The statute of limitations is a law that dictates how long people have to bring legal action after an alleged offense. If these individuals do not file their case within the allotted period of time, the court can stop them from going after the financial damages they deserve after an accident. That is why following an accident in New Port Richey, it is critical to understand these timelines to ensure you are able to fight for the justice you are entitled to.
The New Personal Injury Statute of Limitations in Florida
In March 2023, Governor Ron DeSantis signed into law the House Bill (HB) 837, which significantly impacted the personal injury statute of limitations in Florida. Under this new law, an individual wanting to bring a personal injury lawsuit would only have two years from the date of the incident to do so. Otherwise, they would be barred. This is a considerable reduction in time, as the previous statute of limitations in the state was four years.
Exceptions to the Personal Injury Statute of Limitation
Depending on the circumstances of the accident, there may be exceptions that apply to the statute of limitations that can impact the filing period and either reduce or extend the amount of time you have to file your case.
These exceptions include the following:
- The victim is a minor
- The victim is incapacitated
- The defendant left the state or concealed themselves
- The government is the defendant
When Does the Statute of Limitations Start
Generally, if you were hurt in an accident, the date of the incident is when the clock will start ticking regarding the time you have to pursue legal action. However, if you were harmed because of medical malpractice and the cause of your injury is determined at a later date, the statute of limitations will start from the date the cause of injury is discovered or should have been discovered with the exercise of due diligence.
As a result, if you want to know how much time you have to file your legal claim, consider discussing the accident with an experienced New Port Richey personal injury attorney as soon as possible. These legal professionals can review the facts of your crash, figure out how much time you have to file your case and help make sure that the appropriate legal documents and files are prepared and submitted before time runs out.
Find Out How Long You Have To File Your Legal Claim in New Port Richey
If you believe you have a viable legal case following an accident, contact a skilled and experienced New Port Richey personal injury accident attorney as soon as you can. At the Weber Law Firm, our professional legal team is prepared to review your case, figure out the legal options you have, and help you go after the financial damages you deserve.
For further information about the statute of limitations in Florida, contact the Weber Law Firm today to schedule your free case evaluation, and let Attorney Lauren N. Weber provide the answers you need.