Should I Wait to File a Personal Injury Suit Due to COVID-19?
It may seem like the world is on hold as we grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic, but life goes on and people are still getting injured at work and other public places. A personal injury attorney can help accident victims seek damages for their injuries through a personal injury lawsuit.
If you have been injured in an accident, you may be wondering if you should wait to file a personal injury suit due to COVID-19. Serving Salt Lake City, UT, Provo, UT, and surrounding areas, attorney Lynn C. Harris wants accident victims to understand that delaying action on a personal injury lawsuit can put them at risk of the statute of limitations expiring on their claim, making them unable to seek compensation through the courts.
Let's take a closer look at the statute of limitations and why you may not want to wait out COVID-19 to file a personal injury lawsuit.
The Statute of Limitations Is Not On Hold
Although COVID-19 has put many things on hold, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit is not one of them.
The statute of limitations is the amount of time a person has after an injury or accident to file a lawsuit. The statute of limitations for personal injury cases varies from state to state; in Utah, the statute of limitations is typically four years.
The clock for the statute of limitations can start at different times. Sometimes, it starts on the date the injury occurred; sometimes it starts on the date the injury, or harm, was discovered.
Because there is a finite amount of time an accident victim has to file a personal injury lawsuit, it's advisable not to wait for the COVID-19 pandemic to end before pursuing legal action.
Medical Treatment Should Not Be Delayed Due to COVID-19
Evidence of injuries is essential when filing a personal injury lawsuit. Avoiding medical treatment because of fears of being at a hospital during the pandemic can not only cause an injury to become worse, it can jeopardize your case.
Medical records, doctors' opinions, and hospital bills are all important for supporting a personal injury claim so that victims may get the compensation they deserve.
How Else Can COVID-19 Affect a Personal Injury Case?
It's important to act promptly when it comes to filing a personal injury lawsuit, especially at this time when COVID-19 has caused widespread disruptions to daily life.
Following COVID-19 safety recommendations can also cause things to take longer, including filing a personal injury case. Court hours may change or become reduced due to the local COVID-19 situation, trial and hearing delays may occur, or the courts may close temporarily.
Acting promptly is important to avoid further delays, plan for unforeseen changes related to COVID-19, and to avoid missing the window for filing within the statute of limitations.
Schedule a Consultation with Attorney Lynn C. Harris
Personal injury attorney Lynn C. Harris remains available to help clients during this challenging time. If you have been injured in an accident and live in or around Salt Lake City, please call (801) 521-3200 to schedule a consultation with Mr. Harris.
