States give individuals specific time frames in which they can file a lawsuit after they have been the victims of negligence.
This is a legal principle called the statute of limitations.
States vary in their specific statutes of limitations, but most give individuals at least two years to file a suit.
Furthermore, some states have specific statutes of limitations for different types of personal injury cases.
This means, for instance, that the statute of limitations for a medical malpractice lawsuit may be different from the statute for a wrongful death lawsuit.
Other states, though, keep one statute of limitations for all personal injury cases.
Wisconsin, for instance, gives its citizens three years to file general negligence, medical malpractice, product liability, personal injury, and wrongful death lawsuits.
A state's governing body will have more information about the specific statute of limitations for that state.
In general though, the rules are that an individual may file a lawsuit at any time within the given period, and an individual loses his or her opportunity once that window closes.
Having a window of opportunity is helpful for many individuals, especially those that suffer from debilitating injuries that incapacitate them for a period of time following an accident.
The window can also be helpful for those individuals who suffer delayed injury symptoms.
When an individual suffers the first sign of harm from an accident, he or she should contact a personal injury lawyer to get the lawsuit process started.
It is important to note that if the statute of limitations has passed on a case, a lawyer likely will not help an individual, as the individual has no legal footing.
If you or someone you love has suffered harm because of another person's negligence, discuss your legal rights and options with the Madison injury attorneys of Habush Habush & Rottier, S.
C.
, today.