When a person suffers harm due to someone else’s actions or negligence, they may have the right to seek compensation for their injuries.
In Texas, as in many other states, time plays a key role in personal injury claims. Personal injury claims are subject to a time constraint, meaning that the clock starts ticking from the moment the injury occurs.
Two-year rule
Under Texas law, personal injury claims typically have a two-year statute of limitations. This means that an injured individual must initiate their legal action within two years of the date of the injury. Failure to do so could result in the courts dismissing the claim.
Exceptions to the rule
While the two-year rule is a general guideline, Texas law recognizes that not all personal injury cases fit neatly into this framework. There are certain situations where the statute of limitations may be different.
In some cases, the injury may not be immediately evident, such as with medical malpractice or toxic exposure. In such instances, the statute of limitations may start from the discovery date of the injury rather than when it occurred. Additionally, if the injured party is a minor at the time of the injury, the statute of limitations may not begin until they reach the age of 18.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, 25.5 million people visited emergency rooms due to unintentional injuries. If another party is responsible, being aware of the statute of limitations for a personal injury claim is important to protect your rights and ensure that you have a fair chance to seek compensation for your injuries.
