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Shorter Statute of Limitation

            Shorter Statute of Limitation
            A statute of limitations is the maximum time that one can wait before filing a lawsuit.  If a lawsuit is not filed within the applicable statute of limitation an injured individual can be forever barred from taking legal action against those responsible for causing his or her injury.  The time period varies from state to state and depending on the type of claim.  In Florida the statute of limitations for most types of negligence is 4 years.  For medical malpractice it is shorter – generally 2 years (there are limited exceptions and extensions in Florida based upon such things as when the negligence was discovered and whether there was fraud involved).

            It is important to realize that this time limitation is not how long an individual has to see a lawyer – it is the filing of the lawsuit that must be accomplished before the expiration of the statute of limitations.  A lawyer will need time to gather records and investigate a potential claim before a lawsuit can ever be filed.  For this reason it is important to contact a lawyer immediately if you intend to pursue your claim.