• Home
  • Attorneys
    • Attorneys
    • John K. Zaid
    • Ryan E. Bill
    • Sarah C. Cloud
    • Kashif M. Mehmood
    • Antonio Cabrera Jr.
    • Danielle R. Garcia
    • William W. Reade III
    • Jerry W. Mason
    • No Win No Fee
  • Types of Injuries
    • Birth Injury Lawyer Houston
    • Brain Injury Lawyer Houston
    • Burn Injuries Lawyer Houston
    • Catastrophic Injuries Lawyer Houston
    • Dog Bites Lawyer Houston
    • Medical Malpractice Lawyer Houston
    • Maritime Injuries Lawyer Houston
    • Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Houston
    • Premises Liability Lawyer Houston
    • Product Liability Lawyer Houston
    • Wrongful Death Lawyer Houston
  • Types of Accidents
    • Aviation Accidents Lawyer Houston
    • Construction Accidents Lawyer Houston
    • Car Accident Lawyer Houston
    • Motorcycle Accidents Lawyer Houston
    • Train Accidents Lawyer Houston
    • Truck Accidents Lawyer Houston
  • Testimonials
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
    • Locations
FREE CASE EVALUATION
JKZ Houston Auto Accident Attorney Logo

281-333-8959

Hours of Operation: Monday - Sunday

Avvo
JKZ Houston Auto Accident Attorney Logo
MENU
  • Home
  • Attorneys
    • Attorneys
    • John K. Zaid
    • Ryan E. Bill
    • Sarah C. Cloud
    • Kashif M. Mehmood
    • Antonio Cabrera Jr.
    • Danielle R. Garcia
    • William W. Reade III
    • Jerry W. Mason
    • No Win No Fee
  • Types of Injuries
    • Birth Injury Lawyer Houston
    • Brain Injury Lawyer Houston
    • Burn Injuries Lawyer Houston
    • Catastrophic Injuries Lawyer Houston
    • Dog Bites Lawyer Houston
    • Medical Malpractice Lawyer Houston
    • Maritime Injuries Lawyer Houston
    • Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Houston
    • Premises Liability Lawyer Houston
    • Product Liability Lawyer Houston
    • Wrongful Death Lawyer Houston
  • Types of Accidents
    • Aviation Accidents Lawyer Houston
    • Construction Accidents Lawyer Houston
    • Car Accident Lawyer Houston
    • Motorcycle Accidents Lawyer Houston
    • Train Accidents Lawyer Houston
    • Truck Accidents Lawyer Houston
  • Testimonials
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
    • Locations
TEXT USTAP TO CALL
Zaid Law
Monday, 16 April 2018 / Published in Uncategorized

How Long Do I Have to File My Case in Houston?

The answer to that question is something called the statute of limitations.  Every state and the federal courts have one. Typically, the statute of limitations controls how long people have to file a negligence or other legal claim.  Like many other areas of the law, the statute of limitations is a balancing act. Tortfeasors (negligent actors) should not have to look over their shoulders in fear of a lawsuit for the rest of their lives.  Likewise, victims should have ample time to realize the extent of their injuries, attach a cause to their damages, and collect evidence to support their positions.

The line must be drawn somewhere, and most states draw the line at different places and in different ways.

Limitation of Actions

In most states, the statute of limitations for most negligence cases is two years.  That includes claims such as slip-and-fall injuries, car crashes, and dog bites.

However, this is only a rule of thumb and the rules vary significantly.  Sometimes, the rules vary within the same state. For example, Georgia’s negligence statute of limitations is usually two years.  But if the tortfeasor was a government employee, special rules may apply under the Georgia Tort Claims Act. The statute of limitations can be as short as one year in these cases.

Statutes of Repose

The rules also vary depending on the type of negligence.  The statute of limitations usually begins running on the date of injury.  But if a defective or dangerous product hurt or killed the victim, some states use a statute of repose.  Unlike the SOL, the SOR begins running on the date the victim purchased the product. For this reason, the statute of repose is usually much longer than the statute of limitations.

Discovery Rule

Things get even more complicated when the injury is a serious illness, such as cancer, as opposed to a broken bone or other trauma injury.  It is often several years, or even several decades, before symptoms appear and the victim connects the illness with a tortious act.

It’s very important to know the rules, and it’s even more important to partner with a personal injury lawyer who knows those rules.

Tweet
Pin
Share
0 Shares

What you can read next

A Landlord’s Responsibilities in Houston Slip and Fall Accidents
Houston Personal Injury Claims Against the Government
Facebook & the Russian Election Influencers: Where Do We Go From Here?

Categories

  • Birth Injury
  • Brain Injury
  • Burn Injuries
  • DWI
  • Legal Advice
  • Medical Malpractice
  • Motor Vehicle Accidents
  • Motorcycle Safety
  • Personal Injury
  • Premises Liability
  • Product Liability
  • Scholarships
  • Truck Accidents
  • Uncategorized
  • Wrongful Death
Request Free Consult

Start here and we will contact you within minutes.

JKZ Houston Auto Accident Attorney Logo

Clear Lake | Webster Tx

16951 Feather Craft Ln
Houston, Texas 77058
Fax: 888-734-1236

Phone: (281) 333-8959

Houston Texas Heights

933 Studewood St., 2nd Floor
Houston, TX 77008

Local: 281-326-9988

Deer Park Texas

4504 Center St.
Deer Park, TX 77536

Local: 713-322-6222

Houston Texas 

4920 Irvington Blvd, Suite B
Houston, TX 77009

Local: (281) 335-4949

Personal Injury Attorney

3411 Richmond Ave. STE 450.
Houston, TX 77046

Local: 281-990-4131

Personal Injury Lawers

17225 EL Camino Real # 115
Houston, Texas 77058

Local: 281-990-4137

Avvo
Looking for a Houston car accident lawyer? Looking for a Houston personal injury lawyer?

If you or a loved one has suffered a serious personal injury, we are here to help. Contact us today online or by telephone at 281-333-8959 to speak with a knowledgeable Houston personal injury lawyer.

At John K. Zaid & Associates our focus is to fight for each one of our clients who have been victimized and injured by the negligent actions of someone else. We aggressively pursue the various insurance companies that may be involved in a client’s case and make sure they pay for all the damages they cause our clients and their loved ones.

1. You don't have to face the legal system alone. A personal injury lawyer can guide you through every step of the process and represent your best interests in court.
2. Personal injury lawyers in Houston have extensive knowledge of the law and know how to build a strong case on your behalf.
3. If you are awarded compensation, your lawyer will make sure you receive it in a timely manner.
4. Personal injury cases can often be resolved outside of court, which means you may not have to go to trial.

© COPYRIGHT 2022. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.  John K. Zaid & Associates. Powered by  F.P.R NETWORKS

TOP CLICK TO CALL NOW