Who decides my claim?

If the date of injury is July 1, 2014, or afterward, one of the judges on the Court of Workers’ Compensation Claims decides your case.

Legal Representation

Do I need a lawyer?

If you’re an injured worker, a lawyer is very helpful but not required. If you’re an employer, you may represent yourself when mediating the claim, but once a claim progresses to the Court of Workers’ Compensation Claims, unless you are a sole proprietor, you must be represented by counsel.

Can I hire a lawyer at any time?

Yes.

I can’t afford a lawyer/I can’t find one who will take my case. Who can help?

The Bureau supplies ombudsmen to answer procedural questions, but they cannot give legal advice. Some injured workers qualify for assistance from an ombudsman attorney. You can reach an ombudsman by calling 1-800-332-2667. Also, a guide for self-represented persons is available here.

General Procedure

How do I get my claim in court? 

First, you must file a Petition for Benefit Determination, and your case will be assigned to Mediation and Ombudsmen Services of Tennessee. A mediator will contact you and the other side seeking additional information and will ultimately attempt to help the parties reach a settlement. If that is not possible, the mediator will file a Dispute Certification Notice with the Clerk of the Court of Workers’ Compensation Claims, and your case will be assigned to a judge.

Next, you must then file either a Request for Expedited Hearing or a Request for Scheduling Hearing. Generally speaking, at an expedited hearing, the judge hears testimony, considers any documentary evidence and issues a written decision on whether to grant benefits. This type of hearing is appropriate when you’re not getting assistance you need immediately in the form of medical care or temporary disability benefits. You must file an affidavit with a Request for Expedited Hearing.

In contrast, a Request for Scheduling Hearing is appropriate when there are disputes in the case but there is no immediate need for treatment or money benefits. At the scheduling hearing, a judge asks the parties to discuss the status of the case and the issues, and the judge will set a trial date, known as a “compensation hearing.” A scheduling hearing is really a scheduling conference only—the judge doesn’t hear testimony or make decisions on the merits of your case at that time.

Show-Cause Hearings

I received a notice that my case is set for a show-cause hearing. What is that? 

After the mediator files the dispute certification notice, if you haven’t filed either a Request for Expedited hearing or a Request for Scheduling Hearing within sixty days, the Clerk schedules your case for a show-cause hearing. You must call in at the date/time on the hearing notice and explain to the judge why you haven’t filed a hearing request. Typically, the judge will either offer you a brief window of additional time to file a hearing request or dismiss your case.

Dismissal with Prejudice

How do I get medical records into evidence? 

Sometimes, the parties agree to the admissibility of an injured worker’s medical records. If that’s not possible in your case, you may file a certified copy of your records using this form. The Court’s rules additionally allow into evidence medical records that are signed by a physician. This includes electronic signatures. 

How do I get a doctor’s opinion about my permanent impairment into evidence?

Ask him or her to complete this form. The doctor must sign the form, and you must include the doctor’s resume when you file it with the court clerk. The employer’s lawyer might want to take his or her deposition to challenge the opinion.

How do I get other documents, such as a medical bill, a job description or an email, into evidence?

You must testify regarding what the document is and explain why it is relevant to your case. Your opponent might object. If so, the judge will hear both sides and decide if it is admissible.

My employer’s lawyer objected to something I said while testifying on the grounds that it’s “hearsay.” How can I explain what happened if I can’t testify about what someone said to me?

As a general rule, you can’t testify about what someone said to you who is not in court. Instead, just explain your understanding of a situation. In the alternative, if you want the judge to hear what another person said, you may call that person as a witness. If you’re talking about what a doctor said, chances are it’s in the medical records, too, so the judge will know what happened when you were treated.

I disagree with the judge’s ruling. How do I appeal? 

You’ll get a form requesting an appeal along with your copy of the judge’s order. The order will also give instructions for how to appeal. You must file the Notice of Appeal within seven business days of the date of an expedited hearing order, or thirty days of a compensation order. After thirty days when the compensation order becomes final, you may, in the alternative seek review by the Tennessee Supreme Court. You must file either a transcript or a statement of evidence with the Appeals Board for full consideration of your case. The Appeals Board charges a $75 fee, but will waive it in appropriate cases if you file an affidavit of indigency and satisfy the criteria.

Are there any fees for court hearings or approvals? 

There will be a $150 filing fee for all approvals as well as for final judgments. This is paid by the employer in most cases.