Time Limits for a Pennsylvania Personal Injury Lawsuit: Watch for the Statute of Limitations
February 22, 2019
For any personal injury lawsuit, each state has its own set of rules on how long a victim is allowed to sue a potentially negligent party. This is known as a statute of limitations. The general rule of thumb is that the start date for a statute of limitations begins on the day of the accident that resulted in the personal injuries in question. From there, depending on the state, one has anywhere from one to six years to file a lawsuit. For Pennsylvania, this time limit is only two years. This is a very strict deadline, which means that if you file after two years, your case is almost guaranteed to be dismissed by the judge.
The Special ‘Delayed Discovery Rule’ That Gives Pennsylvania Victims More Time to Sue
There are special circumstances in which a statute of limitations can be adjusted. One of these special cases involves the Delayed Discovery Rule. This rule states that instead of the statute of limitations beginning on the day of the accident, it begins on the day of medical discovery and diagnosis of an injury or condition.
Not all injuries immediately present their symptoms after accidents. This can include traumatic brain injuries, concussions, soft tissue injuries such as torn muscles, hairline fractures in bones, herniated discs, internal bleeding, or certain injuries to the back or shoulders in which swelling took time to start causing obvious pain symptoms. It is still important to seek immediate medical attention following an accident. Otherwise, insurance companies can claim that delayed and discovered injuries are due to the victim’s own negligence in seeking medical care.
Contact a Pittsburgh Personal Injury Lawyer to Discuss Your Case in Pennsylvania
Did you or a loved one sustain serious injuries in Pennsylvania? Don’t let the medical bills pile up while you wait for the negligent party or their insurance company to do the right thing. Right now, you need an aggressive personal injury attorney on your side, fighting to get you the compensation you need, want, and deserve. The skilled attorneys at Goodrich & Geist, P.C.,represent clients injured in Beaver Falls, Greensburg, New Castle, Cranberry Township, and throughout Pennsylvania. Call (412)-766-1455 or email us to schedule a consultation about your case. We have an office conveniently located at 3634 California Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15212.
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.
