Statutes of Limitations in the State of Oklahoma
You may have heard of the term "statute of limitations" before, but like many others, you may not be aware what it means or why it is so important. Our personal injury attorneys would like to take this opportunity to go over the basics of the statute of limitations in the state of Oklahoma.
What is the a statute of limitations?
A statute of limitations refers to a window of time during which a lawsuit must be filed. This will vary from incident to incident and from state to state. Sometimes the circumstances of the incident will also affect the given timeframe for filing a case.
Why is there a statute of limitations?
The statute of limitations is in place in order to ensure that evidence does not degrade with time and that any witness testimony is reliable. While it may seem a hindrance, the statute of limitations is really meant to benefit the client. That's why it's imperative that you speak with a representative from our personal injury law firm as soon as possible after an injury or tragic loss.
Statute of Limitations on Personal Injury Cases (General)
When another person's negligence results in harm, our personal injury and auto accident attorneys will be here to help you. The statute of limitations on general personal injury cases is 2 years starting from the day of the injury/act of negligence.
Statute of Limitations on Medical Malpractice Cases
Medical professionals of all kinds need to be held accountable if their negligence causes injury or even death. These are known as medical malpractice cases. The statute of limitations on medical malpractice cases is 2 years after the incident of negligence.
Statute of Limitations on Defective Product Cases
When companies make defective products of any kind, they need to be held accountable. The statute of limitations on product liability / defective products cases is 2 years starting when the defect is first noticed.
Statute of Limitations on Wrongful / Accidental Death Cases
Accidental death cases need to be taken seriously, which is why wrongful death suits should be filed in a timely manner. The statute of limitations on wrongful death cases is 2 years starting after a loved one has passed.
Other Civil Statutes of Limitations of Which to Be Aware
Below are some additional statutes of limitations to consider:
- Damage to property - 2 years
- Trespassing - 2 years
- Fraud - 2 years
- Legal / professional malpractice - 2 years
- Contract violation (written) - 5 years
- Contract violation (oral/non-written agreements) - 3 years
- Libel / slander - 1 year
Statutes of Limitations for Criminal Offenses
The following are the statutes of limitations on criminal offenses:
- Murder (first and second degree) - No time limit
- Manslaughter (first and second degree) - 3 years
- Arson - 3 years
- Assault and battery - 3 years
- Robbery / theft - 3 years
- Rape - 12 years
- Kidnapping - 3 years
Meet With Our Legal Team to Learn About Your Legal Rights
For more information about all of your legal options and how our team can fight for you, be sure to contact our Oklahoma City personal injury lawyers today. All of our attorneys are eager to meet you in person and help you obtain peace of mind while also seeking justice in the process.