When someone gets hurt on the job in Tennessee, two clocks start. The worker's clock is for reporting the injury. The employer's clock is for offering medical care. Tennessee's Bureau of Workers' Compensation says employees generally have 15 calendar days from when they knew or should have known about a suspected injury to report it to their employer, for injuries on or after July 1, 2016. Once the employer has that notice, most Tennessee employers must provide a panel of physicians within three business days.
| Step | Timing or rule |
|---|---|
| Worker reports the injury | Generally within 15 calendar days of knowing or when they should have known |
| Adjuster contacts the worker | Should be within 48 hours |
| Employer offers C-42 medical panel | Within three business days; at least three physicians |
| Mileage reimbursement | Travel over 15 miles one way to an authorized provider |
| Claim window | Within one year of the date of injury, with possible exceptions |
Source: Tennessee Bureau of Workers' Compensation, Filing a Claim, Medical Panel, and Medical Benefits pages.
For workers: report early and in writing
The Bureau tells injured workers to report to a supervisor immediately. Reporting the injury starts the claims process; the employer is required to report it to its insurance adjuster, which is the filing of the claim. The Bureau says an insurance adjuster should call or contact the injured worker within 48 hours.
The Bureau's medical benefits page puts the outside limits plainly: notice to the employer is required within 15 days of the injury, and while there may be exceptions, a claim must be made within one year of the date of injury. The Bureau also states that it is illegal for an employer to fire an employee for reporting a work injury.
For employers: the three-doctor panel
The panel is offered on the Bureau's “Employee's Choice of Physician” form, the C-42. The Bureau says the panel should name at least three physicians in the employee's community who are willing to treat the injured worker, and no more than two can be in the same practice or at the same location. If three physicians cannot be found in the community, the employer may extend the search to a 125-mile radius.
- Use the official C-42. The Bureau says alternative versions of the form are not allowed.
- Build a new panel for each reported injury, appropriate for the type of injury.
- Keep the completed form on file and give the employee a copy.
- Your insurance adjuster typically helps develop the panel, so call the claim in the same day.
The worker picks the doctor
Once the worker has the form, the worker chooses which listed doctor becomes the treating physician and sends the completed form back to the employer. That doctor becomes the authorized treating physician. The Bureau warns that treatment a worker seeks on their own from a primary-care doctor will likely have to be paid out of pocket. Workers who travel more than 15 miles one way for treatment with an authorized provider are entitled to mileage reimbursement.
Why this matters for your policy
A workers' compensation policy works best when the reporting chain is fast: worker to supervisor, supervisor to adjuster, adjuster to panel. Delays on any link can turn a simple claim into a dispute. Owners should confirm their coverage is active and on file: TDCI’s workers’ comp page says verify coverage online — a certificate may not warn you of cancellation. For the dollar side of a claim, see Tennessee raised its workers’ comp weekly benefit caps for injuries on or after July 1, 2026. If you have trouble finding a policy at all, read TDCI explains how Tennessee employers buy workers’ comp and reach the residual market.
Where to get help
The Bureau's ombudsman program helps workers and employers with questions. The Bureau can be reached at 615-532-4812 or 800-332-2667. For disputes over denied claims, see Tennessee’s workers’ comp court can now award attorney fees when an employer unreasonably denies a claim.
This article is informational only and is not legal advice. It does not promise coverage, eligibility, or benefits. Your policy forms, Tennessee law, and Bureau rules control.
Related reading from All Seasons
- TDCI’s workers’ comp page says verify coverage online — a certificate may not warn you of cancellation.
- Tennessee raised its workers’ comp weekly benefit caps for injuries on or after July 1, 2026.
- Tennessee’s Workers Comp Medical Fee Schedule Reset April 1 — 31 Days After the 2% Loss-Cost Cut
- Tennessee’s workers’ comp court can now award attorney fees when an employer unreasonably denies a claim.
- TDCI explains how Tennessee employers buy workers’ comp and reach the residual market.
Free policy review
All Seasons Insurance Group offers a free personal policy review. Call 865-263-1400 or visit asigtn.com/get-a-quote/. This article is informational only and does not promise coverage or eligibility; your policy forms control. Seasons change. So should your coverage.
How long do I have to report a work injury in Tennessee?
The Bureau of Workers' Compensation says employees generally have 15 calendar days from when they knew or should have known about a suspected injury, for injuries on or after July 1, 2016.
How soon should the insurance adjuster contact me?
The Bureau says an insurance adjuster should call or contact the injured worker within 48 hours.
How quickly must my employer give me a list of doctors?
Most Tennessee employers must provide a panel of physicians within three business days of receiving notice of a work-related injury.
How many doctors are on the panel?
The Bureau says the panel should name at least three physicians in the employee's community who are willing to treat the injured worker.
Can I see my own family doctor instead?
You can, but the Bureau says treatment you seek on your own from your primary-care doctor will likely have to be paid out of your pocket.
Can my employer fire me for reporting an injury?
The Bureau says it is illegal for an employer to fire an employee for reporting a work injury.
What is the deadline to make a workers' comp claim?
The Bureau says that while there may be exceptions, a claim must be made within one year of the date of injury.
How can All Seasons help after reading this?
Call 865-263-1400 or visit asigtn.com/get-a-quote/ for a free personal policy review. Informational only; no coverage promises. Seasons change. So should your coverage.
