Regardless of the type of accident you were injured in, it is important to understand how much time you have to bring a claim or file a complaint for compensation. These legal deadlines, called statutes of limitations, provide strict instruction for giving proper notice to involved parties, as well as filing claims, complaints and official lawsuits. In order to ensure you remain eligible to recover a fair settlement for your personal injury, it is vital to work with an experienced attorney who can guide you through the process.
At the Law Office of Daniel J. O’Neill, personal injury cases are all that we do. While there are general standards on statutes of limitations for each type of personal injury case, the law is full of exceptions and exemptions. Backed by attorney O’Neill’s 30-plus years of legal experience, our law firm knows the nuances of these legal deadlines inside and out. Even if you are uncertain about the merits of your personal injury case, we advise all injured individuals to contact our firm as soon as possible after the accident in order to learn about their rights and ensure you have enough time to file a claim or complaint if desired.
How Long Do I Have To File A Personal Injury Claim?
As a general guideline, the following are standard deadlines in California for filing a personal injury claim against a public entity or a complaint against a private entity:
- Most non-public entity personal injury claims — two years from the date of the accident
- Personal injury claims against a public entity — six months from the date of the injury (does not pertain to federal entities, which have their own specific deadlines)
- Medical malpractice claims — one year from the date a prudent person would realize he or she had a right to file a claim or three years from the date of injury, whichever is first (a few rare exceptions exist)
- Injured minors — until 20th birthday (with the exception of claims against public entities or of medical malpractice)
- Fraud claims — three years
Each statute of limitation is subject to certain exceptions. In addition, specific types of cases may have differing statutory deadlines (e.g. attorney malpractice, damage to personal property, breach of contract, etc.). Contact our firm to discuss the deadlines that apply to your particular case.
San Luis Obispo Personal Injury Claim Lawyer
After a serious accident, the Law Office of Daniel J. O’Neill can help you recover the financial compensation you deserve. Contact us toll-free at 1-877-640-6522 and ask to speak with an experienced San Luis Obispo statute of limitations lawyer about your case.
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