2026 Workers’ Compensation Update

Smoky Mountain Paralegal Association

Ms. Dugan will provide updates to Tennessee’s Worker’s Compensation Rules and consequences to same, including:

1. Digital Transformation & Administrative Streamlining
a. Electronic Claims Processing Mandates
b. Operational Impact
2. Emerging Trends in Claim Types and Cost Drivers
a. Cumulative Trauma (CT) and Chronic Conditions
b. Secondary Cost Expansion
3. Classification Code Refinements and Rate Adjustments
a. Policy Re-classifications
b. Impact on Experience Modifications

Tennessee 2026 Legislative Updates
• Modernized Technology: Public Chapter 705 authorizes the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) to use the Subsequent Injury and Vocational Recovery Fund to build and maintain a modernized technology system.
• Benefit Rate Increases: The maximum weekly permanent partial disability (PPD) rate increased to $454 for injuries occurring on or after April 1, 2026, and is set to rise to $462 starting January 1, 2027.
• Medical Ratings: Clarified that the 10% whole-body impairment rating requirement for extraordinary benefits can be met by combining ratings from multiple authorized treating physicians for the same incident.
• Effective Date: Signed by Governor Lee on April 14, 2026, with provisions taking effect July 1, 2026

Session Agenda: Cate-CLE-September.docx

CLE Hours = 1 Substantive