House Bill 2179 amends Tennessee's workers' compensation laws to introduce significant changes regarding employee rights and employer responsibilities. A new subsection (d) is added to Section 50-6-108, allowing employees or their representatives to pursue civil actions for damages in cases of death caused by gross negligence or criminal conduct of the employer or related parties. This provision clarifies that such actions are not limited by the exclusivity of workers' compensation remedies. Additionally, the bill modifies Section 50-6-112 to waive the employer's right to recover attorney fees if they contest medical causation or injury extent with opinions other than those from the employee's designated physician.
The bill also revises the percentage of compensation benefits in several sections, increasing the threshold from sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66%) to seventy-five percent (75%) in various contexts, including temporary and permanent disability benefits. Furthermore, it introduces new provisions regarding permanent total disability benefits, ensuring that employees can seek these benefits independently of previous awards. The amendments aim to enhance protections for injured workers and clarify the processes for seeking additional benefits and remedies in the event of employer misconduct.
Statutes affected: Introduced: 50-6-108, 50-6-112, 50-6-207(1)(A), 50-6-207, 50-6-207(2)(A), 50-6-207(2)(B), 50-6-207(3), 50-6-207(3)(A), 50-6-207(3)(B), 50-6-207(4)(A)(i), 50-6-207(4), 50-6-226(a)(1), 50-6-226, 50-6-226(d)(1)
Amended with SA0581 -- 03/12/2026: 50-6-108, 50-6-112, 50-6-207(1)(A), 50-6-207, 50-6-207(2)(A), 50-6-207(2)(B), 50-6-207(3), 50-6-207(3)(A), 50-6-207(3)(B), 50-6-207(4)(A)(i), 50-6-207(4), 50-6-226(a)(1), 50-6-226, 50-6-226(d)(1), 50-6-226(d)
Amended with SA0581, HA0962 -- 04/13/2026: 50-6-108, 50-6-112, 50-6-207(1)(A), 50-6-207, 50-6-207(2)(A), 50-6-207(2)(B), 50-6-207(3), 50-6-207(3)(A), 50-6-207(3)(B), 50-6-207(4)(A)(i), 50-6-207(4), 50-6-226(a)(1), 50-6-226, 50-6-226(d)(1), 50-6-226(d)