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SB 419

Remedies and Special Proceedings - As introduced, increases the amount of compensation an injured plaintiff in a civil action may receive for noneconomic damages from $750,000 to $1.5 million; increases the amount of compensation an injured plaintiff in a civil action may receive for noneconomic damages, if the injury or loss is catastrophic in nature, from $1 million to $2 million. - Amends TCA Section 29-39-102.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Joey Hensley

Tennessee bill doubles noneconomic damages caps from $750k/$1M to $1.5M/$2M, increasing plaintiff recovery limits in civil injury lawsuits.

Placed on Senate Message Calendar 3 for 4/23/2026
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 419

Legislative bill overview

SB 419 doubles the statutory caps on noneconomic damages (pain and suffering, emotional distress) that plaintiffs can recover in civil lawsuits, raising the standard cap from $750,000 to $1.5 million and the catastrophic injury cap from $1 million to $2 million. This modifies Tennessee's existing damage limitation statute that has been in place for years.

Why is this important

Damage caps significantly affect civil litigation outcomes—they directly limit how much injured parties can be compensated regardless of actual harm suffered. This change increases potential recovery for plaintiffs while potentially increasing liability costs for defendants (including businesses and insurance companies), which may influence settlement negotiations and insurance pricing in Tennessee.

Potential points of contention

  • Economic impact on businesses and insurers: Higher damage caps increase litigation costs and insurance premiums, which opponents argue hurts job creation and raises consumer costs, while supporters contend caps have been inadequate for decades.
  • Inflation adjustment debate: Critics argue the old caps ($750,000/$1 million set in 2011) should have been indexed to inflation rather than doubled by legislation, making this a policy choice about proper adjustment methodology.
  • Severity of injuries: The distinction between standard and catastrophic injuries creates uncertainty about categorization, potentially leading to disputes over which cap applies in borderline cases.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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