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Suffering a personal injury is painful and difficult, but it pays to bring a lawsuit against the negligent party as quickly as possible. That’s because the state of Illinois has statutes that limit the amount of time during which you may sue. If you or a loved one has suffered an injury because of someone else’s negligence, please contact the law office of Harvey L. Walner & Associates today at (312) 313-2888 to discuss your case with an Illinois personal injury lawyer.
In the state of Illinois, a personal injury plaintiff generally has two years from the date of the accident to bring a lawsuit against a defendant in civil court. An important exception occurs when you don’t actually know you were injured until after the accident itself. In these cases, you have two years from the so-called discovery date.
Let’s say, for example, that you slipped and fell at a hotel’s swimming pool. If you immediately experience an injury like a concussion, then you have two years from that date in which to bring your suit. If, however, you walk away from the accident feeling fine but then discover at a routine doctor’s appointment six months later that your fall caused a bone fracture, then you’d have two years from the date of discovering the injury.
Keep in mind that the terms are slightly different when you sue a government entity in Illinois. Suits against the state itself must take place within two years, but you only have one year in which to file the prerequisite formal complaint. Lawsuits against cities and counties must be brought within one year of the accident or discovery date.
If you have been injured, it’s important to act quickly and to work with an experienced attorney who will begin seeking damages as soon as possible. Please contact Harvey L. Walner today at (312) 313-2888 to schedule your complimentary case consultation with our Illinois personal injury lawyer.
