Filing a Workers' Comp Claim in Tennessee
The deadlines to report a work injury and file a claim in Tennessee, how to file, and how to appeal a denial.
Short answer: Report the injury to your supervisor immediately. For injuries on or after July 1, 2016, employees generally have 15 calendar days from when they knew or should have known about a suspected work injury to report it to the employer. Tenn. Bureau of Workers' Compensation, Filing a Claim
| Deadline to report the injury | Report the injury to your supervisor immediately. For injuries on or after July 1, 2016, employees generally have 15 calendar days from when they knew or should have known about a suspected work injury to report it to the employer. |
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| Deadline to file a claim | If the claim is disputed, the worker protects their rights by filing a Petition for Benefit Determination with the Bureau. In most cases, the deadline is one year from the date of injury, or from the date the last temporary disability benefits were paid or medical benefits were provided, whichever is latest. |
| How to file | Reporting the injury to your employer starts the claims process; the employer reports it to its insurance adjuster, which is the filing of the claim, and the adjuster should contact you within 48 hours. If the claim is denied or there is a dispute, file a Petition for Benefit Determination with the Bureau of Workers' Compensation, which offers free mediation. The Bureau's ombudsmen help unrepresented workers at 800-332-2667. |
| Appealing a denial | Disputes not resolved in mediation go to the Court of Workers' Compensation Claims. A judge's final compensation order becomes final 30 days after it is entered unless a party files a Notice of Appeal to the Workers' Compensation Appeals Board within 30 calendar days (filing fee $75, or an affidavit of indigency); alternatively, a party may appeal a final compensation order directly to the Tennessee Supreme Court. Interlocutory orders (such as orders for temporary or medical benefits) may be appealed to the Appeals Board within seven business days. |
| Filing or checking a claim online | Report the injury to your supervisor immediately; for injuries on or after July 1, 2016, employees generally have 15 calendar days from when they knew or should have known of the injury. Your employer must report the injury to its insurance adjuster, which is the filing of the claim; the adjuster should contact you within 48 hours, and you choose a treating doctor from a panel the adjuster or employer provides. Bureau of Workers' Compensation questions: 615-532-4812 or 800-332-2667, wc.info@tn.gov. |
Where to get help in Tennessee
More Tennessee workers' compensation
- How Much Workers' Comp Pays in Tennessee
- Workers' Comp Settlements in Tennessee
- Retaliation for Filing Workers' Comp in Tennessee
- Suing Over a Work Injury in Tennessee
- Appealing a Denied Workers' Comp Claim in Tennessee
- All Tennessee workers' compensation rules
FAQ
How long do you have to report a work injury in Tennessee?
Report the injury to your supervisor immediately. For injuries on or after July 1, 2016, employees generally have 15 calendar days from when they knew or should have known about a suspected work injury to report it to the employer.
What is the deadline to file a workers' comp claim in Tennessee?
If the claim is disputed, the worker protects their rights by filing a Petition for Benefit Determination with the Bureau. In most cases, the deadline is one year from the date of injury, or from the date the last temporary disability benefits were paid or medical benefits were provided, whichever is latest.
How do you file a workers' comp claim in Tennessee?
Reporting the injury to your employer starts the claims process; the employer reports it to its insurance adjuster, which is the filing of the claim, and the adjuster should contact you within 48 hours. If the claim is denied or there is a dispute, file a Petition for Benefit Determination with the Bureau of Workers' Compensation, which offers free mediation. The Bureau's ombudsmen help unrepresented workers at 800-332-2667.
How do you appeal a denied workers' comp claim in Tennessee?
Disputes not resolved in mediation go to the Court of Workers' Compensation Claims. A judge's final compensation order becomes final 30 days after it is entered unless a party files a Notice of Appeal to the Workers' Compensation Appeals Board within 30 calendar days (filing fee $75, or an affidavit of indigency); alternatively, a party may appeal a final compensation order directly to the Tennessee Supreme Court. Interlocutory orders (such as orders for temporary or medical benefits) may be appealed to the Appeals Board within seven business days.
How do I file or check a workers' comp claim online in Tennessee?
Report the injury to your supervisor immediately; for injuries on or after July 1, 2016, employees generally have 15 calendar days from when they knew or should have known of the injury. Your employer must report the injury to its insurance adjuster, which is the filing of the claim; the adjuster should contact you within 48 hours, and you choose a treating doctor from a panel the adjuster or employer provides. Bureau of Workers' Compensation questions: 615-532-4812 or 800-332-2667, wc.info@tn.gov.
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.