2019 Tennessee Code
Title 29 - Remedies and Special Proceedings
Chapter 26 - Health Care Liability
Part 1 - General Provisions
§ 29-26-102. Permissible defendants in health care liability action -- Determining statute of limitations.
(a) Except as provided in this section, a health care liability action against a licensee may be brought only against the licensee, the licensee's management company, the licensee's managing employees, or an individual caregiver who provided direct health care services, whether an employee or independent contractor. A passive investor shall not be liable under this part. A health care liability action against any other individual or entity may be brought only pursuant to subsection (b).
(b) A cause of action may not be asserted against an individual or entity other than the licensee, the licensee's management company, the licensee's managing employees, or an individual caregiver who provided direct health care services, whether an employee or independent contractor, unless, after a hearing on a motion for leave to amend, the court or arbitrator determines that there is sufficient evidence in the record or proffered by the claimant to establish a reasonable showing that:
(1) The individual or entity owed a duty of reasonable care to the claimant and that the individual or entity breached that duty; and
(2) The breach of that duty is a legal cause of loss, injury, death, or damage to the claimant.
(c) When determining the statute of limitations in a health care liability action, the date of the original pleading shall control regardless of whether there are amended pleadings or substituted or added parties.
