How Long Do You Have to File a Claim or Lawsuit? Statutes of limitations set strict deadlines for filing a lawsuit after an injury, and every state has its own rules. If you miss the deadline, you may lose your right to seek compensation forever. Whether it’s a slip-and-fall in Arizona or an accident in Colorado, the clock starts ticking the day the incident happens. Learn why acting quickly matters and how speaking with a lawyer right away can protect your rights.
How Long Can You Wait to File a Claim or Lawsuit?
Let me give you a simple example: You’re on vacation in Arizona, crawling out of a hot tub, and you slip, fall, and bust a tooth. You go to a dentist who fixes you up, and for a while, everything seems fine. But a year later, your tooth starts to discolor, and you begin experiencing nerve pain. It turns into a whole ordeal. Is it too late to file a claim?
This is a great question, and it comes up all the time. The answer depends on where the accident happened. Usually, the law of the state where the accident occurred will determine how long you have to file a claim. These time limits are called statutes of limitations.
For example, you may have heard stories about lawsuits filed years after the incident—such as Jay-Z being sued for something that happened 15 or 20 years ago, or the Catholic Church being sued for incidents involving minors decades earlier. These cases highlight the importance of understanding how statutes of limitations work.
When it comes to injuries, every state has statutes of limitations, which set the maximum amount of time you can wait to file a lawsuit or bring a claim. In most cases, the clock starts ticking on the date of the injury. If you miss the deadline, you lose your legal right to file a lawsuit and, therefore, your right to seek compensation.
Why Do Statutes of Limitations Exist?
These laws are in place for several reasons:
For example, if the statute of limitations in Arizona or Colorado is two years from the date of injury, you would have to file your lawsuit within those two years. After that deadline, the opposing party—whether it’s an insurance company, business, or individual—can no longer be held liable for the claim.
The Bottom Line
Statutes of limitations vary from state to state and case to case. If you’ve been in an accident, the sooner you consult a lawyer, the better. An attorney can help you determine your deadlines and ensure you don’t lose your opportunity to seek justice and compensation.
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