(a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, a claim under this chapter shall not be brought more than two (2) years after the cause of action accrues. A cause of action accrues under this chapter when a person who may recover has reason to know of the harm from illegal drug use that is the basis for the cause of action and has reason to know that the illegal drug use is the cause of the harm.

Terms Used In Tennessee Code 29-38-115

  • Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
  • Illegal drug: means a drug, the distribution of which is a violation of state law. See Tennessee Code 29-38-104
  • Illegal drug market: means the support system of illegal drug related operations, from production to retail sales, through which an illegal drug reaches the user. See Tennessee Code 29-38-104
  • Person: means an individual, governmental entity, corporation, firm, trust, partnership, or incorporated or unincorporated association, existing under or authorized by the laws of this state, another state, or foreign country. See Tennessee Code 29-38-104
  • Plaintiff: The person who files the complaint in a civil lawsuit.
  • Statute: A law passed by a legislature.
  • Statute of limitations: A law that sets the time within which parties must take action to enforce their rights.
(b) For a plaintiff, the statute of limitations under this chapter is tolled while the individual potential plaintiff is incapacitated by the use of an illegal drug to the extent that the individual cannot reasonably be expected to seek recovery under this chapter, or as otherwise provided by law. For a defendant, the statute of limitations under this chapter is tolled until six (6) months after the individual potential defendant is convicted of a criminal drug offense, or as otherwise provided by law.
(c) The statute of limitations under this chapter for a claim based on participation in the illegal drug market that occurred prior to July 1, 2005, does not begin to run until July 1, 2005.
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