Beware of the “Statute of Limitations” When Filing a Dog Bite Claim
A Statute of Limitations is a specified time frame, usually a certain number of years, within which an injured person can file a claim for monetary damages. When the specified time expires, the claimant loses his ability to file a claim. The purpose of statutes of limitations is to prevent people from waiting many years after being injured to file a claim.
Colorado Statute of Limitations
Every state in the US has a statute of limitations pertaining to claims filed by injured persons, including Colorado. A Colorado personal injury attorney can explain the statutes of limitations in greater detail, but basically you have two years after the date of incident causing the injury to file suit against responsible parties.
Exceptions for Minors
Some states allow a parent to wait a period of time after a child turns 18 to file a lawsuit, or the statute of limitations does not begin until the child turns 18. In other states, if a child waits until he or she turns 18, they may not have the full period of limitations, giving them less time to file suit. Ask your Colorado personal injury attorney how the statute of limitations on personal injury cases in Colorado pertains to you and your child if your child is victim of dog bite.
Exceptions for Governmental Defendants
If you wish to file a claim against a government entity, SPCA or humane society, talk to a Colorado personal injury before going forward with a lawsuit. You may be required to file a claim with the government entity within a certain time frame, usually 60 days–and the sooner the better. Your claim must clearly state the facts surrounding your injury and you have make sure the right person in the right office receives your claim. You cannot file a lawsuit until the government entity denies the claim or fails to deny it within a specified period of time. Don’t wait until you’ve filed your claim with the entity to consult with an attorney. It’s better to discuss the events surrounding your injury after it happens, when many of the important facts are still fresh in your mind.
Should You Even Bother Getting An Attorney?
If you’re serious about recovering the most compensation possible, not having legal representation should not be an option. The qualified personal injury attorneys at the O’Connell Law Firm specialize in dog bite cases and will make sure dog owners are held liable. When you choose this law firm, you can be rest assured that you will have a personal injury attorney working for you who has the background and the expertise to get you a fair compensation for your pain and suffering. You may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, loss of wages due to missed days from work or your business, medical treatment for treatment for emotional or psychological distress and any other economic hardships as a result of your injuries. You can contact the firm for a free initial consultation.
