Boards and Commissions

Advisory Council on Workers' Compensation

The Advisory Council on Workers' Compensation is chaired by
Tennessee State Treasurer David H. Lillard, Jr.

Tennessee State Capitol Building

The Advisory Council on Workers' Compensation exists to provide information, research and recommendations concerning workers' compensation issues to the Tennessee General Assembly, the Department of Commerce and Insurance and the Department of Labor and Workforce Development.

In general, the Advisory Council is authorized to monitor the performance of the workers' compensation system in the implementation of legislative directives, to make recommendations relating to the adoption of rules and legislation; and to make recommendations regarding the method and form of statistical collections.

The Advisory Council also reviews the annual advisory prospective loss cost filing by the National Council on Compensation Insurance and provides comment and recommendation concerning the filing to the Commissioner of Commerce and Insurance. In addition, at the request of the General Assembly, the Advisory Council annually reviews and provides comments and recommendations on proposed workers' compensation legislation.

Board Meetings and Materials

Upcoming Meetings

Recent Meetings

Board of Claims Meeting

The Board of Claims will meet at 2:00 p.m. (Central Time) on December 12, 2023. The meeting will be held in the Executive Conference Room on the Ground Floor of the State Capitol located at 600 Dr. M.L.K. Jr Blvd, Nashville, Tennessee 37243.

Documents to download

Board of Claims Staff Meeting

Meeting Date and Time
Tuesday, December 5, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. CT

Location
Tennessee Tower
Conference Room A
312 Rosa L. Parks Avenue
Nashville, TN  37243

Individuals with disabilities who wish to participate in these proceedings and require an accommodation should contact Rodney Escobar no less than two (2) days prior to the scheduled meeting to allow time for the Treasury Department to arrange for an accommodation.  Rodney Escobar may be contacted by mail at 502 Deaderick Street, Andrew Jackson Building, 13th Floor, Nashville, Tennessee 37243; by phone at (615) 741-9957; or by email at Rodney.Escobar@tn.gov.

Documents to download

Board of Claims Meeting

Meeting Date and Time
Monday, October 30, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. CT

Location
Tennessee State Capitol
Executive Conference Room, Ground Floor
600 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Nashville, TN

The Board will consider the following:

  • Review of Minutes of October 12, 2023 meeting;
  • Consideration of the purchase of insurance for the Tennessee Board of Regents;
  • Opportunity for Public Comment; and
  • Other Business.

Individuals with disabilities who wish to participate in these proceedings and require an accommodation should contact Rodney Escobar, Director of Claims and Risk Management, no less than two (2) days prior to the scheduled meeting date to allow time for the Treasury Department to arrange for an accommodation.  You may contact the Tennessee Board of Claims at 502 Deaderick Street, Nashville, Tennessee 37243, (615) 741-2734, or Rodney Escobar by email at Rodney.Escobar@tn.gov.

Documents to download

Board of Claims Meeting

Meeting Date and Time
Monday, October 23, 2023 at 9:00 AM CT

Location
Tennessee State Capitol
Executive Conference Room, Ground Floor
600 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Nashville, TN

The Board will consider the following:

  • Review of Minutes of October 12, 2023 meeting;
  • Consideration of the purchase of insurance for the Tennessee Board of Regents;
  • Opportunity for Public Comment; and
  • Other Business

Individuals with disabilities who wish to participate in these proceedings and require an accommodation should contact Rodney Escobar, Director of Claims and Risk Management, no less than two (2) days prior to the scheduled meeting date to allow time for the Treasury Department to arrange for an accommodation.  You may contact the Tennessee Board of Claims at 502 Deaderick Street, Nashville, Tennessee 37243, (615) 741-2734, or Rodney Escobar by email at Rodney.Escobar@tn.gov.

Documents to download

Board of Claims Meeting

Meeting Date and Time
Thursday, October 12, 2023 at 1:00 PM CT

Location
Cordell Hull State Office Building
Volunteer Conference Center, 2nd floor
425 Rep. John Lewis Way N.
Nashville, TN

The Board will review the following:

  • Minutes of August 8, 2023 Board of Claims meeting
  • The negotiated settlement in the matter of Gerald Dean Morgan v. Sandra Garrett, U.S.D.C. Middle District, Docket No. 3:21-cv-00274
  • University of Tennessee Insurance Purchase
  • Property Insurance Renewal
  • Opportunity for Public Comment
  • Other Business

Individuals with disabilities who wish to participate in these proceedings and require an accommodation should contact Rodney Escobar, Director of Claims and Risk Management, no less than two (2) days prior to the scheduled meeting date to allow time for the Treasury Department to arrange for an accommodation.  You may contact the Board of Claims at 502 Deaderick Street, Nashville, Tennessee 37243, (615) 741-2734, or Rodney Escobar by email at Rodney.Escobar@tn.gov.

Documents to download

Board of Claims Meeting

Meeting Date and Time
Wednesday, October 4, 2023 at 10:30 AM CT

Location
William R. Snodgrass Tennessee Tower
Conference Room E
312 Rosa L. Parks Avenue
Nashville, TN

The Board of Claims Staff will review the following:

  • Minutes of August 8, 2023 Board of Claims meeting
  • The negotiated settlement in the matter of Gerald Dean Morgan v. Sandra Garrett, U.S.D.C. Middle District, Docket No. 3:21-cv-00274
  • University of Tennessee Insurance Purchase
  • Property Insurance Renewal
  • Opportunity for Public Comment
  • Other Business

Individuals with disabilities who wish to participate in these proceedings and require an accommodation should contact Rodney Escobar, Director of Claims and Risk Management, no less than two (2) days prior to the scheduled meeting date to allow time for the Treasury Department to arrange for an accommodation.  You may contact the Board of Claims Staff at 502 Deaderick Street, Nashville, Tennessee 37243, (615) 741-2734, or Rodney Escobar by email at Rodney.Escobar@tn.gov.

Documents to download

The Board of Claims will be meeting at 8:30 A.M. (Central Time) on August 8, 2023. The meeting will be held in the Executive Conference Room on the Ground Floor of the State Capitol located at 600 Dr. M.L.K. Jr Blvd, Nashville, TN 37243. The Board of Claims will review the following:

  • Minutes of June 23, 2023 Board meeting;
  • The settlement entered in the matter of Roberts v. Gibbs, USDC EDTN, 3:20-cv-00322;
  • Opportunity for Public Comment; and
  • Other Business

Documents to download

The Board of Claims Staff will be meeting at 11:00 A.M. (Central Time) on August 3, 2023. The meeting will be held in the Executive Conference Room on the Ground Floor of the State Capitol located at 600 Dr. M.L.K. Jr Blvd, Nashville, TN 37243. The Board of Claims Staff will review the following:

  • Minutes of June 23, 2023 Board of Claims meeting;
  • The settlement entered in the matter of Roberts v. Gibbs, USDC EDTN, 3:20-cv-00322;
  • Opportunity for Public Comment; and
  • Other Business

Documents to download

Board of Claims Meeting

Meeting Date and Time
Friday, June 23, 2023 at 10:45 a.m. CT

Location
Cordell Hull Building
Volunteer Conference Center, 2nd floor
425 Rep. John Lewis Way N
Nashville, TN

The Board of Claims will review the following:

  • Minutes of February 16, 2023 Board meeting;
  • The court costs’ order rendered in the matter of Kenneth Parnell v. Johnny Fitz, et al., No. 2:17-CV-02847-TLP-TMP;
  • The Report and Recommendation from the Administrative Judge in the matter of Howard Gentry, in his official capacity as the Criminal Court Clerk of Davidson County v. State of Tennessee, APD Case No. 35.00-220407J;
  • The Report and Recommendation in the Adam Braseel exoneration matter;
  • Cyber Liability and All Other Lines of Insurance Renewal;
  • Purchase of insurance for the Tennessee Board of Regents;
  • Purchase of commercial liability insurance for Tennessee Tech University; and
  • Other Business

Individuals with disabilities who wish to participate in these proceedings and require an accommodation should contact Rodney Escobar, Director of Claims and Risk Management no less than two (2) days prior to the scheduled meeting date to allow time for the Treasury Department to arrange for an accommodation.  You may contact the Board of Claims at 502 Deaderick Street, Nashville, Tennessee 37243, (615) 741-2734, or Rodney Escobar by email at Rodney.Escobar@tn.gov.

Documents to download

This meeting has been cancelled and will be rescheduled.

Meeting Date and Time
Friday, June 16, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. CT

Location
William R. Snodgrass Tennessee Tower
Conference Room A, 3rd floor
312 Rosa L. Parks Avenue
Nashville, TN

The Board of Claims Staff will review the following:

  • Minutes of February 16, 2023 Board meeting;
  • Cyber Liability and Other Lines of Insurance Renewal;
  • Purchase of insurance for the Tennessee Board of Regents;
  • Purchase of commercial liability insurance for Tennessee Tech University; and
  • Other Business

Individuals with disabilities who wish to participate in these proceedings and require an accommodation should contact Rodney Escobar, Director of Claims and Risk Management no less than two (2) days prior to the scheduled meeting date to allow time for the Treasury Department to arrange for an accommodation.  You may contact the Board of Claims at 502 Deaderick Street, Nashville, Tennessee 37243, (615) 741-2734, or Rodney Escobar by email at Rodney.Escobar@tn.gov.

Documents to download

Board of Claims Meeting - CANCELLED

This meeting has been cancelled and will be rescheduled.

Meeting Date and Time
Thursday, June 8, 2023 at 9:00 a.m. CT

Location
Tennessee State Capitol
Executive Conference Room, Ground Floor
600 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Nashville, TN

The Board will consider the following:

  • The minutes of the February 16, 2023 Board of Claims meeting;
  • The court costs’ order rendered in the matter of Kenneth Parnell v. Johnny Fitz, et al., No. 2:17-CV-02847-TLP-TMP;
  • The Report and Recommendation from the Administrative Judge in the matter of Howard Gentry, in his official capacity as the Criminal Court Clerk of Davidson County v. State of Tennessee, APD Case No. 35.00-220407J;
  • The Report and Recommendation in the Adam Braseel exoneration matter; and
  • Other Business

Individuals with disabilities who wish to participate in these proceedings and require an accommodation should contact Rodney Escobar, Director of Claims and Risk Management, no less than two (2) days prior to the scheduled meeting date to allow time for the Treasury Department to arrange for an accommodation.  You may contact the Tennessee Board of Claims at 502 Deaderick Street, Nashville, Tennessee 37243, (615) 741-2734, or Rodney Escobar by email at Rodney.Escobar@tn.gov.

Documents to download

Advisory Council on Workers' Compensation Members

The Advisory Council is comprised of the State Treasurer who serves as Chair, three (3) voting members who represent employees; three (3) voting members who represent employers; ten (10) nonvoting members and four (4) ex officio members.

The Chair may vote only on matters related to the administration of the Advisory Council or the Council's research; the chair is not permitted to vote on any matter which constitutes the making of a policy recommendation to the Governor or to the General Assembly.


Chair

Member Title/Department Location
David H. Lillard, Jr. Tennessee State Treasurer Nashville, TN

Ex-Officio Members

Member Title/Department Location
Senator Paul Bailey
Chair, Senate Labor and Commerce Committee
Nashville, TN
Representative Clark Boyd
Chair, House Consumer and Human Resources Committee
Nashville, TN
Commissioner Carter Lawrence, designee Mike Shinnick Department of Commerce and Insurance Nashville, TN
Abbie Hudgens, designee Troy Haley Administrator, Bureau of Workers' Compensation Nashville, TN

Voting Members

Member Title/Department Location
Kerry Dove
Small Business Employer
Nolensville, TN
Bruce D. Fox
Employees
Clinton, TN
Dale Cantrell Employees Clinton, TN
Brian Hunt
Vice President, Southern Champion Tray
Chattanooga, TN
Bob Pitts
Associated Builders and Contractors
Nashville, TN
Paul Shaffer
Labor
Memphis, TN

Non-Voting Members

Member Title/Department Location Representing
Joy Baker
Director of Risk Management, City of Johnson City
Johnson City, TN Local Governments
Jason G. Denton
Tennessee Association for Justice
Lebanon, TN Attorney Representing Injured Employees
Sandra Fletchall
Occupational Therapist Licensed in Tennessee
Memphis, TN Occupational Therapists
Keith B. Graves, D.C.
Chiropractor Licensed in Tennessee
Nashville, TN Chiropractors
John Harris
Physical Therapist Licensed in Tennessee
Knoxville, TN Physical Therapists
Terry P. Horn
Corporate Health Services
Nashville, TN Hospital Organizations
Lynn Vo Lawyer
Tennessee Defense Lawyers Association
Nashville, TN Attorney Representing Employers and Workers' Compensation Insurers
Sam E. Murrell III, M.D
Tennessee Medical Association
Memphis, TN Physician Representative of Medical Organizations
A. Gregory Ramos
Tennessee Bar Association
Nashville, TN Attorney Representative of Legal Organizations
Misty D. Williams
Travelers Insurance
Brentwood, TN Insurance Companies

Questions about Workers' Compensation?

The Advisory Council does not provide advice to employees, employers, insurers or consumers . If you have questions about a specific workers’ compensation claim or you need general workers’ compensation information, please visit the Workers’ Compensation Division of the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development.

law building columns

reports on desk

Annual Reports

  • FY 2021 Annual Report
    Advisory Council on Workers' Compensation Annual Report for July 1, 2020–June 30, 2021
  • FY 2020 Annual Report
    Advisory Council on Workers' Compensation Annual Report for July 1, 2019–June 30, 2020
  • FY 2019 Annual Report
    Advisory Council on Workers' Compensation Annual Report for July 1, 2018–June 30, 2019
  • FY 2018 Annual Report
    Advisory Council on Workers' Compensation Annual Report for July 1, 2017–June 30, 2018
  • FY 2017 Annual Report
    Advisory Council on Workers' Compensation Annual Report for July 1, 2016–June 30, 2017
  • FY 2016 Annual Report
    Advisory Council on Workers' Compensation Annual Report for July 1, 2015–June 30, 2016

Supreme Court Decisions

gavel in front of columns, courthouse

Contact Us

Have questions about the Advisory Council on Workers Compensation? We're here to help!

(615) 734-2220

Kevin.M.McNelis@tn.gov

Mailing Address

State of Tennessee
Advisory Council on Workers' Compensation
Andrew Jackson Building, 15th Floor
502 Deaderick Street
Nashville, TN 37243-0248