Worker's Compensation
As an employee of the University of Tennessee, if you have an accidental injury while working at your job, or develop an occupational illness because of your job, you may be covered by the Workers' Compensation Program for the State of Tennessee.
Please read carefully as procedures and forms have changed.
View/Print a Quick Reference Guide
Workers’ Compensation Claim Procedures
If a work injury is LIFE-THREATENING or results in SERIOUS BODILY INJURY, IMMEDIATELY CALL 911 and/or GO TO THE NEAREST EMERGENCY ROOM!
If an injured worker is unable to report the injury, the injured worker’s supervisor must immediately report the injury to
The supervisor must also notify Gohar Sheikh, Total Compensation Specialist at
Step 1: Report the injury
- INJURED WORKER WILL REPORT THE INJURY TO THEIR SUPERVISOR AND TO CORVEL
1-866-245-8588 - This is a 24/7 Nurse Line
- The NURSE will discuss the appropriate level of treatment needed and direct the injured worker to the nearest STATE-APPROVED treatment facility
- If the injured worker agrees to self-care but later changes their mind, he/she must first call CorVel Option 2 to obtain authorization to treat
- DO NOT go to the doctor prior to reporting the injury to CorVel
Beginning July 1, 2019, the TN Division of Claims and Risk Management will assess a $500.00 departmental penalty each time an injured worker seeks non-emergency medical treatment prior to reporting their injury to CorVel
STEP 2: Complete the paperwork
- Workers’ Compensation Procedures
- Workers’ Compensation Injury Report
- Lost Time / RTW Calendar
- Transitional Duty Plan*
- *Complete the TDP form ONLY when the injured worker is given light duty work restrictions
Provide all paperwork listed above to Gohar Sheikh, Total Compensation Specialist, at
Timely Reporting Penalties
Injuries must be reported to CorVel within three business days.
Beginning July 1, 2019, the TN Division of Claims and Risk Management will assess a $500.00 departmental penalty each time an employee or employer does not report a work injury within (3) business days after sustaining said injury
If you have any questions about the process, please contact Gohar Sheikh, Total Compensation Specialist, at [email protected] or
Return To Work Program
In July 2016, the University of Tennessee and the State of Tennessee implemented a Return to Work (RTW) program. This program is designed to assist injured employees in their return to meaningful, productive employment as quickly as possible. The department in which the injured employee works will coordinate with Human Resources, Corvel and the injured employee to design a modified work plan in order to return the employee to work. For more information, please refer to HR0398 – Transitional Duty/Return to Work Program.
Insurance Guidelines for leave without pay due to Workers' Compensation
If an employee is placed on leave of absence without pay as a result of an on-the-job injury, the University will provide the monthly premium for the employee's health insurance coverage. The University will continue to provide the monthly premium for health coverage as long as the employee is receiving a temporary lost disability payment from the State of TN Workers Compensation Administrator. However, it is the employee's responsibility to provide the premium payment for all optional coverage (dental, life, disability). The University will NOT send a billing for the premiums and it is the employee's responsibility to provide the premium payment by the 10th of each calendar month.
updated November 29, 2017
Disclaimer: The following information does not list all coverages, limits or exclusions. For full coverages, limits, and exclusions please contact the Office of Risk Management.
The Tennessee Department of Treasury, Division of Claims Administration Workers’ Compensation Program contracts with a third-party administrator for the processing of workers’ compensation claims and provides managed-care services to all university employees who are injured while performing their daily work duties. The current third-party administrator, Corvel, administers a provider network for medical treatment to ensure the best quality care for assisting injured employees with their recovery process. Managed-care services also provide 24/7 nurse triage, pre-certification for inpatient hospital care, bill review, large case management, and other services to appropriately manage the costs of workers’ compensation claims.
The state’s goals are to assist the injured employee with their recovery process, to provide access to exceptional medical services and providers, and to ensure excellent customer service during the entire workers’ compensation process.
Authorized Providers
Phone CorVel's 24-hour Nurse Hotline at
A registered nurse will assess your situation and advise you about approved medical providers in your area. You may ask the nurse for approval to go to a specific doctor or places you've used before. Then report the incident by phoning Gohar Sheikh at 425-4473 or Human Resources at 425-4221.
If an unauthorized provider is used, the employee will be responsible for payment of bills.
You may seek treatment from your physician only if they are an authorized provider.
Prescriptions
Prescriptions may be filled at any CVS or Walgreens by identifying it as a Workers' Compensation claim. Other pharmacies included in the network may be found by phoning Cypress Care at
updated May 13, 2022