Medical Malpractice Rules in Tennessee
The deadline to file a medical malpractice claim in Tennessee, the discovery rule, and caps on damages.
Short answer: One year for health care liability actions. If the injury is not discovered within that year, the deadline is one year from discovery. Tenn. Code Ann. § 29-26-116(a)
| Medical malpractice deadline | One year for health care liability actions. If the injury is not discovered within that year, the deadline is one year from discovery. No action may be brought more than three years after the negligent act or omission, unless the defendant fraudulently concealed it (then one year from discovery). For a foreign object negligently left in the body, the deadline is one year from when it was or should have been discovered. Source: Tenn. Code Ann. § 29-26-116(a) |
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| Medical malpractice caps | No separate medical malpractice cap was found; the general noneconomic damages cap of $750,000 per plaintiff ($1,000,000 for catastrophic injuries) applies to all civil actions, including health care liability actions. |
More Tennessee personal injury & wrongful death
- Deadlines to File an Injury Lawsuit in Tennessee
- Wrongful Death Lawsuits in Tennessee
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- Sidewalk and Public Property Falls in Tennessee
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FAQ
What is the statute of limitations for medical malpractice in Tennessee?
One year for health care liability actions. If the injury is not discovered within that year, the deadline is one year from discovery. No action may be brought more than three years after the negligent act or omission, unless the defendant fraudulently concealed it (then one year from discovery). For a foreign object negligently left in the body, the deadline is one year from when it was or should have been discovered.
Is there a cap on medical malpractice damages in Tennessee?
No separate medical malpractice cap was found; the general noneconomic damages cap of $750,000 per plaintiff ($1,000,000 for catastrophic injuries) applies to all civil actions, including health care liability actions.
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.