Workers compensation reform a top priority for Tennessee governor

Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam says that his 2013 legislative priorities include reforming the state's workers compensation system./ Bloomberg

Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam's 2013 legislative priorities include reforming the state's workers compensation system.

Among other measures, the governor said Tuesday that he wants to see the establishment of a Court of Workers' Compensation Claims within Tennessee's Division of Workers' Compensation. It would replace the use of state civil courts to resolve workers comp disputes.

The governor also said he wants legislation that would provide “a clearer standard for causation that requires that the injury arose primarily out of employment rather than nonwork-related activities.”

Other potential system changes include adopting medical treatment guidelines for treating physicians to follow.