Each state is responsible for outlining its own specific statutes of limitations for different types of litigation. Specifically, the state of Florida lays out the majority of its statutes in Florida Statute 95.11. A statute of limitations refers to the amount of time a person has after an accident or incident to officially file a lawsuit against the perceived responsible party. Once this time passes, most legal action is barred from occurring.
Below are Ginnis, Krathen, & Zelnick, P.A.’s primary areas of practice, along with some more information on the statute of limitations for each.
Auto Accidents With Injuries
For those who have been victims of auto accidents and were injured as a result, the statute of limitations can vary depending on your case details. As a result, it’s best to consult with an attorney as soon as possible after the incident has occurred to ensure you will be protected.
Those who have been injured in an auto accident may forfeit compensation for medical bills, property damage, lost wages, and pain/suffering if they fail to file their lawsuit within the statute of limitations period. Additionally, much of the evidence in a vehicle-related accident should be documented at the time, and much of the evidence may be lost with time, so it’s very important to act quickly on these types of cases and contact an attorney early in the process.
Slip-and-Fall Lawsuits
Slip-and-fall accidents and other personal injury accidents are similar to auto accidents in their limitations, which is why it’s so critical to get an attorney involved as early as possible. Those injured in these types of incidents have a window from the date of the injury to bring a lawsuit against the party believed to be responsible for the negligence that led to the accident in the first place. After this point, it may no longer be possible to receive compensation for medical bills related to the injury or other related expenses.
Wrongful Death
It is worth noting that the statute of limitations for wrongful death cases can sometimes be shorter than other types. This is why it is so important to speak to an experienced wrongful death attorney right away if a loved one’s death is believed to have been caused by malpractice or negligence.
The Sooner You Take Action, The Better
Even though the statute of limitations on most cases can range so much, there isn’t much time to waste when it comes to bringing forth a lawsuit. Not only is it much easier to gather supporting evidence for a case in the earliest stages, but it’s also important to realize that the process of bringing forth a lawsuit can be a long one. For this reason, it’s never a good idea to wait until the last minute to being talking to a lawyer.
At Ginnis, Krathen, & Zelnick, P.A., our dedicated and experienced team is here to help at any stage. Whether it’s been a day or a year since your incident, we can assist you with a free and confidential case analysis.