What To Do When Injured?
Benefits You Should Receive
What If My Doctor Takes Me Off Work?
Do I Need A Lawyer?
Legal Fees
Third Party Claims
What State Law Applies?
Workers' Compensation Links
When can a case be Reopened?

Workers' Compensation

Jim Higgins is in charge of HHP’s Workers’ Compensation litigation section. Though Jim began his career working for businesses and insurance companies in workers’ comp cases, he only represents the injured worker now. Jim and our other HHP workers’ comp attorneys have successfully represented people suffering from a wide range of injuries, including: Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD), rotator cuff tears, traumatic brain injuries, carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), amputations, repetitive strain injuries, and lumbar and cervical back injuries.

What should I do if injured at work?

REPORT THE INJURY IMMEDIATELY: When injured at work, the employee should report the injury in writing to the employer immediately, but no later than thirty (30) days after the injury. A form known as the "First Report of Work Injury" should be completed if you are working in Tennessee.

OBTAIN MEDICAL TREATMENT: As an injured employee, you should be given a choice of three (3) physicians not associated in practice. The list or panel of physicians should be in or near your residence. It is your privilege to choose any one physician from the list of three, but you are then required to accept treatment from your chosen physician and should not see any other physician unless this physician makes a referral.

PAYMENT WHILE OFF WORK: If a physician takes you off work for more than seven days, you may be entitled to temporary disability payments. An injured employee is not paid for the first seven (7) days of disability: on the eighth (8th) day, the employee is eligible for one day's benefits, on the ninth (9th) day, the employee is eligible for two days' benefits, and so on. If the employee continues to lose time from work through the fourteenth (14th) day, the seven-day waiting period will be picked up and the employee will be due benefits for all fourteen (14) days.

OBTAIN REPRESENTATION: Contact an attorney who knows Workers’ Compensation Law. The Tennessee comp law is complex and confusing. Unless you have an attorney who knows the laws, you will be left in the dark as to whether you are being treated fairly. Don’t wait; there are deadlines that must be met or you may lose your right to bring a claim.

Jim and all the attorneys at The Higgins Firm understand that your immediate goal after any traumatic experience is to get your life back in order. With HHP’s experienced attorneys, you are not alone. Many options are available to those who are hurt at work. We will work with you and other parties involved to make sure your worries are addressed and needs are met quickly and appropriately. To learn more, contact us online or call us at 800-705-2121.