How Long Do I Have to Sue for an Injury in North Carolina?

In a particular state or jurisdiction, the statute of limitations is the legal length of time that someone who’s been injured in an accident to file a personal injury claim to recover compensation. 

In North Carolina, this time limit is generally three years. However, in certain circumstances, this deadline could be modified. Read on to learn more about how the statute of limitations works in North Carolina, and don’t forget to reach out to a trusted personal injury lawyer for help. 

Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury in North Carolina: Considerations

The three-year statute of limitations in North Carolina is a general rule that doesn’t apply in all cases. However, for many types of accidents, waiting to file your claim until after the deadline has passed could lead the defendant to ask the judge to simply dismiss the case—something that can easily happen. 

However, for certain types of personal injury cases, this deadline may be different. Some examples include:

• Injuries with a Different Date of Discovery – If the date of discovery of your injuries is different from the date of the act itself, then you may be entitled to an extended statutory deadline. Consult an attorney for more details. 

• Medical Malpractice – These cases often have a different deadline than other personal injury claims. Generally, malpractice claims must be filed within four years of the date of the incident, and the discovery date can also be postponed one year from the regular three-year deadline. However, in certain circumstances, you could have more time. 

• Wrongful Death – The statute of limitations for wrongful death is shorter than the general deadline. If you lose a loved one due to another party’s actions, you have only two years to file a wrongful death claim. 

Although this may seem like plenty of time, it’s important to keep in mind that filing a lawsuit can take enormous amounts of work and preparation—and, therefore, time. If you’ve been injured, consider consulting an attorney as soon as possible to ensure that your rights are protected. 

Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer in North Carolina

Regardless of the details of your injury, if someone else is responsible, The Nye Law Firm wants to go to bat for you. 

Call us at 704-285-6319 or submit our simple contact form to schedule a free consultation.