Tennessee Bill Would Tighten Workers’ Compensation Eligibility

The Tennessee Legislature is considering a number of changes to its workers’ compensation law that are designed to tighten the standards injured workers must meet to qualify for workers’ compensation benefits.

In an effort to reduce workers’ compensation costs, business groups are looking to tighten the definitions of workplace injuries so they are more closely related to specific injuries. Current Tennessee law says that employees are eligible for workers’ compensation benefits if they suffer an injury in the course and scope of their employment. Business groups, however, are saying the standard is too broad and provides employees with benefits for injuries that are not associated with their jobs that should be paid through their health insurance.

The lawmakers are especially targeting repetitive motion injuries that can be difficult to defend against under the current law. Business groups point to other states in the Southeast such as Florida, which includes in its statutes a more detailed description of what counts as such an injury. By changing the law, business groups hope that more claims will be settled in a benefits review process as opposed to a high number of claims being taken to court.

According to the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance, more than 100,000 workers’ compensation claims are filed annually.