Tennessee Traumatic Brain Injury Resources & Support Programs

Tennessee residents living with a traumatic brain injury have access to a broad range of state programs and advocacy organizations committed to supporting survivors and their families. The Traumatic Brain Injury Program within the Tennessee Department of Health serves as a key statewide resource, helping individuals connect with services and navigate the recovery process. Tennessee Protection & Advocacy, Inc. provides free legal assistance and rights protection for TBI survivors who need help accessing benefits, services, or accommodations across the state.

Community support is also available through organizations based in Nashville that serve survivors statewide. Tennessee Project Brain, operating through the Tennessee Disability Coalition, and the Brain Injury Association of Tennessee both offer advocacy, education, and peer connection for individuals and caregivers affected by brain injury. Funding resources such as the Division of Rehabilitation Services and the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services can help eligible residents access vocational and behavioral health support. Survivors and families exploring their options may also find it helpful to review how workers’ compensation and veterans benefits apply to TBI claims when a brain injury occurs in a workplace or military context.

Tennessee Department of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services

How to use this list of Tennessee Statutes of Limitations and Repose

• “General Tort” is the statute of limitations for most personal injury or negligence claims (e.g., car accidents, slip and fall, general liability).
• “Medical Malpractice is the statute of limitations for lawsuits against healthcare providers and hospitals for alleged negligence or errors in medical care.  The phrase “from act/omission” = Time starts from the date of the alleged malpractice. The phrase “from discovery” = Time starts from when the injury was discovered or should have been discovered. The medical malpractice statute of repose is an absolute deadline after the act of malpractice, regardless of when the injury is discovered. After this period, no claim can be brought, even if the injury was not discovered until later.
•  “Products Liability”is the statute of limitations for claims involving injuries caused by defective or dangerous products. The products liability statute of repose is the maximum time after the product was manufactured, sold, or delivered that a lawsuit may be filed, regardless of when the injury occurred or was discovered.
• “Workers’ Compensation” is statute of limitations for filing a workers’ compensation claim for work-related injuries or occupational diseases.  The following phrases apply: “from injury” = Time starts from the date of the injury; “from last payment” = Time starts from the date of the last payment; “from knowledge/discovery” = Time starts from when the injury or occupational disease was, or should have been, discovered; “from first symptom” = For occupational diseases, time starts from first manifestation of symptoms; and “from act/discovery” = Whichever is later, the date of the act or the date the injury was discovered.
• Each entry includes the relevant statute citation for your further research or verification. And “N/A” means that there is no statute of repose or not applicable for that claim type in that state.

Remember that statute of limitations and repose can change, so it is essential to:

• Confirm the current law as soon as possible.
• Remember that there is no substitute for consulting an experienced attorney on a potential legal matter as soon as possible.
• Remember that the facts of the case can alter or change the Statutes of Limitations.

General Tort: Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-104(a)(1) (1 year)

Medical Malpractice: Tenn. Code Ann. § 29-26-116(a)(1) (1 year from act/discovery, 3 years repose)

Products Liability: Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-104(a)(1) (1 year); Tenn. Code Ann. § 29-28-103 (10 years repose)

Workers’ Comp: Tenn. Code Ann. § 50-6-203 (1 year from injury/last payment)