Workers Compensation in Tennessee
Getting approved for workers’ compensation benefits isn’t always simple. Employers and insurance companies may try to downplay your injury, delay payments, or deny your claim outright. Without a clear understanding of your rights, you could end up struggling financially while trying to recover.
This guide breaks down how Tennessee’s workers’ compensation system works, and what steps you should take.
Workers Compensation Statistics in Tennessee?
Workplace injuries are a persistent issue for Tennessee workers. In 2023, private-sector employers reported approximately 41,200 nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses, resulting in an incidence rate of 2.5 cases per 100 full-time employees, which is consistent with the national average.
Certain industries in Tennessee report a higher number of workplace injuries:
- Manufacturing – With an injury rate of 3.4 per 100 workers, common injuries include repetitive motion disorders, machinery-related accidents, and hazardous material exposure.
- Construction – An industry with an injury rate of 3.8 per 100 workers, where falls, equipment mishaps, and electrical accidents are frequent hazards.
- Healthcare and Social Assistance – With an incidence rate of 4.2 per 100 employees, injuries often stem from lifting patients, workplace violence, and exposure to infectious diseases.
How Does Workers Comp Work in Tennessee?
Tennessee law requires most businesses with five or more employees to carry workers’ compensation insurance. However, construction and coal mining companies must provide coverage regardless of size. Workers’ compensation is a no-fault system, meaning employees do not have to prove employer negligence to receive benefits.
All Tennessee employers with at least five employees must carry workers’ compensation insurance. Mining and construction employers require coverage regardless of number of employees.
If your claim is approved, you may be eligible for:
- Medical Treatment
- Temporary Total Disability (TTD)
- Temporary Partial Disability (TPD)
- Permanent Partial or Total Disability (PPD/PTD)
- Vocational Rehabilitation
- Death Benefits
The steps you take immediately following a workplace incident in Tennessee are critical for filing a claim. Follow the following steps to preserve your rights and learn how workers comp works.
Get Medical Attention
After a workplace injury, getting medical treatment as soon as possible is crucial. Insurance companies often look for reasons to deny claims, and if you delay seeking care, they may argue that your injury wasn’t serious or work-related.
In Tennessee, your employer must provide a panel of three approved physicians for you to choose from. If you seek treatment from a doctor outside this list without approval, you may be responsible for covering your medical expenses.
To protect your claim:
- See a doctor immediately, even if you think your injury is minor.
- Follow your treatment plan and attend all scheduled appointments.
- Keep records of all medical visits, prescriptions, and work restrictions.
- Inform your employer of any medical updates regarding your ability to work.
If your employer refuses to provide a list of approved doctors or your medical treatment is delayed, consulting a workers’ compensation attorney can help ensure you receive the care you need.
File a First Report of Injury
Tennessee law requires employees to report a workplace injury to their employer within 15 days of the accident. Failing to meet this deadline could result in your claim being denied.
After reporting the injury, your employer is responsible for filing a First Report of Injury (FROI) with their workers’ compensation insurance provider and the Tennessee Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC). If your employer fails to file the claim, you have the right to contact the BWC and initiate the process yourself.
The insurance provider will review your case and determine whether you qualify for benefits. If your claim is denied or disputed, you may need to:
- Provide additional medical documentation to support your claim.
- Undergo an Independent Medical Examination (IME) if requested by the insurer.
- Request mediation through the Tennessee BWC to resolve claim disputes.
Tennessee has a one-year statute of limitations for filing a workers’ compensation claim. If you fail to take action within this period, you may lose your right to benefits.
Tennessee does not permit settlements until you are at MMI (maximum medical improvement). This means that your condition is not going to improve. Your doctor will make this determination and assign a percentage value to your disability.
Note that, before any litigation is permitted, Tennessee requires a Benefits Review Conference to attempt a settlement. This conference must happen within 30 days of reaching MMI.
Why You Should Hire a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
Many injured workers face claim denials, often due to missing documentation, employer disputes, or insurance company tactics. Some of the most common reasons for denials include:
- •Missed reporting deadlines – If you fail to report your injury within 15 days, your claim could be challenged.
- •Insufficient medical evidence – If there’s no clear link between your injury and your job, insurers may deny benefits.
- •Employer disputes – Some employers claim that an injury did not happen at work or was due to a pre-existing condition.
If your claim is denied, you can:
- Request mediation with the Tennessee Bureau of Workers’ Compensation.
- File a petition for a hearing before the Tennessee Court of Workers’ Compensation Claims.
- Appeal to the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board if the hearing decision is unfavorable.
An attorney can help strengthen your case, gather necessary evidence, and represent you in appeals if your claim is unfairly denied.
Work With an Experienced Local Lawyer in Tennessee
Your health and well-being need to come first. If you are hurt while working or find out an illness you are suffering is the result of your job, you will want to seek compensation.
We can connect you with a local attorney or one across Tennessee state lines.
Submit a request online or call us at (866) 345-6784 to find a workers’ compensation lawyer today!
About the Author
Aaron is a professional legal writer with a B.S. in English Education from Southern Illinois University – Carbondale. He has written, published, and edited thousands of legal articles for RequestLegalHelp, which has connected over 5 million people to legal help in the United States.
With over five years of experience writing thousands of legal articles for law firms across the U.S. and Canada, Aaron specializes in covering federal, state, and city-level legal issues ranging from auto accidents to wrongful terminations.
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