The Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Claims in Pennsylvania

When you decide that you are going to file a personal injury claim against another party or entity, you will only have a limited time to do so. The timeframe that you have to file your claim will depend on the state where your accident took place and the laws there. The window of time that you have to file your claim is called the statute of limitations.

If you were injured in an accident in Pennsylvania, and you have questions about your ability to file a claim for financial compensation, you are welcome to reach out to the Philadelphia personal injury attorneys at Edelstein Martin & Nelson, LLP. With a proven track record of success helping injured victims get the compensation they need, the attorneys at Edelstein Martin & Nelson, LLP, will help you obtain justice after your injury accident.

Pennsylvania’s Statute of Limitations

Pennsylvania’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims is usually two years if it is being filed against a private party or entity. This means that after an accident, one only has two years to start the claims process and work towards obtaining compensation. Sometimes, though, only after a victim realizes they were harmed will that two-year clock start to run. 

When filing a claim against a government entity, then a victim has a much shorter amount of time to act. They must file a notice of intent to sue within six months of their injury accident. 

A personal injury claim can include several losses for financial recompense. Depending on the details of an injury case, a claimant may include many damages they suffered, such as pain and suffering, the cost of medical treatment, the wages they lost when they were unable to work, and payment for property damages.

Personal injury events cover a wide range of accidents. Some of the most common personal injury events are:

• Car accidents
• Truck accidents
• Motorcycle accidents
• Slip and fall accidents/premise liability
• Product liability
• Construction accidents
• Medical malpractice

The reason why states set a statute of limitations is to make sure that legal disputes take place in a reasonable amount of time. If there is no limit on when a victim decides to file, then a potentially liable party has to unfairly be burdened with a legal suit for a prolonged length of time. Additionally, evidence gathering is best done as soon after an accident. Victims who want to file a claim do themselves an injustice if they wait too long to start the process. The amount of evidence and the strength of it can be lacking when too much time goes by.

Speak to an Attorney at Edelstein Martin & Nelson, LLP Today

It is important that after an injury accident, you do not delay in getting the medical treatment you need for your physical bodily harm. Then, it is usually a good idea to take your case to a lawyer who can evaluate it, advise you of your options, and if you have a claim, provide you with legal representation.

To schedule a free consultation, please call Edelstein Martin & Nelson, LLP, today at  (215) 731-9900.