Personal Injury Statute of Limitations

Illinois law states that “Actions for damages for an injury to the person…shall be commenced within two years next after the cause of action accrued.”

What that is basically stating is that if you are injured due to the negligence of another person, you have two years to file the complaint in court. To clarify when the two-year timer begins, it starts on the date of the incident that caused the injuries.

Whether you’re looking for a Joliet personal injury lawyer or a Cicero car accident lawyer, call the highly experienced, trustworthy Chicago personal injury attorneys at Shea Law Group for your free consultation.

Are There Any Exceptions?

There are a few outlying factors where the state will allow you to file after the two-year deadline has passed. Some examples of these exceptions include:

• If you were suffering from a legal disability at the time of the incident, you will then have two years to file your claim once the disability status has been removed
• If you are diagnosed with a legal disability after the incident, and before the lawsuit is filed, that will extend your deadline
• If you were under the age of 18 at the time, you are granted a two-year period after you have turned 18
• If the person who caused the injuries left Illinois after the incident, and before the lawsuit was filed, their period of absence will most likely not be counted as part of the two years

Any time there has been an injury in an auto accident, construction accident, or other personal injury claims, it is best to contact a lawyer immediately. Call the law offices of Shea Law Group today to discuss your case with a knowledgeable personal injury attorney.

Did You Miss the Deadline?

If you waited more than two years to file your personal injury lawsuit, the defendant and their attorney will most likely file a “motion to dismiss.” And, if you don’t fall under one of the above-listed exceptions, the court will most definitely grant their motion, and your case will be dismissed.

It’s important to contact an attorney right away to get everything in order for what will most likely be a long, drawn-out process.

Contact Shea Law Group Today

If you or someone you love has been injured in an accident caused by someone (or something) else, give us a call today so we can discuss your options. With offices in Chicago, Naperville, Cicero, Rockford, and other suburbs, we have a convenient location for you.