Connecticut Personal Injury Statute of Limitations [Updated]

If you believe that another party is responsible for injuring you or a family member, you may have grounds to file a personal injury claim and seek compensation for your losses. However, it is vital to understand the Connecticut personal injury statute of limitations, which dictates the time limit you have to file your claim and pursue compensation.

Connecticut Personal Injury Statute of Limitations

The statute of limitations is the time you have to file a particular type of case. In Connecticut, the standard statute of limitations for most personal injury cases is two years, meaning the plaintiff must file their claim with the court no later than two years after the date their injury happened or the date they discovered the harm done by another party.

This may sound like plenty of time to file your case, but the reality is that it may take longer to build a personal injury case than you expect. Additionally, there are special rules for certain types of personal injury cases in Connecticut. For example, if you are filing a medical malpractice case, you may do so no longer than three years from the date your injury happened, even if you do not discover the harm done immediately.

There are also separate rules for filing an injury claim against any public entity or government office. Additionally, such cases also face other restrictions when it comes to the amount of compensation the plaintiff can claim. Ultimately, no matter what type of personal injury case you are filing, it is crucial to hire a Connecticut personal injury lawyer at your first opportunity to ensure you can meet the applicable statute of limitations for your case.

Building Your Personal Injury Case in Connecticut

It is possible for a personal injury case to arise from many situations. For example, the Connecticut Crash Data Repository recorded 103,357 vehicle accidents throughout the state during 2024, and vehicle crashes are a leading cause of personal injuries throughout the United States each year. It is also possible for personal injury cases to pertain to slip-and-fall accidents, incidents in the workplace, criminal acts, and because of defective consumer products.

No matter how your personal injury happened, success with your case could require various types of evidence that may not be obtainable for very long, and you may not know how to obtain them on your own. You should hire a personal injury lawyer right away so they can build your case and determine which statutory deadlines apply.

The goal of a personal injury case is for the injured plaintiff to secure the compensation they need to recover as much as possible from the injury. In some cases, it requires balancing the time required to fully investigate the case and assess the scope of the plaintiff’s claimable damages against the statute of limitations and other procedural rules.

The team at Buckley Wynne & Parese has been serving clients in Connecticut for more than 140 years, and we are confident we can guide you to a positive conclusion to your personal injury case. The statute of limitations is just one of the procedural rules you will need to follow to succeed with your claim, so reach out to our team as soon as you can to learn how a skilled personal injury lawyer can help you recover.

FAQs About Connecticut Personal Injury Statute of Limitations

What Happens if I Do Not File a Personal Injury Case Within the Statute of Limitations?

If you do not file a personal injury case within the statute of limitations, it is likely to be dismissed from the court. The defendant could simply file a motion to dismiss the case on the grounds that you failed to meet the statute of limitations, and you would have minimal legal options in this situation. If you are unsure whether you have grounds to file a case, it’s important to consult a personal injury lawyer right away.

What Is the Date of Discovery in a Personal Injury Case?

In a personal injury case, the date of discovery is the date that the plaintiff discovered the harm done by the plaintiff. Some personal injuries are not immediately recognizable, and it is also possible for a victim to suffer an injury but fail to realize that another party caused it right away. The date of discovery can be the start of the statute of limitations when a plaintiff cannot immediately recognize the cause of their injury, or if the injury was not immediately noticeable.

Why Should I Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer?

You should hire a personal injury lawyer to maximize your chance of success with your case. Even if the fault for your injury seems clear, the reality is that you could encounter a host of complications that you will not know how to resolve on your own. When it comes to meeting the Connecticut personal injury statute of limitations, you are more likely to do so if you have a skilled attorney representing you.

How Long Does It Take to Settle a Personal Injury Case in Connecticut?

The time it could take to settle a personal injury case in Connecticut will vary based on multiple factors. When a defendant is clearly responsible for causing the injury, they may be inclined to settle the case swiftly through pretrial settlement negotiations. If both parties are willing to compromise, it is generally much faster than litigation. Your attorney can estimate your case’s most likely timetable.

Do I Need to Settle My Personal Injury Case Within the Statute of Limitations?

No, you do not need to settle your personal injury case within the statute of limitations. The Connecticut personal injury statute of limitations applies to the filing of the case with the court. You must file it within the statute of limitations or lose your chance to claim compensation from the defendant. If you do not meet the statute of limitations, your case will be dismissed regardless of its merits.

The team at Buckley Wynne & Parese has the skills and experience necessary for resolving the most challenging personal injury cases in Connecticut. We strive to help each client maximize their recovery as efficiently as possible, and trust our team to help you meet all procedural deadlines for filing your case, including the statute of limitations. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with a personal injury attorney and learn how we can help.