How much time do I have to file a personal injury lawsuit?

A personal injury occurs when a person causes or is at-fault for a harm or injury to people or their property. The victim of a personal injury may have injuries and damages as a result of the incident, which may affect their physical, financial and emotional well-being. To recover compensation for their losses, the injured party may file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault party.

Pennsylvania law sets time limits to file lawsuits. This time limit is known as the statute of limitations. Different types of cases have different statutes of limitation. Personal injury cases may occur due to acts that are intentional, negligent, or strict liability. For each basis, the injured party typically has two years from the date of the injury to file a personal injury lawsuit.

Although the statute of limitations is two years, the clock does not automatically begin on the date of the exposure. Instead, the time begins on the date that occurs first between:

  • The date a licensed physician informs the injured party that he has been injured by asbestos exposure; or
  • The date person knew or should have known he had an injury caused by exposure to asbestos.

If someone wants to file a personal injury lawsuit, they must meet the statutory deadline or be barred from filling the lawsuit.

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