Bryson v. State

OPINION

COOPER, Justice.

This case presents the issue: Is the State of Tennessee liable for payment of medical expenses incurred by a convict who is injured in an automobile accident while on a three day furlough from a state institution? The Tennessee Claims Commission dismissed the claim for lack of jurisdiction. The Court of Appeals pretermitted the jurisdictional issue, but affirmed the action of the Claims Commission, the majority holding that the State did not have custody or control of the claimant while he was on furlough so as to make the State liable for payment of medical expenses…