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WARNING: The time limitations for bringing a lawsuit vary widely
with the type of case, whether the case is brought against a government
agency, and the particular facts of your case. What follows is
not intended , nor can it be relied upon , as advice for your
particular case.

Every kind of civil claim or lawsuit has a time period within
which a lawsuit must be filed. Failure to file within that time
period means that the case will be forever barred. This time period
is known as the statute of limitations. Each state has a statute
of limitations for every type of case, and so does the federal
government. There are wide variations on these time limits, so
you must be wary so as not to let the time run out. Typically,
the statute of limitations begins to run from the time a person
knows or should know he has a claim. What follows is general information
on the statute of limitations for wrongful death and personal
injury cases.


The statute of limitations is three years from the time the person
knew or should have known he had a claim or cause of action. If
the person entitled to the civil lawsuit is a minor, insane or
imprisoned at the time the claim or cause of action accrues, then
the time period may be extended. A lawsuit must be filed within
the statute of limitations or your claim is forever barred.

The statute of limitations is two years from the time the person
knew or should have known he had a claim or cause of action, unless
he filed a verified claim within one year of the discovery of
the claim. If a verified claim is filed with the state agency
within one year of the date the person knew or should have known
he had a claim the statute of limitations is extended to three
years. Suit must be filed within the statute of limitations or
your claim is forever barred.

Claims against the Federal Government must be presented in writing
within two years after the claim accrues and suit must be filed
within six months after the date of mailing, by certified or registered
mail of the notice of final denial of the claim. A cause of action
"accrues" against a federal agency when the injured party learns
of his injury's existence and cause. Federal courts do not allow
a waiver of the statute of limitations due to a persons age of
minority, imprisonment, or insanity. Failure to meet these requirements
for a federal claim will result in your claim being forever barred.


The statute of limitations is three years from the date of death,
unless death was
caused by medical malpractice. See "Time of Limitations" under "Medical Malpractice".

The statute of limitations is two years from the date the loss
was or should have been discovered. If a verified claim has been
filed within the first year after the claim accrued, the statute
of limitations is three years from the date the loss was -or should
have been- discovered.

The claim must be filed in writing with the appropriate federal
agency within two years of the date the claim accrues and a lawsuit
must be filed within six months of the mailing by certified or
registered mail of the notice of final denial of the claim by
the federal agency.
FAILURE TO FILE A LAWSUIT WITHIN THE STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS MEANS
YOUR CASE WILL BE FOREVER BARRED AND YOU CAN NEVER RECOVER DAMAGES
FOR YOUR LOSS.
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