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Tennessee law

Product Liability Laws in Tennessee.

Tennessee's Product Liability Act (Tenn. Code § 29-28-101 et seq.) governs product-liability claims. Tennessee recognizes strict liability, negligence, and breach of warranty. Tennessee has a 10-year statute of repose for products (Tenn. Code § 29-28-103). Tennessee's 2011 tort reform applies: $750K noneconomic cap (higher for catastrophic); punitive cap at greater of $500K or 2x compensatory. Tennessee's modified comparative fault applies.

Last verified: 2026-04-17

State law

Statute of Limitations

1 year; 10-year statute of reposeTenn. Code §§ 28-3-104, 29-28-103

1-year personal injury statute applies. 10-year statute of repose bars products claims filed more than 10 years after first sale (or 6 years for expected useful life).

State law

Damage Caps

Noneconomic Damages: $750,000 (standard); $1,000,000 (catastrophic)Tenn. Code § 29-39-102

Standard cap $750K; catastrophic cap $1M for specified severe injuries.

Punitive Damages: Greater of $500,000 or 2x compensatoryTenn. Code § 29-39-104

Punitive damages capped at the greater of $500K or 2x compensatory damages.

State law

Key Tennessee Statutes

Tennessee Products Liability ActTenn. Code § 29-28-101 et seq.

Comprehensive framework for product-liability claims. Recognizes strict liability, negligence, and warranty theories.

Statute of ReposeTenn. Code § 29-28-103

10-year statute of repose from first sale or lease, or 6 years from the product's expected useful life (whichever first expires). Among the shorter reposes in the U.S.

Seller ImmunityTenn. Code § 29-28-106

Non-manufacturing sellers generally not liable unless they exercised substantial control, had actual knowledge of the defect, or altered the product.

State law

Official Sources

Not Legal Advice

This page summarizes publicly available statutes and rules for informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice, and no attorney-client relationship is created by viewing this content. Laws change — always verify with the primary source or consult a licensed attorney in Tennessee.

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