Workers' Compensation
Workers' Compensation is a no-fault benefit to employees of the University who suffer an injury or occupational disease resulting from their work. All employees, including student workers and part-time employees, are covered by Workers' Compensation. The Workers' Compensation Law provides the following benefits:
- Medical Treatment
- Temporary Total Disability
- Permanent Partial/Total Disability
- Death Benefits
If you hire, or are planning to hire, any employees who work outside the state of Tennessee, please contact Human Resources.
Medical Treatment
State Law allows the employer to choose a panel of medical providers, and the one chosen will be used to treat the injured employee. Please check with Tracy Woodard for a list of authorized medical providers. If the employee chooses to seek treatment with their personal physician, medical charges will not be paid by Workers' Compensation.
Lost Wages
By law, a seven day (7-)day waiting period is in effect and no compensation is payable during the waiting period unless the disability last longer than 7 calendar days. Temporary Total Disability (TTD) benefits would begin on the eighth calendar day off work. If the employee is off work more than 14 calendar days the TTD benefits would go back and pick up the first week, or waiting period. The work injury / illness and related time away from work is determined by the authorized paneled physician.
Staff members may use accrued sick time to supplement workers' compensation benefits. It is also possible for staff members to supplement workers' compensation benefits with accrued vacation and holiday time. This procedure is coordinated between the staff and member's supervisor and the Payroll Department.
Permanent Partial Disability
If the injury results in a permanent disability, the employee may receive a settlement based on the percent of disability. Once a settlement is reached, benefits for future medical treatment may be left open. Benefits for future lost wages are no longer payable.
After a settlement is reached the employee will be notified to appear before the Davidson County Chancery or Circuit court. The employee will be apprised of their rights under the law and the judge will approve the settlement.
Death Benefit
If an employee dies as the result of work-related injury, he/she is entitled to burial expenses per Tennessee Department of Labor (TDOL) guidelines. If the deceased employee left no dependents, the estate of the deceased employee receives expenses per TDOL guidelines. If the employee does leave dependents, the dependents may receive the deceased employee's maximum weekly benefit for the number of weeks outlined by TDOL.
If you have questions, need clarification on policies or just want general information pertaining to Workers' Compensation, please contact the Worker's Compensation team.
- Report any work injury or illness to your supervisor immediately
- No matter how slight the injury may be. Don’t delay. Report the event using the First Report of Work Jury Form (Add Link to VU Intake Portal: Work Injury / Illness Reporting )
- Reporting your injury promptly helps prevent delays in benefits, including the medical care you may need to prevent further injury.
- Seek medical attention
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On campus
Off Campus
Go to Occupational Health for medical evaluation
If after hours and on weekends, go to the
Vanderbilt Emergency RoomIf working offsite, go to the nearest medical provider walk-in clinic.
Medical Arts Building
Suite 640
1211 21st Ave S
Nashville, TN 37212
Monday – Friday
7:00am – 4:30pm1211 21st Ave S
Nashville, TN 37212
Open 24/7
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- Notify Patricia Parker or Tracy Woodard immediately on all after hour, weekend, off-campus, and ER visits
- If seen in the ER or walk-in clinic, you must follow up with Occupational Health the next business day
- For a serious injury, 911 should be called. Notify Patricia Parker or Tracy Woodard immediately.
In order to receive benefits under Workers' Compensation, an employee must report the injury to their supervisor/department immediately after it occurs. The department must report all injuries to Workers’ Compensation via the Origami application.
Work Injury / Illness Reporting
If you have any questions, please contact Patricia Parker or Tracy Woodard.
Staff members receiving temporary total disability (TTD) benefits as a result of work related injury or illness may be eligible for Participation in the Return to Work Program Eligibility requirement and specific instructions are referenced in the Return to Work program Policy. Return to Work Program: HR-10
If you have an employee who lives and works outside the state of Tennessee, please contact HR. HR and HR Claims will work together to secure coverage in that state.