Tennessee Code Title 38. Prevention and Detection of Crime § 38-1-106

(a) Law enforcement officers and employees of law enforcement agencies shall make a reasonable effort to promptly notify the next of kin of any person who has been killed or seriously injured in an accidental manner before any statement, written or spoken, is delivered or transmitted to the press by any law enforcement official, employee or agency, disclosing the decedent's or seriously injured person's name.

(b) For the purposes of the notification requirements of this section, the investigating officer shall make the determination, based upon the officer's personal opinion, as to whether a person is “seriously injured.” Neither the officer nor the officer's employer shall incur any liability based upon the officer's opinion as to whether a person is seriously injured or not.