Best Medical Malpractice Lawyers in Knoxville, TN (2026)

This evidence-based 2026 ranking of Knoxville medical malpractice firms looks at what cases they handle and the results they've published, with client reviews and professional standing also factored in.

Sources checked November 8, 2026

5 lawyers and firms

Photo: Brian Stansberry, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The short answer

The list starts with Fox, Farley, Willis & Burnette. Although it handles a broad range of cases, it has published drug-injury results and strong professional recognition. When you call, ask who handles medical malpractice cases and who pays the costs of a case. Before going further, find out whether you can still meet Tennessee's filing requirements.

At a glance

1Fox, Farley, Willis & BurnetteFree consultationDrug injuries and wrongful death4.9 out of 5
2Morgan & MorganFree consultationBirth injury and surgical claims4.8 out of 5
3Dreiser Law GroupFree consultationPatients with disability concerns4.9 out of 5
4Wettermark KeithFree consultationAnesthesia injuries and nursing neglect4.8 out of 5
5Banks & Jones, Attorneys At LawFree consultationBirth injury and HIE claims4.9 out of 5

Best Medical Malpractice Lawyers in Knoxville

Open spot. Feature your firm in KnoxvilleFor lawyers
1
Fox, Farley, Willis & Burnette
4.9167 Google reviewsRated 4.9 out of 5 on Google from 167 reviews
Best for: Drug injuries and wrongful death
In its published federal court results, Fox, Farley, Willis & Burnette reports $264,637 for a nonfatal heart attack linked to Vioxx, with another $547,819 for a nonfatal stroke linked to fen-phen. These were drug-injury cases, rather than claims against a treating doctor. Along with Mid-South Super Lawyers recognition, the firm holds an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell.
Call Website Free case review Is this your firm?
How they were picked
Stood out in our review for the recognition it has earned and what its clients say.
We order firms by how much of their work is medical malpractice, the results they publish, what their clients say, their experience, their standing with the regulator and the recognition they have earned, all from public records and the firms' own sites. How lists are made
2
Morgan & Morgan
4.8341 Google reviewsRated 4.8 out of 5 on Google from 341 reviews
Best for: Birth injury and surgical claims
Among Morgan & Morgan's published results, a $37.8 million birth-injury verdict stands out most clearly. After a delayed C-section left Brendan Dixon with severe brain injury, a Hillsborough County jury awarded that amount in 2007. According to the firm's account, the attorneys were Armando Lauritano and Keith Carter.
Call Website Free case review Is this your firm?
How they were picked
Stood out in our review for what its clients say and the results it publishes.
We order firms by how much of their work is medical malpractice, the results they publish, what their clients say, their experience, their standing with the regulator and the recognition they have earned, all from public records and the firms' own sites. How lists are made
3
Dreiser Law Group
4.9247 Google reviewsRated 4.9 out of 5 on Google from 247 reviews
Best for: Patients with disability concerns
Dreiser Law Group's clients repeatedly say the firm kept them informed and answered their questions. When you're coping with an injury, understanding the next step can matter. The Knoxville firm lists attorneys Tony Farmer and John Dreiser and handles medical malpractice alongside Social Security Disability and workers' compensation.
Call Website Free case review Is this your firm?
How they were picked
Stood out in our review for the recognition it has earned and what its clients say.
We order firms by how much of their work is medical malpractice, the results they publish, what their clients say, their experience, their standing with the regulator and the recognition they have earned, all from public records and the firms' own sites. How lists are made
Not sure who to call first?
Tell us what happened. A malpractice lawyer who serves Knoxville can look at it with you, and it costs nothing.
What happened?
4
Wettermark Keith
4.8442 Google reviewsRated 4.8 out of 5 on Google from 442 reviews
Best for: Anesthesia injuries and nursing neglect
According to Wettermark Keith's account of a Tennessee malpractice settlement, a 42-year-old man suffered brain damage when a nurse anesthetist failed to properly administer and monitor anesthesia during his surgery. At the time, the firm says, it was the state's largest medical malpractice settlement. Without an amount or a year in the account, you can't assess that result as closely.
Call Website Free case review Is this your firm?
How they were picked
Stood out in our review for what its clients say.
We order firms by how much of their work is medical malpractice, the results they publish, what their clients say, their experience, their standing with the regulator and the recognition they have earned, all from public records and the firms' own sites. How lists are made
5
Banks & Jones, Attorneys At Law
4.91,655 Google reviewsRated 4.9 out of 5 on Google from 1655 reviews
Best for: Birth injury and HIE claims
With 1,655 Google reviews and a 4.9 rating, Banks & Jones, Attorneys At Law has more reviews than any other firm on this list. Clients often say they could count on the firm, mentioning clear communication in their reviews too. That rating includes reviews of criminal defense work, so it isn't a rating of malpractice work alone.
Call Website Free case review Is this your firm?
How they were picked
Stood out in our review for what its clients say.
We order firms by how much of their work is medical malpractice, the results they publish, what their clients say, their experience, their standing with the regulator and the recognition they have earned, all from public records and the firms' own sites. How lists are made

Where they are in Knoxville

What clients say about these Knoxville lawyers

Google reviews of the firms on our lists, quoted as their clients wrote them and linked to where they were posted. We don't write, edit or pick reviews for pay.

Robert A.
September 2026 · Knoxville, Tennessee
“Was very impressed with the uptake person Lashun Johnson who guided me through all the initial information related to automobile accident. Looking forward to the complete future process regarding the automobile injury.”
About Wettermark KeithGoogle reviewRead it on Google
Cheri S.
August 2026 · Knoxville, Tennessee
“John Willis and Sam Weber recently got us awarded a good sum after a motorcycle crash. Sam was even able to negotiate UT Hospital out of a $14,000 lien!! They are responsive and caring. We highly recommend!!!!”
About Fox, Farley, Willis & BurnetteGoogle reviewRead it on Google
Jardet
October 2026 · Knoxville, Tennessee
“I highly recommend Banks & Jones! They were professional, reliable, and consistently provided fast, clear communication throughout the entire process. I truly appreciate their dedication and excellent service!”
About Banks & Jones, Attorneys At LawGoogle reviewRead it on Google

See all reviews

A few minutes that might help

How a malpractice claim usually moves in Tennessee

1.Something went wrong
Write down dates and names while they're fresh.
2.Get your records
Ask for your full chart and test results.
3.Free case review
A lawyer looks at what happened, free.
4.Medical opinion
A doctor checks whether the care fell short.
5.Notice before suing
Some places need a notice before a claim.
6.File before the deadline
Your lawyer starts the claim before the deadline.
7.Settlement or trial
Many claims settle. Some go to a judge or jury.

Your deadline: 1 year from when you found outRead the Tennessee law guide

Each step in more detail

Initial case and deadline review
When describing what happened, include when you learned of the injury. Although Tennessee generally allows 1 year from injury or discovery, there's a 3-year outer limit. Because that outer limit applies to children too, ask the lawyer to review a child's claim early.
Records and medical assessment
After reviewing the records, the lawyer arranges the medical review needed for the claim. To meet Tennessee's requirement, the certificate of good faith must say a competent expert reviewed the records and believes filing has a good-faith basis.
Pre-suit notice
Before suit, Tennessee requires a 60-day notice. Sending it extends the deadline by 120 days. Let the lawyer calculate your dates; don't treat the extension as extra time you can safely use without that advice.
Complaint and certificate
When a complaint starts the lawsuit in Tennessee, the certificate of good faith must be filed with it. Which claims will the lawyer be filing? Ask the lawyer to explain how they arrived at your filing deadline.
Case development and possible resolution
Before moving ahead, ask what further medical testimony you'll need and what might lead your case toward settlement or trial. Among the firms' published results are settlements and verdicts. Your claim won't follow a timetable or reach an outcome predicted by those results.

Malpractice claims in Knoxville: the rules that matter

The filing deadline in Tennessee

The clock startsWhen you found out, or should have
Time to start a claim1 yearMiss it and the claim is usually lost.
At the very most3 yearsafter the treatment, with a few exceptions

Limits on damages in Tennessee

Pain and sufferingCapped at $750,000
All damages togetherNo overall cap

Expert paperworkFile a certificate of good faith with the complaint stating that a competent expert reviewed the records and believes there is a good-faith basis for the claim.

Read the Tennessee law guide Work out your own deadline

Local hospitals

Star ratings from CMS Care Compare. Look up a hospital

Filing deadline for most malpractice claims in Tennessee: 1 year; Source
Outer limit (statute of repose): 3 years; Source
Hospitals near Knoxville with a CMS star rating: 3; Source

What a malpractice lawyer costs in Knoxville

The first callOften free. Ask before you book.
A written agreementThe share the lawyer takes, set out before work starts.
If you recover moneyThe agreed share and the case costs come out of it.
If the claim failsNo legal fee on a contingency agreement. Ask about costs.

If your claim fails, there's no lawyer's fee under the contingency arrangement that five listed firms say they offer; if you recover money, the lawyer takes a share. All of them say the consultation is free. You'll also have case costs to discuss, including charges for records and medical opinions, as well as court fees. The firms' listed terms leave unanswered who advances those expenses or who must pay them if the claim doesn't recover any money. Before you sign, get those answers in writing. When discussing the fee, ask how the lawyer calculates it and whether costs come out before that calculation or afterward.

According to each of the seven listed firms, you can get a consultation for free. Contingency arrangements are also offered, five of them say.

What to bring to your first call

When treatment took place and when you first learned of the possible injury
Which hospital treated you and the names of the medical providers involved
Any discharge instructions, along with other records you already have
If relevant, any delivery notes or anesthesia records you have available
Medication names, along with prescription records
Letters from insurers, along with your medical bills
What the hospital or provider sent you in letters or messages
Any relevant photos, along with a short timeline you've written

Questions to ask a lawyer

1When you've handled claims involving this kind of medical error, how many were there?
2Who's responsible for my file, including reviewing my records?
3When does the filing deadline fall in my situation?
4For Tennessee's required expert review, what arrangements do you make?
5During the free consultation, what work is included?
6What's your method for calculating the contingency fee?
7Who pays the case costs if there's no recovery?
8When I need answers or updates, who will I hear from?

Choosing a malpractice lawyer in Knoxville

Start with the medical problem, not the firm's overall rating. A delayed C-section calls for different records than you'd need to review an injury caused by medication. Ask the lawyer about cases involving the error you suspect, since several Knoxville firms listed here divide their time between malpractice and other work. When a review concerns a traffic ticket, it tells you nothing about that lawyer's handling of hospital claims.

Use the first conversation to check fit

Describe the suspected error
Give the treatment date and the provider's name first, then describe what happened after the treatment. Does the firm handle that kind of claim? While Morgan & Morgan lists birth injuries and surgical errors, you can read a retained-sponge case account published by NST Law. That doesn't mean either firm will take your case.
Identify the person responsible
Ask who's going to review your chart before you proceed, including who you'll hear from. How will you get updates? Because several firms have communication complaints among their reviews (sometimes alongside positive accounts), agree on a way to reach the person handling your file.
Ask about medical review
Your Tennessee complaint needs a certificate of good faith when you file it; the certificate must say a competent expert reviewed the records and believes the claim has a good-faith basis. Who sets up that review? You'll need to settle who pays for the review before proceeding, too.

Every firm listed says you can get a free consultation. Use the consultation to ask whether the firm might take your case and what work that first conversation includes, before you authorize anything more. Five firms say they offer a contingency arrangement: the lawyer takes a share of any money you recover, but there's no lawyer's fee if the claim fails. That leaves expenses you'll still need to discuss.

Get the lawyer's share in writing before agreeing, including who pays to obtain records or medical opinions.
A promise of a particular recovery should make you wary. Past verdicts can't tell you how yours will turn out.
Be wary of a firm that can't name the person handling your filing deadline or tell you when it'll decide whether to take your case.

The Tennessee malpractice guide has more background if you'd like to read it. Don't use that general information as legal advice. You don't need a perfect file to call the lawyer; ask which records you should gather first.

Questions people ask

What is the filing deadline for a Knoxville medical malpractice claim?

If you're filing in Tennessee, you generally have 1 year from the injury or its discovery, but you must file within 3 years after the act. When you send the required 60-day pre-suit notice, you extend the deadline by 120 days. Ask a Tennessee lawyer to work out your dates. Even with that extension, don't assume it's safe to wait.

Can I speak with a lawyer without paying for the first consultation?

According to each of the seven firms on this list, you can get a free consultation; five also say they offer contingency arrangements. What does the first conversation include? Before the firm decides whether to accept your case, will it review records? Ask about the terms for later legal work and case expenses; a free consultation doesn't tell you what those will be.

What does Tennessee require before a malpractice lawsuit is filed?

Tennessee requires 60-day notice before you sue, followed by a certificate of good faith filed with your complaint. The certificate meets the requirement by stating that a competent expert has reviewed the records and believes there's a good-faith basis for the claim. Ask your lawyer what you'll need to do to meet these requirements in your case. How will the firm arrange the medical review for your claim?

How long will a malpractice claim take?

The firms haven't published information you can use to reliably estimate how long your case will take. Tennessee's notice and expert-review requirements affect the work before filing, but meeting them won't tell you how long it'll take to finish your claim. Ask what could hold up the work as you discuss the next steps. A published settlement or verdict can't give you a schedule for how your own case will proceed.

Does a child have more time to bring a medical malpractice claim?

For a minor, Tennessee's 1-year period can pause. But the 3-year outer limit remains: the Tennessee Supreme Court held in Calaway v. Schucker in 2005 that this limit applies to children too. Before much time passes, ask a Tennessee lawyer to check your child's treatment dates. Get that review now rather than waiting until the child is older.

Which listed firms discuss birth injuries?

Along with listing birth injuries, Morgan & Morgan publishes a Hillsborough County verdict from 2007 that involved a delayed C-section. When discussing birth injuries, Banks & Jones, Attorneys At Law covers HIE and cerebral palsy, with Erb's palsy included as well. Which lawyer would each firm assign to your case? A firm may still decline your claim even though its site discusses your injury or describes a result in another case.

What should I do first if I suspect a hospital error?

Write down when treatment happened and why you suspect an error before you call a lawyer to ask about the filing deadline. Gather whatever records you have on hand. You don't need to wait for a complete chart to call; ask the lawyer what else to gather, including how the firm arranges Tennessee's required medical review.

What if my loved one died after medical treatment?

A Tennessee lawyer can help you understand whether a wrongful death claim may apply to your circumstances, including who would be allowed to bring it. Among the listed firms discussing wrongful death are Fox, Farley, Willis & Burnette and Ooten Law Firm. When you call, have your treatment timeline and any hospital letters. Although your family is grieving, someone needs to review the malpractice filing rules promptly.

Does Tennessee limit damages in medical malpractice cases?

If a medical malpractice injury occurred after October 1, 2011, Tennessee's general cap on non-economic damages applies. These damages pay for harms such as pain and suffering, not for your medical bills. The Tennessee Supreme Court upheld the cap in 2020. Ask a Tennessee lawyer to review your claim with the cap in mind and explain its effect. You can't use a firm's past recovery to work out what you might receive.

Sources

Tennessee Medical Malpractice Laws and Statutory Rules, AllLaw (Nolo)
State Enactments of Selected Medical Liability Reforms (as of 8/27/2026), Medical Professional Liability Association
Contributory Negligence/Comparative Fault Laws in All 50 States (updated 6/10/2026), Matthiesen, Wickert & Lehrer, S.C.
Medical Liability/Malpractice Merit Affidavits and Expert Witnesses, National Conference of State Legislatures
Hospital General Information, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Malpractice Center methodology, Malpractice Center

Nearby cities

Guides and practice areas

Hurt by medical care in Knoxville? Let's talk it through.

Most people who reach out aren't sure yet, and that's fine. Share a few lines and a malpractice lawyer near you can look at it with you, at no cost.

It's free, and talking to a lawyer doesn't commit you to anything.
Where we know the local rules, you'll see your likely filing deadline right away.
Your answers are encrypted and never sold or used for ads.

Start with one question

Get the top spot in Knoxville

The featured spot on this page is open. Whoever takes it is the first lawyer people see when they come here looking for help.

One featured spot per list, so you're never one of several
Shown first and labeled Featured, for a year
Your photo, your bio, a call button and case review requests

From $2,400a year, city list

Every plan and market or ask to be considered for the list itself, which is free.