In Tennessee, the clock starts ticking the moment you are injured — and it runs out faster than almost anywhere else in the country. Under Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-104, most personal injury claims must be filed within just one year of the date of injury.
The General Rule: One Year
Tennessee's one-year statute of limitations applies to most injury claims, including car accidents, slip and falls, and many premises liability cases. Compared with the two- or three-year deadlines common in other states, one year is remarkably short. Miss it, and a court will almost certainly dismiss your case no matter how strong the underlying facts are.
One year passes quickly when you are focused on recovering, dealing with insurers, and trying to return to work. Evidence fades too: witnesses move, surveillance footage is overwritten, and memories blur. The practical deadline to start building a strong case is far sooner than the legal deadline to file.
Exceptions That Can Change the Deadline
Tennessee recognizes a discovery rule that can delay the start of the clock when an injury is not immediately apparent — for example, a surgical error discovered months later. In those cases the year may begin when you knew or reasonably should have known of the injury and its cause.
Other exceptions can pause, or 'toll,' the clock. For minors, the deadline generally does not begin until they turn 18. For someone adjudicated of unsound mind, the period may be tolled during the incapacity. These exceptions are fact-specific and frequently disputed by insurers, so they should never be relied on without legal guidance.
Special Deadlines to Watch
Claims against a government entity in Tennessee are governed by the Governmental Tort Liability Act, which carries its own procedures and shortened timelines. Health care liability (medical malpractice) actions require a pre-suit notice 60 days before filing and a certificate of good faith, and the notice can extend the limitations period by 120 days. Wrongful death claims also follow specific timing rules. Because so many situations carry their own deadlines, it is dangerous to assume the plain one-year rule is the only thing that matters.
Why Acting Early Protects Your Claim
Beyond the legal deadline, early action preserves the evidence that wins cases. An attorney can send litigation-hold letters to keep a trucking company from deleting electronic logs, secure surveillance footage before it loops, and document a hazard before it is repaired. The sooner the investigation begins, the stronger your position.
If you have been injured in Tennessee, do not wait to learn which deadline applies. A free case review can pinpoint the exact timeline for your claim and make sure no deadline 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.