The Danger of “Plaintiff Procrastination”: Why You Must Act Quickly to Protect Your Legal Rights

Whether you’ve been injured in a motor vehicle accident, by a defective product, or as the result of medical malpractice, you have the right to seek compensation for your injuries.  But that right is not absolute.  Every Ohio personal injury lawsuit is subject to a statute of limitations, meaning that if you do not file a lawsuit within a specific timeframe you will lose your right to pursue legal action.

The statutes of limitations for different types of personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits are set by the Ohio legislature.  Below are links to Ohio’s statutes of limitations for a few common types of personal injury lawsuits:

• Bodily Injury and Injury to Personal Property (including injuries sustained in a car accident)
• Medical Malpractice
• Product Liability
  

While statutes of limitations typically allow for at least a year in which to file a lawsuit, a year or two can pass faster than you might think.  When you or a loved one are injured, your life can be turned upside down.  Among other things, you may need to seek lengthy medical treatment or rehabilitation, deal with combative insurance companies, figure out how to deal with the short-term financial problem of lost wages, and simply adjust to the day-to-day consequences of living with your injuries.  With all of these changes, many people put off speaking to an attorney because they simply cannot find the time.  But, unfortunately, whether your injuries result in minor inconvenience or major life upheaval, the statute of limitations remains the same in a personal injury lawsuit.

If you are injured, do not put off seeking legal counsel.  Contacting an experienced attorney as soon as possible after you are injured will help ensure that you preserve your legal right to file a personal injury lawsuit.  Moreover, an attorney may be able to help you find solutions to the many problems that arise in the immediate aftermath of your injury.

If you or a loved one have been injured, please call the experienced Cleveland personal injury attorneys at Lowe Scott Fisher Co., LPA for a free consultation.