Accident claims in Nevada must generally be filed within two years, but there are exceptions. If you have been injured and are seeking compensation, it’s important that you understand the legal deadlines you need to work with. At Goldberg Injury Law in Las Vegas, NV, a trusted Las Vegas injury attorney can make sure that you have the advice that you need.

What Are the Legal Deadlines for Filing an Injury Claim in Nevada?

The statute of limitations is the term for the legal maximum time within which a person can initiate legal proceedings after an event. That event can be a crime, an injury, or a breach of contract. If you miss this deadline after an injury, then you may not be able to recover any compensation, regardless of how justified it would be.

Claims that would fall under the two-year statute of limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit include those for car accidents, slip and fall incidents, and assault.

Exceptions and Special Circumstances

Medical Malpractice

If you are injured by medical malpractice, you have three years from the date of the injury, or two years from the date that you discovered or should reasonably have discovered that you had been injured, whichever is sooner.

If the injured party is a minor (under 18) or legally incapacitated at the time of the accident, the statute of limitations is paused until they turn 18 or the individual regains capacity. In the case of minors, the clock typically starts on their 18th birthday.

Sexual Assault

If you are filing a case for compensation after a sexual assault, there is no limit to how long you can wait after the incident. You can file your case any length of time after and your case will still be valid.

Absence from the State

If the party against whom you wish to file your case leaves Nevada, this suspends the running of the statute until they return. This means that someone cannot leave the state to avoid the case and “run out the clock” until the statute of limitations is passed.

Consult With a Las Vegas Injury Attorney

Even if the statute of limitations seems distant, you should not delay moving forward with your case. We would always recommend that you consult us as soon as possible after you are injured or discover your injury to have the best possible chance of a positive outcome for your case. Not only will the incident be fresh in your mind, but also the evidence, such as surveillance footage, accident reports, or witness statements, may become unavailable over time.

Though the legal deadline for filing a personal injury case in Nevada is usually two years, there are a number of circumstances that can change that besides those listed above. So, get in touch with us at Goldberg Injury Law in Las Vegas, NV, to make an initial appointment. We can get to work immediately on your case to ensure that you do not miss out on the compensation you deserve.

Reviewed by Katie Goldberg, founding attorney at Goldberg Injury Law.