---
title: "Tennessee Nursing Home Abuse Toolkit: Know Your Rights"
url: "https://www.nursinghomeabusecenter.com/research/know-your-state-rights/tennessee/"
description: "Look up TN nursing home inspection stats, resident rights laws, abuse hotlines, and how long you have to file a lawsuit."
---

Know Your State's Nursing Home Rights

Every state has its own laws, watchdog agencies, and deadlines. Pick your state to see who regulates its nursing homes, what rights residents have, and exactly how to report abuse.

# Tennessee at a Glance

National Safety Standing Rank #16 of 51

303 Total Homes

87 Serious Deficiencies

246 Infection-Related Deficiencies

$7.44M in Penalties

34 Payment Suspensions

0.60 Avg RN Hours Per Resident / Day

### Resident Protection Strength

State Oversight Moderate

Staffing Requirements Limited

Penalties for Violations Limited

Access to Legal Help Limited

The Health Facilities Commission licenses Tennessee nursing homes and runs the centralized complaint intake unit.

- Licenses and inspects Tennessee nursing homes
- Runs the complaint hotline: 1-877-287-0010 (or HFC.Complaints\@TN.gov)
- Nursing home residents’ rights appear at Tenn. Code § 68-11-901 et seq.

[Visit the state agency site →](https://www.tn.gov/hfc.html)

### Deadlines to Take Legal Action

PERSONAL INJURY 1 year

Usually runs 1 year — among the shortest deadlines in the nation. Proper advance notice can extend it slightly.

[Learn more about filing deadlines →](https://www.nursinghomeabusecenter.com/legal/statute-limitations/)

WRONGFUL DEATH 1 year

Generally follows the underlying injury deadline; the clock doesn't necessarily restart at death, so act quickly.

[Learn more about filing deadlines →](https://www.nursinghomeabusecenter.com/legal/statute-limitations/)

Regulatory & Industry Standards: Our information is based on guidance from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Office of Inspector General (OIG), state health departments, and peer-reviewed research. We also refer to state Long-Term Care Ombudsman programs, which investigate complaints and advocate for residents.