Does Virginia law recognize any special exception to our two-year personal injury statute of limitations in cases where there’s a belief that someone committed fraud, misrepresentation, or concealment? There are exceptions in Virginia for those situations. If you believe the health care provider, hospital, nurse, surgeon, or doctor committed fraud or misrepresented facts in the medical records or to you, then you get an extension to the statute of limitations for one year from when you discover that fraud or misrepresentation.

Our law firm has actually dealt with cases like this. We had and OB-GYN case where facts revealed the physician had committed fraud or misrepresented facts to his patient. This extended the statute of limitations.

When you’ve been injured in an accident caused by someone else, you want a lawyer who is experienced and skilled in personal injury law advocating for you. At Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp, we can help you assess your claim and guide you through the legal process to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve. Call us today at 833-997-1774 for a free consultation.

Why Does Virginia Enforce Statutes of Limitations on Personal Injury Claims?

Statute of limitations are legal time limits that dictate how long a person has to file a lawsuit after suffering a personal injury. While the specific rules and deadlines may vary from state to state, the underlying principles behind these statutes remain consistent. In most Virginia personal injury cases, there is a two-year statute of limitations. Your injury lawyer can evaluate your case and determine what the time limit is in your situation.

The enforcement of statutes of limitations serves several crucial purposes:

Encouraging Timely Resolution

Statutes of limitations encourage the timely resolution of personal injury claims. By imposing a deadline for filing a lawsuit, the legal system ensures that injured parties and potential defendants address their disputes promptly. This helps prevent the accumulation of old, potentially unreliable evidence and fading memories, which could impede the pursuit of justice.

Protecting the Integrity of Evidence

Over time, evidence related to a personal injury claim can deteriorate or be lost. Witnesses may move away or forget crucial details, physical evidence degrade, and documents may become difficult to locate. By setting time limits on when a lawsuit can be filed, statutes of limitations help ensure that the evidence presented in court remains reliable and credible.

Promoting Fairness

Statutes of limitations promote fairness by ensuring that defendants are not indefinitely exposed to the threat of litigation. Allowing claims to be filed years or even decades after an incident could unfairly burden defendants with defending against stale allegations. By setting reasonable time limits, the law balances the interests of injured parties and those of potential defendants.

Encouraging Responsible Behavior

Statutes of limitations encourage individuals and organizations to take responsibility for their actions. Knowing that they can be held accountable within a defined time frame, potential wrongdoers are incentivized to address personal injury claims promptly, whether through settlement negotiations or other means. This can lead to earlier compensation for injured parties.

Managing Court Resources

The enforcement of statutes of limitations helps manage the court system’s caseload. Without these limitations, courts could become overwhelmed with old claims, making it difficult to prioritize newer cases and ensure timely justice for all parties involved. The court system can allocate resources more efficiently by requiring claims to be filed within a specific timeframe.

Legal Certainty

Statutes of limitations provide legal certainty for both plaintiffs and defendants. They establish clear rules about when a personal injury claim must be filed, which allows parties to plan and make informed decisions about how to proceed. This predictability in the legal system benefits everyone involved.

Encouraging Early Resolution

Knowing that they have a limited time to file a lawsuit, injured parties are encouraged to explore alternative dispute resolution methods, such as negotiation, mediation, or settlement, in an effort to resolve their claims without going to court. This can lead to quicker and more cost-effective resolutions.

Call Us Today for a Free Consultation and Case Evaluation

If you’ve been injured, don’t hesitate to seek legal advice. You deserve to know your options.

We offer a free consultation and case evaluation so you can get your questions answered and learn about your legal options with absolutely no obligation or financial cost.

Call us today at 833-997-1774 or complete our online contact form to schedule your free case evaluation. Let us help you take the first step toward securing the compensation you deserve.