Tennessee § 20-5-102 - Actions surviving death of party.
Full text of Tennessee Tennessee Code Annotated § 20-5-102 — Actions surviving death of party., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 20-5-102. Actions surviving death of party.
No civil action commenced, whether founded on wrongs or contracts, except actions for wrongs affecting the character of the plaintiff, shall abate by the death of either party, but may be revived; nor shall any right of action arising hereafter based on the wrongful act or omission of another, except actions for wrongs affecting the character, be abated by the death of the party wronged; but the right of action shall pass in like manner as the right of action described in § 20-5-106 . Code 1858, § 2846 (deriv. Acts 1835-1836, ch. 77, § 1); Shan., § 4569; Code 1932, § 8694; Acts 1967, ch. 121, § 1; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 20-602. Cross-References. Abolition of common-law tort action of alienation of affections, § 36-3-701 . Revivor of actions pending against a person at the time of death, § 30-2-320 , Tenn. R. Civ. P. 25. Substitution of parties, Tenn. R. Civ. P. 25. Survival of action for injury to real property, § 29-36-104 . Textbooks. Gibson's Suits in Chancery (7th ed., Inman), § 319. Pritchard on Wills and Administration of Estates (4th ed., Phillips and Robinson), §§ 688, 691, 706, 707. Tennessee Jurisprudence, 1 Tenn. Juris., Abatement, Survival and Revival, §§ 26-28; 17 Tenn. Juris., Libel and Slander, § 32; 18 Tenn. Juris., Mandamus, § 10. Law Reviews. Issues Raised by “Jordan” (John A. Day), 35 No.12 Tenn. B.J. 17 (1999). Stealing Love in Tennessee: The Thief Goes Free, 56 Tenn. L. Rev. 629 (1989). Torts — Jordan v. Baptist Three Rivers Hospital: The Tennessee Supreme Court Allows Recovery of Parental Consortium in Wrongful Death Actions, 30 U. Mem. L. Rev. 439 (2000). Cited: Commercial Truck & Trailer Sales, Inc. v. McCampbell, 580 S.W.2d 765, 1979 Tenn. LEXIS 427 (Tenn. 1979); Leffew v. Mayes, 685 S.W.2d 288, 1984 Tenn. App. LEXIS 3055 (Tenn. Ct. App. 1984); Brooks v. Memphis & Shelby County Hospital Authority, 717 S.W.2d 292, 1986 Tenn. App. LEXIS 3067 (Tenn. Ct. App. 1986); Can Do Pension & Profit Sharing Plan & Successor Plans v. Manier, Herod, Hollabaugh & Smith, 922 S.W.2d 865, 1996 Tenn. LEXIS 304 (Tenn. 1996); Claybrook v. Birchwell, 199 F.3d 350,2000 FED App. 14P, 2000 U.S. App. LEXIS 297 (6th Cir. Tenn. 2000); McCormick v. Ill. Cent. R.R. Co., — S.W.3d —, 2009 Tenn. App. LEXIS 357 (Tenn. Ct. App. May 19, 2009); Timmins v. Lindsey, 310 S.W.3d 834, 2009 Tenn. App. LEXIS 731 (Tenn. Ct. App. Oct. 28, 2009).
Source: official Tennessee text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Tennessee § 20-5-102
What does Tennessee Code Annotated § 20-5-102 cover?
Section 20-5-102 ("Actions surviving death of party.") is part of the Tennessee Code Annotated, the codified statutory law of Tennessee. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Tennessee § 20-5-102?
A common citation format is "Tennessee Code Annotated § 20-5-102" (Tennessee). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Tennessee law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Tennessee official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Tennessee attorney.
How does Tennessee § 20-5-102 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Tennessee can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Tennessee.