Lost Wages in a Tennessee Personal Injury Claim
If an injury caused by another party's negligence forced you out of work in Tennessee, you can recover lost wages and future earning capacity as part of your claim. Here is exactly how to document, calculate, and recover your income losses.
For informational purposes only. Not legal advice. Consult a licensed attorney.
Modified comparative fault (50% bar)
Fault System
1 years
Filing Deadline
At-Fault
Auto System
What Lost Wages You Can Recover in Tennessee
Past Lost Wages
All income you lost from the date of the accident through settlement or verdict — including salary, hourly wages, tips, commissions, bonuses, and self-employment income.
Future Lost Earnings
If your injury causes permanent or long-term disability affecting your ability to work, you can recover the present value of future income losses. Expert economic testimony is typically required.
Lost Business Income
Self-employed individuals and business owners can claim documented lost profits caused by their inability to work.
Benefits & PTO Used
Sick days, vacation days, and other benefits consumed due to your injury may be recoverable as lost wages.
No-Fault vs At-Fault in Tennessee
Tennessee Injury Law
Tennessee has one of the shortest statutes of limitations in the country at just 1 year for personal injury claims, requiring injured victims to act quickly. Tennessee applies modified comparative fault with a 50% bar, and the state imposes statutory caps on noneconomic damages: $750,000 for most cases and $1,000,000 for catastrophic injuries. Tennessee does not require no-fault PIP insurance. Nashville, Memphis, and Knoxville generate significant personal injury litigation. Tennessee courts see substantial trucking accident cases given the state's position on major east-west and north-south freight corridors. Tennessee's healthcare industry in Nashville creates significant medical malpractice litigation, governed by the Tennessee Medical Malpractice Act with a separate 1-year limitation period and expert certificate requirements. Workers' compensation in Tennessee was reformed in 2014, creating an administrative dispute resolution system through the Tennessee Bureau of Workers' Compensation rather than civil courts.