Tennessee Personal Injury Laws
Tennessee has a short 1-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims and caps non-economic damages at $750,000 (or $1 million for catastrophic injuries) in both general personal injury and medical malpractice cases. The state uses a modified comparative fault system with a 50% bar. Nashville's rapid growth has increased the volume and complexity of personal injury litigation in Middle Tennessee.
Statute of Limitations
1 years
Fault Rule
Modified Comparative Fault (50% Bar)
Non-Economic Damages Cap
$750,000
Fault Rule: Modified Comparative Fault (50% Bar)
You can recover damages only if you are less than 50% at fault. Your award is reduced by your percentage of fault.
Average Settlement Amounts in Tennessee
Settlement amounts vary based on injury severity, liability, and other factors. Below are estimated average settlements for common injury types in Tennessee.
| Injury Type | Average Settlement |
|---|---|
| Car Accident | $19,000 |
| Slip and Fall | $15,000 |
| Dog Bite | $29,000 |
Key Tennessee Personal Injury Statutes
- •Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-104 (statute of limitations, 1 year)
- •Tenn. Code Ann. § 29-11-103 (modified comparative fault, 50% bar)
- •Tenn. Code Ann. § 29-39-102 (non-economic damages cap)
Damage Caps in Tennessee
Tennessee caps non-economic damages at $750,000. This means pain and suffering, emotional distress, and other non-economic damages cannot exceed this amount in most personal injury cases.
For medical malpractice cases specifically, Tennessee caps damages at $750,000.
Injury Claims in Tennessee
Learn more about specific injury types and how Tennessee law applies to each.
Major Cities in Tennessee
Personal injury attorneys in Tennessee serve clients in Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville, Chattanooga, Clarksville, and surrounding areas. If you have been injured in any of these cities, the same state laws described above apply to your claim.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not legal advice. Consult a licensed personal injury attorney in your state.