While a case for personal injuries resulting from a car accident must be filed within one year, a claim against an insurance company for uninsured motorist coverage arising from the same incident is not subject to that one-year statute of limitations. In Bates v. Greene, No. W2016-01868-COA-R3-CV (Tenn. Ct. App.…
Day on Torts
Liability of Tennessee for Inmate-on-Inmate Attacks
In Cook v. State of Tennessee, No. W2016-01914-COA-R3-CV (Tenn. Ct. App. July 27, 2017), the Court affirmed summary judgment in a case where a plaintiff inmate alleged the state was liable for the injuries he suffered after being stabbed by another inmate. Plaintiff and his cellmate were both inmates at…
No HIPAA Form Required in Single Defendant HCLA Case
In Grizzle v. Parkwest Medical Center, No. E2016-01068-COA-R3-CV (Tenn. Ct. App. July 25, 2017), the Tennessee Court of Appeals reversed dismissal of a health care liability (medical malpractice) case based on plaintiff’s failure to provide a HIPAA compliant medical authorization. Plaintiff had hip replacement surgery at defendant hospital, and when…
Inmate Injured on Work Detail – Recovery Limited to Medical Expenses
In Elliott v. City of Manchester, No. M2015-01798-COA-R3-CV (Tenn. Ct. App. July 24, 2017), the Court of Appeals analyzed an inmate’s ability to recover from a governmental entity when injured while on work detail. Plaintiff was an inmate at Coffee County jail. While out performing a work assignment, plaintiff “fell…
Court of Appeals Discusses Tennessee Car Accident Damages
Want a primer on the law of compensatory damages in Tennessee? Then look at Hyde v. South Central Tennessee Development District, No. M2015-02466-COA-R3-CV (Tenn. Ct. App. July 14, 2017), defendant admitted liability for a car accident but challenged the damages awarded to plaintiff by the trial court. On June 14, 2013,…
No Negligent Misrepresentation Claim Based on Future Event
In Jones v. BAC Home Loans Servicing, LP, No. W2016-00717-COA-R3-CV (Tenn. Ct. App. July 12, 2017), the Court of Appeals affirmed dismissal of a negligent misrepresentation claim. Plaintiffs were the borrowers on a valid and enforceable mortgage, which was held by defendant. Plaintiffs were in default and had received a…
Application of Tennessee Savings Statute When Initial Filing Deadline Missed
In Jones v. Behrman, No. W2016-00643-COA-R3-CV (Tenn. Ct. App. June 27, 2017), the Court of Appeals affirmed dismissal of an HCLA claim for failure to file within the applicable statute of limitations Decedent suffered from several health problems, and in February 2011 she had a capsule endoscopy. Two days later,…
Nuisance, Invasion of Privacy, IIED, and Chickens
In Stinson v. Mensel, No. M2016-00624-COA-R3-CV (Tenn. Ct. App. July 12, 2017), a neighborly dispute about chickens turned into a suit and counter-suit for nuisance, intentional infliction of emotional distress, invasion of privacy and injunctive relief. Plaintiffs owned land on which several neighbors had an easement for access to their…
Mothers, Minors and Medical Bills
Who has the right to recover medical expenses incurred for personal injuries to children in Tennessee? The parents? The minor? Either but not both? Does it make any difference if there is a holder of a subrogation interest which has a right to assert a claim against either the parents…
Special Duty Doctrine Applied Against 911 Agency in Suicide Case
In Ramsey v. Cocke County, Tennessee, No. E2016-02145-COA-R3-CV (Tenn. Ct. App. June 23, 2017), plaintiff sued the county, the police department, and the county emergency communications district for wrongful death after her daughter committed suicide. The trial court granted summary judgment to defendants, but the Court of Appeals reversed, holding…