One of the responsibilities of your attorney while handling your case is to ensure that you meet all relevant deadlines. Missing critical deadlines, such as those established by California’s statutes of limitations, could invalidate your case. For instance, if your attorney mistakenly tells you that you still have six months to file your case when you are actually almost out of time, you may lose the ability to pursue justice altogether.
It’s important to note that statutes of limitations vary depending on the type of case. Below are some of the most common statutes in California:
- Personal injury cases: Two years from the date of the injury
- Libel or slander cases (defamation): One year
- False imprisonment: One year
- Fraud cases: Three years from the event
- Veterinary malpractice: One year from the time the animal was injured or died
- Medical malpractice: One year from when the issue was discovered (or should have been discovered) or three years from the date of the injury
- Rent collection efforts: Four years
- Oral contracts: Two years
- Written contracts: Four years
- Other legal judgments: 10 years
As you can see, statutes of limitations vary widely depending on the nature of the case. In some situations, such as when an injury or issue is discovered after the fact, the statute may provide some flexibility since it doesn’t apply until the date of discovery.
Your legal options
Regardless of the case, you rely on your legal team to understand and adhere to these deadlines. If your attorney is negligent and misses a critical deadline, it could derail your entire case. If this happens, be sure to explore your options for addressing the situation and seeking appropriate recourse.