Public Chapter 198

SENATE BILL NO. 443

By Haynes

Substituted for: House Bill No. 1445

By Buck

AN ACT To amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 50, Chapter 6, Part 2, relative to workers' compensation.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:

SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 50-6-204, is amended by designating the existing language of subsection (b) as subdivision (b)(1), and by adding a new subdivision thereto, as follows:

(2) In addition to any attorney fees provided for pursuant to the provisions of Section 50-6-226, a court may award attorney fees and reasonable costs to include reasonable and necessary court reporter expenses and expert witness fees for depositions and trials incurred when the employer fails to furnish appropriate medical, surgical and dental treatment or care, medicine, medical and surgical supplies, crutches, artificial members and other apparatus to an employee provided for pursuant to a settlement or judgment under this chapter.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon becoming a law, the public welfare requiring it.