Time is a key factor in filing a personal injury lawsuit in Ohio. The statute of limitations is the amount of time a person has to file a claim.
After this period, an individual may lose the right to pursue compensation.
Each state sets the time limits for someone to file a personal injury lawsuit. Statutes of limitations vary from state to state and from claim to claim. This blog will identify the time to file a personal injury claim in Ohio.
What is a Personal Injury Claim in Ohio?
According to Ohio law, a personal injury occurs when the negligence of another party harms an individual. This includes physical, emotional, or mental harm. Some examples of personal injury include:
- Car or truck accidents.
- Bicycle accidents.
- Pedestrian accidents.
- Slip and fall accidents.
- Medical malpractice.
- Workplace injuries.
- Dog bites.
- Product liability.
A personal injury lawsuit is the way to pursue financial compensation for economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages can include property loss, medical expenses and even the cost of treatment. Non-economic damages include emotional damages or loss of enjoyment of life.
Statute of Limitations in Ohio
Statute 2305.10 provides that personal injury victims in Ohio have two years from the date of the injury to file a claim. This measure applies to victims of auto accidents (including truck, motorcycle, pedestrian, and bicycle accidents), dog bites, product liability, and slip-and-fall accidents.
In cases of wrongful death, the family of the deceased has two years from the date of death to file a claim.
The defendant may dismiss a lawsuit filed outside the statute of limitations. However, there are multiple exceptions. One of the most common exceptions occurs when a person notices symptoms of an injury weeks, months, or even years after an accident. In these cases, the statute of limitations begins when the injury is discovered.
If you or a loved one has been the victim of one of these cases, you should speak with an experienced attorney. The personal injury attorney can provide personalized advice and answer your specific questions.