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Ruby Lee Jones sought worker's compensation death benefits following the death of Charlie Jones, with whom she had cohabited and was financially dependent on for 25 years, despite both being legally married to other individuals. The trial court denied her claim, finding she was not a wife under T.C.A. § 50-6-210. The Supreme Court affirmed, holding that only a lawful wife is entitled to such benefits, as established in Memphis Fertilizer Co. v. Small. The Court distinguished this case from Perry v. Sun Coal Co. by noting that Jones and the deceased knew their relationship was not legally sanctioned, contrasting with a situation of honest but mistaken belief in marriage. The decision underscores that knowing cohabitation, while legally married to others, does not confer lawful wife status for worker's compensation benefits.
Jones v. D. Canale & Co. is a workers' compensation case decided in Tennessee Supreme Court. This case addresses legal issues related to compensation claims, benefits, and court rulings.
It is commonly referenced in legal research involving workers' compensation laws in Tennessee Supreme Court.
Full Decision Text1 Pages
Ruby Lee Jones sought worker's compensation death benefits following the death of Charlie Jones, with whom she had cohabited and was financially dependent on for 25 years, despite both being legally married to other individuals. The trial court denied her claim, finding she was not a "wife" under T.C.A. § 50-6-210. The Supreme Court affirmed, holding that only a "lawful wife" is entitled to such benefits, as established in Memphis Fertilizer Co. v. Small. The Court distinguished this case from Perry v. Sun Coal Co. by noting that Jones and the deceased knew their relationship was not legally sanctioned, contrasting with a situation of honest but mistaken belief in marriage. The decision underscores that knowing cohabitation, while legally married to others, does not confer "lawful wife" status for worker's compensation benefits.
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