Tennessee Personal Injury Attorneys

At DearLegal, we connect you with experienced Tennessee personal injury attorneys who understand the state’s 1-year SOL, the 50% modified comparative fault bar, the $750,000 non-economic cap, and the Tennessee Governmental Tort Liability Act. Whether your injury happened in Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, Chattanooga, on I-40 or I-65, we’ll match you with the right attorney — at no cost to get started.

One year from the date of injury under Tenn. Code § 28-3-104 — one of the shortest SOLs in the country. Wrongful death is also one year. Tennessee Governmental Tort Liability Act claims also have a 1-year SOL under § 29-20-305.

Under McIntyre v. Balentine, your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault, but if your fault is 50% or more you recover nothing. Tennessee is a 50% bar state — stricter than 51% states.

Yes — Tennessee caps non-economic damages at $750,000 (up to $1M for catastrophic injuries) under Tenn. Code § 29-39-102. Punitive damages are capped at the greater of 2x compensatory or $500,000 under § 29-39-104.

Auto, truck, and motorcycle crashes; slip-and-falls; dog bites (Dianna Acklen Act under Tenn. Code § 44-8-413); defective products; medical malpractice (under the Tennessee Health Care Liability Act); nursing home neglect; premises liability; negligent security; workplace third-party claims; recreational injuries; and wrongful death.

You look at your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, homeowner’s or commercial policies, and any vicarious-liability defendants. Tennessee requires UM/UIM offerings with written rejection rules.

Most settle, but Davidson, Shelby, and Knox county juries return real verdicts when liability is clear. Defense insurers know which firms try cases.

The Tennessee Governmental Tort Liability Act applies to local government claims, and state claims go through the Tennessee Claims Commission. Both have damage caps and procedural requirements with 1-year SOLs.

Tennessee personal injury attorneys typically take cases on a contingency basis — no upfront cost, and they’re paid a percentage of the recovery only if they win. Typical fees range from 33% to 40% depending on whether the case settles or goes to trial. Case expenses are normally advanced by the firm.

Why Do You Need a Personal Injury Attorney in Tennessee?

Tennessee has one of the shortest personal injury SOLs in the country — one year under Tenn. Code § 28-3-104. Tennessee applies modified comparative fault with a 49% bar under McIntyre v. Balentine (1992) — recovery is barred if your fault is 50% or more. Tennessee caps non-economic damages at $750,000 under Tenn. Code § 29-39-102 (up to $1M for catastrophic injuries), and punitive damages at the greater of 2x compensatory or $500,000 under § 29-39-104. The Tennessee Governmental Tort Liability Act (Tenn. Code § 29-20-101 et seq.) caps damages against state and local government and limits sovereign immunity to specific waivers. Local counsel familiar with Davidson, Shelby, and Knox county practice is essential.

When Do You Need a Personal Injury Attorney in Tennessee?

Our network includes Tennessee personal injury attorneys who handle every kind of case, including:

Types of Personal Injury Cases in Tennessee

From the moment you connect with a Tennessee personal injury attorney, they go to work protecting your claim. The most common case types we handle:

Missing Tennessee’s 1-year SOL — one of the shortest in the country

Treating the 50% bar as 51%

Failing to apply the catastrophic-injury exception to the cap

Missing the TGTLA or Claims Commission framework for government cases

Giving a recorded statement to the defendant’s insurer without counsel

Settling before reaching maximum medical improvement and pricing future care

Missing Tennessee’s 1-year SOL — one of the shortest in the country

Treating the 50% bar as 51%

Failing to apply the catastrophic-injury exception to the cap

Missing the TGTLA or Claims Commission framework for government cases

Giving a recorded statement to the defendant’s insurer without counsel

Settling before reaching maximum medical improvement and pricing future care

Common Tennessee Personal Injury Mistakes

Even a small misstep can hurt your case. Here’s what to avoid:

How Much Do Tennessee Personal Injury Attorneys Cost?

33%

Typical starting contingency fee — you pay nothing unless your attorney recovers compensation for you.

Personal injury attorneys in Tennessee work on a contingency fee basis — typically 33% to 40% of the total recovery. Given Tennessee’s 1-year SOL and damage caps, calling counsel immediately after an injury is critical. Case expenses are typically advanced by the firm and deducted from the final recovery.

What Can Your Tennessee Personal Injury Compensation Include?

Economic Damages (No Cap)

Past and future medical bills, lost wages, lost earning capacity, and out-of-pocket costs — uncapped under Tennessee law.

Non-Economic Damages (Capped)

Pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment — capped at $750,000 (up to $1M for catastrophic injuries) under Tenn. Code § 29-39-102.

Punitive Damages (Capped)

Available under Tenn. Code § 29-39-104 for malicious, intentional, fraudulent, or reckless conduct on a clear-and-convincing showing. Capped at the greater of 2x compensatory damages or $500,000.

Loss of Consortium

Recoverable by the uninjured spouse for loss of companionship, services, and society — subject to the non-economic cap.

Wrongful Death (Capped Non-Economic)

Recoverable under Tenn. Code § 20-5-106. Damages include pecuniary loss, loss of consortium, and pre-death pain and suffering — subject to the $750K non-economic cap (with catastrophic exception).

Catastrophic Injury Exception

Tennessee-specific: the non-economic cap rises to $1M for catastrophic injuries (paraplegia, quadriplegia, third-degree burns over 40%+ of the body, severe disfigurement, etc.) under § 29-39-102(d).

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DearLegal is a legal referral service, not a law firm. We connect individuals with licensed attorneys who can evaluate their case. Nothing on this page constitutes legal advice. Results vary based on individual circumstances.

Tennessee Personal Injury Attorneys

Why Do You Need a Personal Injury Attorney in Tennessee?

When Do You Need a Personal Injury Attorney in Tennessee?

Types of Personal Injury Cases in Tennessee

Common Tennessee Personal Injury Mistakes

How Much Do Tennessee Personal Injury Attorneys Cost?

What Can Your Tennessee Personal Injury Compensation Include?

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