Home› State Guides› Tennessee

Tennessee Statute of Limitations (2026)

Civil filing deadlines in Tennessee under T.C.A. tit. 28 — home to some of the shortest deadlines in the country, including one year for personal injury and six months for slander.

✓ Last verified: Sep 2026

Claim Types

claim types tracked

Filing Range

1–6

year filing range

Govt. Notice

yrs to notify govt.

1 of these entries are marked “Unverified.” They have been added to the register but not yet checked line-by-line against the current statute text. Treat those figures as a starting point only, and confirm the citation at its official source before relying on it.

1 YEARS

Personal Injury

One year after the cause of action accrued — among the shortest personal-injury deadlines in the country.

Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-104(a)(1) ✓ Verified

1 YEARS

Medical Malpractice

One year from when the injury was discovered or reasonably should have been discovered, subject to a three-year statute of repose.

Tenn. Code Ann. § 29-26-116 ✓ Verified

6 YEARS

Written Contract

Six years from accrual on a contract claim.

Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-109 ✓ Verified

3 YEARS

Property Damage

Three years for injuries to personal or real property, and for detention or conversion of personal property.

Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-105 ✓ Verified

1 YEARS

Defamation

One year for libel — but only six months for slander, which is the shortest civil filing period in the register.

Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 28-3-104(a)(1), 28-3-103 ✓ Verified

1 YEARS

Product Liability

One year for personal injury from a defective product, three years for property damage — the Products Liability Act borrows the underlying tort periods rather than setting its own.

Tenn. Code Ann. § 29-28-103 ✓ Verified

1 YEARS

Wrongful Death

One year, generally from the date of death.

Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-104(a)(1) ✓ Verified

3 YEARS

Fraud

Generally three years where the fraud caused economic or property loss, with the discovery rule delaying accrual.

Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-105 Unverified

6 YEARS

Breach of Oral Contract

Six years — the same as a written contract. Tennessee is strikingly lopsided: six years to sue on a handshake deal, but one year to sue over a broken leg.

Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-109 ✓ Verified

1 YEARS

Legal Malpractice

One year, and the statute says expressly that it applies whether the claim sounds in contract or tort.

Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-104(c) ✓ Verified

1 YEARS

Assault & Battery

One year, under the general injuries-to-the-person period.

Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-104(a)(1) ✓ Verified

3 YEARS

Trespass to Land

Three years, as an action for injury to real property.

Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-105 ✓ Verified

years

Government claims notice

Suit within 12 months under the GTLA — Tenn. Code Ann. § 29-20-305 The Governmental Tort Liability Act requires suit within twelve months after the cause of action arises. Because the ordinary personal-injury period in Tennessee is already only one year, the GTLA deadline does not shorten it the way it does in most states — but the GTLA also caps damages and limits the categories of claim that can be brought at all. Link goes to Justia.

Common Questions About Tennessee Deadlines

What is the statute of limitations in Tennessee?

It depends on the type of claim. Tennessee filing deadlines range from 1 year to 6 years — for example, personal injury 1 year, breach of a written contract 6 years, medical malpractice 1 year, defamation 1 year.

How long do you have to file a personal injury lawsuit in Tennessee?

1 year under Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-104(a)(1). One year after the cause of action accrued — among the shortest personal-injury deadlines in the country. Full personal injury rules →

What is the statute of limitations for wrongful death in Tennessee?

1 year under Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-104(a)(1). One year, generally from the date of death. Full wrongful death rules →

What is the statute of limitations for medical malpractice in Tennessee?

1 year under Tenn. Code Ann. § 29-26-116. One year from when the injury was discovered or reasonably should have been discovered, subject to a three-year statute of repose. Full medical malpractice rules →

What is the statute of limitations for breach of contract in Tennessee?

6 years under Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-109. Six years from accrual on a contract claim. Full breach of a written contract rules →

How long do you have to sue for defamation in Tennessee?

1 year under Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 28-3-104(a)(1), 28-3-103. One year for libel — but only six months for slander, which is the shortest civil filing period in the register. Full defamation rules →

What is the statute of limitations for property damage in Tennessee?

3 years under Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-105. Three years for injuries to personal or real property, and for detention or conversion of personal property. Full property damage rules →

Do you have to notify the government before suing in Tennessee?

Often, yes. Suit within 12 months under the GTLA under Tenn. Code Ann. § 29-20-305. This is usually much shorter than the ordinary deadline.

Know your rights — check the claim type that matches your situation, then confirm the deadline with a licensed attorney.

Browse claim types

Tennessee Statute of Limitations (2026)

Common Questions About Tennessee Deadlines

What is the statute of limitations in Tennessee?

How long do you have to file a personal injury lawsuit in Tennessee?

What is the statute of limitations for wrongful death in Tennessee?

What is the statute of limitations for medical malpractice in Tennessee?

What is the statute of limitations for breach of contract in Tennessee?

How long do you have to sue for defamation in Tennessee?

What is the statute of limitations for property damage in Tennessee?

Do you have to notify the government before suing in Tennessee?

Get Help in Tennessee