TN HB2179

Removes exclusive remedy protections for employers when employee death is caused by gross negligence or criminal conduct, allowing families to pursue wrongful death lawsuits in addition to workers' compensation benefits

Increases workers' compensation disability benefit rates from 66⅔% to 75% of wages for temporary total, temporary partial, permanent partial, and permanent total disability

Revises increased benefits formula for employees who haven't returned to work or earn less than pre-injury wages: original award multiplied by 2.5, with additional 1.45 multipliers for employees without high school diploma and/or over age 40

Preserves employees' right to seek permanent total disability benefits even after accepting an original permanent partial disability award, if their condition later worsens

Increases attorney fee cap from 20% to 25% and expands penalties for employers who wrongfully deny or delay any workers' compensation benefits (medical, disability, or death)