Tennessee Code Title 7. Consolidated Governments and Local Governmental Functions and Entities § 7-31-103

No suit shall be brought against any municipal corporation on account of injuries received by person or property on account of the negligent condition of any street, alley, sidewalk, or highway of the municipal corporation, unless within one hundred twenty (120) days after an injury to the person or property has been inflicted, a written notice shall be served upon the mayor or manager of the municipality, stating the time and place where the injury was received and the general nature of injury inflicted. The failure to give the notice prescribed in this section, within the time set out, shall be a valid defense against any liability of the municipality that might otherwise exist on account of the defective or negligent condition of the street, alley, sidewalk, or highway; provided, that proof of registered letter by registry receipt addressed to the mayor or manager setting forth the injury and place of injury complained of shall be a complete compliance with this section.