Tennessee Workers’ Compensation Guide 2026

Report the injury immediately

Tell a supervisor as soon as possible, preserve written notice, witnesses, incident details, restrictions, and wage records. The employer generally reports the claim to its carrier and the Bureau. Delayed notice can create factual and legal disputes even when another deadline remains open.

Most Tennessee employers with five or more employees must carry coverage. Construction and mining employers generally need coverage with one employee, subject to statutory exemptions and the construction exemption registry.

Select an authorized treating physician from the panel

The employer generally provides a panel of three doctors. The employee selects the authorized treating physician and records the choice on Form C-42. Emergency care comes first; after stabilization, the employer should provide the panel.

Authorized treatment for a compensable injury is provided at the employer’s expense for as long as required. Keep the signed C-42, referrals, restrictions, bills, and travel records. Travel exceeding 15 miles one way to an authorized provider may qualify for mileage reimbursement.

Temporary, permanent, medical, and death benefits

TTD is generally two-thirds of AWW with injury-date limits. TPD addresses reduced earnings under restrictions. The first seven disability days are unpaid unless disability reaches 14 days, when benefits become payable from day one.

Permanent benefits depend on medical impairment, statutory weeks, and adjustment factors. Medical care, death benefits, funeral expenses, and vocational resources use different rules. Compare the 2026 benefits chart and use the temporary calculator only for its stated purpose.

Use the Bureau’s dispute process

If compensability, treatment, wage replacement, or another benefit is denied, an unrepresented worker can contact the Ombudsman Program at 800-332-2667. Filing a Petition for Benefit Determination starts the formal dispute path. Mediation normally precedes a hearing in the Court of Workers’ Compensation Claims.

Do not treat an adjuster’s denial or the employer’s report as a final judicial decision. Preserve denial letters and medical support, follow current filing instructions, and calendar every hearing or appeal deadline.

Protect the one-year limitation period

The Bureau states that in most cases a PBD must be filed within one year of the injury, or one year from the last temporary disability payment or medical benefit, whichever is latest. Claim-specific facts can alter the analysis, so file early rather than relying on a possible extension.