An injured person loses the right to make a claim regardless of the seriousness of the injuries or the fact that the responsible person or company may be clearly at fault if a lawsuit is not filed within certain time periods.
WARNING! Please note that the law limits the time within which you may file a lawsuit. Allowing too much time to pass may forever bar you from bringing a claim. These time limits can be complicated and confusing. I am not providing any opinion as to the date by which you must file any claim or lawsuit against any person or company you feel is responsible for your injuries. IT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT TO CONSULT AN ATTORNEY IMMEDIATELY IF YOU HAVE ANY INTENTION TO FILE A LAWSUIT.
As a guideline, California law generally requires that a person who claims damages for personal injuries due to the fault (negligence) of another person or company must file a lawsuit within TWO (2) YEARS from the date of the accident.
As a guideline, California law requires that a lawsuit against a health care provider, (hospital, doctor, nurse, etc.) for injury or death caused by professional negligence must be filed within ONE (1) YEAR after the date of injury, or within THREE (3) YEARs after the person discovers, or through the use of reasonable diligence should have discovered, the injury, whichever occurs first. A lawsuit may be barred by either the one-year or the three-year period, and the “date of injury” that begins the running of the limitations period may be different for purposes of each of those periods.
As a guideline, California law may have a different time limitation to file a lawsuit on behalf of a child.
As a guideline, California law may have a different time limitation to file a lawsuit if you are a victim of a sexual assault or sexual abuse.