Roofing is one of the more dangerous jobs. Companies often pay workers comp premiums amounting to a third of an employee salary. Photo credit Mark Wolfe/Wikimedia Commons
State legislators begin the formal debate on a major overhaul to Tennessee’s workers comp system this week. The proposal from Governor Bill Haslam has been hashed out in meetings held over the last few months and now begins the journey through the General Assembly.
Employers claim the current system is too costly, while injured workers complain it takes too long to get paid. The governor’s bill aims to solve both problems.
“We’re creating a very pro-business, and pro-employee approach,” says Rep. Kevin Brooks (R-Cleveland), who is carrying the workers comp legislation.
Small businesses are pleased with the results. The centerpiece of this 66-page bill creates an entirely new independent agency that will keep disputes from being settled in a court of law, with both sides hiring an attorney.
The current system give employees the benefit of the doubt when they’re hurt on the job. Haslam’s overhaul makes it so claims are only given “fairly and impartially.”
“The only time you’ve really got fair bills is when both sides don’t like the bill,” says Rep. Mike Turner (D-Old Hickory). “Here, you’ve got one side that really likes the bill.”
Praise for the proposal has been one-sided, but labor groups aren’t entirely opposed.
The current system of disputing a workers comp claim often results in years of litigation. Someone disabled by an injury could be out of work and unable to pay their bills.
“I’ve got numerous friends who’ve been seriously injured that if they didn’t lose everything they had, they came close to losing everything they had waiting on the system,” says Jerry Lee, former president of Tennessee AFL-CIO.
Still, Lee says he’s nervous about turning the current system upside down. And he expects payouts will go down. But if injured workers can get their money faster, Lee says that will be a “good thing.”
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