October 9, 2025
In a ruling that underscores the weight of statutory deadlines in Mississippi workers’ compensation law, FormanWatkins successfully defended its client before the Mississippi Court of Appeals. The Court affirmed the Mississippi Workers’ Compensation Commission’s dismissal of a Petition to Controvert after finding the Claimant filed outside the statute of limitations. FormanWatkins attorneys filed a Motion to Dismiss on behalf of the client, which the Administrative Judge granted, and the Full Commission affirmed. On appeal, the Court of Appeals agreed, holding that the Claimant neither suffered a latent nor progressive injury and that the evidence established that the Claimant knew the seriousness and probable compensable nature of his injury but waited more than two years to act. The FormanWatkins defense team included Malissa Wilson and Kara Bidstrup Walker. “This decision underscores the critical role of statutes of limitations in workers’ compensation claims,” said Malissa Wilson, partner at FormanWatkins. “Employers rely on us to shut down untimely and unsupported claims, and this ruling shows how a disciplined defense backed by strong evidence can protect clients from unnecessary liability.”