The Statute of Limitations in Ohio: How Long Do You Have to File a Claim?
If you’ve been injured in an accident, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. However, you don’t have unlimited time to take legal action. Ohio has strict laws on how long you have to file a personal injury claim, known as the statute of limitations. If you wait too long, you could lose your right to seek compensation altogether.
At Zaber Law, we want to make sure you understand these deadlines so you can protect your rights. Below, we explain how the statute of limitations works in Ohio and what you need to do to ensure you file your claim on time.
What Is the Statute of Limitations?
The statute of limitations is the legal time limit you have to file a lawsuit after an accident or injury. Once this deadline passes, you may no longer be able to seek compensation, no matter how strong your case is.
Each type of legal claim has a different time limit, so it’s important to understand how much time you have based on the type of accident or injury you suffered.
Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Claims in Ohio
1. Car Accidents, Slip-and-Falls, and General Personal Injury
- Time Limit: Two years from the date of the accident
- Applies to: Injuries caused by car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, slip-and-falls, and other types of negligence-based personal injuries.
This means if you were in a car accident on April 1, 2024, you must file your lawsuit by April 1, 2026. If you miss this deadline, you may lose your right to compensation.
2. Medical Malpractice Claims
- Time Limit: One year from the date of discovery of the injury or when the injury should have reasonably been discovered.
- Applies to: Claims against doctors, hospitals, or healthcare providers for medical negligence.
Medical malpractice cases are complex, and it’s often difficult to determine when the clock starts ticking. If you suspect malpractice, contact a lawyer as soon as possible.
3. Wrongful Death Claims
- Time Limit: Two years from the date of death.
- Applies to: Cases where a person dies due to another party’s negligence, such as in a fatal car accident or workplace injury.
Only certain family members (such as spouses, children, or the estate representative) can file a wrongful death lawsuit.
4. Claims Against Government Entities
- Time Limit: As little as six months depending on the agency.
- Applies to: Accidents involving government vehicles, injuries caused by unsafe public roads, or negligence by a government agency.
Filing a claim against a government entity has special rules, and missing any step can result in your case being dismissed.
Why Does the Statute of Limitations Matter?
Many accident victims make the mistake of waiting too long before contacting an attorney. But the longer you wait, the harder it becomes to gather evidence, track down witnesses, and build a strong case.
If you miss the statute of limitations:
❌ You may lose your right to sue.
❌ The insurance company has no obligation to settle your claim.
❌ You could be stuck with medical bills and lost wages with no legal recourse.
Even if you think you have plenty of time, talk to a lawyer as soon as possible. There may be exceptions or unique factors in your case that could impact the deadline.
How Zaber Law Can Help You File on Time
At Zaber Law, we understand that legal deadlines can be confusing and stressful—especially when you’re trying to recover from an injury. Our experienced team is here to:
✔️ Evaluate your case and determine how much time you have to file.
✔️ Handle all legal paperwork so you don’t miss critical deadlines.
✔️ Negotiate with insurance companies to seek a fair settlement before filing a lawsuit.
✔️ Take your case to court if necessary to fight for the compensation you deserve.
Time is not on your side—act now before it’s too late.
📞 Call Zaber Law today at 216-367-5665 to schedule a FREE consultation.
If you’ve been injured, don’t wait. Protect your rights, and let us fight for the justice you deserve!
