Slip and Fall Statute of Limitations in Tennessee
Last verified 2026-07 · Source: Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-104(a)(1) ✓ verified · 3 sources
The deadline
1 year
from date of injury, under Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-104(a)(1).
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Tennessee law sets a hard deadline of 1 year to file a slip and fall lawsuit. The controlling statute is Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-104(a)(1), and the clock generally starts on date of injury. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Slip and Fall | 1 year | Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-104(a)(1) |
| 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 |
| Defamation | 1 yr | Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-104(a)(1)(A) |
| 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 slip and fall injury claims generally begins on date of injury. Tennessee recognizes a discovery rule for this claim type: TN courts recognize discovery rule sparingly
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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: GTLA: 12 months to file suit against local government (T.C.A. § 29-20-302)
- Damage caps: GTLA: $300,000 per claimant / $700,000 per occurrence (T.C.A. § 29-20-403)
1-year SOL.
Source: Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-104(a)(1), 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) |
| Kentucky | 1 yr | Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 413.140(1)(a) |
| Virginia | 2 yrs | Va. Code Ann. § 8.01-243(A) |
| North Carolina | 3 yrs | N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1-52(16) |
| Georgia | 2 yrs | O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33 |
| Alabama | 2 yrs | Ala. Code § 6-2-38(l) |
| Mississippi | 3 yrs | Miss. Code Ann. § 15-1-49 |
| Arkansas | 3 yrs | Ark. Code Ann. § 16-56-105 |
| Missouri | 5 yrs | Mo. Rev. Stat. § 516.120(4) |
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a slip and fall lawsuit in Tennessee?
You have 1 year from date of injury, under Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-104(a)(1).
Can I still sue after 1 years in Tennessee?
Usually no — courts dismiss claims filed after the statute of limitations expires. Narrow exceptions (the discovery rule, tolling for minors, fraudulent concealment) can extend the deadline; whether one applies depends on your facts.
Does the discovery rule apply to slip and fall injury claims in Tennessee?
Yes. TN courts recognize discovery rule sparingly
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?
GTLA: 12 months to file suit against local government (T.C.A. § 29-20-302)
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Sources
- Official Justia: Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-104
- Corroborating InjuryNextSteps: Tennessee SOL
- Corroborating UT CTAS: Tennessee GTLA
- 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.