State Rep. Jim Vincent (R-Soddy Daisy) today announced support for legislation this year to change the way worker’s compensation cases are settled in Tennessee. House Bill 2516 sets up a panel to review worker’s comp claims instead of settling them in the courts.
Rep. Vincent held a meeting with the leaders of industries in his district to discuss how best to make the worker’s compensation system in Tennessee more practical.
He said, "It is a serious issue that needs to be addressed in a bi-partisan manner. Worker’s comp is becoming a serious impediment to our ability to attract and retain jobs in Tennessee."
Representatives from several Rhea County companies were at the meeting: Vera Abel and Sam Rusbridge from LA-Z-BOY’s Dayton, TN location; Yvonne Peppers and Jane Wilkie from Suburban Manufacturing; Jack White from Robinson Manufacturing; Roger Tuder, President of the Associated Contractors of East Tennessee, and Ray Childers of the Chattanooga Manufacturer’s Association also attended.
The Department of Economic and Community Development has been told by several companies that Tennessee’s high costs for workers’ comp insurance take Tennessee out of the running for business expansion and relocation, he said.
This legislation attempts to protect the workers’ comp system so that injured workers can get a fair settlement in a timely manner, yet also find a way to contain costs, it was stated.
"Multi-state companies tell us that their workers’ comp insurance rates are higher in Tennessee than in any of the other states in which they do business," Vincent added. Under Tennessee’s current system, maximum awards are frequently the norm. The other 48 states have some form of a Workers Compensation Review Board. This bill would set up a ‘Worker’s Compensation Committee’ that will be made up of experts who make fair and consistent judgments.
Rep. Vincent serves the 31st legislative district in the Tennessee House of Representatives, which is located in Hamilton County. He is also a member of the Joint Fiscal Review, Transportation and State and Local Government Committees.