Oregon Statute of Limitations for Injuries
As careful as you might be in your daily life, it is highly unlikely that everyone around you will exercise the same amount of caution. In the unfortunate but not particularly uncommon event that you suffer a personal injury due to someone else’s negligence, you should know a few things about Oregon State’s statutes of limitations beforehand.
- What exactly is a statute of limitation? A statute of limitation is a law that puts a specific time limit on your window of opportunity for creating a civil lawsuit, such as those required to seek compensation for a personal injury. If the time limit expires, there is typically no way for you to create a lawsuit for that particular incident.
- How long do I have to file a personal injury claim in Oregon? For just about any injury suffered in a preventable accident caused by another, you will have two (2) years to file a personal injury claim against them.
- Are there any exceptions to the two year statute of limitation? Nothing in particular is exempt. Wrongful death cases involving an accident do have a three (3) year statute; although, these are decidedly different from injury suits.
- When does the statute begin? A statute of limitation begins as soon as the injury or illness becomes noticeable to a reasonable person. This means that if you suffer a broken bone in a car accident, the statute begins on that day.
- What about statutes for more subtle injuries? Some ailments might not be readily identifiable, even to the person afflicted. Statutes of limitations will begin on the date of onset, or when the injury or illness became a problem. For example: someone who suffers a liver failure from medication they began taking five years ago may still file a lawsuit for medical malpractice because their suffering began with the liver failure, not when they started the prescription.
- Is there any reason to delay filing an injury lawsuit? In many cases, the sooner you file, the better. You do not want to give the negligent or liable party extra time to prepare their side of the story. However, taking some time to gather your evidence or medical records is not necessarily a bad idea. As with any legal case, you should consult with an attorney first before you decide to file a claim or continue your research.
Who Can Help Me File a Claim in Portland?
I, Portland Personal Injury Attorney Timothy Grabe, have been helping those wrongfully injured in Oregon for more than 35 years. If you need help filing a claim or understanding your rights as someone who has been hurt by a negligent party, I strongly encourage you to contact me as soon as possible. All initial consultations are free and I offer contingency fee agreements – meaning you can retain my services with no costs upfront or out-of-pocket. Call 971-645-7176 today for more information.
