If you suffered an injury, timing affects your legal rights. State law sets firm deadlines for filing a personal injury lawsuit. Missing them can block your ability to seek compensation, even when the facts support your claim.
The standard statute of limitations in Maryland
Most personal injury lawsuits in the state follow a three-year statute of limitations. The clock usually starts on the date of the injury. This rule applies to car accidents, slip and falls, dog bites, and many other injury claims. You must file the lawsuit in court within those three years, not just start an insurance claim.
When the discovery rule may extend the deadline
Some injuries do not appear right away. Maryland applies a discovery rule in limited situations. The deadline may start when you knew, or reasonably should have known, that an injury occurred and resulted from someone else’s conduct. Courts apply this rule narrowly, so waiting to file can still create risk.
Shorter deadlines for claims against government entities
Claims involving government agencies follow different rules. If a state or local government employee caused the injury, you may need to give written notice within one year. This notice requirement applies before any lawsuit deadline. Missing the notice period can block the claim even if the three-year limit has not expired.
Special timing rules for injuries involving minors
When an injured person is under 18, the filing deadline often pauses. In many cases, the three-year period begins when the child turns 18. This rule gives families time to address long-term medical issues before filing. However, related claims, such as medical bills paid by parents, may follow different timing rules.
Why acting early still matters
Even with time available, delays can hurt your case. Evidence can fade, witnesses can become harder to locate, and records may become harder to obtain. Acting early helps preserve proof and protects your ability to file your personal injury claim within the state’s deadlines.