Q: I was hurt in an accident more than a month ago. I haven’t talked to a lawyer. Do I still have a claim?

A: Yes. Generally speaking, you have up to three years from the time of injury to pursue a legal claim. (There are certain very important exceptions, such as claims against governmental entities, which you should definitely discuss with an attorney.)

The time between your injury and the cut-off date (determined by both common law and the legislature) is known as the “statute of limitations.” This means that claims must be brought during that period of time. Most criminal and civil offenses have a statutory period during which claims can be brought (murder, as a rare exception, does not). Once the statute has run, you essentially give up the right to pursue compensation for your injuries.

An attorney can file in court to preserve your legal rights. The sooner you retain us, the better — we can protect your interests at the outset and make sure nothing else has been overlooked. Contact our office today!