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Memphis Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
At NST Law, we are dedicated to helping injured individuals and their families get the justice and compensation they deserve.
Content Reviewed by: Attorney A. Parker Trotz
Expertise
Mr. Trotz has handled injury cases involving auto accidents, slip and fall, premises liability, and negligent security. Every day, Mr. Trotz represents those who have been injured and many of his clients have sustained traumatic and life-altering injuries.
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A workplace injury can change your life in an instant, disrupting your health, income, and sense of stability. Whether you were hurt in a warehouse, hospital, factory, construction site, or while driving for work, you deserve full protection under Tennessee’s workers’ compensation laws. NST Law is here to help you access the medical treatment and financial support you need to move forward.
Managing insurance demands and filing requirements is hard enough without the added stress of an injury. Let our Memphis workers’ compensation lawyers handle the claims process while you focus on your health. We’re ready to advocate for your rights, fight unfair denials, and support you every step of the way.
- Compassionate Legal Help for Your Memphis Workers’ Comp Claim
- Defining Memphis Workers’ Compensation Claims
- Who Is Eligible for Workers’ Compensation?
- What Types of Workplace Injuries Require Legal Representation?
- The Most Common Causes of Workplace Injuries in Tennessee
- What Should I Do if I Am Injured on the Job?
- What Workers’ Compensation Benefits Are Available in Tennessee?
- How Long Do I Have to File a Workers’ Comp Claim in Memphis, Tennessee?
- How Long Does It Take To Receive Workers’ Comp Benefits in Memphis, TN?
- Workers’ Compensation Testimonials From Our Memphis Clients
- What Neighborhoods Does NST Law Serve in Memphis?
- Our Memphis Workers’ Compensation Lawyers
- How Can a Memphis Lawyer Help Me With My Workers’ Compensation Claim?
- Contact Our Team of Memphis Work Injury Attorneys
Compassionate Legal Help for Your Memphis Workers’ Comp Claim
Our team of more than 175 attorneys and staff is dedicated to protecting injured people during their time of need. When you choose our firm to represent you, you’ll receive compassionate support from attorneys who have spent over 35 years fighting for injured people across Memphis and the Mid-South.
We are passionate about leveling the playing field between hard-working individuals and powerful employers and insurance companies. We don’t back down when insurers try to lowball our clients. That approach has allowed us to recover billions in compensation for our valued clients, including countless people who’ve suffered work-related injuries and illnesses.
With strong roots in Memphis, we are proud to give back to the community we call home. Our Memphis workers’ compensation law firm supports many local initiatives, including efforts that improve the well-being of our neighbors. Our involvement in Legal Lines, Church Health, the Porter-Leath Toy Drive, and other community programs reflects our commitment to supporting those in need.
Defining Memphis Workers' Compensation Claims
Workers’ compensation is a no-fault insurance system that provides medical care and partial wage replacement to employees who are injured on the job. If your employer offers workers’ comp coverage, you can recover benefits for a job-related injury or illness without proving that your employer did anything wrong.
This system benefits both employers and employees. It gives injured workers greater access to treatment and financial support. At the same time, it protects employers from lawsuits when their negligence causes an employee to suffer harm.
Who Is Eligible for Workers' Compensation?
Tennessee law requires all employers with five or more employees to carry workers’ compensation insurance. All construction and coal mining companies must provide coverage, regardless of their size, due to the heightened risks associated with these industries.
Most employees in Memphis are eligible for workers’ comp benefits when their injury or illness occurs as a result of their job duties. Coverage often applies to work-related injuries caused by sudden accidents, repetitive stress, occupational diseases, or aggravated pre-existing conditions.
Because there is some gray area in workers’ compensation eligibility, your employer may wrongfully claim that your injury doesn’t qualify for coverage. This may occur, for example, if you were working for a contractor in the construction industry at the time of the injury.
You may still have a valid claim even if the insurer denies coverage. Our Memphis personal injury lawyers can help you understand your rights and challenge improper denials of your claims.
Employee vs. Independent Contractor
Independent contractors are not employees and therefore are not covered by workers’ compensation.
To meet Tennessee’s definition of an independent contractor, a worker must:
- Be free from the control and direction of the employer
- Perform the services outside of the business locations
- Have an independently established business that offers the services performed
Occupational Illnesses
Occupational illnesses are diseases that arise “out of and in the course of employment.” To qualify as an occupational illness, the illness must meet the following criteria:
- Caused by exposures in the work environment
- Can be traced back to the employment
- Cannot be traced back to a source outside of employment
- Is incidental to the type of employment
- Originated from a risk connected to employment, whether or not the risk was foreseeable
- Connected causally to the working conditions
Occupational illnesses include heart, lung, and other conditions that develop over the course of years. In these cases, the most recent employer bears sole liability.
Who Is Not Eligible for Workers' Compensation?
Workers are ineligible for workers’ compensation benefits if injuries are caused by any of the following:
- Willful misconduct
- Self-inflicted injury
- Intoxication or illegal drug use
- Willful failure to use safety equipment
- Willful failure to perform a legally required duty
- Voluntary participation in extracurricular activities not required by the job
What Types of Workplace Injuries Require Legal Representation?
Not all workers’ compensation claims require the skills and advocacy of an attorney. In cases of mild injury that don’t result in high medical bills or lost wages, you may consider handling the workers’ compensation claims process on your own. This is especially true if your injury clearly occurred on the job and your employer is cooperative.
Some situations, however, are more complicated. For those, you should enlist the help of a qualified workers’ compensation lawyer.
Any of the following scenarios are best handled by a Memphis personal injury lawyer:
- Your employer or its insurance company has denied your claim.
- Your medical bills exceed your workers’ comp benefits.
- The insurance company doesn’t accept your impairment rating.
- You can’t return to work at your prior capacity due to total or partial permanent disability.
- A third party is liable to some degree for your injury.
- The insurance company has attributed your injury or illness to a preexisting condition.
Any disputed workers’ compensation claims in Memphis will go before a judge in the Court of Workers’ Compensation Claims. If your case results in a trial or hearing, you will want to have a workers’ comp attorney by your side.
The Most Common Causes of Workplace Injuries in Tennessee
Workers across Tennessee face risks in every type of job, from heavy industry to service work. Many workplace injuries occur because of unsafe conditions that could have been avoided with proper training, equipment, or oversight. Some happen in a single moment—such as a fall, a collision, or an equipment malfunction—while others develop slowly from repetitive motions or ongoing exposure to harmful conditions.
Regardless of how they occur, these injuries often result in substantial medical expenses and lost income. When employers and insurance carriers dispute valid workers’ compensation claims, injured employees are left scrambling to make ends meet on their own.
Early support from an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer in Memphis, TN, can make a meaningful difference in your case’s outcome. Our team represents workers who have sustained injuries across a wide range of fields. The highest number of non-fatal occupational injuries in Tennessee occurs in the following industries:
- Transportation and hauling, such as truck driving
- Service occupations
- Production
- Installation, maintenance, and repair
- Construction and extraction
Fatal injuries generally occur as a result of transportation accidents, violence, slip and fall accidents, and exposure to harmful substances or environments. The occupations in Tennessee with the highest fatality rates are trucking and hauling and construction and extraction.
These types of incidents can cause all types of injuries, including traumatic brain injuries, broken bones, spinal cord injuries, and disfiguring burns.
What Should I Do if I Am Injured on the Job?
Injuries on the job must be reported to your supervisor or human resources department within 15 calendar days of the date of injury or the date you became aware of an illness or condition that accumulated over time.
Your employer should provide you with a panel of three doctors from which you can choose one. If you need emergency treatment before this is possible, workers’ compensation may reimburse this cost if your claim is approved.
Your employer has 15 calendar days to approve or deny your claim. If you disagree with the results, you have up to one year to file a Petition for Benefit Determination with the Tennessee Bureau of Workers’ Compensation.
It is important to follow your doctor’s recommendations and abide by all work-related restrictions. Failure to do so can result in loss of benefits.
What Workers’ Compensation Benefits Are Available in Tennessee?
Workers’ compensation benefits in Tennessee are designed to alleviate the financial burden of a job-related injury or illness. They provide employees with access to the medical care and financial support they need to recover and maintain their financial stability while they’re unable to perform their regular job duties.
The type and amount of compensation you’re eligible to receive depend on the nature of your injury, the extent of your limitations, and whether you can return to work in any capacity. The primary categories of workers’ comp benefits in Tennessee include:
- Medical treatment: Workers’ compensation covers mileage to and from treatment when the worker’s medical care is 15 miles or more away from home.
- Temporary disability: Temporary disability benefits equal two-thirds of the employee’s average weekly wages, based on the last 52 weeks. The period of disability must be longer than seven days before these benefits kick in.
- Permanent disability: The employee can receive permanent disability benefits if they do not fully recover. The treating physician determines when the maximum medical improvement, or MMI, has been reached. They also assign an impairment rating, which is used to determine the amount of compensation payable under Tennessee’s workers’ compensation law.
- Death benefits: If a workplace injury results in death, the employer is liable for the victim’s medical services and burial expenses up to $10,000. In addition, the employer must pay 66% of the deceased employee’s average weekly wages to their dependents. If there are no dependents, they must pay a $20,000 lump sum to the employee’s estate.
These benefits are usually not taxable. That means the majority of your settlement money will end up in your own pocket.
How Long Do I Have to File a Workers' Comp Claim in Memphis, Tennessee?
Tennessee gives injured workers a limited amount of time to take action after a workplace injury. In most cases, you must report your injury to your employer within 15 days of the incident. After you inform your employer, they are then responsible for notifying the insurance company and starting the workers’ comp process.
If the insurer denies your claim or stops paying you unexpectedly, another deadline determines how long you have to escalate the issue. You generally have one year from the date of injury—or one year from the last benefit payment—to file a formal claim with the Tennessee Bureau of Workers’ Compensation. This deadline is called the statute of limitations.
Different timing rules apply to occupational illnesses, since symptoms often develop gradually. In those cases, the filing period usually begins when you first learn about the condition and its connection to your job.
If you miss your case’s deadlines, you may lose your right to recover benefits. Timely action is key to protecting your claim, so it’s critical to consult a knowledgeable Memphis workers’ compensation lawyer as early as possible.
How Long Does It Take To Receive Workers’ Comp Benefits in Memphis, TN?
The time it takes to receive Tennessee workers’ comp benefits depends on multiple factors. These include how quickly you report your injury, how soon you submit your medical records, and whether the insurance company challenges your claim.
If the insurer accepts your claim, you’ll likely begin receiving wage replacement benefits within 14 days after your employer notifies its insurance carrier. You can also start receiving medical benefits as soon as you see an authorized treating physician.
Requests for additional information or claim denials can add to the time it takes to receive non-medical benefits. While these issues can be frustrating, having an experienced attorney on your side can prevent unnecessary delays and help your benefits start as soon as possible.
Workers’ Compensation Testimonials From Our Memphis Clients
Our firm has fought for thousands of clients throughout Tennessee, including numerous injured workers and their loved ones. Their testimonials reflect the level of care and advocacy we bring to every case:
The team at NST have done an amazing job with my Worker’s Compensation case. Corey reached out at the beginning and talked me through the process and made me feel comfortable from the start. Monica and her paralegal Laurel were assigned to my case. They worked extremely hard to get me the care that I needed as fast as possible. Monica has no problem fighting for your medical care and well-being. I would highly recommend Monica to represent you in your time of need.
Great experience with NST. Kept me informed the whole time.
Had a workers comp case and had never hired a lawyer, so what did I do? I hit up google and typed in Workers Comp Lawyer, (I was very skeptical about signing papers and hiring someone I never seen or talked to before) and I found these guys. They respond quickly, very polite, very professional. Hopefully I won’t need a lawyer again but if I do I won’t hesitate on who to call. Thanks for everything!
Loved everything about NST Law here in Memphis! Super understanding and supportive of my needs as a client. Would definitely recommend them to anyone who needs to be represented properly.
What Neighborhoods Does NST Law Serve in Memphis?
As a firm with long-standing roots in Memphis, we’re dedicated to serving the workers who keep this community strong. Our team is proud to represent our hard-working neighbors with compassion, transparency, and personalized service. Our workers’ compensation lawyers serve all areas in and around Memphis, including:
- Whitehaven
- Midtown
- Raleigh
- Berclair
- Frayser
- Bartlett
- Elmore Park
- Germantown
- Collierville
- Hollywood
- Capleville
- Buckingham Farms
- Cooper-Young
Accessibility matters to us. If you can’t visit our Memphis office, our team can travel to you at home or in the hospital.
Our Memphis Workers' Compensation Lawyers
Founding Member – Senior Partner
Phone: (901) 683-7000
Partner
Phone: (901) 683-7000
Partner
Phone: (901) 683-7000
Founding Member – Senior Partner
Phone: (901) 683-7000
Attorney
Phone: (901) 683-7000
Attorney
Phone: (901) 683-7000
Founding Member – Senior Partner
Phone: (731) 319-9864
Partner
Phone: (731) 427-5550
Partner
Phone: (731) 427-5550
Founding Member – Senior Partner
Phone: (731) 427-5550
Attorney
Phone: (731) 427-5550
Attorney
Phone: (731) 427-5550
Attorney
Phone: (731) 427-5550
Attorney
Phone: (731) 427-5550
Attorney
Phone: (731) 427-5550
Attorney
Phone: (731) 427-5550
Attorney
Phone: (731) 427-5550
Attorney
Phone: (731) 427-5550
Attorney
Phone: (731) 319-9864
Attorney
Phone: (731) 319-9864
Attorney
Phone: (731) 319-9864
What We Can Help With
If you’ve been injured on the job, our Memphis Workers’ Compensation Lawyers are here to help you navigate the workers’ compensation process. Whether you’re facing challenges with filing a claim or your employer is contesting your injury, we will ensure that you receive the benefits you deserve, including compensation for medical treatment, rehabilitation, and lost wages.
What To Do Before You Call Us
Immediately report the injury to your employer and seek medical attention. Keep a record of all medical visits and treatments, along with any work-related documents. The more information we have, the better we can help you secure the compensation you’re entitled to.
How Can a Memphis Lawyer Help Me With My Workers' Compensation Claim?
Our workplace injury lawyers in Memphis have been fighting for the rights of injured workers for more than 35 years, and we’re ready to put that experience to work for you.
If you or a loved one has been injured at work, our team can guide you through every step of the process and help protect your right to maximum benefits. When you turn to us for help, we’ll gather and organize medical records, file paperwork, and negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf. If the insurer delays or denies your claim, our Shelby County work injury attorneys will advocate for the best possible result.
Our firm operates on Six Pillars: compassionate care, accessibility, resourcefulness, trust and transparency, personalized service, and maximized pursuit. Our passionate commitment to these principles has helped us achieve outstanding results for our clients, including the following:
- $970,201.58 verdict against a workers’ compensation carrier who only wanted to pay $18,000 at first
- $950,000 for a personal injury at work
- $561,916.90 in a workers’ compensation claim for a traumatic brain injury
The slightest misstep in handling your claim can cost you your benefits. Having our team on your side can make all the difference in your ability to move forward from your injury. We’re here to help you prevent costly mistakes, reduce your stress, and improve your chances of recovering full compensation.
Contact Our Team of Memphis Work Injury Attorneys
You’re dealing with enough stress after suffering a work-related injury or illness. Leave the workers’ compensation process to us. We’re ready to fight for every dollar you’re entitled to under Tennessee law—including personal injury damages if a third party is responsible for your injury.
Contact us online or call 901-683-7000 today for a free, no-obligation consultation with a member of our team at our Memphis office. We’ll stand by you from the first call to the final resolution.
Contact us for a free consultation now so that we can review your case and decide how we can best help you.