The judicial system has seen massive changes due to the COVID-19 Pandemic in Tennessee. In Murfreesboro, attorney John Day told WGNS...



Under current rules and practice, you cannot have a teleconference or "LIVE" video jury in Tennessee. However, the pandemic could give rise to future changes within the courts.

For the first time in history, on Wednesday, April 1, 2020, the Tennessee Supreme Court held an oral argument by video conference. This new approach is part of efforts by courts at all levels to find innovative and creative ways to continue to conduct essential court business across the state while keeping everyone safe during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The case heard via video was Lataisha M. Jackson v. Charles Anthony Burrell et al. This healthcare liability action arose when the plaintiff, Lataisha Jackson, alleged that an employee, Charles Burrell, at Gould's Salon Inc. d/b/a Gould's Day Spa & Salon ("Gould's") sexually assaulted her while she was getting a massage. Ms. Jackson filed claims of vicarious liability, negligence, and negligent supervision, retention, and training against Gould's. Gould's filed a motion for summary judgment claiming, in part, that the negligence claims could not survive because Ms. Jackson failed to file a certificate of good faith, which is a pre-suit notice requirement under the Tennessee Health Care Liability Act ("THCLA").