Slip and Fall – Statute of Limitations

Slip and fall accidents need to be filed in a certain time frame

Here is a scenario that many people learn the hard way. A person can be walking down the street and all the sudden slip and fall. They feel a little bit of pain but it doesn't seem to be anything all that bad so they shrug the incident off. If they had broken anything they would surely have noticed a problem right away wouldn't they? Not necessarily.

This same person goes about his business for the next three years. Then, he starts to suffer residual numbness in his arm. As it turns out, he had been walking around with a minor fracture that had gotten worse over time. He realizes that it was that fall three years prior that was the cause of the injury. So, he opts to sue to collect on the significant medical bills that will result from the surgery he will now need. Also, he may need additional compensation since he will be out of work and nursing his recuperating arm.

Ok, how many problems can he pick out in the above scenario? The most obvious would be the fact that over the next to impossible for this individual to compile all the information needed since he has waited three years after the slip and fall accident occurred. Compiling such information 36 months later would be haphazard at best. But, there is an even more ominous problem: the statute of limitations on filing the lawsuit may have expired.

A statute of limitation refers to the time frame one is allowed to file a suit. Once the statute of limitations has expired there is nothing that can be done. The lawsuit would be unable to go forward on statutory grounds. Therefore, it is critical to not waste time as far as filing suit is concerned. Also, if you are injured in a slip and fall accident is best to seek medical attention right away and make sure there is nothing seriously wrong. Immediately thereafter, you should explore your legal options as waiting to long to bring suit could work against you.