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 some instances, there are various exceptions to the statutes of limitation that may extend or limit the limitation periods. There may be special claims presentation requirements for claims against state and local government. For example, in Utah, governmental agencies must receive notice within one year of the time the claim arises. Some limitation periods are tolled for claimants who are minors or mentally incompetent. For these reasons, it is important to consult an attorney as early as possible to be sure you don't miss a crucial deadline.
In Utah, most actions for personal injury caused by negligence must be brought within four years from the date when the cause of action accrues. In many cases, the cause of action accrues on the date of the incident, but there may be exceptions when the injury could not have reasonably been discovered until a later date. For intentional acts such as libel, slander, assault and battery, the statute of limitations is one year. The limitation period for wrongful death cases is two years. The statute of limitations for product liability cases is two years. Medical malpractice claims generally must be brought within two years from the date when the injury was or should have been discovered, with a maximum limit of four years after the alleged wrongful act.
Other Utah Personal Injury FAQs
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Q:
I Was Injured. Can I File A Lawsuit Against The Party That Caused My Injury?
A: In general, when a person is injured as a result of another person's negligence, the injured party may pursue a claim against the party or parties that caused the … 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: Whether or not you should hire an attorney to assist you with your personal injury case is sometimes a difficult decision. There are some situations for which … 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: Although most of us would prefer to avoid filing a lawsuit or going to court, it is sometimes necessary to pursue litigation to get full value for your claim. … More -
Q:
What Damages Can I Recover?
A: You are entitled to recover for any actual damages that were proximately caused by the wrongful conduct of the defendant. Actual damages refers to the amount of money … More -
Q:
How Can I Determine How Much My Claim Is Worth?
A: Attorneys are prohibited from promising that they will obtain a certain amount of money for you. For purposes of settlement, a claim is valued upon an estimate of … More
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