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In Georgia, the statute of limitations refers to the specific time period during which an individual must exercise their legal rights, or else they will lose the ability to take legal action. Typically, the statute of limitations in Georgia is two years, but some situations may affect this timeline. In the post below, we will review these timelines in more detail, specifically how they relate to a slip and fall accident, and also explain how an experienced Georgia personal injury attorney can help with this process and ensure you do not run out of time to file your legal claim.
Georgia’s Statute of Limitations for a Slip and Fall
In Georgia, most individuals have two years from the date of an accident to file an injury claim. This time limit applies to various types of accidents, including motor vehicle accidents, slip and fall accidents, and defective product accidents. The two-year statute of limitations also applies to eligible surviving family members looking to file a wrongful death suit following the loss of a loved one due to a deadly accident. If individuals fail to file their legal claim within this period, the court can bar them from pursuing their claim.
Can You Extend the Statute of Limitations Deadlines
In certain circumstances, Georgia allows the statute of limitations to be suspended. This means that the period of time during which legal action must be taken will not start from the date of the personal injury but will be paused for a certain period. The personal injury statute of limitations may be suspended under the following circumstances:
- The individual injured in the accident is a minor
- The individual injured is not of sound mind
- The wrongful party took steps to obstruct the filing of a personal injury lawsuit
However, to better understand how long you have to file your personal injury case following a slip and fall accident in Georgia, consider consulting with an experienced Georgia personal injury attorney to learn more about these deadlines.
Personal Injury Claims Against the Government
If you are considering filing a personal injury legal claim against a government entity in Georgia following a slip and fall accident, it is important to note that there are special timelines that may apply in these cases. For instance, to file an injury claim against the state, you will have one year to provide them with notice of the claim. Only after the notice of claim has been provided can you file a lawsuit. In addition, pursuing legal action against the government is more complicated than suing a business or property owner due to the longstanding concept of sovereign immunity.
How Can a Georgia Personal Injury Attorney Help With These Timelines?
Although lawyers cannot make you forget what happened after an injury caused by someone else’s negligence, they can help you seek compensation from the responsible parties. When you work with a skilled personal injury attorney from Georgia, these legal professionals can help you determine not only whether you have a viable legal case and the legal options you can pursue but they can also determine how much time you have to file your legal claim, as well as ensure all the appropriate documentation and motions are submitted before time runs out.
Contact Richard D. Hobbs & Associates For Further Information About Filing Deadlines
If you or a loved one has been hurt in a slip and fall accident in Georgia and you want to know how much time you have to pursue your legal case, contact Richard D. Hobbs & Associates today to get your questions answered and learn how our legal team can help you.