The Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Cases

The saying, “accidents happen,” definitely does not go unnoticed in the legal world. And when they happen to you as a result of another’s negligence, you can be eligible for financial compensation.

If you are a victim of personal injury after an automobile accident, medical malpractice, or slip and fall among other incidents, there are legal policies dictating the amount of time you have to file a lawsuit. These laws are called a statute of limitations, and, as a Missouri resident, you are entitled to know how long you have to file a personal injury case.

How Long Do You Have to Seek Justice?

According to Section 516.120 of the Revised Missouri Statutes, for most personal injury cases, you have five years to pursue legal action from the date of the incident. However, slight exceptions occur if you are the victim of medical malpractice or someone you know is the victim of wrongful death. For the former, the Missouri statute of limitations gives you up to two years to file a case and up to three years for the latter.

Also important to note is the statute of limitation for an injury caused by the use of a defective product. While you have the standard five years to bring this type of case to court, it starts from the date of the injury — not the date you learned the defective product was the cause of injury.

No matter how long the Missouri statute of limitations gives you to file a personal injury case, you should always seek the guidance of a personal injury attorney to review the facts of your case, gather the evidence you need, and win you the compensation and justice you deserve.

Why It’s Important to Hire a Personal Injury Attorney

When seeking compensation from them in personal injury cases, insurance companies will do anything to give you as little money as possible. By hiring a trusted personal injury attorney in the Cape Girardeau area to negotiate on your behalf, you’ll have a much better chance of successfully receiving the compensation you are owed before the statute of limitations times out.

Find a Personal Injury Attorney Missouri Trusts

If you or someone you know wants to bring a personal injury case, trust the licensed and equipped legal experts at Lanzotti & Rau. With decades of experience, Lanzotti & Rau’s team of personal injury attorney Missouri professionals have the expertise to bring your case to victory. And we only get paid when you do, charging no upfront or hidden fees.

To learn more about our personal injury legal services or how we handle our cases, call us today at 573-335-9300 and schedule a free consultation.