(a) In all cases of permanent total disability of an employee covered by this chapter, sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the average weekly wages shall be paid, subject to maximum compensation as follows: where there are or are not persons dependent upon each injured employee, the maximum weekly benefit per week.

Ask a workers compensation law question, get an answer ASAP!
Thousands of highly rated, verified workers compensation lawyers.
Claims, medical treatment, disability payments, termination, and more.
Get help with workers' comp forms, benefits, or employers' responsibilities
Click here to chat with a lawyer about your rights.

Terms Used In Tennessee Code 50-6-209

  • Average weekly wages: means the earnings of the injured employee in the employment in which the injured employee was working at the time of the injury during the period of fifty-two (52) weeks immediately preceding the date of the injury divided by fifty-two (52). See Tennessee Code 50-6-102
  • Dependent: A person dependent for support upon another.
  • Employee: includes every person, including a minor, whether lawfully or unlawfully employed, the president, any vice president, secretary, treasurer or other executive officer of a corporate employer without regard to the nature of the duties of the corporate officials, in the service of an employer, as employer is defined in subdivision (11), under any contract of hire or apprenticeship, written or implied. See Tennessee Code 50-6-102
  • Maximum total benefit: means the sum of all weekly benefits to which a worker may be entitled. See Tennessee Code 50-6-102
  • Maximum weekly benefit: means the maximum compensation payable to the worker per week. See Tennessee Code 50-6-102
(b)

(1) In all cases of death of an employee covered by this chapter, sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the average weekly wages shall be paid in cases where the deceased employee leaves dependents, subject to the maximum weekly benefit.
(2) In all cases of death of an employee covered by this chapter, and where the employee leaves no dependents, as provided in § 50-6-210, then the lump sum amount of twenty thousand dollars ($20,000) shall be paid to the estate of the deceased employee.
(3) The total amount of compensation payable under this subsection (b) shall not exceed the maximum total benefit exclusive of medical, hospital and funeral benefits.