| PENNSYLVANIA
STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS
Preliminary Note: Statutes of limitations restrict
the time period that a person can file a lawsuit.
These statutes not only vary by state, but
they also vary by cause of action. The following
guide provides limitations periods for each
state, but only for particular causes of action;
specifically, those related to personal injury,
medical malpractice, and products liability
claims. The sections discussing special rules
for minors only apply to the causes of action
listed for that particular state.
Personal Injury Actions
A personal injury action must be filed within two
years of the date when the injury occurred. In
Pennsylvania, personal injury actions include
medical malpractice and products liability claims.
Pennsylvania does, however, have a "discovery
rule," which, in limited cases, extends
the time for filing a personal injury action.
Under this rule, the statute of limitations will
begin to run at the time the plaintiff knows,
or should have known, that he or she was injured
and that the injury was caused by another’s
conduct.
Special Rules for Minors
An "unemancipated minor" must file suit
within two years of his or her 18th birthday. An "unemancipated
minor" is a person under 18 who is not totally
self-supporting. In cases where the minor is emancipated,
or totally self-supporting, at the time of the
injury, he or she must file suit within two years
of the date when the injury occurred.
he materials at this web site have been prepared
by our LexisNexis for information purposes only
and should not be construed as legal advice or
legal
opinion on any specific facts or circumstances.
These materials do not, and are not, intended to
constitute legal advice. Readers should not act
upon this information without seeking professional
counsel. The information provided at this site
is subject to change without notice. Although we
try to keep our site current and accurate, you
should not rely on this information or its applicability
to any specific circumstances without speaking
with an attorney.
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