Under the Tennessee premises liability statute of limitations, you have one year to file a premises liability claim after a slip-and-fall or other accident on someone else’s property. The time limit to sue a property owner in Tennessee can have significant implications, so you should act quickly after an accident on someone’s property.
The Filing Deadline for a Premises Liability Claim in Tennessee
After an accident, you might wonder, “How long do you have to file a premises liability claim in Tennessee?” The deadline to file a slip-and-fall claim in Tennessee is just one year from the date of the accident in most cases, although the statute of limitations allows for some narrow exceptions that shorten or extend the deadline. Our experienced Tennessee premises liability lawyers can clarify which deadline applies in your case and help you meet it.
What Does Not Stop the Clock on Your Claim?
While some circumstances can pause or extend the deadline to file a slip-and-fall claim in Tennessee, merely entering into negotiations with the insurance company does not have that effect. Even if an insurance adjuster is reviewing your claim, requesting records, discussing a settlement, or making an offer, the one-year deadline continues to run.
To preserve your right to seek compensation in a premises liability case, you must file a lawsuit before the applicable deadline expires. Simply reporting the accident, submitting an insurance claim, sending a demand letter, or exchanging settlement proposals is not the same as filing a lawsuit in court.
Because negotiations can take time, waiting for the insurer to make a final decision may put your right to recover at risk. Safeguard your options by enlisting a premises liability lawyer from The Terry Law Firm as soon as possible.
Hurt on City or County Property in Tennessee? Different Rules Apply
Accidents on government property work a little differently under Tennessee law. How long do you have to sue a city in Tennessee for a slip and fall?
An injury on property owned and controlled by a Tennessee local government may fall under the Tennessee Governmental Tort Liability Act. The Tennessee Governmental Tort Liability Act (TGTLA) applies to property owned by a city, county, school district, utility district, or other covered local governmental entity.
The TGTLA addresses dangerous or defective conditions involving public buildings, structures, and other public improvements owned and controlled by the governmental entity.
Claims against cities or counties follow different procedures from premises liability lawsuits against private individuals or businesses. You must file a claim against a city or county in Tennessee circuit court, which has original jurisdiction over such cases. Instead of presenting the case to a jury, your attorney will present the evidence to a judge, who decides both liability and damages.
Claims involving property owned by the State of Tennessee follow another process and may be heard by the Tennessee Claims Commission.
Contact The Terry Law Firm Before Your Time to File Runs Out
If you got hurt in a slip-and-fall or other type of accident related to a hazardous condition on someone else’s property, you may be entitled to compensation for your resulting expenses and losses through a personal injury claim against the property owner or other responsible party.
The Terry Law Firm can help you seek compensation for your medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and other losses due to unsafe property conditions. Since 1960, our firm has supported individuals harmed through other parties’ carelessness.
Contact us right away to discuss your legal options in a free consultation.