Whitehead v. Watkins

OPINION

FONES, Justice.

In this workers’ compensation case, the trial court awarded benefits to plaintiff, Kathy Lynn Whitehead, for the work-related accident resulting in the death of her husband, Ronnie Whitehead. The sole issue presented on appeal is whether the chancellor erred in finding that defendant, Jerry Mac Watkins, had employed five or more employees at a time prior to the Whitehead accident and was an employer subject to the Tennessee Workers’ Compensation Law, under the authority of Ganus v. Asher, 561 S.W.2d 756 (Tenn.1978).

The testimony at trial showed that plaintiff’s husband…