When you are the victim in a personal injury case, you need to understand that you do not have all the time in the world to seek redress for your damages and injuries. A clock is ticking. Personal injury lawsuits must be filed within certain deadlines. If you fail to meet the deadline for your particular type of injury, you are likely to be barred from bringing a lawsuit. It is important that you take the right steps to preserve evidence and to preserve your ability to mount a successful lawsuit.
Be wise and speak with an experienced lawyer as soon as possible after your accident or injury occurs so you can move forward with obtaining the fair compensation you deserve and do not run afoul of the statute of limitations.
Maryland statutes of limitations for personal injury cases include the following:
- Personal injury: The Maryland statute of limitations for a personal injury is three years, generally calculated from the date the accident occurs or the date you know or reasonably should have known of the wrong.
- Property damage: There is a three-year statute of limitations for property damage from the date the damage to the property occurred.
- Assault, libel or slander: A one-year statute of limitations is the standard for these injuries.
- Products liability: Three years is the products liability lawsuit statute of limitations.
- Wrongful death: A three-year statute of limitations applies in wrongful death situations.
- Medical malpractice. A three- or five-year statute of limitations may apply, depending on the circumstances.
An attorney can explain the intricacies of how the statutes of limitations apply to your particular situation.
