When you suffer injuries because of someone else’s negligence, it is important to know how long you have to take legal action. State law places a strict time limit on filing personal injury lawsuits, and missing that deadline can permanently eliminate your right to compensation. Understanding the statute of limitations in Coral Gables personal injury claims could be the first critical step toward protecting your future.
If you are unsure how much time you have left to act, speak with an attorney as soon as possible. At Werner, Hoffman, Greig & Garcia, we help injured residents throughout the area navigate their legal options. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless we secure compensation on your behalf.
Effective March 24, 2023, under Florida Statute § 95.11(3)(a) , the standard filing window for most negligence-based cases was reduced from four years to two years. This means that if you suffered injuries in a car collision, a slip and fall, or any other incident caused by another party’s carelessness, you typically have two years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit in civil court.
This filing deadline applies to most personal injury claims in Coral Gables involving private individuals and businesses. Once the deadline passes, courts will typically refuse to hear your claim, regardless of how clear the evidence of negligence may be. Waiting too long is a risk no injured person should take.
The state recognizes several important exceptions that can alter the standard filing deadline. For personal injury cases involving minors, under Fla. Stat. § 95.051, the statute of limitations is paused until the child’s 18th birthday. However, a hard limit applies: no lawsuit can be filed more than seven years after the date of the incident, regardless of the child’s age at the time of the injury.
Claims against government bodies carry their own separate requirements. If your injury involves the City of Coral Gables, Miami-Dade County, or another government entity, you are required to submit a written notice of claim to the appropriate agency within three years before you can file a lawsuit. Failing to meet this notice requirement can bar your claim entirely before it reaches a courtroom.
Not every injury is apparent at the scene of an accident. In some personal injury cases, harm may not become clear until days or weeks after the event. Under the state’s discovery rule, the filing period can begin from the date you knew or reasonably should have known that your injury was connected to another person’s negligence, rather than from the exact date of the incident.
This provision offers important relief for people dealing with delayed diagnoses or injuries that develop gradually. However, it does not extend the filing deadline for a Coral Gables personal injury claim indefinitely. Our attorneys at Werner, Hoffman, Greig & Garcia could review the specifics of your situation and help you determine whether this exception applies.
Filing deadlines in personal injury matters are firm, and missing yours can cost you the compensation you need to recover. Quick action gives you the best chance of a strong outcome.
We understand the statute of limitations in Coral Gables personal injury claims and are prepared to act on your behalf without delay. Contact Werner, Hoffman, Greig & Garcia today for a free consultation, and let our team start building a powerful case for you.
