Tennessee has one of the shortest injury-claim deadlines in the country. For Chattanooga residents, understanding these timelines is essential to protecting a claim.
The One-Year Rule
Under Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-104, most personal injury claims must be filed within one year of the injury. That is far shorter than the two- or three-year deadlines in many states, and missing it almost always ends a claim regardless of its merits.
Shorter Deadlines for Government Claims
If your Chattanooga injury involves a government entity — a city vehicle, a public building, or a hazard on a public road — the Governmental Tort Liability Act imposes its own procedures and compressed timelines. These claims are especially unforgiving of delay.
Why the Practical Deadline Is Even Sooner
Around Chattanooga (Hamilton County), I-24 through the area, including the steep grades near Monteagle, presents serious risks for cars and trucks alike, and evidence from a crash or fall can vanish within days. Surveillance video is overwritten, hazards are repaired, and memories fade. The practical deadline to begin building a strong case is much earlier than the legal deadline to file.
Protect Your Rights Now
If you were hurt in Chattanooga, a prompt, free case review can identify exactly which deadline applies to your situation and make sure nothing slips past.
Have questions about your own situation? Get a free, confidential case review. You pay no fee unless you win. Call 973-566-5599.
This article is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. For guidance on your specific situation, consult a licensed Tennessee attorney.