{"id":376475,"date":"2016-03-31T21:36:48","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:36:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/tennessee-law\/tennessee-negligence-laws.html"},"modified":"2022-12-12T15:39:09","modified_gmt":"2022-12-12T20:39:09","slug":"tennessee-negligence-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/tennessee-law\/tennessee-negligence-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Tennessee Negligence Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Tennessee Negligence Laws<\/h1>\n
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\n By FindLaw Staff<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Garrett Monteagudo, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

When someone is negligent, it means they can be held legally responsible — or liable — for the injuries suffered by another person. A person is considered negligent<\/a> by acting (or failing to act) in a certain way that results in someone else becoming injured or otherwise suffering losses.<\/p>\r\n

For example, you may be sued for negligence if you fail to fix a dangerous walkway to your front door and a mail carrier becomes injured because of the hazard. In that example, the homeowner owes a duty to others to maintain a safe walkway.<\/p>\r\n

Tennessee Negligence Laws: The Basics<\/h2>\r\n

Tennessee negligence law is generally the same as negligence laws in other states<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

The basics of how the state handles negligence claims are listed in the following chart:<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Statutes<\/td>\r\n

Tennessee Code: Section 29-11-101<\/a>, et seq.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Comparative Negligence<\/td>\r\nModified Comparative Negligence: Under the legal theory of modified comparative negligence, if the person bringing the claim is found to be 50% or more at fault, they will not be able to recover damages at all.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
Contributory Negligence: Limit to Plaintiff’s Recovery<\/td>\r\nDamages for negligence claims are reduced by the percentage of the plaintiff’s fault. If the person that is bringing the claim is found to be 50% or more at fault, then they are barred from recovering damages.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
Contribution Among Tortfeasors<\/td>\r\nWhere two or more people are jointly or severally liable in a tort<\/a> for the same injury, there’s a right of contribution among them. However, there is only such a contribution if the defendant paid more than their pro rata<\/a> share of fault. There is also no contribution if the defendant intentionally caused the injury or wrongful death.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
Statute of Limitations for Negligence Claims<\/td>\r\n Under the Tennessee Civil Statute of Limitations<\/a>: