What is the personal injury statute of limitations in Connecticut? The personal injury statute of limitations in Connecticut is two years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit against the at-fault party.
There are some exceptions to this rule, but most victims must act within just two years to obtain compensation. If you wait longer than that time and do not qualify for exceptions, you are barred from recovering damages in the case. Talk to a Connecticut personal injury lawyer today.
Meet with a Personal Injury Attorney as Soon as Possible
Although you have two years to file, it’s best to meet with an attorney early to ensure all expenses—like medical bills and lost wages—are properly documented. Your attorney will need time to navigate your case, including taking steps such as:
- Investigating what happened: During this stage, your attorney will seek evidence to determine who is at fault for your injuries. Evidence like this is critical and may be challenging to obtain.
- Gather information about what your injuries are and the other losses you have: This means speaking to your doctors, employers, and other parties to document what your losses are. Your lawyer will gather all the data possible to document the value of your case.
- Negotiate with the insurance company: Long before filing a lawsuit, your lawyer will work to gather information and resources, negotiate with the at-fault party’s insurance company, and try to come to a conclusion.
Recovering damages outside of court is often beneficial to all parties. It saves you time and money on the legal process, and often, insurance companies are more willing to negotiate with you to avoid going to trial. However, all of this must be done within the statute of limitations because, if negotiations fail, you then need to be able to file a lawsuit within that time limit.
English 
Spanish 
Portugese 
Your Statute of Limitations May Differ
It is important to meet with an attorney because your particular type of injury may be limited by a statute other than Conn. Gen. Stat. 52-584.
Not all cases have the same Connecticut personal injury statute of limitations, but rather may have an alternative limitation based on the type of claim you are filing.
Your lawyer will be able to provide clarity on what applies in your situation. Some of the types of cases and limits that apply to them include the following:
- Personal injury in general: This applies to most cases of negligence. You have two years from the date the incident occurred. If you did not discover the injury right away, such as learning about exposure months later, you have up to three years in total from when you sustained the injury to seek legal action.
- Wrongful death cases: If a person lost their life because of the negligence of another person, the statute of limitations is two years from the date of the person’s death in most cases. Immediate family members can take action within that timeframe to obtain compensation.
- Medical malpractice: The statute of limitations for medical malpractice is two years from the discovery of the incident, with a maximum of three years from the date the incident occurred. This can be confusing in medical malpractice cases since it often begins when the provider makes errors in providing your care.
Because of these complexities, it is never wise to wait to seek legal help. The sooner you do, the faster your case can move from settlement to a lawsuit if it is necessary to do so. That may preserve your ability to obtain compensation for the losses owed to you. Review our FAQs to learn more.
Note the Exceptions to the Statute of Limitations
There are some situations in which exceptions may apply to the statute of limitations in Connecticut. We do not encourage you to rely on these exemptions, as they require court approval.
However, there are some cases in which the court may award you more time to take legal action.
- Fraudulent concealment: If the responsible party deliberately hides their actions, the court may grant you additional time to file.
- Minors: If you were under the age of 18 at the time of the accident, and your parents failed to take any legal steps to recover damages, you have two years from your 18th birthday to take action in a court of law.
- Fleeing the state: In situations where the person at fault flees the state, that can make it hard for you to take legal action. The statute of limitations is paused until they return.
These limitations do not always apply. And, other scenarios may shorten the length of time you have, such as if you are filing a claim against the government. Our case results show our history of success.
Call a Personal Injury Lawyer Today
As soon as you suspect personal injury, hire an attorney to get the legal guidance you need. The team at The Law Offices of James A. Welcome is here to protect your rights.
Call us today to schedule a free consultation. You have a limited time to meet the Connecticut statute of limitations for personal injury.
