What Is the Statute Of Limitations on Personal Injury Claims in Illinois?

If you were injured or lost a loved one in a preventable accident, you could legally sue the negligent party for monetary damages. File the claim with help from a personal injury lawyer in Palos Heights so you can get the maximum compensation you deserve. However, this right has an expiration date – two years.
 
Statutes Of Limitations for Personal Injury Cases in Illinois
You have two years to file a personal injury claim, but the duration can change per injury sustained. Some legal issues can also increase the time limit per the statute of limitations.
 
Exceptions
There are several exceptions to the two-year statute of limitations limit, which can push back the timeline. Some of these include the following:

• Suppose the person was under 18 years of age when they were injured. In this case, the limit can be extended till they turn 18 years old.
• If the negligent party that caused the injuries left the state after the incident and before the plaintiff can file a lawsuit, their absence will not be counted as part of the limitations.
• If the injured party was mentally or physically disabled during the incident, they have two years to file the lawsuit after the disability is removed.
• If the injured party suffers a legal disability after the incident that injured them and before they had the chance to file a lawsuit, the timeline can be increased till after it is removed.

 
Statute Of Limitations for Medical Malpractice In Illinois
You don’t have to be injured in an accident to file a personal injury claim. If a doctor messed up a surgery, their patient could sue them for medical malpractice, which is also the same type of claim. This claim has to be filed within two years from when the patient or plaintiff suing on behalf of them knew or reasonably knew that a doctor’s mistake caused harm. You cannot file the claim more than four years after the mistake occurred. The case will not be considered.
 
If the victim of the medical malpractice was less than 18 years of age when they were harmed, the claim has to be filed within eight years from the date of the mistake. The plaintiff cannot bring the case forward after turning 22 years old.
 
Contact Michael D. Ettinger & Associates for a Legal Consultation
If you or someone you know has been injured because of a preventable incident, you have the right to sue them and get compensation for damages. Get in touch with a personal injury lawyer in Palos Heights, such as Michael D. Ettinger, for a consultation before the statute of limitations on your case runs out.
 
We offer proactive counseling to prevent future disputes and ensure you get the compensation you deserve. Our long and successful track record of satisfied clients speaks for itself. Clients from Palos Heights and beyond know that they can easily turn to our firm to help overcome a range of legal challenges. The longer you wait, the weaker your case will get. Evidence can be hidden or destroyed without your knowledge. Take action today.