When you suffer injury as a result of someone else’s negligence, you deserve compensation.
But did you know that your time to seek compensation is limited?
The amount of time you have to file a personal injury lawsuit in Ohio is governed by the statute of limitations that applies to your claim. Many people refer to this deadline as the Ohio personal injury statute of limitations, which outlines how long injured individuals have to take legal action.
If you do not file before the deadline, you will likely lose your chance to recover for your injury.
It is important to consult a personal injury attorney as soon as possible after your accident to ensure that you file your claim on time.
If the Ohio personal injury statute of limitations has expired, your personal injury attorney can advise you of any exceptions that might give you additional time to file.
Contact us online or call (419) 455-1410 today for a free consultation.
Key Points
- Ohio’s statute of limitations for most personal injury claims is two years from the date of injury, and missing this deadline usually means losing your right to compensation.
- Several exceptions can extend the filing period—including the discovery rule, legal disability (minors or those mentally incapacitated), an out-of-state defendant, or an imprisoned defendant.
- Contacting an Ohio personal injury lawyer immediately is crucial to ensure your claim is filed on time and to determine whether any tolling rules or exceptions apply to your case.
How Long Is the Ohio Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Claims?
Under the Revised Code § 2305.10, the Ohio statute of limitations for personal injury is two years from the date of the injury.
If you miss the deadline, you will most likely lose your opportunity to obtain compensation.
This two-year Ohio negligence statute of limitations applies to things like:
- Car accidents,
- Truck accidents,
- Motorcycle accidents,
- Dog bites,
- Product liability, and
- Slip-and-fall accidents.
For wrongful death cases, you must file a claim within two years of the date of death.
What Happens If I Miss the Filing Deadline?
If you file a personal injury or wrongful death claim after the statute of limitations has expired, the defendant will likely file a motion to dismiss the case. The trial court will grant the motion unless you can show that an exception applies. Missing the Ohio statute of limitations negligence timeframe will almost always result in dismissal unless a valid exception applies.
What Exceptions Apply to the Ohio Negligence Statute of Limitations?
The Ohio negligence statute of limitations for personal injury is subject to several exceptions. These exceptions pause or “toll” the statute of limitations for a certain period of time. When this happens, it may extend the time for you to file a lawsuit.
Discovery
In most accidents, injuries are apparent right away. But sometimes accident victims don’t know that they have suffered an injury until weeks, months, or years after an accident. The discovery rule tolls the statute of limitations until the time an injury is or should have been discovered.
Legal Disability
A legal disability is something that prevents a person from protecting their own legal rights. Ohio recognizes age and mental illness as legal disabilities. If someone is under the age of 18 or institutionalized, or if a court has found the person to be of “unsound mind,” the statute of limitations will be tolled until the disability is removed.
Out-of-State Defendant
If a defendant leaves the state or tries to hide, the statute of limitations may be tolled until they return to the state or are found.
Prisoner Defendant
If a defendant is in prison, the Ohio negligence statute of limitations is tolled until they get out of prison.
Don’t Face This Alone—Reach Out to a Caring Ohio Personal Injury Attorney Today
You can protect your rights by contacting an experienced Ohio personal injury attorney as soon as possible after your accident. Your attorney can help you understand how the Ohio personal injury statute of limitations affects your case.
Aaron Bensinger has recovered hundreds of thousands of dollars for injury victims in the Northwest Ohio region. He and his team pride themselves on providing attentive and personalized service for their clients.
Contact Bensinger Legal Services online or call (419) 455-1410 today to set up your free initial consultation.
Aaron L. Bensinger is an Ohio attorney serving personal injury and civil litigation clients. He has extensive trial experience and makes client service is his primary focus. As a partner at Balyeat, Leahy, Daley, Miller & Bensinger, LLC, Aaron happily works in Lima, OH, and serves the entire Northwest region of the state and beyond.
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