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.
CLAIM REPORTING PROCEDURES
Life-Threatening or Serious Bodily Injury:
Immediately Call 911 or Go to the Nearest Emergency Room!
Supervisor
Report the Injury:
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If an injured worker is unable to report the injury, the injured worker’s supervisor must immediately report the injury to 1-866-245-8588, Option 1
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If a work injury is Life-Threatening or results in Serious Bodily Injury, it will also need to be reported to the Workers’ Compensation Coordinator in Human Resources:
Gohar Sheikh, Total Compensation Specialist
[email protected]
(423) 425-4473
Non-Life-Threatening or Serious Bodily Injuries
Injured Worker
Report the Injury:
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Injured Workers will report the injury to their supervisor and CorVel:
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CorVel: 1-866-245-8588 Option 1 (a 24/7 Nurse Triage Line)
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The triage nurse will discuss the appropriate level of treatment needed and direct the injured worker to the nearest State of TN authorized treating physician
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If the injured worker agrees to self-care but later changes their mind, they must first call CorVel 1-866-245-8588 Option 1 to obtain authorization to treat
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DO NOT seek any type of treatment from a physician prior to reporting the injury to CorVel (*see below)
* The TN Division of Claims and Risk Management will assess a $500 departmental penalty each time an injured worker seeks non-emergency medical treatment prior to reporting the injury to CorVel.
NOTE: CorVel offers a PPO Lookup website to assist in locating the closest State of TN-authorized treating physician. This link will allow the injured worker to locate a physician or facility via zip code, city/state, and within a certain radius of their current location. The PPO Lookup website does not replace the requirement to call CorVel to report the injury. All injuries must be reported to CorVel to avoid the penalty.
All Injuries Require Paperwork Completion within 48 hours of the injury:
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- WC Transitional Duty Plan (TDP)
- Complete the TDP form only when the injured worker is given work restrictions from a treating physician.
- WC Transitional Duty Plan (TDP)
Submit all applicable paperwork to the Workers’ Compensation Coordinator in Human Resources:
Gohar Sheikh, Total Compensation Specialist [email protected] (423) 425-4473
*Required paperwork must be submitted to HR within 48 hours of injury!
BENEFITS
The University of Tennessee’s workers’ compensation coverage provides benefits to employees who suffer an injury or illness that is specifically and clearly caused while the employee is in the course and scope of their employment.
The Tennessee Department of Treasury, Division of Claims and Risk Management contracts with a third-party administrator (CorVel) for the processing of workers’ compensation claims and managed-care services. CorVel provides a 24/7 nurse triage phone line, pre-certification for inpatient hospital care, bill review, large case management, and other services to appropriately manage the costs of workers’ compensation claims.
For an injury to be compensable under Tennessee Workers’ Compensation law, employees must prove an injury “arising primarily out of, and in the course and scope of, employment.” An investigation by CorVel will be completed to determine if the claim is compensable.
All claim decisions are made by CorVel and/or the TN Division of Claims and Risk Management.
The University of Tennessee cannot alter or change any of these decisions, rules, or regulations.
COVID-19
Any employee exposed to COVID-19 in the workplace who believes their exposure was a result of their employment, should report it to CorVel. The reporting procedures are the same as for other claims. A determination will be made by CorVel regarding if the employee’s assigned daily work duties and service heighten their risk of exposure to COVID-19.
BENEFITS WHILE WORKING FROM
AN ALTERNATIVE WORK SITE
A University of Tennessee employee who is performing their work responsibilities at an alternate work location, as approved by their supervisor, may be eligible for UT’s workers’ compensation benefits. Workers’ compensation coverage is for work-related injuries that occur specifically and clearly in the course and scope of employment.
An employee injured at their home or work location, who believes an injury is a result of their employment, should report it to CorVel. An investigation will be completed by CorVel to determine compensability.
POSSIBLE PENALTIES
Injuries must be reported to CorVel within (3) business days (*see below)
*The TN Division of Claims and Risk Management will assess a $500 departmental penalty each time an employee or employer does not report a work injury within (3) business days after sustaining that injury or when an employee seeks medical treatment (unless it is an emergency) prior to calling CorVel.
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 worker(s) in their return to meaningful, productive, employment as quickly as possible. The department in which the injured worker(s) is assigned will coordinate with Human Resources, the Office of Risk Management, CorVel, and the injured worker(s) to design a modified work plan, if applicable. For more information, please refer to HR0398 – Transitional Duty/Return to Work Program.
If you have questions or need additional information regarding Workers' Compensation, please contact:
Gohar Sheikh, Total Compensation Specialist [email protected] (423) 425-4473