Tennessee Injury Law Center

January 9, 2012

Why Is My Medical History Important in a Tennessee Personal Injury Claim?

I am in a lawsuit over a car accident that wasn’t my fault. The insurance company wants to see my old medical records. What does my past medical treatment have to do with my car wreck case involving a broken hip?

Answer: Your medical history is important in any case in which you are claiming to have suffered a physical or psychological injury as a result of someone else’s negligent or intentional act. Your medical history establishes the baseline of your physical or psychological well being before the injury. You can only recover in the lawsuit for the injury caused by the act or omission of the responsible person. You may not recover damages for physical and mental suffering or medical care necessitated by preexisting conditions. When a preexisting condition is made worse you can recover damages for the worsening of the condition. Your medical history will be important to proving this claim.

In your particular case, the insurance company will be looking to see if you had a prior hip problem or other medical problem that affected your overall well-being or your able to work or enjoy recreational activities.

January 8, 2012

Rights of Saleswoman in Car Accident During Work

by The Law Offices of John Day, P.C.

I am a saleswoman for a office products company. I was driving from one customer’s place of business to see another customer when I was in car wreck. The other driver ran into me at 45 miles per hour as I was stopped in traffic. My car was totaled and I spent three days in the hospital. What are my rights?

You have two potential claims. First, you have a worker’s compensation claim because you were injured in the course of employment (assuming your employer has five or more employees). Under Tennessee worker’s compensation law, you have a right to have your medical bills paid and to receive a portion of your wages paid while you are unable to work. If you have a permanent impairment as a result of your injuries you are entitled to a payment for the extent of disability caused by that impairment.

Second, you have a claim against the driver of the other car. This is called a "tort" claim.

January 5, 2012

What Should I Do If Think My Neighbor Sexually Abuses My Son?

by The Law Offices of John Day, P.C.

I have just discovered that my 10 year old son is being sexually abused by a neighbor. What do I do?

Here are my thoughts:

Immediately report this matter to the police. If there is any physical evidence of the abuse that you can readily put your hands on take it with you. Do not confront the neighbor on your own – seek the help of the police first.

December 26, 2011

What You Should Do (And Not Do) After a Car Accident

by The Law Offices of John Day, P.C.

Here is a list of things you should do (or should not do) after a automobile or truck accident:

1) You should call the police. Ignore any request by the other driver to "let the insurance companies handle it" or "keep the police out of it – I can’t afford a ticket."

2) Tell the police officer(s) the truth about what occurred. Do not guess or try to fill in facts.

December 22, 2011

I Was Beat Up By The Tow Truck Driver!

by The Law Offices of John Day, P.C.

I came back to my car and found out it was being towed. I asked the tow truck driver why and he said that it was illegally parked. I told him it was not and we got into an argument. He then hit me, breaking my jaw. Can I sue the tow truck company for this injury?

Perhaps. The tow truck company is not responsible for the intentional acts of a tow truck driver, and from the description of the incident it sounds like this was an intentional rather than a negligent injury.

However, an employer can be held to bear some level of responsibility when its employees intentionally cause harm if the employer negligently hired, trained or supervised the employees or negligently failed to fire them if the employer knew or reasonably should have known that the employee presented a risk of injury to members of the public.

December 19, 2011

Deadline For Filing a Truck Accident Case in Tennessee

by The Law Offices of John Day, P.C.

Is there a deadline to file a lawsuit for truck wreck cases in Tennessee?

Yes. Statutes of limitation passed by our legislature limit the time to file a lawsuit in all types of cases. The length of time varies depending on the type of case. In most instances you have one year from the date of the incident causing injury to bring a lawsuit, although shorter time limitations apply in some types of cases. In cases involving truck accidents, any lawsuit must be filed within one year of the date of the accident. Failure to file suit on time will result in a loss of your rights.

Given the many factors that must be considered in determining your specific deadline to file a lawsuit, the best course of action if you believe you have a potential legal action is to contact a lawyer immediately. Our firm will meet with you at no charge to help you determine if you have a claim and help you understand what deadline for taking action actually applies in your case.

December 16, 2011

I Think My Brother Killed Our Mother. Can I Sue Him?

by The Law Offices of John Day, P.C.

I think my brother killed our mother. She was living alone in the family home and was found murdered. Because of a history of trouble between our mother and my brother, both my sister and I think he killed her. Can we sue him?

Under Tennessee law, your brother could be sued for wrongful death even if he has not yet been charged, tried, or convicted of the crime of murder. Murder in criminal law would be “battery” under the civil law, and a civil law suit for battery can be filed even if the criminal charges have not been filed. Damages that can be sought for battery include compensatory damages and punitive damages.

In fact, under Tennessee law a person can be found innocent of murder in a criminal case and still be successfully sued for battery arising out of the same incident. Why? Because in a civil wrongful death case the person bringing the lawsuit must only prove the that the defendant killed the decedent by a preponderance of evidence (that is, more likely than not). In a criminal case the State must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant murdered the decedent. Thus, the criminal court jury could conclude that the State did not prove what it needed to send the defendant to prison but the civil court jury could conclude that more likely than not the defendant killed the decedent and award damages.

December 15, 2011

Is There A Limit on Wrongful Death Damages in Tennessee?

by The Law Offices of John Day, P.C.

There are several types of damages in wrongful death cases. If the case is successful, the survivor(s) can recover damages for medical bills, funeral expenses, loss of earning capacity (reduced by personal maintenance expenses) and loss of the loss, society and affection of the decedent.

For cases arising on or after October 1, 2011, damages for the "loss of love, society and affection of the decedent" are limited to $750,000. The only exception to this rule is if the decedent leaves a minor child. In that situation, the damages for "loss of love, society and affection of the decedent" are limited to $1,000,000.

There is no limit on damages in wrongful death cases in Tennessee for cases that arise before October 1, 2011.

December 14, 2011

Is There A Limit on Damages For Pain and Suffering In Tennessee Personal Injury Cases?

by The Law Offices of John Day, P.C.

For Tennessee personal injuries occurring on or after October 1, 2011, damages for pain, suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, disfigurement, and all other intangible losses are limited to $750,000.

There are a couple of exceptions for certain defined "catastrophic" losses, such as spinal cord injuries resulting in paraplegia and quadriplegia, significant burn injuries, and two or more limb amputations in a single incident. In these cases damages for pain, suffering, etc. are limited to $1,000,000.

There is not an arbitrary limit on such damages for injuries that occurred before October 1, 2011.

December 13, 2011

I Only Have Five Days To Bring My Medical Malpractice Claim and No Lawyer Will Help Me!

by The Law Offices of John Day, P.C.

I was injured by a medical error almost a year ago and I have been told that I must bring my claim within the next five days or I will lose my rights. I have called lots of lawyers and none of them will even look at my case – they say that it is too close to the deadline. What’s going on?

Medical malpractice cases (indeed, all lawsuits) are serious undertakings. Medical cases in particular require lots of work. Many lawyers simply cannot drop their commitments to other clients to do the level of investigation necessary to undertake a medical malpractice case on short notice.

It is important to talk to a lawyer soon after you believe you have been injured as a result of someone else’s mistake. There are lots of reasons for this – witnesses disappear, evidence disappears, legal rights can be lost, etc. – but in medical malpractice cases it is especially true.