The Tennessee Workers Compensation Appeals Board affirmed a stay of temporary disability and medical benefits awarded to an Amazon.com Inc. worker while the parties seek a medical causation opinion.
In Eileen Figueroa v. Amazon.com Inc., the board on Thursday affirmed and remanded a Court of Workers’ Compensation Claims order staying an earlier expedited award of benefits to Ms. Figueroa, who alleged she suffered a gradual back and calf injury from repetitive bending, twisting and lifting after transferring to a new position in May 2025.
Amazon initially provided a physician panel but later denied the claim, citing insufficient notice. After an expedited hearing, the trial court designated Ms. Figueroa’s chosen orthopedist, Dr. Luke Madigan, as the authorized treating physician and awarded ongoing temporary total disability benefits beginning July 3, 2025.
Amazon later moved to reconsider after receiving a December 2025 medical note in which Dr. Madigan stated that Ms. Figueroa’s degenerative spondylolisthesis and synovial cysts were “not a work injury” but a degenerative problem.
The board said Ms. Figueroa agreed during a status hearing to have Dr. Madigan review her job duties and prior MRI records and provide a causation opinion. Because she did not object to that process, she could not appeal the order memorializing it, the board said.