Time limits
The law states that court proceedings have to be issued within a certain time known as the limitation period. The time limits are strict and set out in the Limitation Act 1980.
If you do not comply with the limitation period that applies to your claim, you are likely to lose for ever the chance to make your claim.
All negligence claims are subject to time limits and it is therefore important that you do not delay in making your claim as soon as you know that something has gone wrong.
Most personal injury claims must be issued at court within three years of the date of the accident. For accidents to children the claim must be issued no later than their 21st birthday.
Exceptions do occur for example where: you did not know you had the disease in which case the 3 years runs from when you did know or ought to have known you had the disease; you did not have mental capacity for some of the three year period.
There are different time limits for accidents overseas or on planes or boats.
If you are not within 3 years we can give you advice. There may still be a way of making your claim.