Charlotte Legal Professional Discusses NC Personal Injury Statute of Limitations
Yale Haymond Law PLLC, a Charlotte personal injury attorney law firm, often meets with clients who are nearing or have already surpassed the statute of limitations for their cases. Failing to file a lawsuit within this deadline bars plaintiffs from recovering compensation from the at-fault party. As a result, all accident victims must keep the relevant NC personal injury statute of limitations in the back of their minds.
Statute of Limitations for NC Personal Injury Claims
A statute of limitations is the amount of time a person has to take legal action against another person or party after an event has occurred. Generally, the clock begins ticking on the day of the accident or the day the victim realizes their damages.
North Carolina imposes a few deadlines for varying types of personal injury cases. These are the prominent NC personal injury statutes of limitations:
- Personal injury claims: Three years
- Work injury claims: Two years
- Medical malpractice lawsuits: Three years
- Product liability lawsuits Three years
- Wrongful death lawsuits: Two years
Exception to the Statute of Limitations
NC personal injury statutes of limitations are usually set in stone. If a plaintiff misses the filing deadline, they’ll lose their opportunity to take legal action. But one major exception to this rule occasionally applies to personal injury cases.
The rule of discovery applies in cases where the date of the accident or event preceded the date the victim became aware of their damages. For instance, in medical malpractice, patients sometimes do not become aware of a doctor’s negligence until months after the surgery or other medical procedure.
In these cases, the “statute of response” applies rather than the typical three-year limitation. The statute of repose is a ten-year maximum deadline to bring about a case after the latest event that contributed to the injury.
Speak With Yale Haymond Law PLLC Today
Accident victims should speak with an attorney about the NC personal injury statute of limitations that applies to their case. The attorneys at Yale Haymond Law PLLC have helped numerous victims across the greater Charlotte, NC, area hold liable parties financially accountable for their accidents. These attorneys can help victims avoid missing filing deadlines and seek the maximum compensation to begin moving forward.
To learn more about the NC personal injury statute of limitations or to schedule a free case evaluation, interested parties can call 704-800-HELP (4357) or email yale@yalehaymondlaw.com with their query.