In Tennessee, employers with five or more employees are required to carry Workers’ Compensation coverage. Additionally, employers in the construction or coal mining business are required to carry Workers' Compensation coverage regardless of the number of employees.
Sole proprietors, partners, and LLC members are automatically excluded from employee coverage requirements but may choose to be included at their preference. Corporate officers may also be excluded from Workers' Compensation coverage.
In Tennessee, employers are required to post a notice that details important Workers' Compensation benefits, including how to report an injury and the contact information for the Tennessee Bureau of Workers’ Compensation.
Tennessee can impose penalties for failure to carry required Workers' Compensation coverage. The state determines the amount of the penalty by multiplying the average yearly Workers' Compensation premium for the business by either one and a half times or two and a half times, depending on the violation.
Where Can You Buy Tennessee Workmans' Comp Coverage?
Tennessee isn’t a monopolistic state for Workers' Compensation coverage, so employers who need to purchase coverage can purchase from agents or brokers licensed to sell business insurance in the state. CoverWallet can be a great resource as well, providing expert advice on Workers' Compensation coverage and other key insurance types for your business.
Can Tennessee Workers’ Compensation Claims be Denied?
Workers' Compensation coverage is designed to pay for costs associated with work-related injuries or occupational illnesses. In many cases, claims are subject to recommendations by a case physician, who may deem the injury to be minor or not cause any disability. Claims due to injuries that did not happen on the job can also be denied.
How Much Does Tennessee Workers' Compensation Cost?
Like most states, Tennessee uses rating data from the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) to help determine rates by industry type. Other factors, such as safety and claim history for your business, as well as your payroll, are also used to determine how much Workers' Compensation will cost for your business.
What is covered by Tennessee Workers' Compensation Insurance?
Tennessee employees who have suffered a work-related injury may be entitled to receive medical treatment for as long as required by the authorized treating physician. Workers' Compensation coverage in Tennessee also provides temporary disability benefits to replace lost wages beginning on the eighth day of the disability and possibly retroactively to the first day of the disability. Temporary disability benefits are usually paid at a rate of ⅔ of the worker's average weekly earnings.