Personal Injury Claim Deadline in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania generally gives a person two years to commence a lawsuit seeking damages for personal injury caused by another person’s wrongful or negligent conduct. The rule appears in 42 Pa.C.S. § 5524 and commonly applies to claims arising from car crashes, falls and other negligence cases.
The date from which the two-year period runs can depend on the circumstances, and exceptions or different notice requirements may apply in particular cases. Claims involving government entities, minors, latent injuries or other unusual facts can raise additional timing issues. A workers’ compensation claim also follows a different statutory scheme, so it should not be treated as an ordinary personal injury lawsuit.
Pennsylvania Two-Year Limitation
The statute of limitations is not the only reason to act promptly. Accident scenes change, video may be overwritten, vehicles are repaired, documents can be lost and witnesses can become difficult to locate. Starting an investigation early can help preserve evidence even if a lawsuit is not immediately necessary.
Do not rely on ongoing insurance negotiations as proof that the filing deadline has been extended. An insurer discussing or investigating a claim does not automatically protect your right to sue.
Why Injury Deadlines Matter
If you are approaching an anniversary of an accident or are unsure when your deadline began, obtain case-specific legal advice promptly. A Pennsylvania personal injury lawyer can identify the applicable limitation period and any special rules affecting the claim. Missing a statutory deadline can prevent an otherwise valid case from being heard, so calculating the correct date is an important early step.