City of Knoxville - Workers Compensation

WORKERS' COMPENSATION

Claims Representative
Sue Bragg
865-215-2254

Risk Coordinator
Ginger Huskey
865-215-2256

Risk/Benefits Manager
Gary Eastes
865-215-2630

The Center
865-215-6150

The City is under the Tennessee Workers Compensation Act and is both self-insured and self-administered for workers compensation.

National Recognition
In 2011 the City received the 2011 Champion Award for Excellence in Workers' Compensation Risk Management from National Underwriter magazine.

Oversight
The Claims Specialist is primarily responsible for administration of workers compensation claims. The Claims Specialist reports to the Risk Coordinator, who oversees the safety program as well as administration of workers compensation, liability claims and other aspects of property and casualty. The Claims Specialist reports to the Risk/Benefits Manager.

On-Site Resources
The City contracts with Summit Medical Group to provide on-site medical services, including treatment of work related injuries at the Health, Education and Wellness Center (The Center) as well as on-site physical therapy. Case management, ergonomics and vocational rehabilitation are also provided on-site. The dedicated multidisciplinary expertise is able to work directly with departments not only in treating injuries, but also in prevention. Chronic disease expertise is also available on-site as part of the City's wellness programs, so that the multidiscipline resources are able to extend to address health related issues, such as chronic disease, in the treatment of injuries.

Treatment of Injuries
All treatment for work related injuries must be approved by the Risk Management Office for the City to be responsible for payment. When emergency treatment or urgent treatment after business hours is required, employees should go to any Knoxville hospital emergency room. For all other treatment, employees should go to The Center at 1405 Loraine Street for treatment and/or referral to an approved physician.