Injuries (C-32).
On January 12, the Court entered a scheduling order including a motion deadline of April 10 and set a compensation hearing for May 19. Central filed this motion on April 10. and provided Mr. Davis with proper notice of both the hearing and of its intention to rely upon Dr. Goodfred’s C-32 form.
In compliance with Tennessee Rules of Civil Procedure 56.03, Central relied on these undisputed facts based on the C-32:
1 • Mr. Davis was released to return to work on May 25, 2024. • Mr. Davis was at maximum medical improvement on October 6, 2025. • Mr. Davis’s injury was not primarily related to his employment. • Mr. Davis has no permanent impairment. • Mr. Davis needs no further medical treatment.
Mr. Davis did not respond to the motion or appear for the hearing.
Law and Analysis
Summary judgment is appropriate “if the pleadings, depositions, answers to interrogatories, and admissions on file, together with the affidavits, if any, show that there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and that the moving party is entitled to a judgment as a matter of law.” Tenn. R. Civ. P. 56.04 (2025).
As the moving party, Central must do one of two things to prevail on its motion: (1) submit affirmative evidence that negates an essential element of Mr. Davis’s claim, or (2) demonstrate that the evidence is insufficient to establish an essential element of his claim. Tenn. Code Ann. § 20-16-101 (2025); see also Rye v. Women’s Care Ctr. of Memphis, MPLLC, 488 S.W.3d 235, 264 (Tenn. 2015). If Central does either or both, Mr. Davis must respond by producing specific facts showing a genuine issue for trial. Tenn. R. Civ. P. 56.06.
Because Mr. Davis did not respond, the Court must determine if summary judgment is appropriate based on Central’s statement of undisputed facts.
Dr. Goodfred’s C-32 form is admissible at the summary judgment stage if it complies with certain statutory requirements. Sadeekah v. Abdelazeez, 2021 TN Wrk. Comp. App. Bd. LEXIS 19, at *15, n.6 (June 22, 2021). Central complied with those requirements because: it notified Mr. Davis of its intended use of the form within 20 days of the hearing; the form included Dr. Goodfred’s qualifications; and no question was raised as to the authenticity of the signed copy of the form. Tenn. Code Ann. § 235(c)(1) and (2) (2025).
Considering the C-32, Central showed there is no genuine issue of material fact regarding Mr. Davis’s entitlement to benefits. An injury is compensable only if it is shown to have arisen primarily out of employment, which means the injury was more than 50% related to the employment. Id. § 50-6-102(12)(A)-(B). Likewise, an employee is entitled to medical treatment only if the injury is more than 50% related
2 to the employment. Id. § 50-6-102(C).
Dr. Goodfred said Mr. Davis’s employment was not the primary cause of his injury or need for medical treatment. Without a contrary opinion, there is no genuine issue of material fact, and Central is entitled to summary judgment as a matter of law.
Because of the dismissal, the May 19, 2026 compensation hearing is canceled.
IT IS, THEREFORE, ORDERED as follows:
1. The claim is dismissed with prejudice.
2. The Court taxes the $150 filing fee to Central, to be paid to the Court Clerk under Tennessee Compilation Rules and Regulations 0800-02-21-06 (2026) within five business days of this order becoming final.
3. Central shall file Form SD-2 with the clerk within ten business days after this order becomes final.
4. Unless appealed, this Order shall become final 30 days after entry.
ENTERED May 13, 2026.
____________________________________ JUDGE ALLEN PHILLIPS Court of Workers’ Compensation Claims
3 CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I certify that a copy of this order was sent as indicated on May 13, 2026.
Name Email Service sent to: Coley Davis, Employee X Richard Clark and Karli Sarratt, X rclark@eraclides.com Employer’s Attorneys ksarratt@eraclides.com
____________________________________ PENNY SHRUM, COURT CLERK wc.courtclerk@tn.gov
4 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. NOTICE OF APPEAL Tennessee Bureau of Workers’ Compensation www.tn.gov/workforce/injuries-at-work/ wc.courtclerk@tn.gov | 1-800-332-2667
Docket No.: ________________________
State File No.: ______________________
Date of Injury: _____________________
___________________________________________________________________________ Employee
v.
___________________________________________________________________________ Employer
Notice is given that ____________________________________________________________________ [List name(s) of all appealing party(ies). Use separate sheet if necessary.]
appeals the following order(s) of the Tennessee Court of Workers’ Compensation Claims to the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board (check one or more applicable boxes and include the date file- stamped on the first page of the order(s) being appealed):
□ Expedited Hearing Order filed on _______________ □ Motion Order filed on ___________________ □ Compensation Order filed on__________________ □ Other Order filed on_____________________ issued by Judge _________________________________________________________________________.
Statement of the Issues on Appeal Provide a short and plain statement of the issues on appeal or basis for relief on appeal: ________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________
Parties Appellant(s) (Requesting Party): _________________________________________ ☐Employer ☐Employee Address: ________________________________________________________ Phone: ___________________ Email: __________________________________________________________ Attorney’s Name: ______________________________________________ BPR#: _______________________ Attorney’s Email: ______________________________________________ Phone: _______________________ Attorney’s Address: _________________________________________________________________________ * Attach an additional sheet for each additional Appellant *
LB-1099 rev. 01/20 Page 1 of 2 RDA 11082 Employee Name: _______________________________________ Docket No.: _____________________ Date of Inj.: _______________
Appellee(s) (Opposing Party): ___________________________________________ ☐Employer ☐Employee Appellee’s Address: ______________________________________________ Phone: ____________________ Email: _________________________________________________________ Attorney’s Name: _____________________________________________ BPR#: ________________________ Attorney’s Email: _____________________________________________ Phone: _______________________ Attorney’s Address: _________________________________________________________________________ * Attach an additional sheet for each additional Appellee *
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I, _____________________________________________________________, certify that I have forwarded a true and exact copy of this Notice of Appeal by First Class mail, postage prepaid, or in any manner as described in Tennessee Compilation Rules & Regulations, Chapter 0800-02-21, to all parties and/or their attorneys in this case on this the __________ day of ___________________________________, 20 ____.
______________________________________________ [Signature of appellant or attorney for appellant]
LB-1099 rev. 01/20 Page 2 of 2 RDA 11082