Personal Injury
Personal Injury Claims: Kentucky's Statute of Limitations
Time limits apply to personal injury claims in Kentucky. Missing these deadlines can bar your recovery entirely.
What Is a Statute of Limitations?
A statute of limitations is a legal deadline for filing a lawsuit. If you miss the deadline, you permanently lose your right to sue — regardless of how strong your case is. Kentucky has specific statutes of limitations for different types of personal injury claims.
Kentucky's General Personal Injury Deadline: 1 Year
Kentucky has one of the shortest personal injury statutes of limitations in the country: one year from the date of the injury. This applies to car accidents, slip and fall cases, dog bites, and most other personal injury claims. The clock starts running on the date of the accident.
Exceptions to the One-Year Rule
Important exceptions exist. Claims against a government entity (city, county, state) typically require written notice within 90 days. Medical malpractice claims in Kentucky have a one-year statute of limitations with a special discovery rule. Product liability claims may have different deadlines depending on the theory of recovery.
The Discovery Rule
In some cases, the statute of limitations begins when you discover — or reasonably should have discovered — the injury, not necessarily when the injury occurred. This applies most commonly in medical malpractice and toxic exposure cases. An attorney can help determine when your limitations period began.
Why You Should Act Now
Even if your deadline has not passed, waiting hurts your case. Evidence disappears. Witnesses forget. Surveillance footage is overwritten. Insurance companies use delay against you. Contact Vantage Law as soon as possible after any accident to preserve your rights.
Legal Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading this article does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws change frequently and the information above may not reflect the most current legal developments. Consult a qualified attorney for advice specific to your situation.
Have Questions About Your Case?
The information above is general. Your situation is specific. Talk to an attorney.