Whether you were involved in a car crash, medical malpractice, slip and fall, workplace incident, or any other type of accident, understanding the regulations and rules surrounding personal injury law is imperative in protecting your legal rights and options. Regardless of the evidence or merit your case has, if you miss the deadline to file a claim or lawsuit, you will lose out on your chance to recover compensation. Continue reading to learn more about the statute of limitations for personal injury claims in New Jersey. Contact Falcon Law Firm to secure skilled representation from a New Jersey personal injury lawyer today.
What Does “Statute of Limitations” Mean?
Statute of limitations refers to a legal standard that sets the maximum time period during which an individual can initiate legal action after an event has occurred. For example, when an individual causes a car accident and injures another person, they can be held liable for the damages. However, there is a statute of limitations put in place, meaning a time limit on when a claim or lawsuit can be filed against the at-fault party. If the victim does not initiate legal proceedings before the time limit expires, they lose the right to pursue compensation and damages.
States impose a statute of limitations to ensure that claims and lawsuits are settled while the evidence is still fresh and reliable, and to protect defendants from unfair legal action. It also encourages resolving legal disputes in a timely manner to reduce the number of active claims and lawsuits, preventing backlogs in the legal system.
What is the Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury in NJ?
Most incidents, both criminal and civil, have a statute of limitations. The time frame will vary depending on the situation that warrants legal action and the state or jurisdiction the incident occurred. In New Jersey, the standard statute of limitations for personal injury claims is two years from the date of the injury.
This is enshrined in NJ Revised Statutes § 2A:14-2, which states “Except as otherwise provided by law, every action at law for an injury to the person caused by the wrongful act, neglect or default of any person within this State shall be commenced within two years next after the cause of any such action shall have accrued…”
You have two years from the date of your accident to initiate legal proceedings for a claim or lawsuit. If you fail to do so before the statute of limitations expires, you will be unable to pursue legal action and recover compensation.
Protecting your rights and options after an injury is crucial. To learn more and obtain experienced legal advice, contact an attorney at Falcon Law Firm today.
