How Long Do I Have To Hire An Attorney?

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How Long Do I Have To Hire An Attorney?

The law requires that you file a lawsuit within a specified period of time depending on the nature of the claim and the entity that caused your injury. This is referred to as the statute of limitations. Failure to file suit within this time frame prevents you from filing suit at all. In the District of Columbia, a claim for personal injuries must be commenced within three years. Claimants who are either under the age of eighteen, mentally incompetent or imprisoned may bring their action within three years from removal of their disability. A wrongful death action must be brought within one year from the date of death.

For lawsuits brought against public entities, there are statutes which often require lawsuits be brought within a very short period of time, and only after written notice of the injury has been given to the government. For example, for claims against the District of Columbia, written notice of the claim must be presented within six months after the date the injury was sustained.

Other District of Columbia Personal Injury FAQs

Q: I Was Injured. Can I File A Lawsuit Against The Party That Caused My Injury?
A: You can make a claim against another party or parties if they are at fault for your injuries. If your own negligence was a partial cause of your injuries, you will be … More
Q: Who Is Responsible When A Person Is Injured?
A: The law of personal injury is concerned with determining who may be responsible for your injuries and how much they should be required to pay for your damages. … More
Q: How Do I Decide If I Need To Hire An Attorney?
A: There are situations where an attorney is unnecessary, such as very small cases. Small claims court in the District of Columbia will handle claims up to $5000. If … More
Q: How Much Will An Attorney Cost?
A: Most attorneys who believe a case has merit will take the case without payment up front. They will take the case on a contingency basis, which means they will receive … More
Q: How Will My Claim Be Processed?
A: You should be sure not to sign any documents without prior review by an attorney. You need to attend all scheduled doctor appointments in order to document your … More
Q: What Damages Can I Recover?
A: You can recover your actual economic losses such as the costs of reasonable and necessary medical care, property damage, car rental expenses, costs of domestic … More
Q: How Can I Determine How Much My Claim Is Worth?
A: For purposes of settlement, a claim is valued upon an estimate of what a jury would likely believe the case to be worth, taking into account the severity of the … More