If you have experienced a personal injury for which someone else may be at-fault, it is important to know your rights. In Massachusetts, you have a limited amount of time to pursue compensation for those injuries. This includes insurance settlements claims and or actual lawsuits. Here’s what you should know about the statute of limitations for personal injury cases in Massachusetts.

Deadlines to File Suit

The statute of limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit in a court of law is three (3) years from the date of the personal injury accident. There may be exceptions for what is called latent injuries. These are injuries that aren’t known to be related to an accident until a later time. For instance, you may have been examined and cleared by a doctor after an accident but learn years later that you sustained an internal injury that was too minor to initially detect. In such cases, the clock starts ticking when you “discover” the injury.

Negotiations and Delays in Filing Suit

What happens in cases where you are trying to avoid a lawsuit by discussing a settlement with an insurance company? If the three year deadline is approaching and the claim is not already settled, you may want to file a suit anyway to preserve your rights. The three year statute of limitations applies regardless of negotiations, so you do not want the time frame to lapse.

Legal Assistance with Personal Injury Cases in Massachusetts

Regardless of which path you choose to follow, settlements or lawsuits, it is critical that you receive legal representation from an experienced personal injury attorney in Massachusetts. Your attorney can explain your rights and options, helping you make good decisions regarding your case. Taking the appropriate steps and precautions can allow you to receive just compensation for your personal injuries.

For questions or assistance regarding the Statute of Limitations for personal injury cases in Massachusetts, contact the team at Martino Law Group.