Tennessee Code Annotated
Tenn. Code Ann. § 50-6-305 (2026)
Notice of contraction of disease and claim for compensation
✓ current as of May 2026
- (a) Within thirty (30) days after the first distinct manifestation of an occupational disease, the employee, or someone in the employee's behalf, shall give written notice thereof to the employer in the same manner as is provided in the case of a compensable accidental injury.
- (b) This section shall not apply to claims for total disability or death due to or resulting from an asbestos-related disease or coal worker's pneumoconiosis.
Acts 1947, ch. 139, § 1; C. Supp. 1950, § 6852; Acts 1971, ch. 300, § 6; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 50-1107; Acts 1997, ch. 177, § 1.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 10
cases (4 in the last 5 years), 2015–2026 · leading case: Pool, Ronald v. Jarmon D&Q Transp., 2016 TN WC App. 8 (Tenn. Work. Comp. App. Bd. 2016).
Pool, Ronald v. Jarmon D&Q Transp., 2016 TN WC App. 8 (Tenn. Work. Comp. App. Bd. 2016). “On January 4, 2016, we vacated the trial court’s decision and remanded the case for consideration of Employer’s notice defense in light of Tennessee Code Annotated section 50-6-305, the statute that addresses notice in occupational disease cases.”
Pool, Ronald v. Jarmon D&Q Transp., 2016 TN WC App. 1 (Tenn. Work. Comp. App. Bd. 2016). “addressed when "the first distinct manifestation" of Employee's alleged occupational disease occurred as contemplated by section 50-6-305; rather, the trial court, relying upon section 50-6-201, analyzed the notice requirement based on whether Employee "acted reasonably in…”
Pool, Ronald v. Jarmon D&Q Transp., 2016 TN WC 9 (Tenn. Ct. Work. Comp. Cl. 2016). “) EXPEDITED HEARING ORDER ON REMAND This cause came before the undersigned workers' compensation judge upon remand from the Board of Appeals for the sole determination of whether the Employee, Ronald Pool, provided timely notice of his alleged occupational disease under…”
Hodge, Michael Brendan v. Alcoa, Inc. & Arconic Corp., 2026 TN WC 50 (Tenn. Ct. Work. Comp. Cl. 2026). “Notice In occupational disease cases, the employee must give notice within 30 days of the “first distinct manifestation” of disease as required in Tennessee Code Annotated section 50-6-305. Id. § 50-6-305(a); Pool v.”
Myers, Walter Hubert v. Alcoa, Inc. & Arconic Corp, 2026 TN WC 52 (Tenn. Ct. Work. Comp. Cl. 2026). “Notice In occupational disease cases, the employee must give notice within 30 days of “first distinct manifestation” of disease as required in Tennessee Code Annotated section 50-6-305. Id. § 50-6-305(a); Pool v.”
Skinner, John Matthew v. Marion Env't, Inc., 2017 TN WC 193 (Tenn. Ct. Work. Comp. Cl. 2017). “]” Tenn. Code Ann. § 50-6-305 (a). The notice requirement exists so that an employer “will have the opportunity to make a timely investigation of the facts while still readily accessible, and to enable the employer to provide timely and proper treatment for the injured employee.”
Wilson, Louis v. O. G. Kelley & Co., 2019 TN WC App. 13 (Tenn. Work. Comp. App. Bd. 2019). “” 4 Tenn. Code Ann. § 50-6-305 (a) (2018). In interpreting this provision, which was not impacted by the 2013 reforms or subsequent amendments, the Appeals Panel has explained that “notice of an injury is tolled if an employee is reasonably unaware that the condition is…”
Ernstes, Arlene v. Printpack, Inc., 2023 TN WC App. 23 (Tenn. Work. Comp. App. Bd. 2023). “See Tenn. Code Ann. § 50-6-305 (a). 8 (2) Is rendered unable to continue to perform the employee’s normal work activities as a result of the work-related injury and the employee knows or reasonably should know that the injury was caused by work-related activities.”
Yeoman, Damien v. Transwood Logistics, Inc., 2025 TN WC App. 56 (Tenn. Work. Comp. App. Bd. 2025). “Tenn. Code Ann. § 50-6-305 (a) (2024). The 1 Employee’s argument appears to conflate an employee’s knowledge of his or her injuries from an accident with his or her knowledge of an accident.”
McIntosh, Sarah v. Randstad, 2015 TN WC 82 (Tenn. Ct. Work. Comp. Cl. 2015). “Tennessee Code Annotated section 50-6-305(a)(2014) provides that "within thirty (30) days after the first distinct manifestation of an occupational disease, the employee, or someone in the employee's behalf, shall give written notice thereof to the employer in the same manner as…”
— Tenn. Code Ann. § 50-6-305(a) — 4 cases
Pool, Ronald v. Jarmon D&Q Transp., 2016 TN WC App. 8 (Tenn. Work. Comp. App. Bd. 2016). “On January 4, 2016, we vacated the trial court’s decision and remanded the case for consideration of Employer’s notice defense in light of Tennessee Code Annotated section 50-6-305, the statute that addresses notice in occupational disease cases.”
Pool, Ronald v. Jarmon D&Q Transp., 2016 TN WC App. 1 (Tenn. Work. Comp. App. Bd. 2016). “addressed when "the first distinct manifestation" of Employee's alleged occupational disease occurred as contemplated by section 50-6-305; rather, the trial court, relying upon section 50-6-201, analyzed the notice requirement based on whether Employee "acted reasonably in…”
Hodge, Michael Brendan v. Alcoa, Inc. & Arconic Corp., 2026 TN WC 50 (Tenn. Ct. Work. Comp. Cl. 2026). “Notice In occupational disease cases, the employee must give notice within 30 days of the “first distinct manifestation” of disease as required in Tennessee Code Annotated section 50-6-305. Id. § 50-6-305(a); Pool v.”
Myers, Walter Hubert v. Alcoa, Inc. & Arconic Corp, 2026 TN WC 52 (Tenn. Ct. Work. Comp. Cl. 2026). “Notice In occupational disease cases, the employee must give notice within 30 days of “first distinct manifestation” of disease as required in Tennessee Code Annotated section 50-6-305. Id. § 50-6-305(a); Pool v.”
— Tenn. Code Ann. § 50-6-305(a)(2014) — 1 case
McIntosh, Sarah v. Randstad, 2015 TN WC 82 (Tenn. Ct. Work. Comp. Cl. 2015). “Tennessee Code Annotated section 50-6-305(a)(2014) provides that "within thirty (30) days after the first distinct manifestation of an occupational disease, the employee, or someone in the employee's behalf, shall give written notice thereof to the employer in the same manner as…”
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