How long do I have to file an injury lawsuit in Florida?
For causes of action accruing after March 24, 2023, the general negligence limitations period is two years from the date of injury. It was four.
Why the change matters more than the arithmetic suggests. Two years passes while treatment is still ongoing in a serious case. Permanency often isn't determined until well into the second year, and by then there's little room to investigate, negotiate, and file.
Different deadlines apply to wrongful death, medical negligence, claims against government entities, and claims involving minors. Each has its own framework, and some require steps before filing that consume months.
What "accrual" means can itself be disputed, particularly where an injury wasn't immediately apparent.
The deadline is not the same as the PIP deadline. Fourteen days for initial medical care, two years to file suit. Missing the first doesn't affect the second, and vice versa.
If you're approaching the two-year mark, that changes everything about how a case is handled and needs attention immediately.
Two years, not four. If your crash was in the last year, that clock is already meaningful. ---
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