The Two-Year Time Frame for Personal Injury Claims 
Ohio’s statute of limitations generally provides you with two years to file a personal injury lawsuit. This rule applies to a broad range of injury cases, including car accidents, slip and fall incidents, dog bites, and many others. The two-year period starts on the date of the injury, not the date of the accident. So if you’re injured in a car accident on January 1st, the deadline to file a lawsuit would be January 1st of the following year. This two-year window is crucial for both parties in an injury claim. For the injured party, failing to file within this period can mean losing the opportunity to hold the negligent party accountable. On the other hand, the statute of limitations also prevents defendants from being sued indefinitely, which gives them certainty about the potential for legal action. How to Calculate the Deadline
It’s important to understand exactly when the two years start running. Generally, the statute of limitations begins from the date of the injury or accident. For example, if you were injured in a car accident on July 15, 2025, the deadline to file your personal injury lawsuit would be July 15, 2027. However, things aren’t always that simple. In some cases, you may not immediately realize you were injured. In situations where the injury is discovered later, Ohio follows what’s called the “discovery rule.” The discovery rule starts the two-year clock from the date the injury was discovered or when it should have been discovered with reasonable diligence. This often applies to injuries like medical malpractice or exposure to toxic substances where the full extent of the injury isn’t immediately apparent.
Dan Ryan
Attorney
Elizabeth Fitzgerald
Paralegal
Our objectives remain clear in every case we pursue: To give every client, without delay, excuse or equivocation, our full attention, sound advice and forceful representation.
About Our FirmWhat Happens If You Miss the Deadline
The consequences of missing the statute of limitations deadline can be severe. If you don’t file a lawsuit within the two-year period, you may lose your legal right to seek compensation for your injuries. In most cases, the court will dismiss the lawsuit outright if it’s filed after the deadline has passed. While there are limited exceptions to this rule, they are rare and difficult to prove. Therefore, it’s crucial to consult with an attorney as soon as possible to avoid missing your opportunity to file a claim.Exceptions and Special Circumstances That Could Affect the Deadline
Though the two-year statute of limitations rule is straightforward, there are several exceptions and special circumstances that may affect how long you have to file a personal injury claim in Ohio. Below are some of the common exceptions that could extend or shorten the time frame.Medical Malpractice Cases in Ohio
Medical malpractice is one area where the statute of limitations in Ohio is different. For injuries resulting from medical negligence, the statute of limitations is typically one year from the date you discover, or should have discovered, that the injury occurred. However, Ohio law also imposes a four-year statute of repose. This means that no medical malpractice lawsuit can be filed more than four years after the date the negligent act took place, regardless of when the injury was discovered. This rule is crucial because it means that even if you only realize you’ve been injured by a doctor’s mistake after several years, you cannot file a claim if more than four years have passed since the incident.Wrongful Death Claims in Ohio
If someone dies as a result of a personal injury, Ohio law allows the family to file a wrongful death lawsuit. The statute of limitations for wrongful death claims is generally two years from the date of death. This is true even if the accident or injury that led to the death occurred before the actual passing. In Ohio, wrongful death claims are separate from personal injury claims, though they can sometimes arise from the same event. For instance, if someone is injured in a car accident and later dies from their injuries, the family may file both a personal injury claim on behalf of the deceased (up to the time of death) and a wrongful death claim after the person passes away.
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