Chattanooga's Most Trusted Injury Attorneys Since 1945
Four generations of Wagner attorneys fighting for injured workers & accident victims!
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Chattanooga Personal Injury and Workers' Compensation Lawyers
Aggressive representation for individuals and families in Tennessee
Injured in Chattanooga? You may be entitled to compensation. In Tennessee, most personal injury lawsuits must be filed within one year, though some claims are governed by different rules. If you miss that deadline, you may lose your right to recover damages.
At Wagner Workers Compensation & Personal Injury Lawyers, we represent individuals who have been injured due to negligence or workplace accidents. Since 1945, our firm has handled complex injury and workers’ compensation cases involving catastrophic harm, permanent disability, and wrongful death. We provide clients with effective legal representation and work aggressively to hold negligent drivers, employers, property owners and insurance companies accountable. If you’re suffering from an injury, reach out today.
Table of contents
- Why choose Wagner Workers Compensation & Personal Injury Lawyers
- Types of personal injury cases we handle in Chattanooga
- Chattanooga spinal cord injury cases
- Car, truck, and motorcycle accident lawyers in Chattanooga
- Workers’ compensation cases in Tennessee: what you need to know
- Wrongful death claims in Chattanooga
- Frequently asked questions
- Contact an experienced Chattanooga personal injury lawyer today
Why choose Wagner Workers Compensation & Personal Injury Lawyers
Wagner Workers Compensation & Personal Injury Lawyers has over 70 years of local experience handling injury and workers’ compensation claims throughout Chattanooga, Hamilton County, Cleveland, TN, and North Georgia.
Clients choose us for our deep roots in the community and our experience handling complex cases, including those involving catastrophic injuries. Our law practice has steadily grown through repeat business, valuable referrals and a tradition of client satisfaction. We focus on clear communication, strategic advocacy and personalized guidance at each stage of a claim.
Types of personal injury cases we handle in Chattanooga
A personal injury claim arises when someone is harmed because another person or business failed to act with reasonable care.
Our experienced attorneys handle the following types of personal injury claims:
- Catastrophic Injuries (including spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries and burn injuries)
- Premises liability (including slip and falls, unsafe properties, and negligent security)
- Product liability (defective products and equipment)
- Nursing home neglect and abuse
- Wrongful death
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Workplace accidents
If someone else’s negligence caused your injury, you may be entitled to pursue damages. Depending on the unique circumstances of your case, compensation may include:
- Medical bills (past and future)
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Permanent disability
- Wrongful death damages
Chattanooga spinal cord injury lawyers
Spinal cord injuries are among the most severe and life-altering personal injuries we handle. These cases can involve permanent paralysis, long-term medical care, and significant lifetime costs.
What is a spinal cord injury?
A spinal cord injury is damage to the spinal cord that disrupts communication between the brain and body. An injury often causes permanent changes in strength, feeling, and other bodily functions below the injured area. Spinal cord injuries are often caused by trauma due to motor vehicle collisions, construction accidents, falls from heights, or violent assaults.
Common outcomes of spinal cord injuries
- Paraplegia
- Quadriplegia
- Loss of bladder or bowel control
- Chronic nerve pain
- Respiratory complications
What damages can you recover after a spinal cord injury?
Spinal cord injury cases require aggressive representation. Our attorneys work with medical and economic experts to calculate full lifetime damages. The value of a case depends on the severity of the injury. Lifetime costs may include:
- Medical bills, including those for multiple surgeries
- Physical therapy
- In-home nursing care
- Wheelchairs and assistive devices
- Home modifications
- Lost lifetime earning capacity
We may work with medical experts and life-care planners to calculate full lifetime damages.
If your injury occurred at work, you may also have a workers’ compensation claim in addition to a potential third-party lawsuit.
Chattanooga car, truck, and motorcycle accident lawyers
Traffic fatalities across Tennessee declined in 2025 – but Chattanooga saw a troubling increase. According to the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, statewide deaths dropped from 1,194 in 2024 to 1,045 in 2025, while traffic fatalities in Chattanooga rose from 124 to 128.
Unfortunately, behind every number is a family facing devastating consequences.
At Wagner Workers Compensation & Personal Injury Lawyers, we frequently handle cases involving injuries on major Chattanooga roadways, including on I-24, I-75, Highway 153, and Amnicola Highway.
If you were hurt in a crash anywhere in the Chattanooga area, our legal team can help. We represent individuals injured in:
- Car accidents
- Truck accidents
- Motorcycle wrecks
- Collisions with pedestrians
- Bicycle accidents
- Mass transit accidents
- Recreational vehicle crashes, such as jet skis and boats
What to do after a motor vehicle accident in Chattanooga
Taking the right steps immediately after an accident can protect your health as well as your legal claim. If you were involved in a motor vehicle accident, consider taking these steps:
- Call 911 and seek medical attention.
- Report the accident to the police or your employer.
- Take photos and gather witness information.
- Avoid speaking to insurance adjusters without legal advice.
- Contact a Chattanooga personal injury lawyer before accepting a settlement.
In most Tennessee car accident cases, injured victims have one year to file a lawsuit.
Verdicts & Settlements
Chattanooga workers’ compensation lawyers
If you are injured at work in Tennessee, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits regardless of fault. However, strict rules apply.
Most Tennessee employers are required by law to provide a panel of at least three physicians after receiving notice of a work-related injury. The physicians must be located in the employee’s community and willing to treat the injured worker. The employee must pick one. This allows employees to get the medical treatment they need to recover while letting the employer have some control over the claim.
How long do I have to report a work injury in Tennessee?
Tennessee law generally requires employees to provide written notice to their employer within 15 days of the injury, unless the employer has actual knowledge or there is a reasonable excuse.
Then, you generally must file a Petition for Benefit Determination within one year of the date of injury, or within one year from the latter of the date of the last authorized medical treatment or the time the employer ceased making payments of compensation to or on behalf of the employee, whichever is later.
What benefits does Tennessee workers’ compensation provide?
After a workplace injury, victims should report the injury immediately and seek necessary medical care. An experienced workers’ comp attorney can help you remember paperwork deadlines and fight back if benefits are denied. Workers’ compensation may cover:
- Medical treatment
- Temporary total disability (TTD)
- Temporary partial disability (TPD)
- Permanent partial disability (PPD)
- Permanent total disability (PTD)
- Death benefits for surviving family members
Unlike personal injury claims, workers’ comp does not include pain and suffering damages.
Common workplace injuries we handle
Our Chattanooga workers’ compensation attorneys handle complex cases, including serious workplace injuries, construction accidents, and industrial accidents. Examples include the following:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) and concussions
- Spinal cord injuries
- Back and neck injuries, including herniated discs
- Broken bones and fractures
- Crush injuries
- Amputations and loss of limb
- Severe burns (thermal, chemical, or electrical)
- Chemical exposure and toxic inhalation
- Repetitive stress injuries, including carpal tunnel syndrome
- Muscular overexertion and chronic strain injuries
- Occupational illnesses, including respiratory conditions
- Work-related vehicle and transportation accidents
If you’ve been injured in a workplace accident, seek medical care as soon as possible. It is not uncommon for the full severity of a workplace injury to go undetected until some time after the initial accident. An injured party may later develop chronic back injuries or experience some form of nerve damage, such as Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD). Inform your employer right away if you suspect your chronic injury or illness is related to your work.
Can I sue outside of workers’ compensation?
Yes, in most cases, workers’ compensation prevents lawsuits against your employer. However, you may have a third-party claim if:
- A subcontractor caused the injury
- A defective product contributed to the accident
- A negligent driver caused a work-related crash
An experienced workers’ compensation attorney can help you determine liable parties.
Wrongful death claims in Chattanooga
If a loved one dies because of someone else’s negligence, Tennessee law allows certain family members to pursue a wrongful death claim. In most cases, Tennessee wrongful death claims are subject to a one-year limitations period, generally running from the date of death.
Potential recoverable damages include:
- Funeral expenses
- Medical bills before death
- Loss of financial support
- Loss of consortium
- Pain and suffering of the deceased (in certain cases)
Losing a loved one due to someone else’s negligence is one of the most painful experiences a family can face. Our experienced Chattanooga wrongful death attorneys offer guidance you can trust. We are here to help.
Frequently asked questions
How much is my Chattanooga personal injury case worth?
Every case is different, and its worth depends on the unique circumstances of your experience. Factors influencing recovery often include medical costs, lost income, permanent impairment, and fault allocation.
What if I was partially at fault?
Tennessee follows a modified comparative fault system. You can recover damages if you are less than 50% responsible for the accident. Your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. This means that if you were partially at fault, you may still recover damages if you were less than 50% responsible.
Do I have to go to court?
Most cases settle. However, the attorneys at Wagner Workers Compensation & Personal Injury Lawyers are prepared to go to trial if needed.
How much does a personal injury lawyer cost?
At Wagner Workers Compensation & Personal Injury Lawyers, we handle injury cases on a contingency fee basis. You do not pay attorney fees unless we recover compensation.
How long does a personal injury or workers’ compensation case take in Tennessee?
Each case is different. The timeline depends on the complexity. Some personal injury claims resolve within months when liability is clear and injuries are well documented. More complex cases may take longer and could require litigation.
Workers’ compensation claims may move more quickly if benefits are approved, but delays can occur if your employer or their insurance carrier disputes your injury. Our attorneys work to move your case forward while protecting your right to full compensation.
Do you have a personal injury and workers’ compensation attorney near me?
Yes. Wagner Workers Compensation & Personal Injury Lawyers is located at 701 Market Street, Suite 310, Chattanooga, TN 37402. We are proud of the relationships we have built with our clients over generations. We are the firm they trust to protect their families and interests. Contact us today. We’re here to help.
Contact an experienced Chattanooga personal injury lawyer today
At Wagner Workers Compensation & Personal Injury Lawyers, we consistently strive to make a lasting difference in each client's favor. Local representation is our top priority. We carefully select our cases and clients, providing honest representation to those who stand to benefit most from our knowledge and experience.
If you or a family member has been harmed by the actions of another, please contact us. We also offer effective legal services to clients in North Georgia, Cleveland, TN, and the surrounding areas.
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Contact highly skilled Chattanooga personal injury lawyers today
At Wagner Workers Compensation & Personal Injury Lawyers, we consistently strive to make a lasting difference in each client's favor. Our lawyers proudly hail from Chattanooga, and effective representation is our top priority. We carefully select our cases and clients, providing honest representation to those who stand to benefit most from our knowledge and experience. If you or a family member has been harmed by the actions of another, speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer at 423-756-7923 or complete our contact form. We also offer effective legal services to clients in North Georgia, Cleveland, TN and the surrounding areas. One conversation is often all that’s necessary to determine whether we can help you with your case.