BILLY BROWN v. THE LILLY CO. D/B/A LILLY ENVIRONMENTAL, ET AL. - Articles

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BILLY BROWN v. THE LILLY CO. D/B/A LILLY ENVIRONMENTAL, ET AL.

Posted by: Azya Thornton on Apr 14, 2026

Court: TN Workers Comp Appeals Board

Attorneys 1: A. Allen Grant and Scott A. Morrell, Nashville, Tennessee, for the employer-appellant, The Lilly Co. d/b/a Lilly Environmental.

Attorneys 2: Timothy A. Roberto, Knoxville, Tennessee, for the employee-appellee, Billy Brown.

Judge(s): CONNER

The employee in this interlocutory appeal sustained a compensable low back injury. After a period of authorized medical care, the relationship between the employee and his authorized physician deteriorated. The employee requested a new panel of orthopedic physicians and a panel of neurosurgeons pursuant to a purported referral from the treating physician. The authorized physician then declined to see the employee again. Following an expedited hearing, the trial court ordered the employer to provide a new panel of orthopedic specialists for selection of a new treating physician, but it declined to order a panel of neurosurgeons, finding that no referral was made. The employer has appealed. Having carefully reviewed the record, we affirm the trial court’s order and remand the case.

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