|
Statute
of Limitations
Critical
Time Deadlines In Personal Injury Cases
In Massachusetts, and other states, the law imposes rigid time deadlines
within which you must file a lawsuit. This law is called the
statute of limitations. If you don't act within these time deadlines,
the law will not allow you to recover any compensation for your
injuries. In most cases, but not all, the statute of limitations
begins to run upon the happening of the event that caused the injury.
In Massachusetts, generally the statute of limitations period is
three years, but it can vary depending on the type of case. If you
have been injured, you should consult with an attorney without delay.
Otherwise, your claim could be barred by the applicable statute
of limitations.
Although
the statute of limitations may be several years away, you should
not wait to investigate your case. Delay can weaken and even
destroy your case. You have a stronger case and improve your chances
to recover fair compensation when you act quickly.
The following is a general statement about some of the deadlines
in Massachusetts:
- Wrongful
Death Claim: 3 years from the date of death to file a lawsuit
- Motor
Vehicle Accident: 3 years from the accident date to file a
lawsuit
- Construction
Site Accident: 3 years from the accident date to file a lawsuit
- Medical
Malpractice: 3 years from the date you discovered the cause
of the injury to file a lawsuit
- Unsafe
Product Injuries: 3 years from the accident date to file a
lawsuit
- Injuries
Caused by the MBTA: 2 years from the accident date to file
a lawsuit
- Injuries
Caused by a Criminal Act: 3 years from the date of the crime
to file a lawsuit
- Fall
Down Injuries: 3 years from the date of the fall to file a
lawsuit.
*Note:
This is a general statement of the law and is not intended to be
all inclusive. You should always consult with an experienced lawyer
about your specific case.
The
statute of limitations is case specific. There are many exceptions
and the law can change. For example, the law for determining the
statute of limitations for a minor is different than for an adult.
You should always consult with an experienced attorney about your
specific claim and the time limitations that apply.
|
