Time Limits
- There is a three-year time limit for making most claims, so seek advice as soon as possible.
- Occasionally the three-year limit doesn't apply, seek advice from a solicitor.
- Sometimes the time limit is shorter, assault claims and accidents at sea may be two years, and time limits abroad may be shorter.
Don't delay in seeking specialist advice to help decide if you have a claim. Most claims are settled without the need for court proceedings, but if court action does become necessary it must generally be started no later than three years from the date of the accident, sometimes earlier.
There are two exceptions to the three-year rule:
Exception 1: If you were under the age of 18 when the accident occurred.
If this is the case, the three years only starts to run from your 18th birthday.
For example, the accident happened when you were 14 years old. Your can claim right up to your 21st birthday (three years after your 18th).
Note: This age limit applies in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. In Scotland the three years starts from your 16th birthday, so if the accident happened when you were aged 14 you could claim right up to your 19th birthday.
Exception 2: At the time of the accident you did not know you had been injured (the injury may surface many years later); or you did not realise your injury had been caused by someone being negligent, for example, deafness claims.
Even if you found out many years after the accident, the three years may start from the day you found out. A solicitor will be able to tell you more about the possibility of making a claim.
You should try to see a solicitor as quickly as possible after an accident. However, even if you have left it many months, or even a couple of years or more, you may still have a valid claim, if you act swiftly.
However, solicitors may be unable to begin a claim if you are within a few days of the time limit. This is because it takes time to prepare a case before proceedings can be started.
Please don't hesitate to contact us for more details.