Hawaii Statutes of Limitations for Injury Cases
If you or a loved one is injured through the fault of someone else, there are time limitations on filing a lawsuit to recover damages. Cronin, Fried, Sekiya, Kekina & Fairbanks, Attorneys at Law offers clients seasoned legal guidance and helps them navigate the legal process involved with pursuing lawsuits.
What is a statute of limitations?
A statute of limitations is a time limitation on filing a lawsuit. Most criminal and civil cases have statutes of limitations. Legislatures pass laws that impose time limits on filing lawsuits for practical reasons. When a plaintiff fails to take legal action within a reasonable period of time, evidence can disappear and locating witnesses becomes a challenge. Overall, the time, costs and efforts involved with bringing a case increase the longer you wait to take legal action. From the perspective of potential defendants, people desire to get on with their lives and put potential liability behind them. From the court system’s perspective, without statutes of limitations, pending cases could stretch out endlessly, overloading court dockets even more than they already are.
What are Hawaii’s statutes of limitations for injury cases?
Statutes of limitations vary depending on the type of case. Every state passes its own statutes of limitations and Hawaii has different statutes than other states. You must file a lawsuit within the time indicated or you lose your right to sue. Following are some of Hawaii’s statutes of limitations for civil cases:
- Cases against Hawaii counties and the city of Honolulu ― six months from the accident date
- Cases against the State of Hawaii ― two years from the accident date
- Motor vehicle accidents (car accidents, motorcycle accidents, etc.) ― two years from the accident date
- Slip and fall or premises liability lawsuits ― two years from the accident date
- Medical malpractice ― two years from the date of discovering the negligence and resulting injuries
Rely on experience and skill from a reputable law firm
If you suffer a personal injury and believe someone else is liable, it is wise to seek a legal opinion as soon as possible. Do not put your right to sue in jeopardy through unnecessary delay. Please contact Cronin, Fried, Sekiya, Kekina & Fairbanks, Attorneys at Law for a free initial consultation. We take cases based on contingency, which means you owe no fees unless we are successful in recovering compensation through settlement or verdict.
