Day on Torts
The Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts has released data on tort cases in Tennessee for the one-year period ending June 30, 2025. Medical malpractice (HCLA) data is reported separately.
Some highlights:
- There were 10,980 tort claims filed for the entire year. The number of filings have been basically flat for the last eight years (although they dropped slightly during the pandemic).
- About the same number of cases were resolved during the year – 10,995. This too has remained relatively constant.
- The number of cases going to trial continues low. Only 261 tort cases were tried in Tennessee during the year, of which 61 were jury trials and were 200 non-jury trials.
- The total money damages for all tort (non-HCLA) cases “won” by the plaintiff at trial was $17,897,164.
- In the cases in which money was awarded, (82 of the 261 cases tried) 51 of the awards were under $99,999, 25 were between $100,000 and $999,999, and six were over $1,000,000.
- Nashville/Davidson County had a total of 34 trials, 14 jury and 20 non-jury. There were 26 trials in which money was awarded. In those cases, 13 of the awards were under $99,999, 12 were between $100,000 and $999,999, and 1 was over $1,000,000. Total damages awarded was $6,466,822.
- Shelby County had a total of 75 trials, 24 jury and 51 non-jury. There were 46 trials in which money was awarded. In those cases, 34 of the awards were under $99,999, 9 were between $100,000 and $999,999, and 3 were over $1,000,000. Total damages awarded was $8,695,535.
- Hamilton County had a total of 24 trials, 5 jury and 19 non-jury. There were 4 trials in which money was awarded. In those cases, 1 of the awards were under $99,999, 2 were between $100,000 and $999,999, and 1 was over $1,000,000. Total damages awarded was $1,360,111.
- Knox County had a total of 11 trials, 3 jury and 8 non-jury. There was 1 trial in which money was awarded – $45,000.
- Bedford County had a total of 5 trials, 1 jury and 4 non-jury. There was 1 trial in which money was awarded – $1,065,861.
- Lawrence County had a total of 2 trials, both non-jury. There was 1 trial in which money was awarded – $120,000.
- Madison County had a total of 7 trials, 2 jury and 5 non-jury. There were 3 trials in which money was awarded. In those cases, 2 of the awards were under $99,999and 1 was between $100,000 and $999,999. Total damages awarded was $143,835.
- Williamson County had only 3 non-jury trials. The defense won every case.
- Montgomery County had 11 trials, one jury, ten non-jury. The defense prevailed in every case.
- Rutherford County had no trials.
- There were a few other trials in other places but the plaintiff lost every one of them.
- There were no trials – jury or non-jury – in 55 counties.