Filing a Tennessee workers comp claim comes down to two deadlines and a few clear steps: report the injury to your employer, get medical care, and file with the state before the statute of limitations runs out. This guide walks through the Tennessee process in plain English, with the exact deadlines you cannot miss. All figures are from Tennessee sources, verified as of June 2026.
Tennessee at a Glance
| Report to employer | 15 calendar days from the date the worker knew or should have known of the injury (for injuries on or after July 1, 2016) to give written notice to the employer; reporting immediately to a supervisor is strongly recommended. Tenn. Code § 50-6-201. |
| Deadline to file | 1 year (statute of limitations) under Tenn. Code § 50-6-203. If the employer paid no benefits, a Petition for Benefit Determination must be filed within 1 year of the accident. If the employer voluntarily paid benefits, the deadline is 1 year from the later of the date of last authorized medical treatment or the date the employer stopped paying. |
| Where to file | Tennessee Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (part of the TN Department of Labor and Workforce Development). The worker reports the injury to the employer, who reports it to their insurer (Employer’s First Report of Work Injury, Form C-20). If the claim is disputed/denied, the worker files a Petition for Benefit Determination (Form C-31, “PBD”) with the Bureau’s Mediation and Ombudsman Services; contested claims are then heard by the Court of Workers’ Compensation Claims. |
| Choose your doctor? | No free choice — the employer/insurer directs care. The employer (or adjuster) must give the injured worker a panel of physicians (generally three or more independent doctors) to choose from; the worker selects their authorized treating physician from that panel. Treatment outside the panel is generally not covered. Medical benefits have no waiting period and begin once the injury is reported and treatment authorized. |
| Benefits start | Medical benefits begin immediately upon authorization. Temporary (wage-replacement) disability benefits have a 7-day waiting period — they are due beginning the 8th day of disability. If the disability lasts 14 days or more, benefits are paid retroactively to the first day. Temporary disability is generally paid weekly at two-thirds (2/3) of the worker’s average weekly wage, subject to the state maximum. |
In This Tennessee Guide:
Filing a Workers’ Comp Claim in Tennessee
Filing a Tennessee workers comp claim comes down to two deadlines and a few clear steps: report the injury to your employer, get medical care, and file with the state before the statute of limitations runs out. This guide walks through the Tennessee process in plain English, with the exact deadlines you cannot miss. All figures are from Tennessee sources, verified as of June 2026.
How to File a Workers’ Comp Claim in Tennessee
First steps: 1) Report the injury to a supervisor/employer immediately (and within the 15-day deadline). 2) Seek medical treatment from a physician selected from the panel the employer/adjuster provides. 3) Keep written records of the injury, the report, and all treatment. 4) Expect the insurance adjuster to make contact, generally within 48 hours.
1) Worker reports injury to employer (within 15 days). 2) Employer files the claim with its workers’ comp insurer/adjuster (Form C-20). 3) Adjuster typically contacts the injured worker within about 48 hours and provides a panel of physicians for treatment. 4) The insurer must make a compensability decision (accept or deny) within 15 calendar days of notice of the accident.
5) If accepted, medical care and any wage-replacement (temporary disability) benefits are paid. 6) If denied/disputed, the worker files a Petition for Benefit Determination with the Bureau; a mediator/ombudsman attempts resolution. 7) If mediation fails, a Dispute Certification Notice issues and the case proceeds to the Court of Workers’ Compensation Claims for a hearing.
Choosing a Doctor in Tennessee
No free choice — the employer/insurer directs care. The employer (or adjuster) must give the injured worker a panel of physicians (generally three or more independent doctors) to choose from; the worker selects their authorized treating physician from that panel. Treatment outside the panel is generally not covered. Medical benefits have no waiting period and begin once the injury is reported and treatment authorized.
What to Do If Your Tennessee Claim Is Denied
File a Petition for Benefit Determination (Form C-31) with the Tennessee Bureau of Workers’ Compensation. A Bureau mediator/ombudsman (free; call 800-332-2667) works to resolve the dispute. If unresolved, a Dispute Certification Notice is issued and the claim goes to the Court of Workers’ Compensation Claims (for injuries on or after July 1, 2014) for a hearing before a workers’ comp judge.
A judge’s compensation order can then be appealed to the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board or directly to the Tennessee Supreme Court.
Appeal deadline: 30 calendar days from the date the Court of Workers’ Compensation Claims compensation order is issued to file a Notice of Appeal to the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board (mandatory and jurisdictional). For an expedited/interlocutory order, the deadline is 7 calendar days. A 75 filing fee applies (payable at filing or within 10 days).
Was your claim denied? A denial is not the end of the road in Tennessee — many denials are overturned on appeal. A workers’ comp attorney can review your case, usually for a free consultation.
What Happens After You File in Tennessee
Once your claim is filed in Tennessee, the employer’s insurer reviews it and either accepts it, asks for more information, or denies it. If it is accepted, your medical treatment is covered and your wage benefits begin after the waiting period.
Keep copies of everything — the injury report, your medical records, and any letters from the insurer — because they are what protect your claim if there is ever a dispute.
Common Mistakes That Hurt a Tennessee Claim
The two most common ways injured workers in Tennessee lose benefits are missing a deadline and gaps in medical treatment. Report the injury in writing as soon as you can, see a doctor and follow the treatment plan, and do not assume a verbal mention to a supervisor counts as official notice. If anything about the process is unclear, your state workers’-comp board can walk you through the next step.
Other Tennessee claim rules: Tennessee uses a non-court administrative process first: most disputes must go through Bureau mediation (Petition for Benefit Determination) before reaching the Court of Workers’ Compensation Claims, a specialized court (not a county/circuit court) that hears claims with injury dates on or after July 1, 2014. The compensability decision is required within 15 days. Free ombudsman assistance is available to unrepresented parties at 800-332-2667.
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Figures are general reference only; many claimants benefit from confirming current limits with the Bureau and a licensed Tennessee attorney, as outcomes are never guaranteed.
Filing Your Tennessee Workers Comp Claim the Right Way
A Tennessee workers comp claim stands or falls on two things: hitting the deadlines and documenting the injury. Report the injury to your employer within the state window, file the Tennessee workers comp claim with the right agency before the statute of limitations runs out, and keep seeing your doctor.
Most denied claims come down to a missed deadline or a thin medical record — get both right and your Tennessee workers comp claim is on solid ground.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to report a work injury in Tennessee?
In Tennessee, you generally must tell your employer within 15 calendar days from the date the worker knew or should have known of the injury (for injuries on or after July 1, 2016) to give written notice to the employer; reporting immediately to a supervisor is strongly recommended. Tenn. Code § 50-6-201. of the injury.
Report it in writing as soon as you can — waiting can put your benefits at risk.
How long do I have to file a workers’ comp claim in Tennessee?
The Tennessee statute of limitations to file is 1 year (statute of limitations) under Tenn. Code § 50-6-203. If the employer paid no benefits, a Petition for Benefit Determination must be filed within 1 year of the accident. If the employer voluntarily paid benefits, the deadline is 1 year from the later of the date of last authorized medical treatment or the date the employer stopped paying..
Reporting the injury and filing the claim are two separate deadlines — do not rely on one to cover the other.
What if my Tennessee workers’ comp claim is denied?
File a Petition for Benefit Determination (Form C-31) with the Tennessee Bureau of Workers’ Compensation. A Bureau mediator/ombudsman (free; call 800-332-2667) works to resolve the dispute. If unresolved, a Dispute Certification Notice is issued and the claim goes to the Court of Workers’ Compensation Claims (for injuries on or after July 1, 2014) for a hearing before a workers’ comp judge.
A judge’s compensation order can then be appealed to the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board or directly to the Tennessee Supreme Court.
Official Tennessee Sources & Resources
- Tennessee Tennessee Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development): https://www.tn.gov/workforce/injuries-at-work.html
- Tennessee Workers’ Comp Statute: https://law.justia.com/codes/tennessee/title-50/chapter-6/part-2/section-50-6-203/
- U.S. Department of Labor — Workers’ Comp: dol.gov
- Insurance Information Institute: iii.org
This Tennessee workers comp claim guide was last verified against official sources in June 2026. Deadlines and procedures change — confirm the current rule with your state workers’-comp board or a licensed attorney.
More Tennessee Workers’ Comp Guides
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Disclaimer: This guide is informational only and is not legal, medical, or financial advice. Workers Comp Explained is an independent educational resource, not a law firm or insurer. Workers’ comp benefits, settlement values, deadlines, and requirements vary by state and by the specific facts of your injury and change over time, and any settlement figures here are illustrative only.
Confirm your rights and any deadline with your state’s workers’ compensation board and a licensed attorney before you act.