Defamation Statute of Limitations in Tennessee
Last verified 2026-07 · Source: Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-104(a)(1)(A) ✓ verified · 3 sources
The deadline
1 year
from Date of first publication (single publication rule), under Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-104(a)(1)(A).
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Tennessee law sets a hard deadline of 1 year to file a defamation lawsuit. The controlling statute is Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-104(a)(1)(A), and the clock generally starts on Date of first publication (single publication rule). Below: exactly when that clock starts, the exceptions that can pause it, and the traps that shorten it.
Tennessee Deadlines for Related Claims
| Claim type | Deadline | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Defamation | 1 year | Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-104(a)(1)(A) |
| Car Accident | 1 yr | Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-104 |
| Credit Card Debt | 6 yrs | Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-109(a)(3) |
| Medical Malpractice | 1 yr | Tenn. Code Ann. § 29-26-116 |
| Wrongful Death | 1 yr | Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-104 |
| Personal Injury | 1 yr | Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-104(a)(1) |
| Dog Bite | 1 yr | Tenn. Code Ann. § 44-8-413; SOL: § 28-3-104 |
| Slip and Fall | 1 yr | Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-104(a)(1) |
| Breach of Contract | 6 yrs | Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-109 |
| Medical Debt | 6 yrs | Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-109 |
When the Clock Starts
In Tennessee, the limitations period for defamation and libel claims generally begins on Date of first publication (single publication rule). Tennessee does not apply a general discovery rule to this claim type — the date of the event controls, which makes early action critical.
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Exceptions That Can Extend the Deadline
- Minors: the clock is generally paused while the injured person is under 18.
- Fraudulent concealment: if the defendant actively hid the wrongdoing, the deadline may be extended until it was or should have been uncovered.
- Defendant leaves the state: absence can pause the clock in many circumstances.
- Government-claim trap: Tennessee Governmental Tort Liability Act (Tenn. Code Ann. § 29-20-305) applies for claims against governmental entities; 1-year limitation under the Act
Statute groups libel with injuries to the person and false imprisonment in the 1-year category. A 2-year extension applies only when criminal charges are filed against the defendant within 1 year. The statute directs strict construction. Single publication rule applies.
Source: Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-104(a)(1)(A), official Tennessee statute · verified 2026-07
What to Do Before the Deadline Runs
- Pin down your accrual date — the day the clock started — and calendar the deadline conservatively.
- Preserve evidence now: photos, records, witness contacts, bills. Evidence decays faster than deadlines.
- Send preservation/notice letters where required (especially for Tennessee government defendants).
- If the deadline is inside 6 months, treat it as urgent — filing suit is the only reliable way to stop the clock.
How Tennessee Compares to Nearby States
| State | Deadline | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee | 1 year | Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-104(a)(1)(A) |
| Kentucky | 1 yr | KRS § 413.140(1)(d) |
| Virginia | 1 yr | Va. Code Ann. § 8.01-247.1 |
| North Carolina | 1 yr | N.C.G.S. § 1-54(3) |
| Georgia | 1 yr | O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33 |
| Alabama | 2 yrs | Ala. Code § 6-2-38(k) |
| Mississippi | 1 yr | Miss. Code Ann. § 15-1-35 |
| Arkansas | 3 yrs | Ark. Code Ann. § 16-56-105(5) (libel, 3 yr); § 16-56-104(3) (slander, 1 yr) |
| Missouri | 2 yrs | Mo. Rev. Stat. § 516.140 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a defamation lawsuit in Tennessee?
You have 1 year from Date of first publication (single publication rule), under Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-104(a)(1)(A).
Can I still sue after 1 years in Tennessee?
Usually no — courts dismiss claims filed after the statute of limitations expires. Narrow exceptions (tolling for minors, fraudulent concealment) can extend the deadline; whether one applies depends on your facts.
What if the victim was a minor?
Tennessee generally pauses ("tolls") the deadline while the injured person is under 18, giving them time to file after reaching adulthood. Special limits can still apply, so check the statute.
Is the deadline different for claims against the government?
Tennessee Governmental Tort Liability Act (Tenn. Code Ann. § 29-20-305) applies for claims against governmental entities; 1-year limitation under the Act
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Sources
- Official Tennessee General Assembly Code Search — TCA § 28-3-104
- Corroborating Justia — Tennessee Code Annotated § 28-3-104 (Limitations: Personal Torts)
- Corroborating Cornell LII — Tennessee Statutes Index
- Verified 2026-07 under our 4-step process — every line checked against the sources above. How we verify
This page is legal information, not legal advice. Deadlines have exceptions that depend on your facts — confirm with a licensed Tennessee attorney.