If you are injured in an accident, oftentimes the last thing that may be on your mind is starting a lawsuit. However, your injuries may be severely impacting your ability to work, to interact with your family and to live your daily life. And, more often than not, if your injuries were the result of someone else’s negligence, your attempts to recover compensation from the other party’s insurance company may not be as successful as you would like. That’s the time when you may have to consider filing a lawsuit to recover for your injuries.
When it comes to filing a lawsuit, timing is critical. All states have a time limit for when a lawsuit must be filed. This is called the statute of limitations which defines the time limits in which an individual may file a civil claim. This time limit ensures that claims are filed while evidence is still available, and it also prevents a party from threatening to sue long after a conflict has been resolved.
In Georgia, the statute of limitations varies significantly according to the type of claim. There is a two-year statute of limitations for personal injuries and fraud, while the state enforces a four-year statute of limitations for trespassing, debt collection, and injuries to personal property. A civil suit alleging libel or slander must be filed within one year, and medical or other professional malpractice claims must be made within two years or a maximum of five years after the act.