Tennessee gives you very little time. You must give your employer written notice within 15 days of the accident and you pick your treating doctor from a panel of three doctors that the employer hands you.
When the insurer says no, your next step is a form called the Petition for Benefit Determination. Filing it starts the Bureau's three-stage dispute process, which tries to settle things before a judge decides.
How much does workers comp pay in Tennessee?
While a doctor keeps you off work, the weekly check is two-thirds of your average weekly wage. For injuries from July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027, the top temporary check is $1,488.30 a week and the floor is $202.95.
The first seven days are unpaid. If you stay off 14 days or more, the insurer owes you those first days as well.
Later, your doctor will say you reached maximum medical improvement (the point where you will not get much better). Any permanent award equals your impairment rating times 450 weeks, capped at $1,353 a week for injuries in that same year. Try our weekly check calculator for a rough figure.
| Weekly check | two-thirds (66 2/3%) of your average weekly wage |
|---|---|
| Weekly cap on temporary checks, injuries from July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027 | $1,488.30 |
| Weekly minimum, injuries from July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027 | $202.95 |
| Waiting period | first 7 days unpaid, paid back if you are off 14 days or more |
Tennessee deadlines that can end a claim
- Written notice to your employer: within 15 days of the accident.
- Petition for Benefit Determination: one year from the injury or from your last temporary check or medical visit paid by the insurer, whichever comes later.
- Appeal of a final compensation order: 30 days.
- Appeal of an expedited (interlocutory) order, a temporary ruling made before trial: 7 business days.
Missing the one-year date can bar the claim for good, so mark it on a calendar today.
My Tennessee claim was denied. Now what?
A denial means the adjuster believes your injury did not come from your work. That is the insurer's opinion, not a ruling. The petition puts your side in front of a Bureau mediator and disputes that stay unresolved move to a workers' compensation judge.
Be careful with light duty. Under Bureau guidance, not reporting for light duty your employer offers may end your temporary checks.
Confused by the wording of your letter? Paste it into our letter explainer or read our guide to a denied workers comp claim.
What a Tennessee workers comp lawyer can charge
The judge must approve the fee and it cannot exceed 20% of your award or recovery. It comes out of the money you win, not out of your pocket today.
A 2026 law adds some leverage. For injuries from July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2030, the court can make the employer pay attorney fees at an expedited hearing when it unreasonably denied the claim or delayed benefits.
Who runs workers comp in Tennessee
The Bureau of Workers' Compensation handles claim questions, mediation and the ombudsman program for workers who have no attorney. You can call the Bureau at 800-332-2667.
People also ask
Do I have to use the doctor my boss picks?
Not one doctor, no. Your employer must offer a panel of three and you choose. Ask for a copy of the signed Form C-42 that records your pick.
Can I get workers comp if I was off less than two weeks?
Yes, but the first seven days are unpaid unless you are out 14 days or more.