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Employer must provide care after judge rejects idiopathic fall defense - Business Insurance Skip to content Register for free Search Search Log In Risk Management Cyber Risks Pricing Trends Mergers & Acquisitions Technology Sponsored Content WSIA RISKWORLD Workers Comp & Safety Workers Comp Cost Control Pain Management Workplace Safety International EMEA Asia-Pacific Latin America People Events BI Intelligence Top 100 Agents & Brokers Best Places to Work 2026 Lists Directories Insurance Pricing BI Stock Index Magazine Current Issue Past Issues Subscribe Women to Watch ALL INsurance Resources Risk Perspectives Sponsored Content Webinars White Papers Risk Management Cyber Risks Pricing Trends Mergers & Acquisitions Technology Sponsored Content WSIA RISKWORLD Workers Comp & Safety Workers Comp Cost Control Pain Management Workplace Safety International EMEA Asia-Pacific Latin America People Events BI Intelligence Top 100 Agents & Brokers Best Places to Work 2026 Lists Directories Insurance Pricing BI Stock Index Magazine Current Issue Past Issues Subscribe Women to Watch ALL INsurance Resources Risk Perspectives Sponsored Content Webinars White Papers Risk Management Cyber Risks Pricing Trends Mergers & Acquisitions Technology Sponsored Content WSIA RISKWORLD Workers Comp & Safety Workers Comp Cost Control Pain Management Workplace Safety International EMEA Asia-Pacific Latin America People Events BI Intelligence Top 100 Agents & Brokers Best Places to Work 2026 Lists Directories Insurance Pricing BI Stock Index Magazine Current Issue Past Issues Subscribe Women to Watch ALL INsurance Resources Risk Perspectives Sponsored Content Webinars White Papers Risk Management Cyber Risks Pricing Trends Mergers & Acquisitions Technology Sponsored Content WSIA RISKWORLD Workers Comp & Safety Workers Comp Cost Control Pain Management Workplace Safety International EMEA Asia-Pacific Latin America People Events BI Intelligence Top 100 Agents & Brokers Best Places to Work 2026 Lists Directories Insurance Pricing BI Stock Index Magazine Current Issue Past Issues Subscribe Women to Watch ALL INsurance Resources Risk Perspectives Sponsored Content Webinars White Papers Employer must provide care after judge rejects idiopathic fall defense by Louise Esola Claims Disputes , Workers Comp Coverage , Workplace Safety Sep 9, 2026 A Tennessee workers compensation judge ordered a staffing company to provide medical care to a worker who fell on her first day on the job, rejecting the employer’s argument that the accident was idiopathic. In Bales v. Staffmark Group LLC , the Tennessee Court of Workers’ Compensation Claims on Tuesday granted in part Debra Bales’ request for benefits arising from her June 2025 fall. Ms. Bales testified that her foot became entangled in shrink wrap left around a pallet and on the floor as she returned to her workstation. She struck a table and the floor, injuring her leg and shoulder, and fell again as coworkers attempted to help her. Staffmark argued that Ms. Bales became dizzy and suffered an idiopathic fall unrelated to a workplace hazard. Idiopathic injuries are not compensable under Tennessee law unless a work hazard causes or worsens the injury. The judge credited Ms. Bales’ account over testimony from a coworker who said the floor was clear and described Ms. Bales as falling in “slow motion.” The court found the coworker appeared nervous, defensive, argumentative and biased, and called portions of her testimony implausible. The court found Ms. Bales was likely to establish that workplace conditions caused or exacerbated her injuries and ordered Staffmark to provide a panel of physicians and related treatment. Her requests for temporary disability benefits and payment of past medical expenses were denied because she did not submit sufficient medical evidence connecting her inability to work and prior treatment to the accident. Related News Auto parts manufacturer must face suit over worker’s son’s asbestos death September 9, 2026 Jencap buys fellow wholesaler Concorde September 9, 2026 Insurance renewal rate hikes slow further: Ivans September 9, 2026 China plans massive capital injection for insurers September 9, 2026 Latin American reinsurance market defies soft conditions September 9, 2026 P&I reinsurance rates set to rise: Gallagher September 9, 2026 PIB Group acquires Romanian specialty broker September 9, 2026 Low river water levels threaten supply-chains September 9, 2026 Expansion into casualty, specialty risks fuels sidecar growth: Aon September 9, 2026 Facebook-f X-twitter Linkedin-in Business Insurance is a singular, authoritative news and information source for executives focused upon risk management, risk transfer and risk financing. Never miss important news: Become a Business Insurance Online subscriber today Subscribe Now Information About Us Contact Advertise Privacy Policy Terms & Conditions Copyright 2026. BUSINESS INSURANCE HOLDINGS Member, Beacon International Group, Ltd.
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