Limitations on filing a lawsuit
Generally speaking, in Virginia you typically have two years from the date of injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. Other types of lawsuits may have longer or shorter times depending on the type of case, and actions that arise in other states may also have shorter or longer limitations periods.
How long you have to file a lawsuit depends on the type of case, where it occurred, the type of injury, and when the injury occurred. As mentioned earlier, most personal injury lawsuits or product liability lawsuits arising under Virginia law must be filed no longer than two years after the injury occurred. Breach of contract actions must be filed within either three years or five years depending on whether the contract was in writing. And most fraud actions must be filed within one year after the fraud is discovered.
All of these statements are very general and dependent on multiple variables. You should review your case with an attorney to ensure that you file your lawsuit within the applicable statute of limitations. Failing file in time will cause you to be forever barred from bringing your lawsuit.