If you were injured due to the negligence of another person or organization, you may have grounds for a personal injury claim. Every state has a specific deadline, called a statute of limitations, by which personal injury claims must be filed. If you attempt to file your claim after the statute of limitations has expired, it is likely that the court will dismiss your case.
According to Utah Courts, statutes of limitations typically range from one to eight years for civil and criminal cases. The statute of limitations for most personal injury claims is four years; however, there are some exceptions.
For example, if you were a victim of medical malpractice, you have just two years to file a lawsuit. There is also a two-year statute of limitations for product liability and wrongful death cases.
Even if you have several years to file your claim, it is important that you take legal action as soon as possible. Over time, evidence may disappear, and witnesses may change their contact details or become unavailable.
Ronald W. Truman is a personal injury lawyer in Utah who can help you meet all necessary deadlines and avoid costly mistakes during the claims process. He has the highest legal rating offered by Martindale-Hubbell – an AV Preeminent rating (5.0 out of 5.0). Call 435-986-2222 to schedule a free initial consultation at the Truman Law Firm P.C.
Read on to learn more about statutes of limitations in Utah:
When Does the Time Limit Start?
When it comes to personal injury statutes of limitations, the clock does not necessarily start ticking as soon as the accident occurs. If there is a good reason why you did not notice the injury immediately, the time limit starts when you discovered the injury or when it should have been reasonably discovered. For example, if you received substandard medical care but you did not experience any adverse effects until several weeks after the procedure, the countdown would start when you discovered the injury.
What Is a Statute of Repose?
A statute of repose sets a specific time limit for filing a lawsuit, regardless of when you discovered the injury. For example, in the state of Utah, there is a four-year statute of repose on medical malpractice claims, which means that if it takes you more than four years to notice the adverse effects of medical malpractice, the court will most likely dismiss your case if you file a lawsuit.
Waiting too long to file a personal injury claim is just one of many mistakes that could prevent you from recovering fair compensation. The best way to avoid costly oversights is to enlist the help of an experienced personal injury lawyer.
Ronald W. Truman is an accident attorney in Utah with a reputation for tough litigation and a strategy for winning substantial settlements and verdicts for his clients. Call 435-986-2222 to schedule a free initial consultation.
