Tennessee Medical Malpractice Statute of Limitations
Tennessee
Medical Malpractice
General statute of limitations
1
year to file
In Tennessee, a medical malpractice claim must generally be filed within 1 year of the date of injury. Filing after this window typically bars the claim permanently.
Governing statute: Tenn. Code § 29-26-116
Clock typically starts
Date of discovery (or date of act)
Most states use a discovery rule — the clock may start when you knew or should have known about the injury. A hard outer cap from the date of the act also applies in most states.
Government defendants
Notice of claim may be required
If your claim is against a government entity — a city, county, state agency, or public employee — most states require a separate notice of claim within 30 to 180 days. Missing this notice deadline can bar your claim entirely, independent of the SOL.
State-specific note — Tennessee
Discovery rule; 3-year max from act.
Tolling — when the clock may pause
Medical malpractice deadlines are among the most complex — most states apply a discovery rule (clock starts when you knew or should have known), but with a hard outer cap from the date of the act. Minor patients and cases involving foreign objects left in the body often have separate rules.
Educational information only — not legal advice
This result reflects the general statutory period for medical malpractice claims in Tennessee based on publicly available statutes. Your actual deadline may differ based on the specific facts of your case, applicable tolling rules, discovery rule application, government defendant requirements, and other circumstances. This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Caseworth makes no warranty as to the accuracy, completeness, or currency of this information. Consult a licensed attorney in Tennessee before making any decisions about your claim.
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