Source: http://www.atra.org/state/tennessee/
Timestamp: 2019-04-22 00:29:41+00:00

Document:
Class Action Reform: HB 2008 / SB 1522 (2011); Tenn. Code Ann. § 29.
Provides for interlocutory appeal of class certifications.
Venue Reform: H.B. 2008/S.B. 1522 (2011); Amended Tenn. Code Ann. § 20-4-104.
Outlines the venues where civil suits can be filed to include the county where the claim accrued, where the defendant’s principal place of business is located or where the defendant’s registered agent is located. If the defendant does not have a registered agent in Tennessee, venue is proper in the county where the person designated by statute as the defendant’s agent for service of process is located. This provision seeks to prevent forum shopping and deviates from current law, under which a business can be sued in any county in which it has an office.
Codifies current state law by providing that if multiple defendants are found liable in a civil action governed by comparative fault, a defendant shall only be severally liable for the percentage of damages for which fault is attributed to such defendant by the trier of fact, and no defendant shall be held jointly liable for any damages.
Joint and Several Liability Reform: McIntyre v. Balentine, 833 S.W.2d 52 (Tenn. 1992).
Bans application of the rule of joint and several liability in the recovery of all damages.
This bill establishes the Federal Reserve weekly average prime loan rate as the standard interest rate on judgments so long as such rate does not exceed 10%.
Requires any person asserting claim for medical negligence to give written notice to each alleged negligent healthcare provider at least 60 days before filing suit.
Williams v. SMZ Specialists, P.C., 2013 WL 1701843 (Tenn. Ct. App. Apr. 19, 2013).
Healthcare Liability – Amends existing Tennessee medical liability laws to replace the term “medical malpractice” with “health care liability action” and expands the definition of “health care provider,” to expressly include nursing homes, assisted living facilities, mental health centers, pharmacists and employees of these individuals and entities within the ambit of medical liability laws.
Noneconomic Damages Reform: HB 2008 / SB 1522 (2011);Tenn. Code Ann. § 29-39-102.
Limits noneconomic damages to $750,000 per occurrence in medical liability actions, and a limit of $1 million if the injury or loss is catastrophic in nature. The limits on noneconomic damages do not apply if the defendant acted with intent to harm, falsified records or acted under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Products Liability Reform: Regulatory Compliance: HB 2008 / SB 1522 (2011).
Prohibits the award of punitive damages against the seller of the product, with certain exceptions, and prohibits the award of punitive damages against drug or device manufacturers when the product was manufactured in accordance with relevant Federal law, with certain exceptions. Prohibits the award of punitive damages when the defendant was in compliance with relevant federal and state regulations setting forth specific standards applicable to the activity in question to protect a class of persons or entities that includes the plaintiff.
Products Liability Reform: Innocent Seller: HB 2008 / SB 1522 (2011).
Prohibits products liability lawsuits against a retailer unless it exercised substantial control over the design, manufacture, packaging or labeling of the product, altered the product, gave an express warranty or the manufacturer is insolvent or not subject to process in Tennessee.
Authorizes the award of punitive damages in a civil action against a defendant based on vicarious liability only if the finder of fact determines by clear and convincing evidence that the act or omission was committed by a person employed in a management capacity while that person was acting within the scope of employment, the defendant was reckless in hiring or retaining the agent or employee, and the defendant authorized or approved the act with knowledge or conscious disregard that the act may result in the loss or injury.
Punitive Damages Reform: HB 2008 / SB 1522 (2011); Amended Tenn. Code Ann. § 29-39-104.
Limits punitive damages to two times compensatory damages or $500,000, whichever is greater. The limits on punitive damages do not apply if the defendant acted with intent to harm, falsified records or acted under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Amends the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act (“TCPA”) as follows: eliminates a private right of action for actions based on the sale or marketing of securities, since those claims are governed by state and federal securities laws; provides that only the Attorney General may pursue actions under the “catchall provision” of the TCPA on behalf of Tennessee consumers; prohibits the award of punitive damages for an unfair or deceptive act or practice if the judge awards treble damages and attorney fees; and prohibits class actions from being brought under the consumer fraud statute and makes other changes to the consumer fraud statute.
Codifies the common law regarding liability of a possessor of land relating to an individual trespassing on the possessor’s land. Provides that a possessor of real property, including an owner, lessee, or other occupant, or an agent of such owner, lessee, or other occupant, owes no duty of care to a trespasser except to refrain from harming the trespasser by an intentional, willful, or wanton act.

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