How Long After An Accident Can You Make A Claim? Time Limits To Make An Accident Claim
Many people are not sure of the time limit periods they have in order to make a claim. Compare Compensation Claims has listed below all accident claim categories and the time limit periods associated with them in order for you to pursue a compensation claim.
By Law in cases where there is personal injury then court proceedings would have to be issued within three years from the date of the accident. In cases where there is no personal injury then court proceedings would have to be issued within six years from the date of the accident.
Failure to issue court proceedings within the time limit is likely to result in your claim being statute-barred (out of time).
There are exceptions. For children, the three years does not start to run until they are 18. They therefore have until their twenty first birthday to bring their claim. The three year limit does not apply to children or adults with mental difficulties. For those without mental capacity, there is no time limit.
It can be possible to obtain permission from the Court to bring a claim that is out of time. However, the Court exercises this discretion very sparingly.
If you have special circumstances surrounding your case and the time limit period has elapsed, then you should speak to one of our advisors or a personal injury lawyer before you commit to any personal injury or accident claim.
Type of accident compensation claim |
Time limit to make a claim |
| Road Traffic Accident | 3 years from the date of accident |
| Occupier Liability (OL) / Public Liability (PL) – Slip, trip or falls | 3 years from the date of accident |
| Work Accident | 3 years from the date of accident |
| Industrial Disease | 3 years from the date of incident (or 3 years from the date of knowledge *) |
| Criminal Injury Compensation Award (CICA) | 2 years from the date of incident |
| Medical Negligence / Clinical Negligence | 3 years from the date of incident (or 3 years from the date of knowledge *) |
| Defective Product | 3 years from the date of incident |
* The date of knowledge is the date that you become aware of your injury or disease, such as when you were diagnosed by a medical expert.
Additionally, if any claimant dies during their claim for accident injury compensation, the three year deadline will begin again from the date of their death, so that the family may claim personal injury compensation in their place.
If you want more information or assistance from an expert compensation claims solicitor, contact us or search our directory of specialist solicitors to make a claim.