All personal injury accidents, such as; wrongful death, slip and fall, and other types of legal cases typically have their own Statute of Limitations. A Statute of Limitations is a specific period of time that you have to make a legal claim. Different potential claims have different Statute of Limitations timeframes. Knowing the one that pertains to your situation is important because you will not be able to make a legal claim after the date your Statute of Limitations has expired. Also keep in mind that the Statute of Limitations can vary from state to state.

Here’s an example: you were involved in a car wreck and the pain you have experienced since the accident just keeps getting worse; even after several years. You seek treatment and find that you have bulging discs in your back and need to see a chiropractor to treat the back pain, but you don’t want to pay the medical bills. Now you need to find an attorney to take your case, but by this time 4 years have passed since the date of your wreck. The attorney will most likely tell you that they will not take your case because you missed your deadline to file a claim against the at-fault party’s insurance. This is because the Statute of Limitations for auto accidents is 4 years from the date of the accident. Your time to make a claim has expired.

However, if you knew that the Statute of Limitations for auto accidents was 4 years, you could have had the opportunity to file a claim against the at-fault party’s insurance to pay for your medical bills.

Below, are some common Statutes of Limitations:

  • Auto Accidents – 4 years from the date of your accident
  • Wrongful Death – 2 years from the date of death
  • Slip and Fall – 4 years from the date of accident
  • Medical Malpractice-2 years from the date of the incident

If you or someone you know has a potential case of any kind and would like to know the Statute of Limitations for your claim, contact Brooks Law Group and have your free case evaluation. Don’t miss out on pursuing your potential claim because you waited too long.

Stephen K. Brooks
Author: Stephen K. Brooks

Steve was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. As was the practice for new doctors his father worked day and night during his medical residency at Charity Hospital there. Steve comes from a long line of doctors. His father, his grandfather, his great grandfather, even two uncles were all specialists and/or surgeons in their chosen medical specialties, including internal medicine specialist, obstetrics / gynecology, neurosurgery and general practice / surgery. His great-great grandfather was the Surgeon General of Ohio during the Civil War.